17 Best Peruvian Foods You Have To Try

Originally posted on https://blog.amigofoods.com/index.php/peruvian-foods/17-best-peruvian-foods-you-have-to-try/

Did you know that the city of Lima in Peru is the culinary capital of South America?

In fact, according to the BBC, Peru is one of the top destinations for foodies to visit in 2019!

Unfortunately for most, a trip to Peru is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And many will never get the chance to explore the wonders of Machu Picchu and the Amazon rainforest. But, does that mean you have to miss out on all the taste-bud tingling cuisine?

No! You can get authentic Peruvian food all over the globe, even in the US.

So, what are you waiting for? Check out this list of best Peruvian foods below and you’ll be ready for the ultimate Peru vacationor your US foodie staycation!

Peru Food Facts

Before we dig into some mouth-watering Peru food recipes, let’s take a look at some fascinating Peru food facts.

As with most countries colonized in the past, Peruvian cuisine is a perfect reflection of the countries history. You will find that most Peru food recipes are a fusion of native foods and immigrant cuisine. Many influences come from Asia, West Africa, and Europe.

The staples of a Peruvian food diet are:

• Potatoes
• Soup
• Rice
• Corn
• Seafood
• And a lot of meat (from chicken to Guinea Pigs!)

If you go into any Peruvian restaurant, first they will typically serve soup. This soup will contain quinoa, corn, vegetables, and meat. If soup isn’t the order of the day, they may serve roasted corn kernels with a variety of creamy and spicy sauces.

After, they will serve your main course. This usually contains some kind of rice and potatoes. And don’t forget the meat or seafood!

Then they will give you a small dessert. Peru is more famous for its main meals than its desserts. But they do have some sweet specialties that are to die for.

Best Peruvian Foods

Now you know your Peruvian food facts, it’s time to dig into the main course. Check out this Peruvian food list for the tastiest Peru food recipes you can find.

1. Ceviche

Ceviche is Peru’s national dish. The name actually means “fresh fish” in Quechua. Depending on the chef and location, there are different varieties of fish used in the recipe.

This zesty treat is a fresh fish dish that is super healthy. It’s made out of uncooked fish that’s marinated in lemon juice. Then it’s sprinkled with aji pepper and red onion.

The best places to eat Ceviche in Peru are near the coastline. Although wherever you go around Peru you’ll find a different version of this citrus dish. You can find it in street food variations or delicious fine dining options.

2. Lomo Saltado

Lomo Saltado

This fusion of Chinese cuisine and Peru food recipes is a wildly popular meat dish. Many Chinese immigrants arrived in Peru in the 1800s. They taught natives new cooking methods, including how to flame-cook (flamb) their food.

Lomo Saltado contains a meaty serving of stir-fried beef, red onions, peppers, tomatoes, and soy sauce. It is often served with fluffy white rice or french fries.

The smoky taste gives the meaty dish a BBQ sensation. But it’s the mixture of Peruvian spices and Chinese ingredients that create such a unique flavor.

3. Chupe de Camarones

Chupe de Camarones

Chupe de Camarones is a prawn chowder that is both aromatic and full of superfoods. When you think of chowder, creamy seafood comes to mind. Chupe de Camarones is both creamy, chunky, and crunchy!

The mixture includes prawns, cumin, tomatoes, broad beans, corn, garlic, onions, cream, and a poached egg. The hearty seafood stew is protein-rich and gives off divine garlic aromas.

It’s traditionally made with prawns. But many use chicken, beef, lamb, shellfish or only vegetables instead.

4. Cuy al Horno

Cuy al Horno

Like eating chicken feet in China or frogs legs in France, Cuy al Horno is Peru’s bizarre delicacy. Out of all the meats on this Peruvian food list, this one may be the most controversial. Cuy al Horno is basically a roast guinea pig!

From pet to plate, they bake the guinea pig on a spit and serve it whole. Then they stuff the meat with a variety of herbs. And it’s usually served with potatoes and vegetables.

In Peru, because they serve the roasted guinea pig whole, it’s pretty much impossible to eat with a knife and fork. You can’t be dainty and sophisticated, use your fingers instead. That’s what most of the locals do.

Some might not like the idea of eating a guinea pig, but it’s commonplace in Peru. It’s even becoming more popular in the US for its taste and ecological benefits.

5. Tiradito

Tiradito is another fusion dish from Asia, but this time it has Japanese roots. This unique Nikkei cuisine (Peru and Japan fusion) created this fabulous seafood dish.

Tiradito is like Ceviche, but it has a more delicate taste. Instead of overwhelming the fish, they marinate the delicate thin cuts of raw fish in Tigers Milk. Tigers milk is a marinade made up of lime juice, sea salt, sliced onion, and chili.

This zesty treat has a delicate taste that brings out the natural flavors of the seafood.

6. Rocoto Relleno

Rocoto Relleno

Are you ready for some spice in your life? While chili is a common ingredient in most Peruvian food recipes, Rocoto Relleno is well-known for its fiery taste.

Rocoto Relleno is a spicy red bell pepper stuffed with vegetables, sauted meat, and topped with a lot of cheese. Then it’s baked to perfection. Some opt for a boiled egg instead of meat for a vegetarian option.

If you want the flavors without the spice, you can pre-boil the pepper in water and vinegar to reduce the firey taste.

7. Aji de Gallina

Aji de Gallina is a traditional home cooked dish. If you meet anyone in Peru, they’ll tell you that their Mom or Grandma makes the best Aji de Gallina ever.

