You Won't Believe Lunch is THIS CHEAP in Cuenca Ecuador

[@ayngelina]

Love Ecuador? You'll adore these Ecuador t-shirts: ecuador.myspreadshop.com/

[@force10jc]

When I move to Cuenca, I will have to cook much less (at least in the beginning) so I can eat all the wonderful looking Ecuadorian food offered at the many restaurants. Thanks, as always, for sharing.

[@bobogigio9072]

You and me both, @John C!

[@ayngelina]

Cuenca is one of the best cities to eat quality food at a low price. It's one of the things I love about it.

[@AhmedTesjeel]

My best one in Cuenca is Moliendo cafe i almost eat there every day it’s cheaper than cooking and Javier is the best my second is El tunel and third is Coppelia cuz they are open an Sunday 😁 , i will try the other three you mentioned, thanks for the video and keep up the good work 👍

[@ayngelina]

Oh I've never been to Coppelia, where is it? Sunday almuerzo is definitely hard to find!

[@AhmedTesjeel]

@@ayngelina The one I always go is in President Codova near parque Calderon they have another one near it and a third in Mall del rio but it's more expensive , I like it and Menestras del negro cuz they serve a good food with good prices and they are avaliable not only for the 3 houres of el almuerzo

[@ayngelina]

Oh good to know!

[@greencraig8570]

Everything looks delicious and healthy

[@ayngelina]

Cuenca has high quality food for its price, especially at lunch.

[@kevinmoore4570]

Hey Angelina thanks for making this video. After your cheap eats video I was hoping you would do an almuerzo video as well. Cafe Moliendo is my favorite and now I have a couple new places to try. Thanks!

[@ayngelina]

Oh I'm thrilled! As I travel around Ecuador I see how strong this tradition is in Cuenca compared to other cities and so I also really wanted to do one. That said, I hope I can also do one in Quito and Manta in the future, it just takes a bit more help from other people to recommend places because I've asked in FB groups in the past and people just give me lunch places not realizing that I don't literally mean almuerzo, which is "lunch" but actually the set lunch.

[@henryle1940]

I love Ecuador chaulafan is the best

[@ayngelina]

It really is 😊

[@StephEatsnTravels]

I'd want to try it all! Really love your article, in-depth reviews.

[@ayngelina]

We should talk 2023 to see if we can eat together 😊

[@itravelers]

Awesome video. I've told my wife we won't be home cooking much in Cuenca. 😄

[@ayngelina]

hahah eat out for lunch, it's the best deal and then dinner at home!

[@AprilH.]

I wrote all these places down! Planning on moving to Cuenca soon!I love the Chinese-Ecuadorian fusion! I also love the idea of inexpensive, quality food made with love! You look wonderful and happy as always! Can't wait for your Bali vids too❤️

[@ayngelina]

Thank you so much April. These really are so good

[@durandenita]

Omg!!! me too I am doing the same 😁

[@toddsikkila1623]

I'd be happy just eating those soups! All of them looked delicious!

[@ayngelina]

So I didn't share this but usually if I'm eating on my own I bring a tupperware and then put the rice in it and toss the soup on top. Then for dinner I have the best tasting ricey soup.

[@toddsikkila1623]

@@ayngelina That's a great idea. Two starches at one time is a bit much for even me, so that would be perfect. Although, the chances of me having any leftover soup are rather slim. LOL.

[@ayngelina]

Hahaha I have a really weird obsession with not wasting food. When I am home visiting I'm the one that cooks and mi family knows if everything isn't eaten then the next day they'll see it in some other form.

[@durandenita]

Not finish the video but just knowing that is you who post it I am taking notes already , I already wrote down the chaulafan y esa sopa de verde wuaoooo 😁😁😁 can’t wait until I arrive to Cuenca or anywhere in Ecuador 🇪🇨😁😁♥️

[@ayngelina]

Oh I'm thrilled you're enjoying it!

[@scottlevine7646]

Love your energy. Subscribed.

[@ayngelina]

Thanks so much Scott, I appreciate the kind words.

[@quito9896]

I like all of them, thank you 😊

[@ayngelina]

Oh I'm thrilled!

[@tsleong1]

My favorite El Tunel has been El Tunel since going there 7 years ago.

