When I travel, I try to immerse myself in new cultures as much as I can. I feel you get a better sense of your surroundings, and grow more as a person. Discovering new cultures exposes you to more experiences (good and bad). One way to do that is try the local food. From cocktails to cuisine here is a nod to some of Peru’s must try dishes.
1. Causa Rellena
Causa Rellena is a Peruvian mashed potato pancake dish, which is layered with fish, chicken or vegetables. Peru has over 4,000 varieties of potatoes, but this dish is made with yellow-golden Peruvian potatoes. The top is decoratively garnished with herbs and a hard-boiled egg. We were served Causa Rellena stuffed with vegetables. It was so good I asked for the recipe to bring home with me!
2. Pisco Sour
Pisco Sour is an alcoholic drink that is served in Peru. It is made of lime juice, Pisco (clear grape brandy) for the base liquor, syrup, ice, bitters and egg white. The egg white is whipped to give the Pisco Sour its foamy top. This is a drink that tour guides will warn foreign visitors about, because of the raw egg that is incorporated in the drink. This may be a drink you want to avoid, if you have a sensitive stomach.
3. Pizza
It’s fun to compare foods between countries. The best margarita pizza I have ever had was at La Pizza Carlo located in Cusco. This is an intimate family-run restaurant with four tables inside. The ingredients were deliciously fresh, and the pizza is cooked in a brick oven. The atmosphere itself was very warm and welcoming. The owner was very friendly and immediately welcomed guests inside. Bring cash with you (American or soles), credit cards are not accepted here. Insider tip: try the homemade sangria, you won’t regret it!
4. Ceviche
Ceviche is raw fish marinated in citrus juices in order to slowly cook the fish. It is usually served with peppers, corn or sweet potatoes. This is a dish that comes highly recommended by anyone who visits Peru. If you would like to make this dish yourself, stop by San Pedro Market in Cusco for fresh seafood, collected off the coast of Peru.
5.Alpaca
Alpacas are bred in Peru for their wool and meat, and at one time was considered a delicacy. Now you can find Alpaca meat served at most restaurants in Peru. You will find Alpaca to have a taste and texture similar to pork tenderloin. Don’t be afraid to step out of the box on this one, you will be pleasantly surprised.
6.Cherimoya
I fell in love with this fruit at the San Pedro Market in Cusco. I’m not the only one to fall in love with it, Mark Twain referred to it as “the most delicious fruit known to man”. Cherimoya is small, green oval fruit. It’s sweet to taste (a blend of banana, strawberry, pineapple flavor). It can be cut up and frozen, or chilled and ate with a spoon. Throughout Peru, Chirmoya can also be found in ice cream and yogurts.
7.Inca Kola
Inca Kola is a popular soft drink produced in Peru. Some people compare this yellow-golden drink to cream soda in the United States. Ironically, I discovered this drink at my local grocery store after my trip to Peru. So, if you currently can’t make a trip to Peru (you know- because you have so many travels planned), stop by your local grocery store and bring a little bit of Peru to you.
8. Coffee from Urubamba Valley
Do you remember the best cup of coffee you’ve ever had? I do. It was black, rich, freshly ground coffee in the Urubamba Valley, Peru. So far Peru produces my favorite coffee, however I’ve now made it a priority to try coffee in every country I visit. I love this coffee so much that I bought several kilos of El Condor at the San Pedro Market to bring home with me.
9.Chicha Morada
Chicha Morada is a sweet beverage made with Peru’s famous purple corn. The purple corn is boiled with pineapple, sugar, cinnamon and cloves. This drink is hard to come by in Peru, you won’t come across it in commercial restaurants or bars. Instead, you need to find a bar run by a local, and we have a little hint to help you out with that! If there is a pole with a red flag attached to it outside of a bar, it’s a bar run by a local. Stop in and get to know the locals.
10. Cuy
Cuy is offered on almost every restaurant menu in Peru, but this is not a dish for the faint of heart. Cuy is fried or roasted Guinea Pig. Yes, the sweet little Guinea Pigs that are considered a pet in the United States, however in Peru they are considered a delicacy. Cuy can be ordered two ways, Cuy Chactado- a flatten meat, or Cuy al palo- roasted over a spit. So if you are feeling brave, don’t leave Peru without trying Cuy
Mmmhh I’m getting hungry after reading this. Thanks for the heads-up on the Pisco Sour. I wanted to try it when I go to Peru but now you’ve pointed out the raw egg, I might need to pass on it. We’ll see when I get there.
After this article published someone did say you can get chicano de pisco, and it doesn’t have the egg white in it. This would be a good option for those that want to try Pisco Sour, but are worried about the raw egg white.
I cant wait to go to Peru! This food looks Yummy!
Most of these items are totally new to me..I just read about the Pisco SOur on another blog today.. I too love to try different varieties of food!! Food from every place really has a story to tell closely associated with the history and their culture!!
I am thinking more of South America needs to be on my bucket list! Thanks for sharing.
After I visited Peru I decided that more of South America needs to be added to my list!
Oooh, I’m looking forward to trying some of these when I make it to Peru eventually. Although I’m not too sure about that drink with egg whites otherwise it sounds delicious.
Have been wanting to visit Peru, primarily for Mach Picchu, but your post gives us many more reasons to do so 🙂
The food is delicious! I love trying new foods when I travel, and Peru did not disappoint! The country and it’s people are beautiful!
Love that Pisco Sour makes it in at number two, most important food group right!
How easy do you think Peru would be as a vegetarian to find tasty stuff? If not, I’m happy with the Cherimoya and booze combo! I loved all the food in Brazil, but since I stopped eating meet I imagine it to be a bit harder on that side of the world.
It may be more difficult than say the U.S, but they do have a lot of dishes with fresh fruit, and vegetables. The pizza is really delicious, too! I’m not a vegetarian, but I don’t eat a lot of meat on a daily basis- and I was able to find dishes without meat.
Ahhh.. I’ve heard a LOT of great things about Peru and I personally can’t wait to see that part of the world! Other than its culture, nature, and people — there’s the food too! Thanks for sharing this. I’ll be keeping note of them 😉
Great list! Peru is so amazing for the variety of food! I’d also add lomo salteado to the list – we tried alpaca lomo saltado in Cuzco, which was super tasty! I only tried cuy once and it was …tasty! Did you try it?
Peru has a great selection of food to try! However, I did not try the Cuy . . . it was just too much for my stomach!
I love Peruvian food. But I still I haven’t try cuy, or alpaca. Lomo saltado and causa is delish. I dnt think I will try cuy is too much for me.