Last Updated on August 2, 2024 by Tori’s VA
When planning a visit to any destination, learning about the food is probably very high on your priority list. But when visiting Peru, you might want to bump it alllll the way to the top of the list. Learning all about Peru food facts, what to eat, where to eat, and what the food culture is like, is so important for your trip! Peru’s food is out of this world, and I promise you will not be disappointed.
When planning your perfect vacation, be sure to read all of my Peru content first!
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Meals to Eat in Peru: Peru Food Facts
With so many important Peru Food Facts, and things to know before you go, you must start by learning what to eat! Learning about the culture’s most important dishes is crucial to having the best experience you can in a new country. I’ll tell you where to start, but loads more details will be in my post all about these important dishes to try in Peru.
Ceviche
The national dish of Peru. This is an absolute must when in Peru! It is typically served with fish, but you can also find it made with shrimp or other varieties of seafood. It is a cold and citrus-based appetizer, and is best in Lima! I also recommend that you take a cooking class to learn how to make ceviche. You can hear all about our Lima cooking class adventure in my journal.
Causa
Another cold appetizer, this one focuses on potatoes and avocado and usually includes meat or seafood as well. I started to say this was my favorite dish in Peru, but that’s just not true, I loved them all so much!
Lomo Saltado
The best and most popular main course that you can have in Peru! It is a creamy beef stir fry served with both rice and french fries. The fries soak up the salty sauce, and it’s honestly what dreams are made of. Be sure to try this dish inland, like in Cusco!
Aji de Gallina (Creamy Chicken)
Another great main dish in Peru is Aji de Gallina. This chicken dish is also served with both rice and potatoes (Peru, you know how to do it right!). A super creamy yellowish sauce covers everything on the plate and is topped with boiled eggs. We enjoyed this dish on our day trip from Lima to Huacachina, but you can find it all over the country!
Guinea Pig
I don’t necessarily recommend that you try Guinea Pig, called Cuy in Peru, because I certainly didn’t. However, it is an extremely traditional dish here, and is honestly considered a delicacy in Peru! Try it if you want, I guess, or at least be prepared to see it on the menus!
Alpaca
Another meat that I don’t have an interest in trying. I mean come on, the alpacas are so fluffy and the sweetest little things! We got to hang out with several of them along the trip and we loved these sweet babies so, so much! I can’t see how they could eat them. But it is another typical traditional dish in the country.
Dietary Restrictions in Peru
Restaurants in Peru are extremely accommodating for guests with visitors. Since a large part of their economy is tourism, they are very used to having foreigners there constantly. This means they are prepared to serve guests with all types of allergies and dietary restrictions. The menus often notate the dishes as well.
Many dishes in Peru are also naturally Gluten free! With a huge number of travelers who eat gluten free now, this makes Peru an even more desirable travel destination. My friend Laura from Gallivanting Laura is a gluten free traveler and gives a lot of amazing tips for gluten free eating in Peru.
Peru Drinks to Try: Peru Food Facts
Pisco Sour: The national drink of Peru, the Pisco Sour! You can try this drink anywhere in the country. It is similar to a whisky sour, but made with their local liquor called Pisco. I am not a big whisky fan, so I was super excited to have the Pisco Sour, and I LOVED it!!
Chicha Morada: The most popular non-alcoholic drink in Peru is the Chicha Morada. Made from purple corn (more on that soon!), this drink is somewhat sweet and has cinnamon and cloves in it, so it definitely reminds me of Christmas in a glass. Yum!!
There’s so much more to know about these special Peruvian dishes and drinks, so read all about them, where to get them and what their unique histories are! My article on Peru’s best dishes will give you all the dirty details you must know before you sit down at the table in Peru.
Eating Out in Peru
First things first. Peruvians speak Spanish. Their menus are primarily in Spanish. This is their country! We need to respect their culture and their language, so don’t get frustrated when the servers don’t speak any English.