[@ayngelina]

I've never had a bad meal there either 😊

[@JimmyDew_]

Your explanation of seco is funny. I can imagine the foreign people faces when they were served hot soup in a hot climate region. I hope you tried sopa de fideo tostado con papas y quesillo. My mom used to make and it was delicious. Thank for sharing another great video.😋🥣

[@ayngelina]

I know! It's hot and humid and here's a bowl of steaming soup 🤣

[@rhyslud]

I haven't finished watching the video yet, but I wanted to chime in that that "Curry" that had peanuts, might actually be a variation of the Filipino dish "kare kare" Filipino which is usually oxtail in a peanut sauce. I always had the similar reaction to you because I was expecting Curry and it definitely wasn't.

[@ayngelina]

Such a good point! There are definite similarities to Filipino food because of Spanish colonization.

[@julianzuniga1633]

Hola... Saludos cordiales Me encanta tu video... Tienes más de ecuatoriana que de canadiense... 💪 🇪🇨 👍🏻 Me gusta mucho la forma sin miedo que tú pruebas el ají... Solamente espero que si en algún momento te sirven un ají de esos que " harían arrodillarse y pedir perdón al mismo diablo 👿", pues muestres completamente TODA TU REACCIÓN 😂😂😂. .. Así que pues.. dele nomas Bendiciones para ti

[@ayngelina]

Te prometo que siempre mostraré cuando haga demasiado calor. Y los momentos bochornosos que hago en español como jugo de pollo. 🤣

[@christinedailey9254]

All that food looks amazing! Do you know if monosodium glutamate is used in their chicken stock?

[@ayngelina]

It tasted like it was made from scratch but to be 100% sure it's best to ask.

[@patnewman1]

Buenos Dias from Cuenca.

[@ayngelina]

Hi Pat! Do you have a favourite almuerzo spot?

[@patnewman1]

@@ayngelina I do not, I live near the Supermaxi Don Bosco and I try a different place 3-4 times per week looking for the best one. I do plan on trying some of your suggestions within the coming weeks.

[@ayngelina]

well if you find others let me know as I'm always up for trying something good.

[@patnewman1]

@@ayngelina I went to Animal yesterday and the price for Chalufan is now $4.50.

[@ayngelina]

Chaulafan isn't part of the almuerzo set lunch. You would have paid for the a la carte dish, but that's a really good deal. How was it?

[@estelamino6356]

Hello THANKS for sharing. Please ignored thisr u have said. NEGATIVES comments .they JUST. Have nothing else to do..thanks criticize others..I'm very thankful to u videos..🇪🇨

[@ayngelina]

Thank you so much Estela, I always appreciate your kind words 💜

[@kristelfiore1330]

Jugo 🧃 de pollo 🍗🍹😅✌️you are funny 😁 omg I love ❤️ caldo de bolas with cheese from manabi 👌👌 but I also like the kind of caldo de bolas that you ate in this video 👌👌 I love sopa de lentejas ❤️❤️❤️and the caldo de pollo from the chifa it’s delicious 🤤 or sopa wanton 👌 but to be honest in Cuenca I don’t like how they cook almuerzos 🫣😳 I just LOVE 💕 CASCARITAS hornado the tree tomato ají motepillo mote sucio 😅yummy empanadas llapingachos with that red sausage onions and avocado 🥑👌 TAMAL

[@ayngelina]

I know 😂 it sounds like I thought they threw a chicken in the blender to make juice. Some days I'm just not thinking clearly 🤣

[@adamkhabazian3249]

I'm sorry, I know you want to explain everything in detail, but it's one sidetrack to another. this is annoying. you should try to get to the point first and do a bit of explaining. you need to organize your thoughts

[@ayngelina]

It’s ok if you don’t like how I explain things. There are other channels about Ecuador you can watch

[@anacreel51]

Soup each time I guess after a while you get tired of soup

[@ayngelina]

Ecuador has the second most soups in the world, second to only China. But I always carry Tupperware on me so often I take it to go as I’m not always looking for a big meal. Or you can also just ask for the main dish and skip the soup. Some places may give you a discount for that. But Ecuador will really make you love soup.

[@silvanavelasco1147]

Muy sabroso 😋

[@ayngelina]

Cuenca es una gran ciudad para la comida.

[@nellie...]

