HUECAS! Best Food in CUENCA Ecuador on a Budget (PART 2)

Food in Cuenca, the most beautiful town in Ecuador, doesn't have to be expensive. Here are 5 traditional restaurants in Cuenca selling delicious cheap eats.
I always stay at the CASA CUENCANA. It's affordable, Ecuadorian owned and so clean and comfortable.
AGODA: booking.tp.st/8ckNJvXg
BOOKING: booking.tp.st/rsG4r80S
You can support my work at / ayngelina where I share tips that don't make it to videos and behind the scenes content.
RESTAURANTS FEATURED
El Brujo
Manuelo Vega 9-52, Cuenca, Ecuador
Negro Wilson
He said to just ask around in Nulti. Or find out when the next Cuenca football match is and you'll see them at the stadium.
Super Broaster 2
Avenida Las Americas
goo.gl/maps/ky6sFXkV6WSSsXT66
Papas de Tortora
Ave Los Andes, Cuenca 010103, Ecuador
Fuente de Soda Mickey Mouse
4X2X+H9J, Cuenca, Ecuador
// MORE ABOUT ECUADOR//
Need an English speaking guide in Ecuador? I hired my friend Andres to tour the country, he's got an SUV and is a licensed national guide. The best way to reach him is on Whatapp: [phone] and second best by email at andrivet77 AT gmail.com.
This is my SIXTH time exploring Ecuador travel and food.
You can find all of my best tips at www.baconismagic.ca/Ecuador
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// MORE ABOUT ME!//
Hi I'm Ayngelina and my full time job is my site BaconisMagic.ca it's all about the best food around the world and how to make it at home.
In 2010 I left a job in advertising, 5 year relationship and sold all my possessions to travel the world. In the last ten years I've had some crazy experiences and even owned a restaurant in Toronto at one time. And prior to 2020 I had been based in Cuba.
When the world shut down I returned to Canada and decided to teach myself video. I wanted to share more than just words and photos but to show people the adventures I have learning about food around the world.
I'm not married. I have no kids. But I do have a lot of local friends who help me discover the best local tips.
Follow my other social channels here:
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Blog: www.baconismagic.ca
00:00 Cuenca Ecuador
01:18 El Brujo
06:17 Negro Wilson
11:00 Super Broaster 2
15:33 Papas de Torta
19:13 Fuente de Soda Mickey Mouse
SUBSCRIBERS:
#Cuenca #Ecuador #cuencaecuador

[@ayngelina]

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

[@proyectonuevo7487]

How beautiful the city of Cuenca, greetings from Galapagos Islands, have a good day take care of yourself, Chao

[@ayngelina]

It’s always good to hear from you

[@abingeorge5093]

In Cuenca Dirección:Federico Malo y Tadeo Torres (Park de la madre) Cuenca

[@ayngelina]

You know I've been to your place twice, I get take out. It's great food.

[@ursulasanabria8813]

I would definitely try El brujo first, it looks so yummy! Great video!

[@ayngelina]

El Brujo is well worth a visit!

[@ayngelina]

I'm absolutely going back

[@rondared1]

Being a newcomer to Ecuador I am finding your videos super helpful. I watched some before I arrived but now that I'm here It's even more useful. My favorite of these heucas was the first, El Brujo. The food looked the most delicious to me. That will definitely be the first on my list. The information you share is so helpful as I love knowing more about the history . Muchos gracias!

[@ayngelina]

Oh I’m so thrilled you’re finding it helpful 💜

[@vicentepacheco2196]

I love this video. Im like you Ayngelina!! I love aji put aji in almost everything I eat. The good thing about eating spicy food in Ecuador is that its on the side, its your choice to eat with it or without it, unlike mexico, India etc, the aji is already in the food you have no other choice then eat it when you'r hungry lol. Any how, love it love it loooove it!!! Thanks for shearing these huecas in cuenca my favorite city in Ecuador. Keep up with the good job. Abrazos.!!

[@ayngelina]

Thanks so much Vicente, it's nice to have a fellow aji lover watching!

[@williamsjara1]

I can't wait until I get to Cuenca. I keeping All you recommendations. Everything looks delicious. Thank you. I'm hungry now.

[@ayngelina]

Im thinking about working on a guide this summer to sell for a small amount but it would put all my recommendations and other tips into a pdf. Would that help ?

[@freddyguzman5885]

As a native, love your videos, our city has a lot to offer, and you are taking our city to another level by showing our food and culture, just a little thing for your information, guatita is beef trip nor pork tripe, they cook it with peanut butter to give a creamy sauce

[@ayngelina]

Yes! If you look through the comments some other were kind enough to tell me. I knew it was made with mani but I thought it was pork! You don't know how many times I've eaten it and I think showed it in previous videos. But I appreciate the correction as I'll never forget that it is cow tripe.

