South America is known for its breathtaking scenery and for being a country that has a truly diverse culture. It is also renowned for being an excellent spot for foodies.
According to Claudia Vergara, a food expert from MONEDEROsmart, born in Lima, Peru, food is a massive part of the country’s culture. It provides information about cultural identity, so if you are looking for a place to start in immersing yourself into culture, traditional dishes are a great place to start. Peruvian food dates back to the Incas and pre-Incas and since then has been influenced by China, Europe, India, and Japan.
So, whether you are already in Peru, or planning a vacation there, then here is everything you need to know about food in Lima and what dishes you need to try.
Food in Peru
Peru is known for growing, producing, and exporting a variety of different types of food and crops. For example, Peru is known for growing potatoes, tomatoes, quinoa, beans, and mangoes.
What you might not know is that since the 2000s, Peru has been the first world exporter of asparagus. Peru is also one of the world’s leading exponents of artichokes, quinoa, mangoes, bananas, and avocados.
So, food lovers can rest assured that there is a lot of delicious food and traditional recipes that you can sample whilst in Lima, Peru.
- Ceviche
This classical Peruvian dish is made with raw fish which is marinated in lime juice. Ceviche is certainly something you will see in many restaurants and is probably one of the most famous foods in Peru. This dish is tangy and refreshing, so if you want something that is light and easy to eat – this is for you!
- Lomo Saltado
Lomo saltado is a hearty traditional Peruvian dish which you need to try during your stay in Lima. It is made up of beef, onion and tomato stir-fried in soy sauce, then it is often served on top of French fries along with rice. This is the type of comfort food you need!
- Rocoto
This simple dish is similar to stuffed peppers. Rocoto is a type of pepper but is spicy. The insides of the rocoto are filled with meat and veggies and then baked. The dish is usually served with French fries too.
- Cul al Horno
This one might not be for everybody to try. Cul al Horno is a cooked guinea pig that has been stuffed with herbs. It is served whole (complete with head). This dish is a Peruvian tradition that is usually reserved for special occasions such as birthdays, but you will be able to find it in local restaurants. It tastes a little like pork, the meat is lean and is a little big salty.
- Alfajores
Are you after something a little sweeter? Alfajores are available throughout South America. They come in all sorts of varieties but the main ingredient is often dulce de leche, which is caramel. Dulce de leche is in the middle of two thin cookies and either covered with sugar or coconut flakes.
When you think about Peru, you instantly think of Machu Picchu, which is of course one of the world’s wonders and definitely somewhere you need to visit, but there are also many other places in the world you need to visit.