The golden-hued dish is a rich stew made with shredded chicken. The sauce is creamy with walnuts, pecans, cheese, garlic, onion, and peruvian yellow pepper. Although creamy, many add chili and other spices to add some oomph to the mild dish.

It is usually served with fluffy white rice, boiled eggs, and potatoes. Others traditionally mop it up with bread. Especially in those cold winter months.

Restaurant recipes vary, but the best Aji de Gallina you’ll find is in peoples homes, cooked by Granny of course!

8. Jalea de Mariscos

Jalea de Mariscos

If you want a big old plate of fried seafood, Jaela de Mariscos is the meal for you. This dish is actually a take on the classic Italian dish, Frito Mixo.

The Peruvian version is a selection of bite-size pieces of fish dipped in batter and deep-fried. Some use vegetable or meat instead of fish. The deep-fried delights are usually served with Salsa Criolla, which is a treat in itself.

Salso Criolla is onion, coriander, tomato, and lime mixed with Peruvian chilis. This fresh and healthy salsa is the perfect side to the deep-fried guilty pleasure.

9. Anticuchos de Corazon

Anticuchos de Corazon

Antichuchos de Corazon, or “Beef Heart Skewers” is similar to a late night kebab on a night out.

Traditionally, the Antichuchos recipe includes a beef heart. This dates back to Spanish colonial times when the Spanish would take the best portions of the cow and leave the organs for the locals.

Antichuchos are cow’s heart marinated in vinegar and hot spices, then cooked on skewers in a charcoal oven. The meat alternates with potatoes and onion on the skewer and drizzled with lime.

Many today prefer the delicacy made from a lean cut of meat instead of the organs. Whichever cut you prefer, they will cook the meat medium rare.

10. Arroz con Pato

Arroz con Pato

The literal translation of this dish is “rice with duck”. This is a typical Spanish Criollo dish that’s eaten widely throughout Peru.

As the name suggests, this filling dish is mostly made up of duck and rice, but there is more to it. They mix the rice with beer and herbs (mainly cilantro) which makes it an outer-worldly green color. Then they roast the duck to crispy perfection.

11. Pollo a la Brasa

Pollo a la Brasa

If roast Guinea pigs don’t get your tastebuds tingling, maybe a roast chicken will instead!

They marinate the chicken in cumin, garlic, and red peppers. Then they roast the chicken on a rotisserie to achieve a perfectly crispy skin. They serve the dish with french fries and salad.

This simple dish is one of the most popular Peru food recipes that you can find all over the world.

12. Tacu Tacu

Taco Tacu

Tacu Tacu is the Peruvian version of bubble and squeak. This rice and beans dish is usually served with beef steak and egg. It’s a traditional home-cooked meal in Peru.

But this traditional home-cooked meal has many tasty additions when served in gourmet restaurants. Many chefs add asparagus, Amarillo chili, leeks and even sweet mango to the mix. Some add avocado too.

13. Causa

Causa is like a cold potato cake. That may not sound very appetizing, but this cool salad-like dish will blow your taste buds off.

The dish features a perfect blend of meat, potatoes, eggs, celery, olives, and the superfood, avocado. They sprinkle the mashed potatoes and the mixture with zesty lime and salt for flavor. Some use mayonnaise or chili as an addition too.

14. Conchitas a la Parmesana

Conchitas a la Parmesana, or Parmesan scallops is an Italian, Peruvian fusion dish. This is one of the freshest, cheesiest seafood dishes you’ll find.

They melt parmesan cheese on top of fresh scallops. Then they add a dash of lime. And, that’s it, this simple dish is ready for eating.

You can find this classic European style dish in any seafood restaurant in Peru. It’s a great option if you’re hankering for something that “tastes like home”.

15. Choclo

Choclo

As mentioned in the Peru food facts above, the main staples of a Peruvian diet include corn and potatoes. There are thousands of varieties of corn and potatoes that grow throughout the highlands.

Choclo corn cobs are enormous kernels that aren’t as delicious as the sweet corn we all know and love. But, this staple food is super tasty when slathered with sour cream, cheese, and chili powder.

If you get the chance to visit Peru, you’ll see ladies selling the ginormous cobs from huge boiling pots. They are the perfect snack to carry with you on your trek through the Amazon jungle.

16. Suspiro a la Limea

Suspiro a la Limea

Suspiro a la Limea is the most popular dessert recipe in Lima. The sugary treat is a combination of caramelized sugar and merengue.

The sweet dessert goes well with some Peruvian tea or a glass of Pisco. Pisco is Peru’s national liquor that’s made from concentrated grapes.

This sickly sweet treat is perfect to cleanse your palette after a seafood dish. But you only need a small portion, even if you’re a sweet tooth!

17. Mazamorra Morada

Mazamorra is another sweet dessert, but they serve this dessert hot. Due to the long winters of some of the mountainous regions, many citizens use this sweet dessert to warm themselves up. Although, many eat it in the summer months too.

The dessert uses naturally grown produce to create a complex treat. Peruvian purple corn, cinnamon, clove, pineapple, peach, cherry, and apricot make up the mixture. Then add sweet potato flour to create a gelatin-like glaze over the mixture.

This dessert is often served with Arroz con Leche, which is sweet milk rice.

Which Peru Food Recipes Will You Try?

If you’re a foodie waiting in anticipation for the next taste sensation, you’ve got to try some of these Peru food recipes.

But now your mouth is watering to try some of the best Peruvian foods, what can you do? If you can’t hop on a plane to travel to Lima, don’t worry. You can buy traditional Peruvian foods and drinks right here in the US.

Check out our Peruvian store for the best Latin food suppliers online, and you can feed your Peruvian foodie desire.

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