[@vito5096]

todo delicioso Anigelina, regresaste a Ecuador??👍🥰

[@ayngelina]

En Noviembre pero tengo más videos por meses

[@nellie...]

Thanks for sharing ❤️❤️❤️

[@ayngelina]

It's always a pleasure Nellie!

[@oskevindo]

a la espera!

[@RositaAcuna-hd4th]

Todo delicioso 😍👍🏻

[@ayngelina]

Claro!

[@Aoibhes.Adventures]

I went to El Brujo today & had the goat. WOW! So delicious..... thank you for the suggestion

[@ayngelina]

Oh I’m thrilled you liked it !

[@k_and_m8745]

Thanks for sharing your food blog. Now I have to make food because you made me hungry.

[@ayngelina]

I missed the premiere! I forgot about the time difference in Edmonton!

[@walterdavies6434]

I CANT WAIT!!! to get down to ECU! CANT WAIT, I TELL YA! Aaaaaaaaaah!

[@ayngelina]

Amazing, where are you going?

[@walterdavies6434]

@@ayngelina Have to take an exploratory 30 day trip, Guayql tourism for about 10 days & then Manta. Prob eventually live in Manta. I need more research on Cuenca and maybe but doubtful Ambato. Im more of city person vs beach. Kinda have to feel it out. but i wont live in Quito or Guayql.

[@ayngelina]

If you like arts and culture then you should check out Cuenca. If that doesn’t matter as much Manta is a great option. I also love cities but could not do neither Quito (traffic and smog) nor Guayaquil (safety). But I love visiting both.

[@henryle1940]

I love Ecuadorian burgers n salichipapas

[@ayngelina]

Such a good find!

[@Aoibhes.Adventures]

Thanks!

[@ayngelina]

Thank you so much for your generosity, it really means a lot to me 💜

[@henryle1940]

Great video I love coco de chivo

[@ayngelina]

me too!

[@henryle1940]

@@ayngelina i put coco lol seco

[@darr1954]

My first time seeing you and your channel and everything looks so good! Your production values are terrific and everything is wonderfully inviting. I just returned from Mexico (Mexico City and Oaxaca) and am planning my next Latin American getaway. This may seal the deal!!

[@ayngelina]

Thanks so much for the kind words Galen. If you have any questions let me know. Also I’m going to CDMX in February I may need your suggestions’

[@tonyortiz1890]

Young lady you’re fabulous, and your videos are amazing 🤩 I can’t wait to visit and retire to an amazing country.

[@ayngelina]

Oh thank you so much. I really appreciate the kind words.

[@greencraig8570]

Todo tiene buena pinta

[@ayngelina]

Claro que si 😊

[@johannagranda5734]

Que rico se ve todo! Ya me dio ganas de comer unas salchipapas!

[@ayngelina]

Estoy en Canada y no existe salchipapas 😭

[@johannagranda5734]

@@ayngelina no puede ser!! aunque se lo puede hacer igual allá, pero no se si tengan la misma papa

[@catbernstein8628]

Thank you! The broster looked great. I will be in Cuenca ( if the airlines cooperate!) in November and will try them all. Would love to see more “neighborhood” videos.

[@ayngelina]

Make sure you try to get there before Cuenca Independence Day. It’s such a wonderful holiday to experience local culture and is right after Day of the Deceased.

[@George-xs9so]

Hi Ayngelina. Thanks, I love your videos as I’ve stopped watching most others, I still love yours. I do have a comment, hope not to offend. The food you present is wonderful. I should know, I’m Ecuadorian and miss it so much! I even had it in the states up until Mom left us. I’ve noticed from the beginning that you add aji to everything! Seco, bolones, empanadas, even to a single French fry or a spoon fool of food. Funny you hope not to have added too much, then take spoon and add ají to food in fork right before eating it. I’ve lived my entire life without ají, enjoying the original flavor of each dish as is. It seems you can’t do that, in fact many times you say, mmm this is good! But it’s not done without aji. It makes it seem like nothing is really good without when it was not meant to be. Actually, is not “traditional” in Ecuador. They have it and some people ask for it but in many places and families you’ll never see a bowl of it and sometimes they’re embarrassed when asked and not have it. If you’re reporting on the wonderful taste of food, it should be without it “not done” until it’s fixed by ají. Thanks, I love you and your channel, hardly miss any video. God Bless

[@ayngelina]

George, I think it may be my background as a Canadian I really love sauce. I also eat a lot of things with ketchup and so I love the addition of tree tomato aji, encurtido or parsley mayo. But you're right the food is fantastic on its own. In fact Andres eats it without and makes fun of me because if we sit down to a table and they don't have it I'm immediately looking around. And you don't offend me at all, I appreciate it as I didn't realize it could be perceived that way.

