When it comes to visiting a new country, there is no better way to get a taste for the culture than to try some of the highlights of the local cuisine, and Peru is certainly one of the most exciting culinary destinations in South America. The Peruvian coast offers great fishing and means that there is plenty of good seafood on offer, while up into the Andes the traditional dishes of the mountains are quite different, while the Amazon offers some unique tastes to try. There are a wide range of different foods to try in Peru, but here are five great foods that really offer some spectacular flavors prepared in very different ways.
Around the coast of Peru, ceviche has become such an important dish that it has been declared a part of the country's heritage, and is made of either the corvina or the cebo varieties of fish that are caught in the region. Raw fish may not be to everyone's taste, but ceviche is an unique example as the act of marinating the fish in the acidic juices of key lime or bitter orange does help to change the texture of the fish itself. The marinade will usually include chilli and onions along with the citrus juice, and ceviche is commonly served with corn on the cob and sweet potato, while some restaurants also provide a dish of the marinade's juices on the side. More »
The Pachamanca is a great celebratory meal that originates from the Andes, and is one of the iconic food experiences that many visitors to the area will be offered as a part of the cultural experience, and was traditionally a meal served during special festivals. The meal is prepared by heating a large quantity of stones, which are then used to create an oven into which portions of meat such as lamb, pork, chicken and guinea pig wrapped in banana leaves are placed, along with vegetables such as sweet potatoes, cassava and green lima beans. These are then cooked in the oven for around ninety minutes, before the oven is opened and the food is served, usually to a large family or to a group of families depending on the occasion.
Another of the popular dishes that is enjoyed around the coast of Peru, Chupe de Camarones is a hearty soup that was traditionally prepared with crayfish, but is now most commonly available prepared with shrimp. Making good use of Peruvian staples such as potatoes and onions, the soup begins by cooking these in butter before adding tomatoes, spices and a broth before the shrimp and some milk are added to complete the dish. Chupe originated in Arequipa, but it is now commonly available around the south and west coast of Peru.More »
The Paiche is a large variety of fish, which is one of the most important sources of food for people in the Amazon, and for those visiting with a local tribe it is certainly something worth trying. It is usually preserved in salt, and enjoys a flavor that some say is similar to salted cod. The Paiche itself is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world, and has scales that are strong enough to ward off the Piranha that shares its Amazon habitat. The fish is usually served in a soup or grilled with vegetables to make a simple but satisfying meal.More »
Potatoes have long been a staple food in Peru and across South America, and this dish makes the best use of the ingredients that are produced locally to make a cheap but tasty dish that is common in restaurants throughout most of Peru as a starter. The potatoes are boiled and then sliced before they are served on a bed of green salad and covered with a spicy cheese sauce, which is then served with boiled eggs and olives. Those with a taste for Peruvian chillies can also try the spicier versions of the dish made with yellow chillies.
1. Ceviche
Around the coast of Peru, ceviche has become such an important dish that it has been declared a part of the country's heritage, and is made of either the corvina or the cebo varieties of fish that are caught in the region. Raw fish may not be to everyone's taste, but ceviche is an unique example as the act of marinating the fish in the acidic juices of key lime or bitter orange does help to change the texture of the fish itself. The marinade will usually include chilli and onions along with the citrus juice, and ceviche is commonly served with corn on the cob and sweet potato, while some restaurants also provide a dish of the marinade's juices on the side. More »
2. Pachamanca
The Pachamanca is a great celebratory meal that originates from the Andes, and is one of the iconic food experiences that many visitors to the area will be offered as a part of the cultural experience, and was traditionally a meal served during special festivals. The meal is prepared by heating a large quantity of stones, which are then used to create an oven into which portions of meat such as lamb, pork, chicken and guinea pig wrapped in banana leaves are placed, along with vegetables such as sweet potatoes, cassava and green lima beans. These are then cooked in the oven for around ninety minutes, before the oven is opened and the food is served, usually to a large family or to a group of families depending on the occasion.
3. Chupe de Camarones
Another of the popular dishes that is enjoyed around the coast of Peru, Chupe de Camarones is a hearty soup that was traditionally prepared with crayfish, but is now most commonly available prepared with shrimp. Making good use of Peruvian staples such as potatoes and onions, the soup begins by cooking these in butter before adding tomatoes, spices and a broth before the shrimp and some milk are added to complete the dish. Chupe originated in Arequipa, but it is now commonly available around the south and west coast of Peru.More »
4. Paiche
The Paiche is a large variety of fish, which is one of the most important sources of food for people in the Amazon, and for those visiting with a local tribe it is certainly something worth trying. It is usually preserved in salt, and enjoys a flavor that some say is similar to salted cod. The Paiche itself is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world, and has scales that are strong enough to ward off the Piranha that shares its Amazon habitat. The fish is usually served in a soup or grilled with vegetables to make a simple but satisfying meal.More »
5. Papas a la Huancaina
Potatoes have long been a staple food in Peru and across South America, and this dish makes the best use of the ingredients that are produced locally to make a cheap but tasty dish that is common in restaurants throughout most of Peru as a starter. The potatoes are boiled and then sliced before they are served on a bed of green salad and covered with a spicy cheese sauce, which is then served with boiled eggs and olives. Those with a taste for Peruvian chillies can also try the spicier versions of the dish made with yellow chillies.
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