Ayngelina prices are amazing. I literally got hungry watching this video. Thanks for sharing another of your great adventures 👏.

[@ayngelina]

Thank you Nellie. I'm so glad you enjoyed it 💕

[@aaronml8298]

This is a tough one...but I will choose location #1. The price was great and the meal was large and it made me hungry. They were all locations I would go to and check out. Thanks for this info Ayngelina!

[@ayngelina]

You can't go wrong there! Good choice 😁

[@Bikurine]

That first restaurant's sign! Hahahahahaha! That's ecuadorian comedy gold right there! Trust me, I know! I'm from Quito!

[@ayngelina]

The whole restaurant was like this, so funny!

[@bobogigio9072]

Sorry, Ayngelina, but I can't pick just one place! I want to go to them all! 😋

[@ayngelina]

I can understand. I want to go back to all of them 😂

[@LaurieSequana]

Coming in November for three months. Must eat this!

[@ayngelina]

Will you be there for Day of the Deceased and Cuenca Independence Day the first week of the month? It's the best time of the year in Cuenca

[@LaurieSequana]

@@ayngelina no, we arrive on 8th in Quito. Going to Mindo for a fe days, then to long term in Cuenca. Got to figure out gluten free Almuerzos!

[@ayngelina]

I think for a GF almuerzo in Cuenca the best places to start are actually the vegetarian restaurants because they list of DF/GF/V/VEGAN. I have one video already of vegetarian restaurants in Cuenca and all of the spots I actually ate almuerzos for the video.

[@doomo]

Me again. Sorry to bother you. How about Cuenca bars and coffee shops. And a tour of your friends hotels... We are looking at rental properties so it seemed a natural.

[@ayngelina]

You can see the room I rent in the My Life in Cuenca video and I feature some bars in the Cuenca Cocktails video. Coffee is on my list for this fall!

[@pamelagreene3501]

When I am in Mexico, I never eat any uncooked fruits or vegetables (unless they are peeled), therefore will probably not eat salads in Ecuador. Is it more polite to ask for no salad with an almuerzo, or to simply not eat it?? Love your videos and am making notes for my trip in January!

[@ayngelina]

Absolutely ask for no salad if you're not going to eat it. But you can drink the water in Cuenca, it comes from Cajas and is filtered. Not everywhere in Ecuador has potable water but Cuenca has very strict rules around its water supply, for some reason if it's not potable such as heavy rains that tax the system, they'll stop the water from running into the taps.

[@pamelagreene3501]

@@ayngelina Thanks Ayngelina!

[@eternitywithjesus777]

Great video. Thanks for the memories! You do a wonderful job.

[@ayngelina]

Thank you, I hope you can get back to try the chifa someday soon!

[@josefeijoo7415]

Soy ecuatoriano , de guayaquil y para nosotros el caldo de bolas tiene que ser con bolas rellenas ; usualmente es con carne de res muy picada y sasonada ,parece que en Cuenca las Bolas No son rellenas ,esta es mi unica observacion ¡¡¡¡ saludos

[@LarArauz]

Thanks for sharing places where locals eat! That’s what we want to try when visit!

[@ayngelina]

That’s how I am as well. My channel focuses on sharing local traditional food so you’ll find lots here 😊

[@iluv2_travel]

i cant wait to hit up some of these places in a few weeks! thanks!!!

[@ayngelina]

I have so many Cuenca restaurants videos. Hands down it is the best city to eat good quality food for very cheap. You'll love it.

[@miguelmiguel4042]

I’m working out 🏋️ watching your food vids and I got so hungry 😋 😫

[@ayngelina]

Hahaha, I'm sorry?

[@miguelmiguel4042]

You are enjoying just like one of us la carne 🍖 con la Mano lol 😂

[@ayngelina]

I am always surprised people don't mention how I eat almost everything with my hands, good eye!

[@michaelreid8857]

Great video Ang!

