Get ready to dive into the vibrant and delicious world of foods from Peru!
This country is a true culinary gem, offering dishes that are as diverse as its landscapes.
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From the zesty freshness of ceviche to the comforting flavours of seco de pollo, Peruvian cuisine is one you’ll love!
Whether you’re a foodie looking to explore something new or simply craving a bit of spice and culture, these quintessential Peruvian dishes will leave you wanting more!
Ceviche is Peru’s most iconic dish. It is made from raw fish marinated in lime juice, which essentially “cooks” the fish via the acid.
It’s typically served with onions, fresh coriander, and ají (Peruvian chilli) and accompanied by sides like sweet potatoes, corn, or concha (toasted corn).
If you’re visiting Lima, head to one of our favourite restaurants, Canta Rana. This popular spot is known for its laid-back atmosphere and delicious cuisine. We recommend you order this dish and other popular Peruvian foods.
This creamy, mildly spicy dish features shredded chicken cooked in a sauce made from ají amarillo (yellow chili), milk, bread, and cheese. The texture may be a little different from what you may be used to, but the flavour is fantastic!
It’s served over boiled potatoes and topped with olives and hard-boiled eggs.
We enjoyed this dish during our 3-day trip to the Peruvian Amazon.
Lomo Saltado is a stir-fry of marinated beef, onions, tomatoes, and spices, usually served with rice and french fries.
This dish combines Peruvian and Chinese flavours, reflecting Peru’s rich history of culinary fusion.
Lomo Saltado was created when Chinese chefs in Lima’s Chinatown, known as “Calle Capón,” began stir-frying beef in woks on the city streets in the early 19th century. This fusion of Chinese cooking techniques and Peruvian ingredients gave rise to the beloved dish.
Lomo Saltado is often listed on the ‘menu del dia’ (daily menu) at lunchtime in most cities, so look out for it.
Causa is a layered dish made with mashed yellow potatoes (it’s so creamy and delicious), avocado, and chicken or tuna salad filling.
Causa is served cold and often garnished with boiled eggs and olives. Although the dish looks a little different, I’m a fan of this excellent Peruvian dish now.
The velvety potatoes and fresh fillings make this a refreshing and tasty dish, one of the foods from Peru that you must try!
This simple yet delicious dish features boiled potatoes topped with a creamy, piquant cheese sauce from ají amarillo and queso fresco.
It’s usually served with hard-boiled eggs and olives; honest and tasty food at its best.
Pollo a la Brasa (grilled chicken) is a popular rotisserie dish, marinated with a winning blend of spices and perfectly cooked.
Pollo a la Brasa is typically served with fries and various dipping sauces. Crispy on the exterior and moist and juicy inside, this is one of the must-try comfort foods in Peru.
‘Relleno’ means stuffed or filled in Spanish, and this dish is a spicy Peruvian take on stuffed peppers.
Rocoto peppers are stuffed with ground meat, olives, onions, and spices and then topped with melted queso fresco (fresh white cheese).
These skewers of marinated beef hearts (or other meats) are popular street foods in Peru.
The skewers are grilled and then served with boiled potatoes or corn. Anticuchos are packed with flavour.
If you’re intimidated by the thought of eating beef heart—just give it a try; live on the wild side! Seriously, these tender bites are delicious!
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Tiradito is similar to ceviche but features thinly sliced raw fish with a spicy, zesty sauce, usually made from lime juice and ají Amarillo.
Unlike ceviche, the fish is not marinated in the sauce beforehand, giving it a lighter, fresher taste. This dish highlights Peru’s Japanese culinary influence.
A fragrant rice dish cooked with duck, Arroz con Pato is flavoured with coriander, beer, and spices.
The duck is typically cooked until tender and served atop the scrumptious green rice.
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This hardy shrimp soup from Arequipa is made with a decadent broth, potatoes, corn, cheese and eggs.
Chupe de Camarones is a comforting dish perfect for colder days. It’s known for its creamy texture and slightly spicy flavour. It’s one of the most popular foods from Peru.
Juane is a dish from the Peruvian Amazon. It consists of rice, chicken, olives, and boiled eggs wrapped in a banana leaf and steamed. The banana leaf adds a slightly earthy taste to the dish; it makes it!
The outcome is a tasty, compact meal often eaten during the festival of San Juan.
Cuy (guinea pig) is a traditional dish in the Andes, often fried whole until crispy.
It’s quite a sight when you see these rodents barbequing over a charcoal grill, although you’ll soon get used to it if you spend some time travelling in Peru.