[@henryle1940]

You my hero you take the hot sauce like a champ

[@ayngelina]

This may be the greatest compliment anyone has paid me.

[@henryle1940]

@@ayngelina you my hero i love hot sauce what can I said lol

[@kellierulla1735]

Some good friends took me to Mickey’s when I was there in April! They said they have been going there for years, since their kids were little. I have never been there before. I had a burger and fries. It was good and really cheap.

[@ayngelina]

That's the nice thing too, if you don't like it you didn't spend much. It's a low risk experiment!

[@larrypicard8802]

I think I’ll check out El Brujo first. I have guests coming from the US so we’ll be trying out these places. Thank you .

[@ayngelina]

It’s a good place to start. I also have part 1 which I shot ten months ago with some great places.

[@koiyo303]

thank you for doing these videos! huecas are one of my favorite parts of ecuador, but 90% of the menus contain meat usually, and im vegetarian/pescatarian, so i've always been very curious on how these traditional dishes taste, or what they are :)

[@ayngelina]

Have you seen my vegetarian video? I feature 5 spots for vegan/ vegetarian almuerzo.

[@koiyo303]

@@ayngelina I had no idea you had a video like that! I'll go watch that now! thank you!

[@ayngelina]

There are several vegetarians/vegans/pescetarians that watch so I do plan more videos in other cities as I think vegetarian restaurants are making some of the most interesting food around the world. Also I think when I go back in the autumn I'm going to start including in descriptions if there are plant based options at some of the huecas I visit.

[@koiyo303]

@@ayngelina that would be great! Cant wait!!

[@Pirilan]

I grew up in Cuenca and whenever I go back I’m crazy about the food. I think the 2 starch dishes are mostly for the altitude since you consume more calories just by being there. That’s a common diet

[@ayngelina]

Oh that's an interesting theory. I think you might be right.

[@walterdavies6434]

when you go to the next eatery please film the.menu or board as i love to see the great prices! thanks

[@ayngelina]

I don't often go to places that have menus, but I do share the price of what I eat.

[@robertsimmons5575]

I would write a longer comment but now I am hungry, hope you are in a safe place

[@ayngelina]

Thank you Robert! Yes all is good where I am.

[@1krismic]

Good Evening. l love your videos. I was wondering what the current situation is right now in Cuenca. I am scheduled to arrive next week.

[@ayngelina]

It’s not great at all. You’ll need to fly into Cuenca. That said it’s changing every day and my hope is that it’s getting better.

[@SuperLyn1981]

The protesters have gone home..they are cleaning everything up and getting back to normal, you will be fine

[@jimkuker8163]

I think I like the stadium pop up. Second best looks like the booster chicken breast.

[@ayngelina]

The stadium pop up is special. It was one of my favourites as well.

[@kristelfiore1330]

Omg look so yummy 😋 all the food 🥘 I don’t know how they make the mayo from 1 dollar 💵 🍔 burgers or salchipapa 🍟 🌭 that taste so delicious 😍 and by the way ☝️😅 guatita is made with BEEF tripe not pork lol 😝 just saying lol ✌️🙂

[@ayngelina]

OMG I am getting ROASTED! for saying it's pork tripe, which I've said before in several of my videos and Andres never corrected me! I talked to Andres yesterday and he said he thought it was pork because it's always in the pork section of the supermarket. His mother overheard him and said no, the cow tripe is for guatita and the pork tripe is for morcilla. He is rarely wrong so I don't mind taking a hit on this one.

[@stevengomez9319]

Hi, What video editing do you use?

[@ayngelina]

Premiere Pro

[@walterdavies6434]

when i get down there how am i gonna stay in shape? sooooo much good & plentyful eats!

[@ayngelina]

You'd be surprised. A lot of people lose weight because you end up walking a lot. Also there's not as much processed food.

[@mayafreeman7614]

Encebollado is not technically Ecuador national dish. There’s a plethora of national dishes in Ecuador depending on the region you are. Costa, sierra, oriente and región Insular are the 4 regions in Ecuador and all of them have their own traditional dishes. In Cuenca, where I’m from, there are a few dishes like cuy and hornado that can be classified as National . As I say there are a lot of national dishes and in my opinion that’s the beauty of it.

