There are four great things about Peruvian food. Number one, it’s delicious. Number two, you are always guaranteed to get more than you can eat—lots of big portions of rice, potatoes, beans and meat. Number three, there are several different types of sauces they use to spice things up. And lastly, it’s really cheap! Which is always a great thing.
Some authentic Peruvain dishes are ají de gallina, ceviche, salchipapas, empanadas, and picarones for dessert. Ají de gallina is a dish of shredded chicken in a creamy ají sauce served with rice, potatoes, and sometimes a hardboiled egg. It’s my favorite food here in Peru. Ceviche is made with raw fish, lemon juice, and red onion. The ingredients are mixed and the lemon juice “cooks” the fish as it soaks. I don’t usually enjoy fish and seafood, but ceviche is quite good.
Salchipapas is the simple combination of fried potatoes and hotdog served with an egg on top. I loved this one because you can dip it in a bunch of different kinds of sauces. It’s all about the sauces! Empanadas come in a big variety because it’s baked bread stuffed with meats, onions, peppers, cheese, etc. A close equivalent to a runza, but instead of beef and cabbage, you can fill it with whatever you like. Picarones are sweet fried dough rings that you pour spiced syrup over. Something that would be perfect for the county fairs back home.
Before I came to Peru, everyone told me that the food here is great. And they were correct. I love eating traditional Peruvian food. But it’s also fun to go to any restaurant just to try out something new and observe how they differ from restaurants in the states. I still miss foods from home but Peru has definitely been able to keep up with my appetite!
Some authentic Peruvain dishes are ají de gallina, ceviche, salchipapas, empanadas, and picarones for dessert. Ají de gallina is a dish of shredded chicken in a creamy ají sauce served with rice, potatoes, and sometimes a hardboiled egg. It’s my favorite food here in Peru. Ceviche is made with raw fish, lemon juice, and red onion. The ingredients are mixed and the lemon juice “cooks” the fish as it soaks. I don’t usually enjoy fish and seafood, but ceviche is quite good.
Salchipapas is the simple combination of fried potatoes and hotdog served with an egg on top. I loved this one because you can dip it in a bunch of different kinds of sauces. It’s all about the sauces! Empanadas come in a big variety because it’s baked bread stuffed with meats, onions, peppers, cheese, etc. A close equivalent to a runza, but instead of beef and cabbage, you can fill it with whatever you like. Picarones are sweet fried dough rings that you pour spiced syrup over. Something that would be perfect for the county fairs back home.
Before I came to Peru, everyone told me that the food here is great. And they were correct. I love eating traditional Peruvian food. But it’s also fun to go to any restaurant just to try out something new and observe how they differ from restaurants in the states. I still miss foods from home but Peru has definitely been able to keep up with my appetite!