On your visit to Peru, you cannot miss tasting the best of world cuisine; in Peru you will not only find tourist destinations for all tastes, but also a diversity of dishes in all flavors; here we bring you a recommendation of the 10 best gastronomic options; we are sure that you will enjoy each one of them.
And the truth is that Peru has long been known for many things, but above all for its food. So, with that in mind, we decided to bring you the 10 Peruvian dishes that you cannot miss at these Lima 2019 Pan American Games.
Our list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Tacu Tacu, a creole dish made with cooked rice, beans, and a stir-fry of yellow chili. These are mixed together until they form a mass under the heat of the pan.
Tacu Tacu is a dish that is winning over more palates around the world.
Next on the list is a dish loved by many, Aguadito. It consists of a thick chicken soup with rice and other vegetables. Its green color comes from the significant use of cilantro in the soup, and it’s traditionally consumed in winter.
In short, Aguadito is a dish that everyone wanting to try the best of Peruvian food should have on their list.
Now, let’s go to an ancient dish considered a Cultural Heritage of the Nation: Pachamanca. The name comes from the Quechua words “Pacha,” meaning “earth,” and “manka,” meaning “pot,” so its meaning would be “Earth Pot.”
This name perfectly describes the cooking method, where the food is cooked using hot stones inside a pit dug in the ground. It’s definitely a dish worth trying.
And finally, we couldn’t finish this list without mentioning one of the dishes whose consumption increases by 12% every time the Peruvian football team wins a match: Pollo a la Brasa.
This dish consists of charcoal-roasted chicken cooked in a rotating system that ensures even cooking. It’s served with fries and is currently a cultural icon in Peru.
Derived from papa a la huancaína, this dish is considered one of the richest. At first glance, it’s a simple dish, consisting of pasta covered in huancaína sauce, which is made with fresh cheese and yellow chili. But it’s the addition of this sauce that gives the pasta or any noodle a unique flavor.
It’s usually served with some type of meat, which only enhances the flavor.
Now we move on to a dish loved by all Peruvians and one that we highly recommend to anyone visiting the country for the first time. As the name suggests, the beef is stir-fried in a pan until cooked just right, with a touch of vinegar and some spices, then served with fries and rice.
Lomo Saltado has its origins in the arrival of Chinese-Cantonese immigrants to Peru in the 19th century, who perfected this exquisite dish that people from all over the world come to taste as soon as they set foot in Peru.
We start the list with what is possibly the country’s most iconic dish. No one can resist the fresh taste of a good plate of ceviche. Made with fish and, depending on preference, seafood, it is marinated with citrus dressings that only enhance the flavor.
Definitely, ceviche is one of those dishes that once you try, you’ll want to have again and again.
This dish, born in the 18th century as an alternative to the already well-known arroz con pato (rice with duck) of the time, began to conquer the tables of Peruvians. Today, it can be said that national cuisine wouldn’t be what it is without Arroz con Pollo.
It’s usually served with papa a la huancaína or salsa criolla and can be found in any restaurant in the country.
Honestly, no list of Peruvian food is complete without mentioning the famous Causa Limeña. This dish is made with yellow potatoes (one of more than 3,000 types of potatoes in Peru) and its layered presentation grabs attention.
Of course, thanks to that touch of lime that every Peruvian knows, the flavor of this renowned dish wins over kitchens, tables, and hearts.
Adding to the list is Ají de Gallina. This dish consists of shredded chicken breast in a creamy sauce, accompanied by boiled potatoes or white rice. It’s worth noting that whenever this dish is served, it receives great praise from those who try it.
Ají de Gallina is undoubtedly one of those dishes that anyone visiting Peru should try.