Traditional Peruvian Foods You Must Try

Traditional Peruvian Foods

One of the best reasons to visit Peru is gastronomy. In fact, Peru has been the best culinary destination in the world for many years now. The wide variety of climates, ecosystems, and environments allow for a multitude of products to be grown, making Peruvian cuisine very diverse.

By the coastal region of Lima, you can have some of the best Peruvian ceviches in the world. While higher up in the mountains in the city of Cusco, dishes using alpaca meat are more common.

In the southern part of Peru near Pisco, you will find a region where they produce liquor called Pisco. Peru has so much diversity when it comes to food.

In fact, the capital of Peru, Lima has 2 of the top 50 restaurants in the world.

However, there are over hundreds of Peruvian dishes. Which one should you try when you are visiting Peru? That is why we have compiled this list of our 27 favorite foods you must try in Peru.

Enjoy!

TRADITIONAL PERUVIAN DISHES

1. Ceviche

Ceviche, a flagship dish of Peruvian cuisine, is an explosion of freshness and flavors that captivates the senses. This delicacy is crafted using fresh fish, cut into pieces and marinated in freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice, imparting a tender yet firm texture. The acidic blend of the citrus mixes with red onions, aji limo (a type of chili pepper), fresh cilantro, and salt, creating a symphony of refreshing flavors. It is often served alongside sweet potatoes (camote) and corn, offering a combination of sweetness and textures that complement the dish’s acidity. This internationally recognized delight isn’t merely a dish; it’s a cultural manifestation reflecting the richness of Peru’s coastal regions and its affinity with the sea’s freshness, serving as a gastronomic icon appreciated for its simplicity and exquisite preparation.

Peruvian ceviche has transcended borders, becoming a symbol of Latin American cuisine renowned for its freshness and quality ingredients. The technique of “cooking” the fish in citrus juice, combined with the unique blend of spices and vegetables, highlights the culinary finesse that makes it an unforgettable dining experience. Its recent recognition as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO underscores its significance in national identity and its contribution to global culinary diversity, solidifying it as a culinary treasure that transcends boundaries, captivating palates, and elevating Peru’s gastronomic heritage.

2. Aji de Gallina (Peruvian Chicken Stew)

Aji de Gallina is a Peruvian stew made with chicken and cooked with yellow chili peppers, walnuts, garlic, turmeric, and other spices. The dish traditionally comes with half a hard-boiled egg.

The Aji de Gallina was believed to be introduced to Peru in the 16th century by the African slaves. Now it has become a staple dish in Peruvian cuisine.

At first glance, you might think this dish is packed with flavors. Actually, the taste is quite mild. The yellow chili peppers are not as spicy as you think they are. The flavors are just enough and not so salty that you have to drink glasses of water afterward.

Traditional Peruvian Foods

3. Alpaca Meat, An Exotic Traditional Peruvian Food

Yes! You can eat alpaca meat in Peru.

Those cute little animals running around the city of Cusco and in the Andean mountains are actually traditional Peruvian food. Some of you are probably thinking “alpacas are too cute to eat” but they are also extremely delicious. Sorry not sorry!

Like beef steaks, there are different parts of the alpaca that will have different tenderness and taste. A good alpaca meat/steak is tastier than some of the best steaks I have ever had!

4. Caldo de Gallina (Hen Soup)

Caldo de Gallina, or Hen Soup, is one of the oldest traditional foods in Peru.

The traditional soup consists of hen (not chicken), noodles, hard-boiled eggs, different types of potatoes (Peru has over 3,500 types of potatoes), and Chinese onions. The hen is usually cooked in the soup for hours so the flavors of the hen can come out.

Keep in mind that you can also get Caldo de Pollo, which is chicken soup. You might think they are the same thing but it is not. Hens are kept in the wild and eat everything organic, chickens are not.

As a result, the meat of the hens will be much tougher and tastier.

Where can you find Caldo de Gallina?

You can find Caldo de Gallina throughout the entire country. It is a very popular dish. However, my recommendation is to eat it in Cusco because Cusco is really cold.

The warmth of the soup and the flavor of the hen will be the perfect dinner after doing the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu or other hikes in Peru

5. Lomo Saltado, One of The Most Popular Foods in Peru

Lomo Saltado is a local Peruvian dish that many Peruvians enjoy daily. It is usually made with marinated beef strips, onions, peppers, cilantro, tomatoes, and other ingredients.

From the photo, it might look like the typical stir-fry beef that you get at a Chines takeout. In fact, there is some truth to that. Lomo Saltado originates from “chifa” traditions, or the Chinese part of Peruvian cuisine.

Unlike typical stir-fry which is just rice and beef with vegetables, Lomo Saltado comes with fries and is usually served over rice. The potato fries are the Peruvian influence on the Chinese stir-fry, hence the name “chifa”.

This is the dish you want to try if you are “playing it safe.”

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