[@ayngelina]

Thanks so much Michael 😊

[@michaelreid8857]

@@ayngelina your welcome 🇨🇦

[@williamobrien2253]

¡Ay me encanta Jugo de Pollo! Salgo y atrapo una gallina. Luego la echo en la licuadora con poquito de azucar y en unos minutos tengo un jugo muy sabroso (es mejor si primero quita las plumas). I have never eaten at El Tunel (I almost did yesterday when I was walking around El Centro killing time and I was hungry), but I will have to go there. After years of asking Ecuatorianos what does "chifa" means - they would just say Chinese restaurant - and would say how does "chifa" mean "Chinese"? Eventually I was able to find an article on line that said it originated with Chinese immigrants in La Paz, Peru in the early 20th century who opened eateries to earn money. It comes from the Mandarin word "chifan" meaning "to eat" and/or "ni chi fa" meaning "have you eaten". It then (along with chaulafan), spread into Ecuador. I also found a reference to it in a research paper from the University of Azuay. Muchísimas gracias por el video.

[@ayngelina]

Jjjj I will never live down chicken juice 🤣.

[@williamobrien2253]

@@ayngelina Yes. The mistakes that we all make. I forgot to say in my post that there is a great Chinese restaurant (in my opinion, as well as many others). It is more "Chinese" than "chifa" and it is called Jia Ji Comida China. It is in Gringolandia on Ordóñez Lasso just west of Los Cedros. They also give massages there and I have been told that they are excellent. Another fantastic restaurant is Le Moulin. It is on Av.12 de Abril y C. Guayas. The chef, Willie, makes excellent French fusion dishes. It is one of the oldest buildings in Cuenca - constructed as a grist mill in 1563 for Gil Ramírez Dávalos, the founder of Cuenca. We Cuenca Soup Kitchen volunteers go there regularly. ¡Buen provecho y bon appétit!

[@ayngelina]

Oh thank you so much. I love suggestions 😊

[@smileywomen1]

Good morning, I've watched many videos & I can't seem to find the one where u was staying @ a hostel & it was actually like a apartment that you had a kitchen ect , I was wondering where that was in cuenca & how much it was per night ?

[@ayngelina]

It's the Casa Cuencana which is featured here kzbin.info/www/bejne/hITHl5eIoL2Vn68. It depends on when you go and how long you stay but it's owned by Andres family and I include his whatsapp number in my videos if you want to reach out to him about it.

[@k_and_m8745]

Good afternoon Ayngelina, I really thought the chicken looked amazing at restaurant #2, the ribs at #1 and the soup at the Chifa restaurant. Happy travels! 🍗🧄🌶

[@ayngelina]

I think you'd enjoy it 👌

[@pedroblanco8311]

Very well done! We look forward to eating at Moliendo Café soon. (Like # 232) Did the Chifa restaurant have many of the soups you're accustomed to ordering at a Canadian Chinese restaurant?

[@ayngelina]

Other than the wonton soup no. But they have a stir fry fish dish that I love.

[@pedroblanco8311]

@@ayngelina Wow! So no Egg Drop or Hot and Sour?

[@ayngelina]

I didn't look at the soup, but egg drop is so easy to make at home if you've never made it. And you could probably buy the hot and sour soup paste there if they don't have it. But Chifa is different, the dishes may be called the same but are made differently.

[@pedroblanco8311]

@@ayngelina You of course are correct on all of these points. We've not once eaten in a Chifa or any Asian restaurant during our visits. It would be nice to know that these would be available without the need to prepare at home. Nothing urgent. Just something to look forward to learning.

[@ayngelina]

I would say just don’t expect it to be like home. If you embrace Chifa for what it is it’s more enjoyable. I do really like that there are tons of veggies

[@jcshortloper]

Hi! Will you and or Andres be in Cuenca 9/4-9/10 :-)

[@ayngelina]

I will be in Indonesia but Andres is in Cuenca.

[@jcshortloper]

@@ayngelina oh i cant wait to see your amazing videos! I will go to your page to get more info on how to contact Andres!

[@ayngelina]

Absolutely if you’re looking for a tour let him know you watch the channel so he knows what you’ve seen so far 😊

[@jcshortloper]

@@ayngelina I def will! i sent a message on your patron page to find out how to contact him.

[@ayngelina]

His whatsapp is in the description of all of my videos. But I'd love for you to join the Patreon community we're having a Zoom call this Sunday and he'll be on it!

[@fernandocampoverdec6192]

Porque no averiguas un poco sobre el verdadero trasfondo de porque la comida es tan barata en Cuenca??? En realidad es una tristeza el bajo poder adquisitivo del 90% de la población. Eso sí agregaría valor. Los negocios están muriendo por gente que paga miserias