Delicious Peru Cuisines Every Foodie Need To Try

While a trip to Peru is bound to present to you a plethora of ancient ruins to explore the rich history of the country, this incredible place has a lot more to offer to the travellers. Its unique immigration history has created an incredible fusion of flavours from China, Europe, Japan, Africa and Middle East which made the country a perfect foodie destination.
Peru seems to offer an endless array of cuisines which can be very daunting, even for a foodie. Here is a list of the Peruvian dishes which you must try if you are visiting:

* Ceviche

This can probably be Peru’s national dish. You will find ceviche in every restaurant’s menu all around Peru. The country’s location along the Pacific Ocean gives it a great source of seafood and ceviche is just one of those amazing dish they have created from their bountiful catch. Ceviche is made from fresh raw fish marinated in lime and lemon juice, onions, chili peppers, salt and pepper. It is served with sweet potatoes, lettuce and canchita (Peruvian popcorn). Corvina (sea bass) is the fish traditionally used.

* Lomo Saltado

Lomo Saltado is a Peruvian-Chinese cuisine that is cooked using the widely known Chinese cooking technique, “stir-fry”. The dish is prepared by marinating sirloin strips in soy sauce and vinegar which is then stir-fried with onions and tomatoes. It is usually served with rice and French fries.

* Tamale

Tamale is a dish made from corn masa or dough which is steamed in banana leaf. It is usually filled with pork or chicken, egg, olive or piece of chili peppers. Generally served piping hot, a bite into this incredible food is a blast of refreshing flavours in the mouth.

* Pisco Sour

Agreed that this is not a food, but this is a preferred and perfect accompaniment for most of the Peruvian dishes. Pisco sour is a popular cocktail in Peru and is also regarded as their national drink. It is a mixture of Pisco (a kind of brandy), egg white, lime juice, Angostura bitters and sugar syrup. Being Peru’s national cocktail, you can find Pisco sour in almost every bars and restaurants.

* Papa Cashqui

Papa Cashqui is a Quechua language which means “potato soup”. It is a tasty soup made from potatoes, fresh cheese, egg, herbs and milk. It is a perfect comfort food during winter and after an exhausting hike in the mountains of Peru.

* Carapulcra con sopa seca

Carapulcra con sopa seca is an Afro-Peruvian cuisine. Carapulcra is a stew made from meat and dried potatoes while sopa seca is a one-pot pasta dish made from dry pasta, meat, spices and vegetables. Sopa Seca translates literally to “dry soup” which does not sound very appetizing. The name stemmed from how the dish was cooked where the broth must be fully absorbed. Carapulcra and sopa seca are almost always served together but it can also be served separately.

* Queso Helado

Queso Helado is a popular treat in Arequipa, Peru. Although its name literally translates to “cheese ice cream”, there’s actually no cheese in it. It tastes more like milk with a little bit of cinnamon and coconut. Try some of it, it surely does not disappoint.

* Mazamorra Morada

Mazamorra Morada is a typical dessert in Peru made from purple corn. The corn, which gives the dessert its purple colour, is boiled with water, cinnamon, chopped fruits, sugar and a thickener, which is usually sweet potato flour. It is most commonly served together with arroz con leche.