We know that after your experience in Peru the main thing you will remember are the places you visited, the people you shared time with but besides that it will be the sensation of flavor that Peruvian food has, it is something unique that cannot be explained in words, the blending the flavors of local ingredients makes even simple Peruvian food special. Auri Peru prepared a complete list about best Peruvian Food.
We show you below which are the best dishes that you should try on your trip this 2024.
We recommend you see: CENTRAL RESTAURANT LIMA, LUXURY SERVED ON A PLATE.
Peruvian Food
01.- LOMO SALTADO (STIR FRIED BEEF)
Lomo saltado, one of the most emblematic dishes of the Peruvian cuisine, is a delicacy that combines Chinese influences with traditional Peruvian ingredients. To prepare it, pieces of tender beef are sautéed with onion, tomato, peppers and spices in a hot skillet, creating a dish full of flavor and texture. This dish is typically served with rice and fries, and can be found all over Peru, from fine dining restaurants in Lima to modest street stalls in cities like Arequipa and Cusco.
Lomo Saltado
Tip: Delight yourself with the flavor of the best lomo saltado at the restaurant:
Restaurant: Rosa Náutica | Espigon 4, Costa Verde, Miraflores | (51-1) 447 0057
02.- CEVICHE
It is the Peruvian national dish, one of the most iconic dishes of Peruvian food, is a sensation of freshness that reflects the richness of the marine ingredients of the Peruvian coast. To prepare it, fresh fish filets are cut into small pieces and marinated in lemon juice, accompanied by red onion, ají limo, cilantro and salt. The citric acid marinating process lightly cooks the fish, giving it a tender texture and vibrant flavor. This delicious dish is commonly served in cevicherías along the Peruvian coast, from the bustling markets of Lima to the picturesque fishing towns of Máncora and Paracas. This is one of the emblematic dishes and considered part of the best Peruvian food.
Ceviche
Tip: Delight yourself with the flavor of the best Ceviche at the restaurant:
Restaurant: Pescados Capitales | av. La Mar 1337, Miraflores | (51-1) 421 8808
03.- TIGER’S MILK
Leche de tigre, the refreshing and tasty elixir behind Peruvian ceviche, is a masterpiece of marine cuisine, yet at first glance it looks like a simple Peruvian food. Prepared with a mixture of lemon juice, chili, garlic, cilantro and other seasonings, this citrus sauce is essential for marinating the fish in ceviche, giving it its characteristic flavor and softening its textures. In Peru, you can enjoy fresh and delicious leche de tigre in cevicherías and restaurants specializing in marine cuisine along the coast. Each sip of this unique preparation is a sensory journey that gives us the sensation of the freshness of the sea and is an ideal complement to Peruvian food.
Tiger’s Milk
Tip: Delight yourself with the flavor of the best Tiger’s Milk at the restaurant:
Restaurant: La Mar | Av. La Mar 770, Miraflores | (51-1) 421 3365
04.- CHIRIUCHU
Chiriuchu, an emblematic and traditional dish from the Cusco region. Its preparation combines a variety of ingredients that represent the different cultures and regions of Peru. These ingredients include guinea pig, chicken, dried meat, blood sausage, fish egg, rocoto, corn tortilla and more. Each of these elements is prepared and presented distinctively, creating a visually stunning and flavor-packed dish. This dish is one of the prides of Peruvian food, since its preparation involves a tradition that has been inherited for generations.
Chiriuchu
Tip: Delight yourself with the flavor of the best Chiriuchu at the San Francisco Square – Cusco.
05.- AJÍ DE GALLINA (CREAMY CHICKEN)
Is not only a dish that is part of Peruvian food, it is actually an innovation for Peruvian cuisine due to the exquisite combination of flavors and textures. Prepared with a base of shredded chicken breast and a creamy sauce of yellow chili, onion, garlic, bread soaked in milk and walnuts, this dish is a feast for the senses. The mix of spices and the creaminess of the sauce make each bite an unforgettable explosion of flavor. To taste this delicious dish in Peru, you can visit a wide variety of traditional and haute cuisine restaurants throughout the country.
Aji de Gallina
Tip: Delight yourself with the flavor of the best Ají de Gallina at the restaurant:
Restaurant: La Mar | Av. La Mar 770, Miraflores | (51-1) 421 3365
06.- RICE WITH CHICKEN
This dish is a classic of Peruvian cuisine, it is a delicious combination of flavors that delights diners from start to finish, rest assured that it is some of the best Peruvian food. To prepare it, the chicken is cooked with a mixture of onion, yellow pepper, garlic, pepper and spices, before adding the rice and chicken broth to cook it slowly until tender and aromatic. The result is a comforting and abundant dish, perfect to share with family or friends. In Peru, arroz con pollo can be enjoyed in a variety of places, from family restaurants to elegant fine dining establishments. Whether in Lima, Cusco, Arequipa or any other city in the country, this classic dish is a safe option for a satisfying and delicious meal.
