Peruvian Food: 7 Incredible Dishes To Try During Your Trip

The History And Roots Of Peruvian Food  

Peruvian food has a very long history, with many dishes dating back several thousands of years to ancient times of different civilisations and cultures. Many modern-day staples such as Quinoa and Maiz (Corn) are believed to have been used as many as 7000-8000 years ago, since they are an easy crop to grow around the Andes of Peru. 

Each region also has its own particular history and usage of local ingredients. For example, up at high altitudes like Cusco and Huaraz, Cuy and Alpaca were (and today are still considered) a very good protein source, giving birth to typical dishes such as Cuy al Horno – and as such trying Andean cuisine is one of the best things to do when in Cusco. In the Amazon Jungle, tropical fruits like Camu Camu and Chonta, as well as fish like Patarashca, are still widely used, while they also still follow practices such as wrapping meats and fish in Bijao Leaves and steaming them over coals.

Fast-forward in time, and Peru’s cuisine has only expanded as more influences arrived in this diverse South American country. Those who settled in Peru from Asia gave rise to the ever-popular Chaufa dish, while the Spanish brought over ingredients like Limes, Meats and new Vegetables – creating popular dishes like Ceviche and Anticuchos.

7 Peruvian Dishes Worth Trying When Exploring Peru

In no particular order, let’s now take a look at some of the very best dishes that you can sample when in Peru.

Ají De Gallina

A creamy based chicken stew, Ají De Gallina ranks as one of the most favourite local dishes in all of Peru. Made with milk, cheese, chicken and bread – it also combines Peru’s native Ají amarillo pepper for a spicy kick. This dish was actually an invention from the Spanish, who upon arriving began to experiment and create new dishes using both local ingredients as well as the food that they brought across. Ají De Gallina is commonly served alongside potatoes and an egg, and can be found in almost all Peruvian restaurants.

Ceviche 

Arguably the best-known Peruvian dish of them all, Ceviche is essentially fish combined with citric-heavy limes. This creates a very refreshing and unique flavour, and has become popular for locals and tourists alike all along the long Pacific coastline. Within Lima we can find both local restaurants that serve up tasty Ceviche, as well as luxury restaurants in Miraflores and Barranco that add new flavours and experimental twists. Ceviche is also great to try in places like Trujillo, Chiclayo and Piura.

Pachamanca 

One of Peru’s most popular ancient dishes, Pachamanca goes back thousands of years – and also represents the country’s indigenous cooking traditions which are still well and truly alive today. Cooked underneath the soil itself (as a blessing to the earth), Pachamanca includes potatoes, Andean corn, yuca, marinades and meats like chicken, pork or alpaca. It’s a very popular dish throughout Cusco and parts of the Sacred Valley like Pisac and Ollantaytambo, and here at AB Expeditions we have expert local chefs prepare it the proper way on some of our hiking tours like the Ausangate 4 Day Trek which finishes at the famous Rainbow Mountain.

Lomo Saltado

One of Peru’s most popular fusion-style dishes, Lomo Saltado actually has roots from Chinese-Peruvian settlers who arrived in the 19th Century. Here onions, tomatoes, soy sauce and ají are simmered along with beef strips, and is served with rice and french fries – making it a perfect dish for those who are very hungry! While many restaurants in Peru serve it, for the best experience you’ll want to visit a local Chifa restaurant which specialises in Asian and oriental-fusion cuisine.

Papa A La Huancaina 

Now we have a typical Peruvian starter dish, which hails from the high Peruvian Andes. Papa a la Huancaina blends ají amarillo, cheese, milk, oil to create the unique sauce, and is served with an egg on top of potatoes. A cold dish, you can literally find it everywhere in Lima and other popular destinations like Cusco and Arequipa, as well as within more remote areas of the country. It’s especially easy to find this dish on the menu ejecutivos within local Peruvian restaurants.

Chaufa

Along with Lomo Saltado, Chaufa is the other major food creation of Chinese immigrants who arrived in Peru some 200 years ago. It’s essentially fried rice also using soy sauce, spring onions, egg and chicken, but can also use seafood or other meats depending on the style. Chaufa comes in dozens of local varieties, depending on both the region as well as the original Cantonese techniques or ingredients used – and can be widely found all over Peru.

Juane Y Tacacho

Now we head down into the vast Amazon Rainforest, which is known for its extreme abundance of local flavours and wild produce. The Juane part of the dish combines seasoned rice, olives and chicken which is wrapped in Bijao Leaves, which has a more earthy flavour. The Tacacho side mixes pork chicharrón along with mashed fried plantains. This dish is a true local’s favourite, and can easily be found in cities like Iquitos, Pucallpa and Tarapoto. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Peruvian Food

Below we’ll now answer some of the frequent questions we get about Peruvian food, as well as anything else important that you need to know.

What Is Peru’s Most Famous Dish?

Ceviche is Peru’s overall most famous dish, which hails from all along the country’s very long Pacific coastline. Within the capital of Lima we can find countless seafood-style restaurants in popular areas like Miraflores and Barranco, as well as in the more traditional hub of Callao. Other great places to try Ceviche in Peru include Trujillo, Chiclayo and Piura which are all on the northern coast.

Why Is Peru Known For Its Food?

Peru is well-known for its food for a couple of reasons. Firstly, in the last few decades, certain restaurants like Central and Gastón y Acuario have won global awards, which have brought lots of international spotlight on the foods of Peru. The second reason is due to the diversity of food found throughout the country – including seafood, Amazon foods and an abundance of dishes made up in the Andes.

What Are Some Peruvian Street Foods?

There are almost endless Peruvian street foods, both on a local and national level. In Lima typical street foods include Papa Rellena and Mazamorra, while in Cusco we can find hearty Anticuchos and the infamous Cuy. Those who really want to go local can do so in the Amazon, where typical delicacies include Suri, Piranha and even Crocodile!

Overview Of Peruvian Food

And that’s all for this guide on the large variety of Peruvian food that we can find throughout the country.

Peru food comes in all kinds of shapes, sizes and tastes, given the extreme geographical diversity of the country. This means that when travelling around Peru, we can try local exotic dishes from the Amazon Rainforest regions, classic staples from the Andes as well as popular coastal foods in Lima and along the long Pacific Coast.

Heading to Cusco and want to try typical Peruvian foods while hiking through the incredible Andes? Take a look at our Four Day Inca Trail Tour, where you’ll get to try all kinds of Andean and Peruvian specialities, while hiking the ancient Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.