That being said, you need to be prepared. That can mean practicing some basic Spanish before you go. A handful of simple terms will take you so far when eating out in Peru. But more importantly, you’ll need to have Google translate downloaded on your phone so that you can translate the menu on the spot.
The app has a feature where you can use the camera to read the menu and translate the whole thing for you in seconds! It’s pretty remarkable. But, what happens when you’ve been out sightseeing all day and you sit down for dinner and your phone is on 1%?! That’s why I ALWAYS carry my portable power bank with me around on every single vacation I take. Make sure you get this incredible power bank before your trip!
Unique ingredients: Peru Food Facts
Dishes are obviously important for tourists to learn about, as you will likely not do much cooking on vacation in Peru, if any at all. But, when learning about Peru food facts, I think it is important to point out a few interesting ingredients that you’ll find in Peru during your trip.
Sweet Potatoes
In Peru, they grow over 4,000 varieties of potatoes. Yes, that many!! It’s quite incredible honestly. They grow mostly in the Andes mountains at altitudes of over 12,000 feet above sea level! They are super flexible in different weather conditions, which is why they have been viewed as the source of life to the indigenous people.
However, with all of those different types of potatoes, sweet potatoes are technically not even considered a potato, despite their name. While all of the potatoes we had in the country were definitely delicious, I need to point out the sweet potato specifically. They are the most unique and by far the most delicious sweet potatoes I have had in my life.
They will likely be served on some of the dishes you have here, like ceviche. But if not, make sure you go out of your way to order them, or pick them up in a market if you have a place to cook!
You can find them in appetizers, soups, stews, and even desserts! One of the best ways to try them is in a treat called Picarones. This treat is most commonly found as a street food, but if you’re lucky it will be on a dessert menu! They’re basically sweet potato donuts. Kind of a blend between a donut and funnel cake. But as a tourist, be careful eating street food! It is safe for the locals, but our stomachs are not quite as tolerant of these items
Corn (the different types)
Next up, corn. In Peru you can find 55 varieties of this grain in all different shapes, sizes and colors. There are three that are important to know about before your visit, as you’ll see them all over the country.
First is the purple corn or morada, mentioned above, used to make Chicha Morada. It is also used to make a well-known dessert Mazamorra Morada, a sweet, warm pudding. It reminds me of a warm jello, but much better. It’s fresh and has a more complex flavor profile since it is made from real produce and not boxed powder…It’s definitely unique, and not what you’d expect to have for dessert. But it’s so popular, you even might get it as a treat during your hike along the Inca Trail! We did!
The next variety is called Chullpi. This type of corn is best compared to popcorn. You actually toast the kernels and then eat them by the handful as a salty and crunchy snack. Often it will be out in bowls on a table or bar, kind of like how you would see nuts served in the US. It’s super crunchy and yummy. Not my favorite type of corn ever, but a unique snack to try while in Peru!
Finally, Choclo, the type of corn you will see the most during your time eating in Peru. This corn is the most similar to what you are used to eating at home, but instead these kernels are super large! One kernel is larger than a dime. They’re also slightly more tough and a little less sweet than the corn on the cob in the US.
This type of corn will be everywhere. It comes on top of every ceviche dish, in soups, and a variety of main courses.
Unique fruits
The last ingredient that is worthy of some attention is the unique variety of fruits that they grow and eat here. We tried two of them on a market tour that was included in our Lima cooking class. The whole experience was amazing and you can read all about it in my day 3 Peru journal! Be sure to book one of these tours for your trip!
Chirimoya was our favorite of the two. You cut it open and it has a white flesh similar to the texture of a mango, since it’s a little grainy. But man, the flavor was incredible. It actually tasted just like a pina colada! A perfect mix between pineapple and coconut. Yum!!!
The next fruit we got to try was the Granadilla, another local fruit that the locals love! You break it open with your thumbs and the interior is filled with these gray slimy seeds. They honestly reminded us of fish eggs. You suck it straight out when you eat it. And while It does not sound very appetizing, they are quite delicious! They don’t have a super strong flavor, but are just juicy and crunchy from the seeds.