[@ayngelina]

I like this. Because the food in each region is so different. Honestly seco is the only dish that I think encompasses all of them but really it's a style of cooking not a food.

[@mayafreeman7614]

Seco is really delicious and as you say it’s all about the starch in Ecuador, my husband, he’s British, he’s always amazed at the fact that we have locro de papas, arroz con carne, menestra de porotos, plátano frito y colada de avena con naranjilla and I forgot to add a big plate of mote(corn) on the table for everyone to share. All this just for lunch. Carbohydrates galore!

[@ayngelina]

And don’t forget the yuca 🥰

[@pilarcitadattus2016]

​@mayafreeman7614 Unluckily that is one of the reasons why diabetes is big in Ecuador

[@pedroblanco8311]

I'm a subscriber, and I find it challenging to pick just one of the 5 restaurants featured to enjoy next. Maybe "El Brujo", because the Chivo looked delicious? Then again, having seen, but never entering Mickey's this could be the case. It would probably depend upon the vibe on that particular day.

[@ayngelina]

I love chivo so it’s probably my favourite too.

[@pedroblanco8311]

@@ayngelina In "El Brujo" was it counter service only, or could one sit down and receive table service? The dining room look nearly brand new.

[@ayngelina]

You order at the counter and they bring it to you. It was spotless, Andres was really impressed by all of it. But goes to show you what happens when you support a hueca, it can really turn into something great.

[@pedroblanco8311]

@@ayngelina You're right.

[@ayngelina]

If you look at the comments someone just went to El Brujo and said it was fantastic. This makes my day.

[@thebucksstophere8870]

We never tried the hot dogs there, but will now.

[@ayngelina]

Check out my Part 1 video, I feature a couple of good ones!

[@thebucksstophere8870]

@@ayngelina it’s me Jayne changed name for our big adventure!

[@ayngelina]

I LOVE THE NAME!

[@pedroblanco8311]

Great thumbnail! It's always been hard for us to find plates full of starches in Ecuador. What's your secret to having 2 or more so frequently show up on your plates? I'm like # 7.

[@ayngelina]

I feel like ALL plates have two starches ! But if you order seco they always come with two. It’s some kind of culinary rule.

[@pedroblanco8311]

@@ayngelina You of course are right. It was a not so good attempt at humor on my part. We're actually in your camp of having interest in many of the non-starchy vegetables Ecuador has to offer.

[@ayngelina]

Hahaha sorry! I'm working on an Edmonton video right now and I thought it was a weird question but it didn't occur to me it was a joke!

[@seanben-safed9802]

Are there huecas that cater to vegetarians? Do you have a veg playlist for Cuenca?

[@ayngelina]

I do have a veg video! Cuenca is actually a fantastic spot for vegetarians and vegans. A lot of omnivores eat there as well. These restaurants all have lunch under $5 kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4uUYWx4psaan68

[@walterdavies6434]

i cant make it at 2pm. please post this vid on ur channel later. thx

[@ayngelina]

You can watch it after it premieres

[@amiek9226]

I’m celiac so it looks like El Brujo and Mickey’s would be the safest options. But the food at the stand by the stadium looked really good, minus the noodles. Do you think eating gluten-free would be relatively do-able in Cuenca?

[@ayngelina]

So Cuenca is actually really good at accommodating GF, DF, VEG, VEGAN at a lot of places but not all. I think all of the vegetarian spots totally get it. And a lot of people understand celiac, but if cross contamination is an issue for you at all I'd start slowly. A friend of mine is a celiac traveler and created cards to give restaurants if you're not 100% comfortable in Spanish. She has one in Latin American Spanish that would be very helpful www.legalnomads.com/gluten-free

[@amiek9226]

@@ayngelina thank you! I’ll be sure to check out the card.

[@jkburbage59]

It would be GREAT if you'd include the actual location of the establishments you feature on your videos.

[@ayngelina]

I do. The addresses and websites (if they have one) are always in the description.

[@jkburbage59]

@@ayngelina sorry. I guess I should have looked there first. OOPS!🙄

[@ayngelina]

No problem! Addresses are important but they'd be up too quick on screen for it to make sense to put them there. I'm also considering putting an ebook together as several people have told me they take notes on each video and I could compile it all into a PDF.

[@JoelLandivar]

I always wonder why they always share the dish, I could eat it on my own easily XD XD

[@ayngelina]

Hahaha I’ll share my secret. I wanted to have enough videos that when I returned to Canada for the summer I could still share Ecuador regularly. So we were having several meals a day. And then I always bring Tupperware because I hate to waste food.

