Discover the real Peruvian Gastronomy

We know that many travelers choose international travel to have an immersion experience in new cultures and social realities, to discover new places, and to make stories in countries completely different from the ones they live in, and all of this is incredible and provides experiences that will be remembered for life. all.

But of course, all these experiences need to happen in the right destinations, which provide safety and comfort and spectacular opportunities! And that’s why, around the world, Peru is on the bucket list of so many travelers who want to explore the world.

Our country has a fascinating culture, full of millenary stories and traditions, incomparable natural beauties, and attractions for all tastes. And of course, amid so many experiences in a place completely different from your place of origin, cuisine cannot be left out of the things you need to experience while traveling, especially if you are in Peru!

We are very proud to talk about our gastronomic expression, as it is a true art, composed of explosions of flavors, a mixture of ingredients, and different cultural influences, which resulted in one of the best gastronomy in the world, being internationally recognized.

Peru is not only home to some of the most important buildings in the world, such as Machu Picchu, one of the 7 Wonders of the World, but it is also home to restaurants that are renowned around the world and it is well worth setting aside time and part of your travel budget. to meet at least one of them.

With that in mind, we decided to bring together in an article what are the main characteristics of Peruvian cuisine in every corner of the country, from the coast to the Peruvian jungle, from the most remarkable Peruvian restaurants in Lima to the street food, there are uncountable options.

Peruvian cuisine from the coast to the mountains

Despite the smaller territorial extension compared to other South American countries, Peru has an extensive cultural expression, which is fully reflected in our gastronomy. From north to south, the preparation and construction of Peruvian food have their characteristics and points of reference.

No wonder the country has at least 2,500 typical dishes listed, which represents the richness of our gastronomic heritage, composed of mixtures of ingredients of different flavors and contrasts and varied influences between numerous cultures from various parts of the world, such as cuisine Italo-Peruvian and Nikkei, which integrates Peruvian ingredients with Japanese techniques.

And, when it comes to this, it is interesting to point out that each region of Peru has its dishes and ways of making its food and here we are going to tell you a little about it!

Cuisine on the Peruvian coast

One of the best-known dishes of Peruvian cuisine comes directly from the extensive coastal region of Peru. The cuisine of this part of the country is very marked by the presence of fish, and seafood, as well as seasonings and flavors that give a “refreshing” air to the dishes. One of the best destinations to enjoy these dishes is Lima, also known as the Gastronomic Capital of Latin America. This is due to the remarkable Peruvian chefs,  “Gaston Acurio” is one of those examples, who expanded the Peruvian cuisine all around the world.

Without a doubt, when dealing with this topic it is inevitable to talk about the famous Ceviche, a tasty dish with all the characteristics mentioned above since it is made with raw fish in lemon juice, accompanied by other typical ingredients of the region, such as corn, red onion and some types of peppers from Peru. In addition to la causa rellena, made of yellow potato, and the lomo saltado.

The flavors of the Peruvian jungle

One of the main biomes found in the ancient lands of the Incas is the majestic Amazon Rainforest. In this region, which we call the “Peruvian jungle”, there is an interesting mix of ingredients, many from the region itself, since the dishes usually add fruits, in addition to salty foods.

A great example of this characteristic of Peruvian Amazonian cuisine is Juanes, which has a different method of preparation, being cooked inside a banana leaf “stuffed” with chicken, rice, olives, and eggs. Some types of meat are also used, among them is Cecina, dried meat served with onion sauce or accompanied with bananas.

Cuisine de la Sierra Peruana

Certainly, the Peruvian Andes region is one of the most sought after by tourists, mainly because it is in one of the regions of the mountains where the great postcard of Peru is found: Machu Picchu. Therefore, it is common for many travelers to visit Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas on their itineraries.

The cuisine of the mountains has characteristics related to the historical phases of this region, which was inhabited by the powerful Incas, who had their food cultivation technique, for example, the use of agricultural terraces that made it possible to expand food diversity in these places, the most advanced technology in South America at that time. 

Therefore, the ingredients used usually refer to this ancient cultivation tradition, based on potatoes, corn, grains, vegetables, herbs, and some fruits. About the meats, guinea pigs and alpaca meat were their options at that time.

These are just a few examples of the dishes found in different regions of Peru and each one makes us want to try it, doesn’t it? But Peruvian cuisine is not just about savory dishes, after so many wonderful things as the main course, it is necessary to remember to “save room” for dessert and a delicious drink. Want to know more? Keep reading!

Full service: Peruvian desserts and drinks

In addition to the wonderful variety of dishes, Peruvian cuisine also includes sweets and drinks that make your mouth water and make the gastronomic experience complete! Here we will introduce you to two Peruvian delicacies for you to try on your trip.

Turron de Doña Pepa

This sweet option is very interesting and known all over the country because, in addition to being deliciously sweet, it is also a popular sweet. There is a story behind the turrón, which is a nougat made with wheat flour, brown sugar honey, fennel, egg yolk, and colorful confectionery.

Behind the Turrón de Dona Pepa, there is a religious story that mainly marks the month of October, when one of the great festivities of Peru takes place, in the celebration of Señor de Los Milagros de Peru. This one is represented by the image of black Christ and was considered to fulfill the request of Dona Pepa, a cook who had paralysis and tremors in her arms that she asked for healing.

After having her miracle granted, Dona Pepa prepared a specific sweet for this celebration, which today is known as the aforementioned sweet. Although it looks like a cake, in fact, this sweet forms the texture of nougat, it is quite sweet and caloric, and it is necessary to eat in moderation.

Pisco Sour

Surely you’ve heard of the famous Pisco Sour, a drink considered the “flagship” of Peruvian drinks. Pisco is a brandy made from grapes and, mixed with the refreshing and sour taste of lemon, it becomes a delicious cocktail.

It is worth remembering that, in addition to Pisco, another type of drink with great recognition in Peru is wine, because centuries-old wineries are found throughout the country and that bring with them a giant tradition in wine production.


From this article, you can have another dimension of Peruvian dishes, right? And we hope that you are even more eager to get to know each of these delicacies up close, including savory, sweet, and beverage dishes.

Traveling through Peru is, literally, a “plate full” of wonders for all tastes. And joking aside, we look forward to welcoming you to this culturally diverse country full of possibilities. These are just a few recommendations to make your trip even better.

And if you, like us, are eager to immerse yourself in Peruvian culture, but don’t know where to start, count on Viagens Machu Picchu to organize your trip itinerary and make your dream come true, just get in touch. And for itineraries to get to know the coast, the jungle, and the Peruvian mountains, check out our packages for Peru!

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