With over 4,000 varieties of potato, 3,000 types of quinoa, and 55 types of corn, there is no wonder how Peruvian cuisine is so diverse and tasty. Each region has its own twist and Lima is one of the food capitals of the world. Here is my list of the top must-try dishes in Peru.
1. Ceviche
Starting the list off strong with Peru’s national dish. Ceviche is made with fresh, raw fish, chopped onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and salt. The fish is marinated in lime juice which essentially “cooks” it. This is due to the acid from the juice denaturing the fish’s proteins.
2. Causa
This dish was first created during the Pacific War in 1879. This war was when Chile fought against Peru and Bolivia. The potato crop was harvested and offered as a meal to soldiers “for the cause.”
Causa is a layered dish consisting of mashed potato, yellow chili pepper sauce, salt, chicken, and lime juice. This dish is creamy and is usually topped with avocado and a hardboiled egg.
3. Chicharron
Fatty chunks of pork that is fried until brown and crispy. It’s a very salty, but savory dish.
4. Lomo Saltado
Marinated beef sirloin stir-fry with chopped tomatoes, onions, and fries served with a heaping amount of rice.
5. Cuy
I’ve spoken about Cuy before on my blog when I tried it in the Highland region of Ecuador, but the dish is common in the Highland regions of Peru as well. The guinea pig is roasted or fried.
9 Dishes to Indulge in: Ecuador Edition – Venture with a Ginger
6. Alpaca
An Andean meat dish commonly found in places such as Cusco and Puno. The meat is considered low in fat and is super healthy.
7. Papa Rellena
Mashed potato balls filled with spiced beef and egg.
8. Picarones
These fried dough circles resemble donuts, but an earthy ingredient is used in the making to give it more flavor. Squash and sweet potato are used in the batter. Once fried, it’s drenched in a thin syrup called chancaca. Chancaca is a sauce made of raw unrefined sugar.
9. Churros
A classic dessert. Star shaped dough fried and sprinkled with sugar. I recommend dipping it in rich melted chocolate.
10. Chicha Morada
Made with purple corn that is boiled along with spices such as cinnamon and cloves, along with fruit such as pineapple. It’s the perfect drink on a hot day because it is so darn refreshing.
Bonus: Pisco Sour
The creation of Pisco Sour was created in Lima during the 1920’s. Peruvian pisco is made from grapes and when combined with lime juice makes the infamous pisco sour. Every February on the first Saturday of the month, National Pisco day is celebrated in Peru.
Note:
I was able to get educated about many types of food here, thanks to the cooking class I attended. Jesus showed me around the local market in Cusco and then took me back to the studio to prepare a variety of cocktails and foods. If you are interested in taking a class, here is the Airbnb experience I recommend:
Peruvian cuisine with local ingredients, cocktails and tour – Airbnb