Food Culture: Peru Food Facts
Food culture is super important. It’s really helpful to learn a lot about the food culture of a country you are visiting so you know what to expect, and how to best appreciate the way they enjoy their meals! Food is a huge part of a people’s story and Peru is no different.
Chifa
By far my favorite part of the Peruvian food culture is Chifa and the role it played in their history. This is arguably the best thing you can learn about Peru food facts before you jet off for a vacation is this amazing country! In the mid-1800’s Chinese immigrants were brought to Peru as indentured workers. While slavery had been abolished by this point, these immigrants were still not treated fairly and were paid extremely low wages. Once their contract finally ended, most decided to stay and build lives here. You can learn more about the history of the Chinese immigrants on a day trip to Paracas (and Huacachina) from Lima. It was one of the best things we did in Peru.
They might not have brought many things with them from China, but they did bring their cooking and recipes from home. With a new selection of ingredients, this group of people created a new cuisine of their own, combining Chinese cooking styles with Peruvian ingredients.
Where to Try Chifa
This cuisine is now called Chifa, and needs to be at the top of your priority list when visiting Peru. Chifa restaurants are located all over the country. In Lima they are literally on every. single. block. The Peruvian people adore this cuisine and have made it an integral part of the culture and their diets.
We enjoyed Chifa at Madam Tusan in Lima. It was spectacular. The dishes might seem at first glance like something you might find at an American Chinese food restaurant but the second you bite in, it is something totally different. It is actually much more unique than you would ever expect.
And don’t worry, eating Chinese food while on vacation in Peru is 100% acceptable, as it is a massive part of the culture here.
Street Food
Street Food in Peru is a large part of the food culture, especially in Lima and some of the larger cities. This is similar to any other city; New York City, Mexico City, Tokyo, etc.
This is an important part of the culture for locals because it is inexpensive and a fast option for food. Most people in the country live on a low income and this is a very realistic option for them.
Now I mentioned this already, but it’s super important to say again. The locals have no issue eating street food in Peru. But tourists are not encouraged to eat street food because our stomachs are not as accustomed to the ingredients and styles of cooking. It is generally seen as not very safe for us to eat it. Even our tour guide recommended that we avoid it!
Eating Based on Your location
When traveling around Peru, one of the most important Peru food facts is to eat based upon where you are! Any country is like this, but in Peru it’s even more important! They might serve ceviche everywhere, but the best (and honestly only spot) you should try it is along the coast… Lima specifically. Save the soups, stews and meat-heavy dishes for your adventures in the Andes. They specialize in things like Lomo Saltado, and as much as I don’t want to promote it, Guinea Pig and Alpaca.
It’s really important to eat ingredients that come from the area around you. The produce will be super fresh and local, so enjoy it while you can!
Meals
In Peru, breakfast will be much more meat-focused than you are used to in the U.S. Honestly, all of the meals tend to be super meat-focused. That’s definitely not to say that they don’t have vegetarian dishes, because they are super accommodating in that area.
Some typical breakfast dishes might include a sandwich, like a pork rind or ham sandwich. You also might find sausage dishes or beef, like Lomo al arroz, the breakfast version of Lomo Saltado.
Lunch, however, is the largest meal of the day and very important in their culture. You’ll often see a multiple course mea,l and dessert is common with lunch as well. Many shops will close during lunch time, from about 12 to 2, so that the workers can go home, prepare a large meal and enjoy it with their families. This is super similar to many countries in Europe.
Finally, dinner is typically late, around eight or nine in the evening. They will usually have a very small meal, like soup or stew, often made of leftovers from the day’s meals.
Eating on the Inca Trail: Peru Food Facts
Planning to hike the Inca Trail? I’m SO glad. It was the best thing we did in Peru, and the thing I am most proud of in my entire life. I have so much more to tell you about the Inca Trail, so be sure to read all of my content.