Chicken with rice
Tip: Delight yourself with the flavor of the best Rice with Chicken at the restaurant:
Restaurant: Incanto | Santa Catalina Angosta 135 – Cusco | (051) 243 379
07.- GRILLED CHICKEN
It is one of the most popular and beloved dishes of Peruvian food, it is a feast of juicy flavors and smoky aromas. Preparation begins by pairing the chicken with a secret blend of spices and herbs, before roasting it on the grill or in a rotating oven until the skin is crispy and golden, and the meat is tender and juicy inside. This dish is traditionally served with golden potatoes and a variety of sauces, such as mayonnaise and aji criollo, which further enhance its flavor. In Peru, you can enjoy grilled chicken in numerous specialized restaurants, from modest street stalls to nationally recognized restaurants.
Grilled Chicken
Tip: Delight yourself with the flavor of the best Grilled Chicken at the restaurant:
Restaurant: Villa Chicken | Av. Antanez de Mayolo 944, Los Olivos | (51-1) 500 8800
08.- CAUSA RELLENA (POTATO CASSEROLE)
This appetizer is one of the most popular in Peruvian food, it is an explosion of color and flavor that combines yellow potatoes with a mixture of yellow chili, lemon and oil to form a soft and creamy dough. This dough is spread in layers and filled with a variety of ingredients, such as shredded chicken, tuna, shrimp, avocado, and more, creating a visually stunning and flavor-packed dish.
Causa Rellena
Tip: Delight yourself with the flavor of the best Causa Rellena at the restaurant:
Restaurant: Zig Zag Restaurant | Calle Zela 210 – 212, Arequipa | (054) 20 6020
09.- SECO DE RES (CILANTRO BEEF STEW)
This dish is very traditional, so at first glance it seems like just a simple Peruvian food, but everything is different in flavor, it is an ode to tender meat and robust flavors. Preparation begins with beef, which is slowly cooked in a mixture of onion, garlic, yellow chili, cumin and other spices until soft and juicy. Then add a generous amount of fresh chopped cilantro and let it cook until the flavors meld and the sauce thickens. This dish is typically served with white rice, beans, and creole sauce, and can be enjoyed in restaurants specializing in Peruvian food throughout the country.
Seco de Res
Tip: Delight yourself with the flavor of the best Seco del Res at the restaurant:
Restaurant: Huaca Pucllana | Calle general Borgoño block 8 s/n,Miraflores | (51-1) 445 4042
10.- CHAUFA RICE
It is a very pleasant fusion between Chinese and Peruvian cuisine, it is a tasty and comforting dish that reflects the culinary diversity of the country. The preparation begins by sautéing cooked rice with pieces of pork, chicken or shrimp, along with onion, pepper, egg, chives and soy sauce. The result is a dish full of flavor, texture and aroma, which captivates diners with every bite. In Peru, Chaufa Rice can be enjoyed in a variety of places, from street food restaurants to fine dining restaurants.
Chaufa
Tip: Delight yourself with the flavor of the best Chaufa Rice at the restaurant:
Restaurant: Wa Lok | Av. Angamos Oeste 700, Miraflores | (51-1) 984 123 645
11.- ANTICUCHOS
It is a culinary delight rooted in Peruvian food, it is an explosion of flavors and textures that delights the most demanding palates. The preparation begins with pieces of beef or chicken heart, which are marinated in a mixture of vinegar, garlic, cumin, ají panca and other spices, before being skewered on skewers and grilled. The result is a perfect combination of tender and juicy meat, with a smoky and spicy flavor that is simply irresistible. You can find them mainly in street stalls which gives more emphasis to the flavor.
Anticucho
Tip: Delight yourself with the flavor of the best Anticuchos at the restaurant:
Restaurant: Lazos Parilla de Zingaro | San Francisco 313 – 315 | (054) 21 5720
12.- FRIED TROUT
Without a doubt a classic dish in Peruvian food, it is a fresh and tasty delight that highlights the natural flavors of the fish. The preparation begins with fresh trout filets, which are seasoned with salt and pepper before being floured and fried until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. This dish is traditionally served with accompaniments such as rice, golden potatoes and a fresh salad, which gives it the appearance of a simple Peruvian food, however its flavor is completely delicious.
Fried Trout
Tip: Delight yourself with the flavor of the best Fried Trout at the restaurant:
Restaurant: Tres Keros | Av. Senor de Torrechayoq, Urubamba | (051) 20 1701
13.- CHICHARRÓN
It is a delicious combination of pork fried until it reaches a crispy texture on the outside and tender on the inside. The preparation begins with pieces of pork that are boiled in water with salt and spices to tenderize the meat before being fried in its own fat until golden and crispy. The result is an irresistible dish that is traditionally served with French fries, cooked corn and onion and mint salad.
