Peru travel is an exciting mix of culture, historic sites, exotic landscapes, and delicious food. The country is on the top of the list for foodie travel destinations in South America- the county’s restaurants are hard to beat when traveling elsewhere.
The traditional dishes of the country are impressive and simple-using a handful of ingredients to produce savory plates. Keep reading for 5 dishes to try when on an adventure in Peru.
CEVICHE
While the US has hamburgers, the UK- fish and chips, and France- crepes, Peru’s go-to fast food is ceviche. It is a midday meal, a snack, a brunch dish and one of the classic examples of Peruvian food. Fresh sea bass, snapper, halibut, mahi-mahi or tilapia is marinated in lemon and lime juices, seasoned with chili and salt and served with sliced onions, cilantro, and tomatoes. Traditional sides are sweet potatoes, yucca, plantain, avocado, and dry-roasted corn kernels.
Cevichando in Lima is one of the best spots in the city to find traditional ceviches and Peruvian food at reasonable prices.
OLLUQUITO CON CHARQUI
Olluquito con Charqui is a distinctly Peruvian dish from the Andes that makes foodie travel in the country an adventure. The Olluco is a kind of potato that grows in the mountains, and Charqui is dried alpaca meat. Combined in this dish the two ingredients shine when mixed with spices and broth and served with rice.
In Cusco try 180 Café Lounge for traditional food in a modern lounge.
ARROZ CON PATO
Arroz con Pato highlights the simplicity of Peru food and the flavors of the creole style in the country. Rice is cooked with dark beer, herbs, and cilantro paste and served with duck confit. The dish is a staple at Peruvian tables around the country and has found its way into some of the best restaurants in Peru.
For authentic creole food include Arroz con Pato in Lima, try Panchita, with a menu from one of the best chefs of the cuisine.
AJI DE GALLINA
A traditional dish that each family has its recipe for, Aji de Gallina is a creamy chicken stew that fits the bill for a filling meal after a day of exploring on a Peru trip. It is made with yellow peppers, cream, cheese, and walnuts. The thick sauce tops shredded chicken on a bed of rice, boiled potatoes, and olives.
In Cusco, try Pachamama for their take on the dish and other traditional delicacies.
LOMO SALTADO
Lomo Saltado is another simple staple in Peru that is on menus of high-end restaurants and found at lunch counters around the country. It is a combination of Chinese and Peruvian cuisine where tomatoes, aji chilies, onions, and spices are sautéed with marinated beef until the vegetables break down into a rich gravy. The beef is served with rice and French fries.
Chicha in Cusco is one of the city’s best restaurants, spearheaded by one of the country’s award-winning chefs, Gaston Acurio, who put the country on the map as a food destination. The Lomo Saltado here is considered the cream of the crop in the city. The name of the eatery refers to the traditional beer made from fermented corn in the Andes- A Peru drink that shouldn’t be missed.
