Ecuador and Mexico: Four things you didn't know about our friendship

The friendship between Ecuador and Mexico is a vibrant tapestry woven with shared cultural threads, most notably their mutual appreciation for Mexican gastronomy. This connection thrives in restaurants across Ecuador, with over 50 Mexican eateries in Quito alone, according to Alexandra Mosquera, executive director of the Ecuador-Mexico National Chamber of Commerce (Comecuamex).

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I would say that Ecuador is a country that loves Mexico very much; loves its culture, its community and its music. The same goes for Mexico towards Ecuadorians, we have a very good friendship of many years.

Mosquera highlights the deep affection Ecuadorians hold for Mexican culture, community, and music, a sentiment mirrored by Mexicans towards Ecuadorians. "I would say that Ecuador is a country that loves Mexico very much; loves its culture, its community, and its music. The same goes for Mexico towards Ecuadorians, we have a very good friendship of many years," she stated.

Alberto Melo, an Ecuadorian who opened his restaurant Tac&Roll in Quito in 2013 after living in Mexico for 10 years, embodies this cultural exchange. His restaurant, inspired by his experiences in Mexico, features murals depicting lucha libre and Day of the Dead themes, aiming to make Mexican visitors feel at home. Melo emphasizes the similarities between Ecuadorians and Mexicans, describing both as "good vibes," welcoming, and eager to please visitors.

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We are very similar. Ecuadorians and Mexicans have very good vibes, we are welcoming, we like to pamper foreigners. In our case, when a Mexican comes, I try to make them feel at home, feel happy, because one misses their homeland. That is the relationship we have managed to build.

This cultural exchange is reciprocal. Melo shared how Mexicans were delighted by Ecuadorian dishes like locro de papas and fritada, with some never having tried potato soup with avocado before. This culinary diplomacy underscores a relationship that, despite past diplomatic distance, continues to flourish through shared tastes and mutual admiration.

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Mexicans loved it; they said the potato soup is rich and delicious with avocado; they had never tried it before. They really like our gastronomy.