What to Eat in Cuba

Cuba is known for many things: its beautiful beaches, resourceful and friendly people, classic cars to name a few. But it seems to have a bad reputation for its meals. A variety of food, like many other things in Cuba, can be hard to come by. But if you know what to eat in Cuba, you can enjoy great meals. Its all in knowing what they know how to prepare well. Part of the adventure of travelling is in eating like the locals. Here are some of their commonly served dishes.

Rice and Beans

Rice and beans are a staple and you will find them on your plate at almost every meal. This dish is usually made with a long grained rice, sometimes a brown rice and black beans and is called Congri. These are often cooked together so the rice takes on some of the colour of the beans. Often, garlic and peppers are added to the dish. As well as being flavourful, rice and beans contains fiber and protein.

Ropa Vieja

This is considered Cuba’s national dish. Ropa Vieja is a tasty mixture of slow-cooked shredded beef, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and garlic. As Cubans traditionally ate their main meal at lunch, you may be served this early in the day in some places. Beef and pork are the most common meats eaten in Cuba, with chicken becoming more popular now.

Lechon Asado

Lechon Asado is Cuban pork dish that was commonly served at Christmas. A pork roast is marinated in a mixture called MOJO. The MOJO usually includes orange and other citrus juices, spices, and garlic. The pork is then slow roasted and often served with some of the marinade. In some places the pork may be roasted over a fire pit.

Plantains

If you’re not familiar with plantains, these look similar to a banana, but taste closer to a potato. There are different ways that plantains may be served so they may taste sweet or savory. Sometimes the green, unripe plaintains are served as Tostones. These are sliced and fried twice and seasoned with salt. Another common way to prepare them uses the yellow or black ripe plantains to make Maduros. These are fried once but since they are ripe they have a much sweeter taste.

Quimbombo Guisado

Quimbombo Guisado is a stew made from okra. The liquid that okra releases when its cooks helps to thicken the stew. In Cuba you will usually find some kind of meat in this stew, often pork, as well as tomatoes, plantains, and white wine. You should note that some people experience digestive problems and bloating after eating too much okra, so consume this one in moderation while you learn how your body will react.

Flan de Leche

Sugar cane is an important crop in Cuba and so the people there do enjoy some sweet desserts including Flan de Leche or Cuban Flan. It is a baked custard with a caramel topping. The Cuban version of a flan is made with evaporated and condensed milk, which gives it a very creamy taste.

Cafe Cubano

A Cuban coffee, or Cafe Cubano is a special treat. It was traditionally made with a stovetop moka pot or cafetera. Cafe Cubano is made with a dark roast coffee or espresso. Some demerara or brown sugar is beaten in so that it has a sweet, frothy top.

Where to Eat in Cuba

Your eating experience while in Cuba will likely differ depending on where you are staying and where you are eating. If you are staying at an all inclusive resort and eating all your meals there, the quality of your food is often relative to the quality of your resort. You may also find many options there that are not strictly Cuban cuisine. If you are staying at an vacation rental home or somewhere with your own kitchen, the quality of your food may depend on the what is available to buy at the time of your visit.

There are a few other options if you are eating out while in Cuba. Restaurants vary widely in their quality and variety of food, and in their service. They are usually owned and operated by the government. Cafeterias will tend to serve you more quickly, but the food is likely to be more basic. You might also find a paladar, which is a small, independently owned restaurant. This can be where you will find the best Cuban food. A casa particulares is a home that is open for both accommodation and meals. This is also usually a good option, and you don’t need to be staying there in order to eat there. Finally, the street food in Cuba is generally authentic and delicious if you are adventurous enough for that.

And there you have it. Where have you eaten and what did you enjoy in Cuba? There are many other dishes you may also like to try, including Arroz con Pollo or Yuca con Mojo. Just a couple of other notes to think of. If you have a restricted diet you may find there are not a lot of options in Cuba. It would be easy to eat gluten free but not so easy to eat vegetarian, for example. And if you are shopping for your own groceries there, be aware that there may be shortages and you may not always be able to find what you want. Just be flexible. When in Cuba, eat like the Cubans.

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