ExploFood · North America
What to eat in Cuba
Five dishes to try in Cuba, the most typical first. Two are vegetarian.
Five dishes to try in Cuba
Ropa vieja
Shredded beef stewed in tomato, pepper and onion sauce.
How to have it: Order it at a paladar with rice, black beans and fried plantains.
Moros y cristianos
Black beans and rice cooked together, often with pork fat.
How to have it: The standard side to every Cuban plate; called congrí in eastern Cuba.
Picadillo
Minced beef cooked with tomato, olives and raisins.
How to have it: Home-style food, served with white rice and fried egg at simple state and private restaurants.
Yuca con mojo
Boiled cassava dressed with garlic, sour orange and oil.
How to have it: A side to roast pork, especially at Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) dinners.
Mojito
White rum, lime, sugar, mint and soda water.
How to have it: Havana bars make them all day; Cuban rum is cheap, so order the local brand.
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Questions
What food is Cuba famous for?
Ropa vieja (shredded beef stewed in tomato, pepper and onion sauce) comes first on our list, followed by Moros y cristianos, Picadillo, Yuca con mojo and Mojito.
What is the national dish of Cuba?
Ask ten people and you get several answers. The dish we put first for Cuba is Ropa vieja: shredded beef stewed in tomato, pepper and onion sauce. Order it at a paladar with rice, black beans and fried plantains.
Which dishes in Cuba are vegetarian?
Two of the five on this page are vegetarian as usually made: Yuca con mojo and Mojito. Recipes vary, so ask about stock, lard or fish sauce.
What do people drink in Cuba?
Mojito: white rum, lime, sugar, mint and soda water.
How reliable is this list?
The dishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app, where you can also tick off the ones you have tried. Recipes vary by region and by family, so take it as a starting point.
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Tick off every dish you try in Cuba
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Get ExploDishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app, with links to Wikipedia. Recipes and names vary by region.