1.- INTRODUCTION: WHY LIMA IS A FOOD LOVER’S PARADISE
Peruvian gastronomy is considered an icon and emblem of the culinary tradition that has existed in Peru for generations, it is also a reflection of the cultural diversity that has been influenced by Andean, Spanish, African, Asian and many other culinary techniques from multiple cultures that over time have been migrating to Peru in search of a new life which has allowed to give it a variety of flavors, textures and of course colors. Although the Lima ultimate Peruvian Food Tour is quite popular for the variety of flavors it contains, each of the regions and cities of the country contains a culinary secret that makes it unique. Although it is clear that Peruvian gastronomy is not only based on the variety of dishes or ingredients they have, but also on the wide heritage of culinary techniques and fusion of flavors that over the years have positioned Peruvian food in a unique way, allowing a Lima food tour to be more than just an experience of flavors.
The Lima ultimate Peruvian Food Tour is one of the favorites of many travelers around the world because Lima has positioned itself as one of the most important gastronomic destinations in the world where you can find a perfect harmony of tradition and at the same time modernity, Peru’s capital city also offers a great variety of culinary options integrating traditional dishes that for generations have been the icon and emblem of Peruvian cuisine but integrating avant-garde but at the same time modern techniques and versions, this is also the reason why during the last years the variety of restaurants has been growing and focusing on quality more and more.
The reason why the Lima ultimate peruvian Food Tour is considered one of the favorite alternatives for many travelers is that the city of Lima also has the particular characteristic of being home to renowned chefs who with their culinary creations have placed the name of Peru at the top of the gastronomic culture worldwide establishing that visiting restaurants such as Central, Maido, Rafael Osterling, Astrid and Gaston, among others is mandatory for food lovers and looking to enjoy not only the flavors but to experience and live the Lima ultimate peruvian Food Tour.
2.- ASPECTS THAT MAKE PERUVIAN GASTRONOMY UNIQUE
Having the chance to experience the Lima ultimate peruvian Food Tour is one of the best things you can feel and live during your next visit, however it is also important that you know what makes Lima Food and Peruvian food unique.
2.1.- Geographical diversity
Peru is one of the countries that contains 3 regions and in each one you can see a whole world of territories and geographies so it is natural to think that each of these places can bring a new flavor that you will experience during the Food tour Lima.
2.2.- Own inputs
Thanks to this existing biodiversity, the Lima ultimate peruvian Food Tour is possible to make with unique ingredients. The clearest example is the purple corn, quinoa, coca, yellow chili, camu camu and other ingredients that have become the basis for the preparation of traditional Peruvian dishes.
2.3.- Traditional techniques
When enjoying the Lima ultimate Peruvian Food Tour, it is known that there are also different kinds of cooking, having as the most representative the huatia that consists of making a stew in a subway hole which has a direct relationship with the Andean cosmogony. There is also the popular ceviche that uses the citric fluid of the lemon to give a special flavor to the fish and is currently considered as Peru’s flagship dish.
2.4.- Fusion of Cultures
During the Lima ultimate Peruvian Food Tour you will have the opportunity to participate in the preparation of some of the most representative dishes of Peru such as lomo saltado, aji de gallina and others, however each of these traditional dishes has already been molded in history obtaining influences from other cultures such as African, Spanish, Japanese and even Italian, each of these cultures brings a new flavor to Peruvian cuisine.
3.- What to Expect from a Peruvian Food Tour in Lima
The Lima ultimate peruvian Food Tour is the ideal experience that many travelers seek to enjoy during their vacations as it allows them to immerse themselves in the culinary tradition that for centuries has been the heritage of the ancient cultures that found a new home in Peru, Lima is considered one of the gastronomic capitals of the world competing directly with the oldest ones like the Italian or French. By experiencing the Lima ultimate peruvian Food Tour you can learn that there are many versions that easily suit every traveler and that each one can show you a different way of flavors, techniques and textures thanks to the use of local products that are typical of the Peruvian geography. From the most popular alternative that is known as street food to high class culinary options being considered as luxury versions that only few can get to try. The Lima ultimate peruvian Food Tour gives you the opportunity to learn more about the history behind each ingredient and how its particular way of production can achieve such a unique taste in the world.
During the Lima ultimate peruvian Food Tour, each participant attends with a specialist guide to a traditional market where they start buying local ingredients to prepare some of the most emblematic dishes of Peruvian gastronomy such as ceviche, lomo saltado, aji de gallina or others with the intention of interacting with a chef who will teach little by little the secrets of Peruvian cuisine, it is expected that each participant can prepare their own dish to feel the essence of Peruvian cuisine and be a great memory.
4.- WORLDWIDE RECOGNITION
“Since 2006, the city of Lima is known worldwide as the Gastronomic Capital of Latin America thanks to the mention of the Iberoamerican Academy of gastronomy, the recognition is not only thanks to the gastronomic diversity but also for the effort to encourage and promote the culinary traditions and heritages in the most traditional way.”
5.- Types of gastronomic experiences
5.1.- Street food
This is the purest way to experience the Lima ultimate Peruvian Food Tour, street food is considered as a complete reflection of the identity that people have with the customs that have been inherited for generations. This kind of food tour Lima also allows you to taste the most traditional flavors that only some people can capture in a dish, among these flavors are the anticuchos, empanadas, canchita, picarones and many other delicacies that are delicacies to the step, it is also the perfect way to learn more about the stories streets that can only be found in Lima.
