With its unique local ingredients and fusion of European, Asian and African influence, Peruvian cuisine has come to the forefront of the world stage in recent years. In 2018, World Travel Awards named Peru South America’s Leading Culinary Destination– an honor that Peru has won for seven consecutive years. Peruvian food, or comida Peruana, successfully blends its foreign influence with its ancient indigenous ingredients to create something decidedly unique and delicious.
Here are the 10 must-eat dishes while in Peru:
Ceviche
The national dish of Peru, ceviche, is a must have for anyone who loves fresh seafood. Ceviche is made with five simple ingredients: raw sea bass cured in lime juice, with crisp onion, salt and aji chiles. Peruvian ceviche is often served with boiled corn (choclo) and sweet potato (camote), with a sprinkling of dry-roasted corn kernels, or cancha, for texture.
Anticuhos
Another must-eat Peruvian dish is anticuhos. Anticuhos are made of meat, typically beef heart, that has been marinated in vinegar and spices, skewered, and grilled. Anticuchos are a popular street food in Peru and are often served with a boiled potato or bread.
Papa a la Huancaína
Peru has over 3,800 varieties of potatoes, so you can imagine there are more than a few dishes that prominently feature the humble starchy vegetable. Papa a la Huancaína is a dish made of boiled yellow potatoes served with a savory yellow Huancaína sauce, made from queso fresco, aji amarillo chiles, garlic, evaporated milk, lime juice and saltine crackers. It is usually served as a side dish or appetizer, and garnished with a hard boiled egg and black olives.
Tiradito
This local variation on ceviche is made with thin, sushi-style slices of raw fish, which is then seasoned with puréed aji amarillo chiles, soy sauce, and mirin for a Japanese-inspired take on the Peruvian classic.
Lomo Saltado
This must-eat Peruvian dish fuses local ingredients with Chinese cooking techniques. Beef, tomatoes, onions, and aji chiles are stir-fried with soy sauce and served with fries and steamed rice.
Tamales
Not to be confused with Mexican tamales, Peruvian tamales are stuffed with ingredients such as chicken, hard boiled eggs, peanuts, and olives. Unlike Mexican tamales, Peruvian tamales are made with yellow corn, rather than white corn, and wrapped in banana leaves, rather than corn husks before being steamed.
Pollo a la Brasa
Pollo a la Brasa is Peru’s version of rotisserie chicken. This must-eat Peruvian dish is made by seasoning a whole chicken with a combination of herbs and spices and roasting it on a spit. It is commonly served with a green huacatay sauce made of Peruvian black mint, cilantro, aji chiles, and other spices.
Aji de Gallina
This popular Peruvian dish is made with shredded chicken that has been smothered in a creamy, nutty sauce made with walnuts, cream, cheese and aji chiles. Aji de Gallina is typically served over rice with boiled potatoes and black olives for garnish.
Picarones
Picarones are sweet and savory treats made of dough mixed with squash and sweet potato, then deep-fried and covered in a molasses syrup. These Peruvian doughnuts are a must-have dish when in Peru.
Milhojas
This decadent Peruvian dessert is a must-have for anyone with a sweet tooth. Flaky puff pastry is traditionally filled with dulce de leche, but variations of milhojas can be filled with custard or pastry cream, and then covered in creamy dulce de leche.
