If you’re traveling to South America you’ve probably already heard that Peru is a culinary hotspot. As the ultimate food capital of South America, it’s no wonder that Peruvian cuisine makes Peru one of the best places to dine out in the world.
But what makes Peruvian cuisine so special? It’s probably the fact that Peru is one of the only places on earth to successfully combine its own indigenous ingredients and cooking techniques with those of Europe, Africa and East Asia to create a delicious balance of flavours that is completely unique the world over.
Traveling through Peru you’re sure to come across some unusual dishes that will leave your taste buds yearning for more. A fantastic way to experience all that Peru has to offer, including its culinary delights, is to take one of the many Peru luxury tours you can book online.
Top 5 Traditional Peruvian Cusine Dishes
Now to talk you through some of the must-try dishes of Peruvian cuisine that are not to be missed as you travel through this breath-taking country.
1: Ceviche
Ceviche is one of Peru’s best known dishes. It consists of just five ingredients: sea bass, marinated for a few minutes in lime juice, salt, onion and, not to forget, hot chillies, making it one of the healthiest and freshest dishes you will ever have tried. The word Ceviche means fresh fish, therefore, it is best to try this dish in a coastal location.
2: Lomo Saltado
Almost as popular as Ceviche, Lomo Saltado is also a dish that you’re sure to come across on your trip to Peru. Lomo Saltado is a perfect example of how Peruvian and Chinese ingredients are combined to create a mouthwatering dish. Tender strips of beef are marinated in soy sauce before being flame-cooked with chillies, tomatoes, onions and other spices. This is usually served with both french fries and rice, yet again a combination of foods from across the globe sitting side by side on one plate. Lomo Saltado is a lunch-time classic and is widely available throughout Peru.
3: Cuy (Guinea Pig)
A luxury South America tour is a great way to experience differences from your own culture, and this is certainly one! Cuy (pronounced “kwee”) is also known as… Guinea Pig! While Westerners may see guinea pigs as domesticated pets, they are indigenous to Peru and have been part of the traditional diet for 5,000 years. Although Cuy is readily available on menus in Cusco, because tourists love to try it, this dish is normally reserved for special occasions such as birthdays. If you’re traveling to Arequipa look out for Cuy Chadtado, which is cuy squashed between two stones before being fried. However, whilst in Cusco you’re likely to come across Cuy al Palo; here the meat is roasted over a spit.
4: Anticuchos de Corazón (Grilled Heart)
Yet another Peruvian cuisine ingredient that Westerners would not often come across… don’t let the word ‘heart’ turn you off. Anticuchos comes from Afro-Peruvian culture. The heart of an alpaca or cow is marinated in vinegar, cumin, ají (pepper) and garlic before being grilled over charcoal to a medium rare. The heart is usually cut up into cubes and served on a skewer with potato and onions. This dish is often found as an appetiser in restaurants but is most commonly found throughout Peru as a street food dish.
5: Pisco Sour
Sampling a Peruvian cocktail is also an essential part of anyone’s visit to the country. A pisco sour is a delicious cocktail that originates in Peru. Pisco; a white brandy made in Peru from muscat grapes, is the base for this drink. Other ingredients include lime juice, egg white and sugar syrup. This tangy yet sweet cocktail is sure to go down a treat after an exciting day of taking in all that Peru has to offer with a Peru luxury travel group.
As you can see Peruvian cuisine is anything but bland. I hope that these recommendations of Peruvian culinary delights get your taste buds tingling as you plan your trip to Peru. Follow these guidelines and you are sure to experience the best of what Peru has to offer in terms of food and drink.
