Six Peruvian Foods You Must Try

With a capital city that is widely recognised as the ‘Gastronomic Capital of Latin America’, Peru is a country where your senses will come alive. In between astonishing ancient ruins, colourful colonial towns and breathtaking landscapes ranging from the rainforest to the desert, you’ll be sampling the first-class culinary delights of this country.

Whilst Peru’s world-class restaurants carry an impressive number of prestigious accolades, this diverse nation’s flavours are rooted in its colourful markets, exotic produce and generations-old culinary traditions. We’ve gathered together the six quirkiest, most delicious and most intriguing Peruvian foods that you absolutely must not miss on your trip!

Peruvian Ceviche – The National Dish

First on the list is Peruvian ceviche. This ‘National Dish’,  is by far one of the most popular foods in Peru. While other nations including Mexico, Chile and Ecuador, have their own variations on the dish, Peru lays claim to the original. With the name derived from a Quechua word meaning “fresh fish”, this Peruvian delicacy consists of just that: fresh fish marinated in lime juice, onion, salt and hot chillies and has quickly become an obsession locally and internationally. You will typically find ceviche paired with starchy corn and sweet potato to balance the spicy protein. 

While many believe Lima is the best place to try ceviche as it is close to the ocean, Cusco has its own unique tangy and refreshing version made with river trout. There are so many varieties of fish used in ceviche; it’s unlikely you will ever have the same meal twice. 

Experience it for yourself on this 7 Day Trip dedicated to exploring Lima and Cusco.

Lomo Saltado  – Stir Fry Beef & French Fries

Next up: Lomo Saltado. This part Chinese part classic Peruvian stir fry is the go-to comfort food to everyone who knows about it. Coming in second to ceviche in popularity, this mix of tender beef strips marinated in soy sauce and cooked with onion, tomato and chilli is served with a mound of steamed rice, or if you’re lucky, piping hot french fries.

Yes, potatoes are a staple of the Peruvian diet and if you can add french fries, they will. While the traditional version of Lomo Saltado is beef or alpaca, you can find this often substituted for chicken or the vegetarian option, mushrooms.

You will find the Peruvian Lomo Saltado on the menu of almost every restaurant across Peru and is equally as popular in Peruvian restaurants abroad.

Sound like your type of meal? You’re destined to taste it, more than once, on this 12 Day Best of Peru Trip. 

Rocoto Relleno – The Spiciest Peppers You’ve Probably Ever Tasted

Spice Warning. If you can handle spice, then give this dish a go. The size of a large plum and roughly ten times hotter than a jalapeno pepper raw, Rocoto peppers place a punch to the taste buds. Relleno meaning “filled” and Rocoto being the pepper is exactly that, stuffed spicy peppers and is extremely popular in the city of Arequipa, in the Andes Mountains.

Crumbed and stuffed with ground beef and vegetables, baked in an egg and milk custard, it too is often served with french fries. While this dish is replicated throughout Peru, we suggest tasting the original on this 9 Day Journey Through the Andes.

Aji De Gallino – Creamy Chicken Stew

Another Peruvian comfort food, this creamy chicken stew is full of flavour. Comprising of shredded chicken, in a thick curry-style sauce made with cream, walnuts, cheese and chillies it is served with vegetables on a bed of rice, boiled potatoes and black olives. 

Said to have originated back during the French Revolution of 1789, this dish represents elements of both old and new worlds. Taking on countless-European variations, you may find this Quechan dish served as a terrine, cake roll, casserole or as individual servings. No matter the serving style, this delicious dish is a must-try on your visit to Peru.

Causa – Mashed Potato Casserole

If you haven’t worked it out already, Peruvian’s love potato and with the country producing more than three thousand varieties, its no surprise.  This native Quechan dish is no exception. 

History tells us that this dish originated during the Pacific War when the Peruvian Army had trouble getting food. During this period, women collected potatoes from across the cities and created the meal “for the cause” and offered this to the soldiers. Now found on the table of almost every Peruvian, there are a thousand and one ways causa can be prepared.

Causa Limena, from Lima, is the most famous version and is all about the mashed yellow Peruvian potatoes combined with oil, lime and spicy sauce. Add a meat filling, usually tuna, chicken or salmon mixed with mayonnaise, cover with a layer of hard-boiled eggs and avocado and top with more potato mash. Served cold, this dish is usually served as a side to a meal. 

Alfajores – The Cookie of South America

We can’t suggest the best foods of Peru without including something for the sweet tooth amongst us. Alfajores, the cookie of South America, actually originated in the Middle East, before being acquired by the Spaniards and brought to South America where they have become an institution, thanks to adaptations to the original recipe. 

These delicious treats consist of caramel sandwiched between two thin, crumbly shortbread-like cookies covered with coconut or powdered sugar and are the perfect sweet way to end a traditional Peruvian dinner. This treat is a family favourite!

Speaking of family, head to Peru with your family on this 10 Day Family Adventure and make sure Alfajores are on the list of things to try.

Have these mouth-watering, yet intriguing foods increased your desire to visit Peru? An enchanting country with famous activities and sites to suit every traveller, we highly recommend Peru being on your travel to-go-to list.

Not sure what to see and where to start? Let Designer Journeys’s Local Designers take the stress out of your travel planning and create the perfect tailored adventure to Peru for you, your group, family or couple! Knowing the destination better than anyone else, you are guaranteed a culturally-rich adventure, encompassing everything you wish for and more!

Browse our fully-customisable trips in our Peru Trip Gallery Here or get inspired to design your very own, fully-bespoke trip to Peru. It’s that simple.