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Baños de Agua Santa, in addition to its natural beauty and exciting adventure activities, is also an excellent place to enjoy Ecuadorian gastronomy. The city, located in the Central Andes, offers a rich mix of flavors that combine influences from the Andean culture and fresh products from the Amazon. Travelers can experience a wide variety of traditional dishes, perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in local culture through food.
Typical Dishes in Baños
- Hornado: One of the region’s most representative dishes, it consists of roast pork, served with mote (cooked corn) and a tomato, onion, and cilantro sauce. It is a flavorful dish commonly found in many restaurants in Baños.
- Chugchucaras: This dish is a mix of fried pork, mote, empanadas de viento (air-filled empanadas), and llapingachos (potato patties). It is a hearty meal, perfect for those wanting to try a bit of everything.
- Ceviche de chochos: A different kind of ceviche made with chochos (Andean beans) instead of seafood, mixed with onion, lime, tomato, and cilantro. This dish is fresh, light, and full of flavor.
- Salprieta: A dish served with pork, sometimes accompanied by green plantain or rice. Its sauce contains peanuts and other ingredients, giving it a unique flavor.
- Empanadas de viento: Delicious air-filled empanadas, fried until crispy. They are often served as an appetizer, either sweetened with sugar or salted.
Typical Drinks
- Colada Morada: A thick and sweet drink made with fresh fruits such as blackberries, naranjilla, and strawberries, traditionally consumed during Day of the Dead celebrations.
- Sugar cane juice: In Baños, you can try freshly made sugar cane juice, sweet and refreshing, perfect for pairing with any meal.
Sweets and Desserts
- Bizcochos de Baños: These traditional biscuits from Baños are baked in traditional ovens. They have a soft, slightly sweet taste, making them perfect to accompany a hot drink.
- Tropical fruit ice creams: Thanks to its proximity to the Amazon, Baños offers delicious ice creams made from tropical fruits like guanabana, naranjilla, and passion fruit.
Local Markets and Restaurants
In Baños, you can find markets like the Baños Municipal Market, where fresh local ingredients are sold, such as fruits, vegetables, and aromatic herbs. Additionally, many of the city’s restaurants offer full menus that include a variety of traditional dishes, all made with fresh, locally sourced products.