[@cwbyjnks1]

El Brujo and exactly what you had? Are tortillas a thing there?

[@ayngelina]

No, tortillas are primarily found in Mexico and Central America (although not as tacos, tacos are Mexican) But in South America you'll only find them at Mexican restaurants, usually as tacos. They aren't South American. I had seco de chivo which is a goat stew.

[@proyectonuevo7487]

3 dollars!!!!!!! So cheap all that? Really in Ecuador it is difficult to die of hunger haha there is always food even for little price, it is the good thing about Ecuador, there is always food available to everyone, even those who have little money jeje

[@ayngelina]

I think the nice thing about Ecuador is that it’s cheap but also quality food.

[@vito5096]

Andrés queda mejor sin coleta ☺️

[@ayngelina]

Ai, se dejó crecer el pelo para donarlo a una peluca infantil para el cáncer.

[@vito5096]

@@ayngelina ooo yo también voy a dejarme la coleta para donar

[@RebeccaStropoli]

Are you still there right now during the strike?

[@ayngelina]

No I shot videos so I could post while I’m in Canada for the summer but I’ve been talking to Andres daily about what’s happening in Cuenca.

[@RebeccaStropoli]

@@ayngelina I was there in the summer of 2019, and very soon after I left there were similar strikes and protests/fuel and food shortages, etc. I remember thinking it was pretty lucky that I just missed all of that. Sounds pretty difficult in Cuenca right now! This is what you have to expect from time to time living in Ecuador, so ex-pats should understand that before making the decision to move there. Americans and Europeans don't always deal well with this kind of thing, haha.

[@ayngelina]

The 2019 paro brought forward much needed changes and it looked like this one was going to go the same way but the past few days things really changed. I hope they can turn for the better.

[@henryle1940]

Seco whit maduro frito

[@ayngelina]

so good!

[@mariaaguino5752]

I think it is beef tripe...

[@ayngelina]

You are right! Sorry for the mistake 😳

[@juankandaluz4049]

Hi the guatita is not pork tripe is a cow tripe

[@ayngelina]

Thank you! I has asked Andres and he realized that he thought it was pork because he always sees it in the pork section. But his mother corrected him that the pork tripe is used for morcilla but cow is for guatita. I appreciate you correcting me nicely, I'm still learning 😊

[@abingeorge5093]

Can u come my reastarant Paradise indian reastarant

[@ayngelina]

What town are you in?

[@abingeorge5093]

PARK DE LA MADRE (FEDERICO MALO Y TADEO TORRES, CUENCA) I WATCH YOUR ALL VIDEOS, I LIKE YOUR VIDEOS. CAN YOU VISIT MY RESTAURANT, TAKE SMALL INDIAN REASTARANT VIDEO MY REASTARANT NAME:PARADISE INDIAN RESTAURANT CUENCA

[@michaelbrown5768]

​@@ayngelina they are in Cuenca, across the street from Parque de la Madre.

[@princetopaz]

guatita is beef tripe, not pork tripe, you called it pork more than once.

[@ayngelina]

Thank you! I has asked Andres and he realized that he thought it was pork because he always sees it in the pork section. But his mother corrected him that the pork tripe is used for morcilla but cow is for guatita. I appreciate you correcting me nicely, I'm still learning 😊

[@michaelbrown5768]

You beat me to it Pablo. Nice catch!

[@ayngelina]

I'm the last one to find out, I blame Andres 🤣

[@michaelbrown5768]

@@ayngelina when in doubt, blame a man. Sounds like you never left Canada, haha.

[@ayngelina]

Well I am back in Canada for the summer so that must be it!

[@stefaniemunoz8191]

I love the video but the guatita is not with tripe pork, is with stomach cow!!! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amé tu vídeo pero la guatita no es con tripa de cerdo es con estómago de vaca!!!

[@ayngelina]

Claro. Hablé con Andrés de eso y me confirmó. Estoy aprendiendo!

[@andercoyote4170]

More than lame to be postín about expat recreación when so much of the country you purportedly love/exploit is in chaos and experiencing food shortages.

[@ayngelina]

Hi Ander you must be new to my channel. It’s actually about supporting local Ecuadorian businesses and giving back to the local economy. My videos are not only for expats but many Ecuadorians in Ecuador and abroad watch them. As you know the paro has ended and by eating at huecas we’re not only supporting local businesses but the farmers and producers who were unable to transport product.

[@ivanromanh7547]

Thanks!

[@ayngelina]

Ivan thank you for your generosity. It really means so much to me as I try to make this channel sustainable.