Cuban Food Survival Guide

🍅 Hard-Learned Lesson: Pack Ketchup! After scouring 3 supermarkets and 5 convenience stores in Havana, the only condiment available was expired hot sauce—ketchup is a luxury here! Chinese foodies' secret weapon: bring small ketchup packets to rescue local dishes: Dip fried plantains (instant sweet & sour flavor) Mix into black bean rice (cuts 30% saltiness) Spread on Cuban bread (budget-friendly sandwich) 🍚 Island-Wide Paella Review: Cha Cha Cha Reigns Supreme ✅ Cha Cha Cha Restaurant (Old Havana) Why it's king: ✅ Creamy garlic shrimp: Shrimp seared in cream + white wine, mixed with saffron rice ✅ Seafood overload: Every spoon has mussels + squid + tiger shrimp (1.5x more than tourist spots) Hidden hack: Ask for "extra cheese powder" to double the creaminess ❌ La Guarida Insta-Shop Disaster report: ❌ Undercooked rice: Tastes like a "half-baked paella imitation" ❌ Fishy seafood: Squid rings reek of ammonia (typical of ) Avoidance tip: Only order a mojito for the photo op ✅ Casa Mia Restaurant (Hidden Menu Master) Must-order combos: ✅ Pineapple lobster (request it!): Cuban pineapple + rum-marinated lobster, as sweet as Hainan dessert ✅ Squid ink rice: Jet-black rice without fishiness, served with fried squid like Chinese ink noodles 💡 Chinese Palate Rescues Universal formula: Paella + ketchup + lime juice = "Cuban-style tomato seafood noodles" Supermarket scavenger hunt: Head to the "Condimentos" aisle and pray for bottled "Salsa de Tomate" Breakfast : Make avocado + ketchup + bread sandwiches at your homestay (avocados cost ¥5 each) 📝 Final Tips Pack these: Haidilao ketchup sachets (5+), pickled mustard greens Restaurant strategy: Skip Old Town spots with "Tourist Menu"—choose "Paladar" (private restaurant) signs Bottom line: In Cuba, ketchup is the key to culinary freedom! #CubaTravel #CubanFoodGuide #ChinesePalateTravel #PaellaReview #CubaSurvivalTips