5.2.- Visit to the market
It is a traditional version of enjoying the Lima ultimate peruvian Food Tour, this kind of places has a lot of colors, aromas, unique textures, besides having the fresh products that are necessary to be able to live properly the food tour Lima. During this visit the participants get to have the opportunity to walk the aisles of the traditional market to know and obtain the inputs that are used as potatoes, purple corn, peppers, herbs and even seafood that are the basis of seafood, this visit is also considered as a moment of knowledge as the specialized guide can explain what is the cultural importance of gastronomy from ancient times to the present.
5.3.- Local experience
Another version of the Lima ultimate Peruvian Food Tour is the one that gives you the opportunity to have a cultural immersion, this includes visits to traditional or family restaurants where the main idea is to make you feel at home. This can take place in small restaurants or in the home of the chefs who perform the activity. It is also a great opportunity to feel the warmth of the local people as it is a good time to interact with the family while preparing delicious dishes with local and fresh ingredients and following the traditional recipes that have been inherited.
5.4.- Exclusive experience
This is the most exclusive option of the Lima ultimate Peruvian Food Tour as it is intended for high class travelers who always want to prioritize the standards of exclusivity. This option takes place exclusively inside high class restaurants such as Central, Maido, and even Astrid and Gaston,, experiences that not only seek to give you the history of the ingredients but also teach you innovative techniques and reinterpretations of the ancestral dishes that have been emblematic of Peruvian gastronomy. Also included is the experience of pairing wines and cocktails that are also handcrafted.
6.- Best season to live the gastronomic experience
In general the weather is pleasant all year round to enjoy the Lima ultimate peruvian Food Tour, however there are also other factors that directly affect the activity and are the seasons where some products are abundant or scarce. The basis of Peruvian gastronomy is the local and fresh products, in fact this is one of the main reasons for its delicious taste. In the summer season it is common to find an abundance of seafood and marine ingredients, making dishes such as ceviche even more delicious. On the other hand, in the winter season, the stew options become a great option because the ingredients that make up the stew have a better quality.
7.- MUST-TRY DISHES ON A LIMA FOOD TOUR
There are unique dishes that you can not miss the opportunity to try during your next trip, the Lima ultimate peruvian Food Tour gives you the opportunity to know some of them and others you have to try them out to better experience the sensation of flavors.
7.1.- Ceviche: Peru’s National Dish
The dish based on raw fish is considered the best example of culinary tradition that can be found in Peru, this traditional dish is a favorite of many Peruvians and world travelers. It essentially involves fish, lemon, aji (hot pepper), onion, cilantro and salt and is served with sweet potato and corn. This preparation is influenced by the Japanese style in which the consumption of raw fish is used. When visiting Lima is common to find several places that offer this dish, however thanks to a record of quality and taste is known that the best options are:
7.2.- Lomo Saltado: The Perfect Fusion Dish
It is undoubtedly one of the most loved dishes by diners and is considered an emblem of Peruvian cuisine. This preparation makes use of beef, onion, tomato, chili and soy sauce (chairs) while using the technique of sautéing to give it a smoky flavor. When the flavors are evenly blended, it is served on a plate with white rice and french fries. This dish shows the fusion of cultures between the Chinese influence by the consumption of rice and its sautéing technique. We also have a recommendation of the best places to taste this delicious dish.
7.3.- Anticuchos: The Street Food Classic
It is undoubtedly the icon and emblem of street food because its flavor contains not only essences or ingredients, but a culinary heritage that very few people have managed to adapt to interpret and result in this delicacy. Generally the anticuchos are elaborated with organs such as beef heart, kidneys, although nowadays other options such as chicken, sausage or mixed have been implemented. After being exposed to the embers of a grill, they are served with golden potato and spicy sauce which denotes even more the smoky flavor of the meat. They are common to find in the streets of Lima, however the best options are:
7.4.- Aji de Gallina: Creamy & Spicy Peruvian Comfort Food
It is one of the traditional dishes of Peruvian cuisine, with a spicy flavor but creamy texture, aji de gallina is also positioned as an emblematic dish of Peru. Its preparation is based on shredded chicken that is combined with a sauce made from aji amarillo, cheese, crackers, onion and garlic, which provides a unique and special flavor. The balance between the creamy texture and the spiciness combines perfectly with the potatoes and rice making it a comforting dish for a traveler’s appetite. The places where you can delight your palate in a unique way with this dish are:
| “The only thing I like more than food travel is eating.” |
8.- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- What is the best food tour in Lima?
The best alternative gastronomic experience is undoubtedly the one that allows you to learn more about the culinary heritage that has been passed down for generations. Mainly the traditional alternative that involves visiting a traditional market and then being part of the creation of the dish is the most complete way to enjoy this experience.
- How much does a food tour in Lima cost?
Prices can vary depending on the place where you want to experience the culinary activity, you will find options from $80.00 dollars per person and up.
- What food is Lima famous for?
Its popularity is mainly due to the variety of flavors and colors it presents, making a bite a complete feast for the palate of any traveler, however these flavors are based on the techniques and methods of preparation that are inherited from ancient traditions, Lima is a place where these traditions are maintained almost perfectly even with the passage of time.
- Where is the best ceviche in Lima?
There are many places where you can taste this dish, however the places where it is presumed to have the best ceviche are La Mar, El Mercado and Pescados Capitales.
- Are food tours in Lima worth it?
Yes, they are considered as a complete immersion in culture and tradition, if you have the opportunity to participate in any culinary activity I assure you that you will never forget it.
A trip to Peru is not complete if you don’t experience the gastronomy in the right way, a gastronomic experience can offer you this and much more. Auri Peru can organize an adventure in a delicious way for you and your travel companions, just contact us now to start organizing an unforgettable experience.
“Traveling and eating are the right paths to happiness.”
