BARRIO (TasteAtlas) – Encebollado is the national dish of Ecuador, a fish soup that is characterized by a large amount of onions. Very useful in curing hangovers, the dish is made with fresh tuna meat, cassava root, tomatoes, onions, coriander, and various spices. Tomatoes, onions, chili, coriander, and cumin form a pungent mix and a base for the soup, called sofrito, while pickled onions go either on top of encebollado or into it, giving it its name that is literally translated to onioned.

The soup originates from Ecuador’s coast during the time when the fishers were out at sea and made the soup out of necessity. As they had some spices, and fresh fish was readily available, encebollado was created and became widely consumed throughout the country.

Today, consumers can choose their own condiments including toasted corn, banana chips, lime, mustard, and avocado. This traditional dish – a source of pride for the locals – can be found on various street corners, in small restaurants, hotels, and homes of people from various social backgrounds.

Everyone eats it in Ecuador, that’s just how good it is.