{"id":885521,"date":"2025-12-16T18:19:59","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T17:19:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/?p=885521"},"modified":"2026-01-07T16:00:03","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T15:00:03","slug":"peruvian-dishes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trafalgar.com\/real-word\/peruvian-dishes\/","title":{"rendered":"27 Traditional Peruvian Dishes to Try on Your Next Trip"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the best ways to get to know a new country or culture is through food \u2013 and in Peru<\/a>, history lands on a plate. Here you\u2019ll eat a chaotic yet perfect collision of Incan roots, Spanish conquest, African heritage and waves of Chinese and Japanese migration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The result is a fusion cuisine that has turned the country into South America\u2019s undisputed culinary center. The capital, Lima, has been scooping up awards for its fine dining scene, but look to any street corner and you\u2019ll find memorable plates anywhere there\u2019s smoke rising from an anticucho grill. And if you thought the Irish loved the humble potato? The vegetable is native to Peru, where there are more than 4,000 types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s dive into the top 27 dishes from Peru, starting with the most famous and then exploring categories from starters to sweets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are some must-try Peruvian dishes? The most famous plates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First, let\u2019s introduce what you might call the global ambassadors of Peruvian cuisine. These traditional dishes are famous across the world and you must try them when in Peru.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Ceviche: The national dish<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Ceviche:<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Unlike sashimi, the raw fish here is “cooked” in the potent acid of freshly squeezed key lime juice, creating a spicy marinade known as leche de tigre<\/em> (tiger\u2019s milk). It\u2019s tossed with red onions and fiery aj\u00ed limo peppers, then plated immediately to keep the fish fresh and firm. To cool the heat, it\u2019s always served with a chunk of boiled sweet potato and giant kernels of corn (choclo). Locals eat this for lunch when the catch is freshest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Lomo Saltado: Top example of Chifa (Chinese-Peruvian) cuisine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Smoky<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chinese wok techniques meet Peruvian ingredients \u2013 strips of beef tenderloin are flash-fried at high heat with onions, tomatoes and soy sauce, creating a smoky flavor locals call sabor a humo<\/em>. It\u2019s served with both french fries and white rice to soak up the sauce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Pollo a la Brasa: Peruvian rotisserie chicken<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Every culture seems to do some form of rotisserie chicken, and Peru\u2019s is distinct for its marinade \u2013 a secret blend of dark beer, soy sauce, garlic and spices \u2013 and it gets roasted over charcoal for crispy, salty skin and smoky meat. You\u2019ll find poller\u00edas<\/em> (chicken shops) across the country. Eat the chicken with thick-cut fries and the accompanying aj\u00ed sauces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Aj\u00ed de Gallina: Creamy chicken stew<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Creamy<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This comforting stew gets its sunny hue and fruity heat from the aj\u00ed amarillo pepper, the backbone of Peruvian flavor. Shredded chicken is bathed in a thick, velvety sauce made from milk, cheese, ground walnuts or pecans and bread soaked in broth. It\u2019s typically served over rice with hard-boiled eggs and black olives.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n
\n <\/i><\/span>\n Go on tour<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n\n

Highlights of Peru<\/p>\n\t\t\t
\n \n