15 Foods You Must Try in Peru
Home to the Rainbow Mountain and Machu Picchu, Peru is also a popular foodie destination.
Peru is a melting pot of flavors that were brought here by the Spanish, Italian, Japanese, German, Chinese, and African immigrants and incorporated into local Peruvian cuisine.
Apart from the traditional staples of corn, potatoes, beans, and kiwicha (amaranthus), many foods such as maca beans, chili peppers, quinoa, and kaniwa (goosefoot) have become popular reflections of traditional Peruvian cuisine.
With Peruvian cuisine gaining popularity the world over, you’re spoilt for choice about what to eat in Peru when you visit. So here is a list of foods in Peru that are not to be missed while visiting this gastronomically rich country.
What is the traditional food of Peru?
Many people claim that ceviche is the most famous dish in Peru, but with over 400 original dishes it can be difficult to decide which one is Peru’s national dish.
You will find ceviche all over the coast and in Lima, but if you go to Cusco other dishes will be more common. In fact, during my last visit alpaca meat was surely dominant.
BEST PERUVIAN APPETIZERS
1. Papa a la Huancaina (Cheesy Potatoes made in the Huancaina way)
Originating in the Andes east of Lima, this classic Peruvian appetizer is made with potatoes, queso fresco, and Amarillo peppers. The controversial history of the Papa a la Huancaina surrounds the construction of the Ferrocarril Central Andino railway, once the highest railway in the world.
Refreshing and light, the papa a la huancaina is one of the must-try dishes in Peru.
2. Ceviche (Raw Fish)
Raw fish may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but ceviche or cebiche has become synonymous with Peruvian food. The dish consists of fresh raw fish that has been cured using lemon juice. Historically, bitter orange juice was used instead of lemon juice. The Incans used a maize beverage called chica for fermentation.
The lemon from the juice releases acids that allow it to go through a process similar to cooking. So leaving the marinated fish alone for an hour or so makes it edible.
The Peruvian ceviche soon became popular in other Latin American countries and grew to include a variety of choices such as fish, shrimp, or octopus.
3. Anticuchos de Corazon (Beef heart skewers)
Anticuchos de Corazon or anticuchos as they’re locally called are definitely another must-try. These grilled skewers which are a popular Peruvian street food consist of beef hearts marinated and cooked similar to shish kebabs.
They came into existence as a result of the African slaves that were brought to Peru by the Spanish conquistadors. the slaves were given offal to eat and used vinegar, garlic, and chilles to disguise the taste of the meat. Over time the dish became popular as street food.
Don’t let the thought of eating offal stop you. The skewered cow hearts have been marinated in spices and have a delicious smoky flavor. They’re paired with sliced potatoes or onions and drizzled with lime before serving. Pair the anticuchos with a few local beers and you’ll enjoy them!
If you’re visiting Cusco you’ll most likely encounter Anticuchos de Alpaca – the same thing, but made from alpaca meat.
4. Chicharron (Deep Fried Pork Rinds)
Street food in Peru won’t get better than this. Carts lining the streets sell fried pork rinds or pork belly called chicharrones.
A dish introduced into Peruvian cuisine from Spanish influences, the pork skin fried in its own fat is more than delicious, albeit fattening. The pork was fried in its own fat as a means of separating the lard and saving it for later. It was by happenstance that the deliciousness of the chicharrones was discovered.
Nowadays, you’ll also find chicharrones made with mutton, chicken, fish, or other meats.
As street food, Chicharrones are often eaten on their own with a spicy dressing. They’re also served with sweet potatoes or stuffed in a bread roll and called pan con chicharron.
Peruvian chicharrones are eaten for breakfast too!
POPULAR PERUVIAN DINNER DISHES
5. Saltadito or Lomo Saltado (Stir Fried Beef)
Lomo Saltado is a traditional Peruvian dish assimilated from the Chinese immigrants that moved to Peru. The ‘Chifa tradition’ created by the merging of Peruvian and Chinese Cantonese food traditions created some amazingly tasty dishes.
Lomo Saltado or Saltadito as it’s sometimes called is made by marinated strips of sirloin beef with soy sauce, vinegar, and spices. The marinated beef strips are then stir-fried with onions, tomatoes, and aji Amarillo paste. Served with white rice and french fries, this chifa dish is popular all over Peru.
6. Arroz con Pato (Rice with Duck)
One of the most popular dishes in Lima and other parts of Peru, the arroz con pato with green-colored rice catches the eye.
The dish consists of roasted duck served with green rice and veggies such as diced carrots, peas, yellow peppers, onions, butter, garlic, and cilantro. The large amounts of cilantro added to the rice give it the green color!
Depending on the region, you’ll find different versions of arroz con pato.
Arroz con pato a la Limeña is the Lima version that contains tender duck meat, mashed avocado, carrots, mayonnaise, beer, pisco, and other ingredients.
Arroz con pato a la Chiclayana is typical of Northern Peru and is made with tender duck meat cooked in black beer along with coriander, peas, peppers, and chica de jora.
7. Aji di Gallina (Rich and Creamy Chicken Stew)
The best of traditional rustic food from the Peruvian kitchen, the aji de gallina is a creamy dish made with yellow chilies, garlic, onions, and peanuts in a sauce made of cream and cheese.
Based on the recipe for the manjar blanco or white dish made with milk, almonds, sugar, and meat, the Moors introduced the dish to the Spanish who then introduced it to Peru and other countries they conquered.
The yellow color of the dish comes from the mildly spicy aji amarillo chilly that the Peruvians added to the dish.
Aji di gallina is typically served with rice and boiled potatoes and garnished with hard-boiled eggs and black olives. Eat this heavy dish and you’ll be dreaming of Peruvian adventures all night.
8. Rocoto Relleno (Stuffed Red Peppers)
Rocoto relleno is the Peruvian version of stuffed peppers. A mix of ground beef, onions, garlic, raisins, olives, and herbs is cooked and stuffed into the peppers, and topped with queso fresco!