Chicharron
Tip: Delight yourself with the flavor of the best Chicharrón in the town of Saylla – Cusco.
14.- PACHAMANCA
This is an ancestral and ritual dish of Peruvian food, it is a true celebration of the land and its fruits. Preparation begins with digging a hole in the ground, where hot stones are placed to create a natural oven. On these stones, layers of meat such as pork, chicken, lamb, as well as tubers such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava, and aromatic herbs are arranged. Everything is covered with banana leaves and left to cook slowly underground for several hours. The result is a unique culinary experience, where flavors intertwine in a mix of succulence and smoky aromas.
Pachamanca
Tip: Delight yourself with the flavor of the best Pachamanca at the restaurant:
Restaurant: Huacatay | Arica 620, Urubamba | (051) 20 1790
15.- TACACHO
This food is representative of the Amazon region of Peru, it is a delicious preparation based on crushed and fried green banana, mixed with pork rinds or charqui (dried meat). To prepare it, the green plantains are cooked, mashed and mixed with the meat until they form a homogeneous dough, which is molded into balls and fried until golden and crispy on the outside. This dish is traditionally served with a chili and onion sauce, and can be found in restaurants specializing in Amazonian food, local markets and street stalls in cities such as Iquitos, Pucallpa and Puerto Maldonado.
Tacacho
Tip: Delight yourself with the flavor of the best Tacacho at the restaurant:
Restaurant: Amaz | Av. La Paz 1079, Miraflores | (51-1) 221 9393
16.- CHACTADO GUINEA PIG
It is a culinary delicacy that stands out for its unique flavor and impressive presentation. To prepare it, the whole guinea pig is seasoned with a mixture of spices and aromatic herbs, before being browned in hot oil until obtaining a texture that is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. This dish is traditionally served accompanied by golden potatoes, mote (cooked white corn) and a fresh salad. In Peru, you can enjoy its flavor at gastronomic festivals and regional fairs in cities such as Cusco, Ayacucho and Huancayo.
Cuy chactado
Tip: Delight yourself with the flavor of the best Chactado Guinea Pig at the restaurant:
Restaurant: Limo | Portal de Carnes 236, 2nd Floor | (051) 24 0668
17.- STUFFED HOT PEPPER
An emblematic dish from the Andean region of Peru, it is an explosion of flavors and textures that captivates lovers of spicy food. To prepare them, rocotos, a type of Peruvian chili, are deveined and cooked in salted water to reduce their spiciness level. They are then filled with a mixture of ground beef seasoned with spices, raisins, olives, hard-boiled egg and fresh cheese, before being baked in the oven until golden and bubbly. This dish is traditionally served with a cheese sauce and golden potatoes. It is the perfect companion to other meals such as Lechon or Asados.
Stuffed Hot Pepper
Tip: Delight yourself with the flavor of the best Stuffed Hot Pepper at the restaurant:
Restaurant: Chicha |Calle Santa Catalina 210, int 105 Arequipa | (054) 28 7360
18.- ADOBO (SPICY PORK STEW)
It is a delight full of flavor and tradition. To prepare it, the pork is marinated in a mixture of ají panca, garlic, cumin, chicha de jora (a fermented corn drink) and vinegar, for several hours or even overnight, so that it absorbs all the flavors. The meat is then simmered until tender and juicy. It is mainly a celebration dish since it is made during birthdays or special moments.
Adobo
Tip: Delight yourself with the flavor of the best Adobo at the restaurant:
Restaurant: Deva Cocina Andina | Calle San Agustin 280 – Cusco | (051) 946 485 996
19.- SHRIMP CHOWDER
A delicacy of Peruvian cuisine, it is a creamy and comforting soup that stands out for its intense flavor. To prepare it, fresh shrimp are cooked with onion, garlic, yellow chili, tomato and spices in an aromatic broth. Evaporated milk, beaten eggs, and fresh cheese are then added to create a rich, thick base. Shrimp chowder can be enjoyed in a variety of restaurants specializing in seafood, as well as in markets and street stalls in coastal cities such as Lima, Trujillo and Arequipa.
Shrimp Chowder
Tip: Delight yourself with the flavor of the best Shrimp Chowder at the restaurant:
Restaurant: Central Restaurant | Santa Isabel 376, Miraflores | (51-1) 242 8515
During your 2024 trip be sure to try some of these dishes, believe me your palate and stomach will thank you. Peruvian food is undoubtedly one of the best in the world Auri Peru. Don’t wait any longer and start your planning now with us, contact us whenever you want.
“Don’t put off until tomorrow the trip you can take today.”
