Planning to visit Cuba?
It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations, after all. More than 5 million people to visit this beautiful country by the end of 2018.
This Caribbean Island packs a lot of things to do, no matter where you are. Whether you’re in Havana or in Varadero, Cuba will have something for you.
But after a long day of having fun, it’s best to recharge with good Cuban foods.
Are you ready to learn the best Cuban cuisine to try around? Read on and learn more.
1. Cuban Coffee
This strong, sweetened coffee is a must-have when you’re in the country. It’s grown in the mountainous east and prepared with the use of a stovetop espresso maker.
It’s a daily Cuban ritual that ties into their rich culture.
It’s a good way to start the day-coffee with milk. Your hotel might serve different breakfast types, but the traditional Cuban eats simpler. Immersing yourself with the culture, your best bet is to eat buttered toast while drinking your milky coffee.
2. Frituras de Malanga
Malanga is a type of root vegetable with similarities to taro, and this dish is the perfect snack food since they are bite-sized nuggets, fried to perfection.
They’re often served as appetizers or side dishes, and they taste best when you dip them with honey.
They peel the malangas and grated into a paste. They’re added to an egg batter combined with garlic and other spices. They then put it on a frying pan or a deep fryer.
3. Ropa Vieja
People consider this is as the Cuban national dish, with a recipe almost 500 years old. At its core, the dish is like brisket with its stewed shredded meat, but it’s drenched in a sauce made from tomatoes, bell peppers, spices, and onions.
You can use lamb or pork, but its original recipe uses beef. It’s a ubiquitous dish that most restaurants have in their menu. Ordering this dish will often come with a Cuban staple of rice and beans to complement it.
4. Lobster Enchilado
Lobsters aren’t budget-priced in Cuba, but it’s a lot cheaper compared to other countries. It’s a tourist favorite considering that most restaurants include it on their sales pitch, and you’ll often see the dish offered in menus and signs.
This dish is lightly spicy that has garlic, tomato-based sauce.
It’s often served in its shell, but there are restaurants offering it in chunks. Regardless, you’ll get a small serving of rice on your plate.
Some restaurants offer plantain chips alongside your lobster. The proper way of eating it is to use it to scoop a mouthful of sauce.
Eat both and have a satisfying meal that you’ll miss when you go back home.
5. Churros
The real street food treat in this country is their churros. It’s a stick of dough coated with cinnamon and sugar, deep-fried and served in clean paper cones. It used chocolate before, but the heat made it problematic.
They’re easy to find no matter where you are in the country. Follow the scent and you’ll find the nearest cart that makes them fresh.
Don’t let them cool since they test best while they’re hot.
6. Canchancara
Cuba is famous for its rum, and You’ll see bottles of this liquor no matter where you are, often getting mixed in a lot of other drinks. But if you want a more unique cocktail, try a Canchancara when you visit the city of Trinidad.
This cocktail combines water, ice, lime, and rum. It’s drenched in lots of honey, served in short, round earthenware cup. You can drink it using a short straw after stirring it to thin out the honey.
7. Picadillo
This dish is one of the most requested dishes people request for their birthday meals. Most Cuban mothers make it using ground beef combined with potatoes, olives, and string beans. They put it in a big pot and serve enough to feed multiple families.
The best thing about Picadillo is the fact that the recipe has a lot of variations.
Often, the ingredients depend on what the cook specializes in-some even use raisins as part of the dish, so if you like that, you can often request for it.
8. Medianoche
This dish is a kind of sandwich that you’ll often see in other countries’ restaurant menus. Often, the Cuban communities within the US offer this delicious dish. With its popularity, it’s hard to pass up an opportunity to try the original recipe when you visit Cuba.
Its name comes from the fact that it’s a staple dish in Havana’s nightclubs. It’s often served approximately at the stroke of midnight.
This sandwich is filling and is sure to charge you right up even after rigorous partying.
The medianoche has roast pork, some ham, standard mustard, Swiss cheese, and sweetened pickles. It’s like the traditional Cuban sandwich.
The medianoche sets itself apart since it’s made using a tender, sweet egg dough bread like Challah instead of the usual crusty Cuban bread.
They warm this sandwich up in a press before you eat it. It’s served like a typical Cuban sandwich that you’d love to try if you want the energy to party until morning.
Try Cuban Foods Today!
When you’re traveling to Cuba, it’s important to try these traditional Cuban foods.
It gives you an idea of what the culture is, and it offers insight on what the average Cuban eats. Don’t miss out on the culture and make sure to get a taste of these popular Cuban foods.
If you’re looking for a good tour to Havana, you can rely on VC Tours. We have a consistent track record when it comes to offering a personalized experience unmatched by any of our competitors. With this, we have the consistent #1 ranking as a private tour company.
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