This dish is deeply rooted in Andean culture and is served with potatoes or corn. We’d describe cuy meat as tasting similar to rabbit or poultry.
This slow-cooked, hearty stew is made with chicken (pollo) or goat (cabrito) and flavoured with beer, coriander and spices.
It’s a Peruvian dish served with rice, yucca, and beans; you must taste it at least once.
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This enjoyable dessert is rice pudding, prepared by simmering rice with milk, sugar, and cinnamon. Many Latin countries, such as Venezuelan foods or the cuisine of Honduras, have a similar version of this delightful sweet treat.
Arroz con leche is a creamy, sweet, and pleasurable dessert usually topped with raisins or cinnamon. It is a simple yet beloved dessert in Peruvian homes.
Picarones are sweet, doughnut-like treats made from squash and sweet potatoes, deep-fried until perfectly golden and crisp.
Picarones are served drizzled with a syrup made from chancaca (sweet sauce made of raw unrefined sugar from sugarcane).
These are a must-try for anyone wanting to taste one of the most popular foods from Peru, of the sweeter kind.
Aguadito de Pollo is a vibrant green chicken soup with fresh coriander, rice, and vegetables.
It’s delicate and delicious, making it an excellent option to enjoy when craving something warm and satisfying.
Lucuma is a native fruit often used in desserts and ice cream.
Its unique flavour, a mix of sweet potato and caramel, makes it one of the most favoured Peruvian sweets.
Lucuma ice cream is a popular treat that’s 100% worth trying!
Mazamorra Morada is a sweet dessert made from purple corn, which gives it a unique purple colour!
It is thickened with fruit and spiced with cinnamon and cloves. It has a rich, jelly-like consistency and is often served alongside arroz con leche.
It looks odd but tastes fantastic! Give it a shot!
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This indulgent dessert is a layered delight. It starts with a rich dulce de leche (caramelised milk) base and is topped with a velvety meringue spiced with port wine and cinnamon.
It’s sweet, creamy, and extravagant—true to its name, which translates to “the sigh of a woman from Lima.”
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Ajiaco is a satisfying, hearty soup made with chicken, potatoes, corn, and aromatic Andean herbs like huacatay (black mint).
Typically enjoyed during cold weather, it’s made by simmering chicken with local potatoes and maize (corn).
While its origins are debated, Ajiaco is a beloved dish in Peru and very popular in Cuba and Colombia.
Pan de queso is a beloved cheesy Peruvian bread, known for its soft, pillowy texture.
Made from a dough of cornstarch, queso fresco (fresh cheese), eggs, and butter, it’s shaped into small rounds and baked until golden.
Often enjoyed as a snack or breakfast item, pan de queso pairs perfectly with hot beverages, making it a popular choice throughout Peru.
Known as “empanadas peruanas,” these savoury pastries are a popular snack food in Peru.
The dough, made from flour, water, salt, and sometimes lard or butter, is filled with seasoned meats like beef, chicken, or pork, often mixed with onions, garlic, and spices.
The empanadas are then baked or fried to a golden-brown perfection.
Fish is popular in Peru, especially along the coast and in regions near rivers, lakes, and the Amazon.
In coastal areas, you’ll find a variety of grilled, fried, and stewed fish dishes, often prepared with local spices and ingredients like ají peppers, lime, and coriander.
In the Amazon region, freshwater fish like paiche and dorado are commonly grilled or cooked in banana leaves, infusing them with smoky, earthy flavours.
Alfajores are a beloved Peruvian sweet made from two soft, crumbly cookies sandwiched with a generous layer of dulce de leche.
Often dusted with powdered sugar or coated in chocolate, these cookies have an indulgent texture; they melt in your mouth.
Typically made from a mixture of cornstarch and flour, they may also include fruit jams or chocolate in some variations.
We’ve reached the end of our list of the most popular foods from Peru! Have you tried any of these Peruvian foods? What is your favourite Peruvian dish? Please share it with us in the comments below.
We have many travel guides and tips for South America—a colourful and vibrant continent!
We believe these are the 15 best places to visit in South America.
Are you travelling on a budget? These five cheapest countries in South America will help you plan an itinerary that lets you see as much as possible.
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Delicious cuisine can be enjoyed across South America. There’s Colombian cuisine, Venezuelan food, the food in the Dominican Republic, Brazilian cuisine, and even Guyanese cuisine to inspire you on your culinary journey.
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These top 6 travel hacks to save money are great to read when planning your travels. Try these 5 popular foods in South America; they’re delicious!
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