Meta description: Explore 15 traditional Peruvian dishes. Discover their rich flavors. From ceviche to lomo saltado, learn about Peru’s culinary history, fun food facts, and recipes to try at home!
Ay, Peru! The land of the Andes, Amazon, and some of the most delicious food on the planet. Peruvian cuisine is a tasty blend of flavors. It has spicy, tangy ceviches and comforting stews that warm your heart and belly. They’ll have your taste buds doing the cha-cha.
If you’re a foodie or just hungry, try these 15 traditional Peruvian dishes. They should top your global cuisine bucket list. And trust me, I’m about to drop some history and food trivia that’ll impress your friends at your next potluck. Ready? Let’s go!
1. Ceviche: The OG Peruvian Dish
Ceviche is the dish that’ll always have a place in Peru’s culinary heart. Fresh fish (usually corvina or tilapia). It’s marinated in tangy lime juice. Then, it’s mixed with onions, cilantro, and chili peppers. It comes with sweet potato or corn on the side. But did you know? Ceviche was actually invented by the ancient Incas! They used fermented maize, and the dish evolved over time, adding lime, which is key to the recipe today. So, next time you enjoy some ceviche, know you’re tasting a piece of history!
Fun fact: Peru celebrates National Ceviche Day on June 28th. So, if you missed it this year, there’s always next June to throw a ceviche fiesta!
Check out this ceviche recipe and try it at home!
2. Lomo Saltado: Stir-Fry Like You’ve Never Had It
Lomo saltado is a perfect blend of Peruvian and Chinese flavors. It owes this to 19th-century Chinese immigrants who brought stir-frying to Peru. It’s a savory stir-fry made with marinated beef, onions, tomatoes, and yes, French fries (because why not?). Served with a side of rice, this dish is all about that perfect balance of tangy, salty, and umami flavors.
Trivia: Lomo saltado is Peru’s most famous fusion dish. It mixes Chinese techniques with Peruvian ingredients. It’s like if China and Peru decided to throw a party together, and the food was the star.
Want to cook it yourself? Try this **Lomo Saltado recipe!**
3. Aji de Gallina: Comfort Food with a Kick
Aji de gallina is Peru’s comfort food. It’s shredded chicken in a creamy, spicy sauce made with aji amarillo (yellow chili pepper), walnuts, and cheese. Served with rice and potatoes, it’s like a warm hug from your abuela… if she also knew how to kick things up with a little heat!
Fun fact: The aji amarillo is Peru’s go-to pepper, and it adds that signature “wow” to many dishes, including this one. You can’t say you’re truly Peruvian until you’ve tasted it.
Get your hands on some aji de gallina with this recipe!
4. Causa Rellena: Layers of Love
Imagine a creamy mashed potato tower layered with avocado, tuna, or chicken—this is causa rellena. Originating from the Peruvian coast, it’s not only gorgeous but also packed with flavor. The term “causa” comes from a pre-Columbian Incan word. It means “the cause” or “reason.” It seems you need a reason to enjoy something this delicious.
Trivia: Causa rellena is a classic appetizer, but when it’s made in larger portions, it’s a perfect main dish too. Peruvians even eat it cold, making it ideal for those aquí y allá summer picnics!
Try this causa rellena recipe for a cool, refreshing treat!
5. Papa a la Huancaina: Peruvian Comfort on a Plate
If you love potatoes, then papa a la huancaina is your best friend. A creamy, cheesy sauce made from aji amarillo, milk, and cheese covers the boiled potatoes. Olives and hard-boiled eggs garnish it. This dish comes from the Huancayo region, and it has been a Peruvian classic for centuries.
Fun fact: Peru, the potato’s birthplace, has 3,000 varieties. So, Peruvians take their taters seriously.
Need to try it? Check out this Papa a la Huancaina recipe.
6. Pollo a la Brasa: The Peruvian Rotisserie Chicken
If you’re ever in Peru and craving juicy, tender chicken, pollo a la brasa is where it’s at. They marinate this rotisserie chicken in a mix of spices and herbs, including aji panca, a chili pepper. The secret? It’s cooked over charcoal, giving it that signature smoky flavor.
Trivia: Pollo a la brasa is so beloved in Peru that there’s a National Chicken Day! Trust me, after trying it, you’ll agree it deserves its own holiday.
Grab the recipe here and have your own pollo party!
7. Tacu Tacu: The Leftover Hero
Tacu tacu is the dish for all us who have ever looked at leftovers and thought, “I can make this work.” Made with rice and beans, it’s a hearty, comfort-filled plate, often served with steak, seafood, or even an egg on top. It’s a delicioso way to repurpose last night’s meal while enjoying some serious Peruvian flavor.
Fun fact: Tacu tacu is a classic Afro-Peruvian dish, combining African influences with local ingredients. It’s a perfect example of Peru’s diverse cultural fusion.
Find a tacu tacu recipe here and give your leftovers a glow-up!
8. Anticuchos: Skewers of Peruvian Joy
If you’re into street food, you can’t skip anticuchos. Cooks often marinate these skewers, made with beef heart (don’t freak out, it’s tender, I promise!), in a spicy sauce and grill them to perfection. Served with boiled potatoes, these skewers are often a late-night snack in Peru.
Fun fact: Anticuchos originated with Andean street vendors. Today, they are a popular, cheap snack in Peru.
Get the full recipe for anticuchos and grill away!
9. Pisco Sour: The Drink of Peru
Okay, let’s take a little break from the food and sip on something spectacular—pisco sour. This cocktail, made with Pisco (a brandy), lime juice, egg whites, and simple syrup, is a perfect balance of tart, sweet, and boozy. It’s the national drink of Peru, and every Peruvian knows how to make it right.
Fun fact: Peru and Chile debate who invented the pisco sour. But, both countries drink it with pride.
Here’s a Pisco Sour recipe to make at home and impress your amigos!
10. Chicha Morada: Peru’s Purple Drink
Chicha morada is a sweet, refreshing beverage made from purple corn (yes, purple corn!). They flavor this drink with pineapple, cinnamon, and cloves. It’s a perfect non-alcoholic option to wash down all the spicy food you’ll be eating. Plus, it’s a great way to stay cool on a hot day.
Trivia: Chicha morada was originally made by the Incas, who fermented the corn. Today, it’s a beloved sweet drink without the alcohol (unless you’re feeling extra!).
Find out how to make Chicha Morada and enjoy a glass of Peruvian history!
These are just a few of the amazing dishes. They make Peruvian food one of the world’s greatest culinary treasures. Each dish, from spicy ceviche to crispy anticuchos, tells a story. They reflect Peru’s diverse history, culture, and passion for food.
Are you ready to take your taste buds on a trip to Peru? Check out the recipes linked above and give these iconic dishes a try. Trust me, your stomach (and your Instagram followers) will thank you!
And remember, food isn’t about taste. It’s about the experience, the history, and the joy of sharing a meal with others. So, get your forks ready and buena comida!
Don’t forget to share your Peruvian food adventures in the comments below or tag me on social media. Let’s talk about what you cooked and ate—¿Qué esperas?