We hiked the trail with G Adventures and let me tell you, they were incredible. More on them in another post, but I can tell you that they feed you SO well. Like almost too well! They are constantly feeding you and the food is extraordinary. But here’s the thing. The food would have been amazing if we were sitting down at a restaurant. But you’re in the middle. of. the. woods. and they’re serving these delicious 4 course meals?! What?!
What You’ll Eat
Typically the breakfast is two courses. They will serve a oatmeal type dish and then something like a crepe (with incredible artwork made out of chocolate, just check out that condor in the image above!!!) or quiche. Then for lunch it’s four courses! Yep, you read that right. You’ll get an appetizer, like guacamole or veggie ceviche, then a soup, then a huge main course of meat and potatoes and vegetables and finally dessert. One day they will even bake you a cake. Yep, a cake in the middle of the Andes Mountains at 12,000 feet elevation without an oven…or even a fire!
Next, you get tea time, basically happy hour where they put out crackers and jam and popcorn. Despite the meals being incredible, tea time was actually my favorite, haha! I love a good snack time. Finally you will get dinner which is two courses. You will have a soup and an entrée, again with lots of meats, starches and veggies!
Each meal will be served with unlimited hot water to make a variety of tea, coca tea, coffee or hot chocolate! They will also serve Chicha Morada and water. In addition to all of this, they start you out on day one with a snack bag filled with fruits, and local snacks for a little energy boost in between meals. With all that hiking, you’re going to need it.
I have so much more to tell you about the Inca Trail, and will be posting a ton about it on the blog soon! Please sign up for my email list so you know as soon as I share more juicy details about the hike!
Restaurants
And finally, you’re probably thinking that with all of this incredible food, where should you try it all? Obviously finding a great restaurant is an important part of Peru food facts. Well, I’ll help you get started with building your list of restaurants.
In Lima
Lima is known as the culinary capital of South America, for good reason. Their cuisine is honestly outstanding. I was blown away just in my first day in Peru. Always do your research before you select a place to eat, as every single meal on vacation is important. The last thing you want is a bad meal.
A rooftop bar and restaurant located on the top of the AC Marriott Hotel in the heart of Miraflore;, this might be slightly touristy. But honestly, the food was impeccable so I didn’t care. Have some ceviche and a pisco sour with a beautiful view over the water and Miraflores, and you’re guaranteed to have an awesome evening!
Located at the southernmost part of the city, and directly on the Pacific Ocean, this place has incredible views and even better food! It is a little outside of the hubbub of the city, so you’ll have a more local experience. This way you’ll get incredible ceviche and everything else you try.
For Chifa of course!! This place came highly recommended by a local of Lima, so we had to give it a try. And it did not let us down! The food was delicious, the decor and ambiance was super eclectic and the service was great! Try the Encamotado for the appetizer; you’ll be glad you did!
In Cusco
While in Cusco, make sure not to eat right on the main square. The best and most local food is typically a few blocks back. Since Cusco is an extremely touristy town, you can get some tourist traps here.
Fun fact: Cusco is actually so centered around tourists, their university only offers a tourism degree!
We ate at TikaSara with our group. It is located a few blocks from the main square, Plaza de Armas. This spot features traditional Peruvian dishes, and they’re inspired by the Cusco region. They serve a lot of meat and potatoes here. You’ll want to order the Lomo Saltado here, no doubt about it! There’s a bunch of other great restaurants in Cusco you can choose from too!
In Ollantaytambo
Lastly, the small town of Ollantaytambo has some great spots to eat too! This is a much smaller city, but one that almost all tourists will visit, as it is basically on the way to Machu Picchu!
We ate at Amanto, a super cute place located above the shops on the square. This spot offered a variety of meat and vegetarian dishes, soups, unique appetizers and desserts. They served the crispiest potatoes as an appetizer for the table, the way we serve bread in the US. Everything was amazing, and they even had live local musicians playing! It was lovely.
Everything you try in Peru will blow you away. But, learning all about the best dishes, the culture and the things Peru is known for is hugely important before you leave for your trip. Spend every meal wisely and enjoy the unique and delicious cuisine!
