Riobamba food stalls are the ideal place to learn about Ecuadorian street food. This provincial capital is home to 100,000 people, and a further 250,000 indigenous people live in the region. This fact means that on market day, which is Saturday, there’s no better place to be for a sample of authentic Ecuador street food than Riobamba. Expect to see a variety of foods, from the very appealing to the very strange.

Whether you want to try—or just observe—cooked snails, barbecued guinea pig, or the local specialty of whole roast pig, a trip to browse at the food stalls is a must when you’re in the area. However, with all food in international locations, be on the look out for food that is cooked thoroughly and handled properly. These stalls are known for being surprisingly clean, but it still helps to keep your eyes out for anything unusual.

The Riobamba food stalls seem to have a healthy competition going when it comes to their whole roast pig, called hornado in Spanish. On a Saturday when the market attracts international visitors, don’t be surprised if the local people try and tempt you to try their version of the roasted pig—no matter how much you have tried already. Go ahead, sample a few different options and decide for yourself who the unofficial winner is. If you find something you like, you might also pack a meal or snack to bring on the Riobamba train, if that's on your itinerary.

Ecuador Map

During your visit, expect to see several stages of the cooking process. As you walk along you are sure to see all the steps from the beginning as they prep the whole pigs for roasting to the final product. Foodies won’t want to miss out on Ecuador street food, including these roasted delights as well as exotic fruits and vegetables.