Best peruvian food in our Treks

The best Peruvian cuisine in our Machu Picchu trekking tours

Another reason to visit Peru, besides Machu Picchu, is its gastronomy. Peru has become the best culinary destination in South America in the last decade.

Peru has many microclimates and ecosystems in the highlands, the desert, and the Amazon rainforest. Each region has different products that allow us to prepare delicious dishes with local products.

Ceviche or Cebiche

You cannot leave the country without trying this delicacy, the national dish of Peru. The essential ingredient is fresh fish, marinated in lime juice and served with onion, sweet potato, lettuce, fresh corn, cilantro, garlic, and chili to taste.

The best Peruvian food is on our Machu Picchu trekking tours!

Trekking Chefs

The best Peruvian food is on our Machu Picchu trekking tours

Another reason to visit Peru, besides Machu Picchu, is its gastronomy. Peru has become the best culinary destination in South America in the last decade.

Peru has many microclimates and ecosystems in the highlands, the desert, and the Amazon rainforest. Each region has different products that allow us to prepare delicious dishes with local products.

While Lima is home to some of the best restaurants in the world, such as Maido, Central, Osso, and many other world-class restaurants, Cusco is famous for its unique dishes, such as alpaca and guinea pig.

Breakfast during our Machu Picchu trekking tours

You cannot leave the country without trying this delicacy, the national dish of Peru. The essential ingredient is fresh fish, marinated in lime juice and served with onion, sweet potato, lettuce, fresh corn, cilantro, garlic, and chili to taste.

Ceviche can be found in tourist restaurants in Peru, not usually local restaurants, as Peruvians like ceviche in seafood restaurants and at brunch.

Our trekking chefs will prepare mango or mushroom ceviche as a variation of this classic dish.

Lomo Saltado

You will find Peru’s most famous dish in all restaurants, whether tourist or local. Strips of beef are sautéed in soy sauce with onions, peppers, cilantro, and tomatoes and served with white rice and fries.

This dish is often found with chicken, alpaca, or vegetarian options. Pollo saltado is also a must-try dish at a local restaurant during your stay in Peru.

Our chefs will prepare this fantastic dish with fresh local ingredients during our trekking tours to Machu Picchu, such as the 4-day Classic Inca Trail.

Aji de Gallina

Peruvian chicken stew is prepared with shredded chicken cooked with aji amarillo, bread, peanuts, garlic, white onions, white rice, potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, and black olives.

Our expert local cooks will provide this special meal on all our excursions.

Rocoto Relleno

It is usually served as a garnish for cuy or other dishes: red peppers stuffed with minced meat, vegetables, and cheese.

Pachamanca

A traditional Peruvian dish prepared in the Andes since the Inca Empire, Pachamanca consists of marinated beef, chicken, lamb, pork, guinea pig, alpaca, and other meats buried underground with hot stones, fruits, and vegetables.

You can put any meat you want; fruits and vegetables can be bananas, pineapples, beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, fresh corn, and other local products.

Baked guinea pig

Guinea pig, or guinea pig, is a classic Peruvian dish prepared in Inca times. Peruvians usually eat guinea pigs on birthdays, holidays, weddings, and special occasions.

There are several ways to prepare guinea pigs; the most common are:

Cuy al Horno is typical of Cusco. The cuy does cook in the oven with potatoes and other accompaniments.

Cuy Chajtado, typical of Arequipa, is fried with the help of a stone in the pan; this way, you will have a crunchy experience.
Grilled Chicken

Roasted chicken is served with French fries and salad. Pollo a la Brasa is the most famous Peruvian dish. You will find a pollería (roasted chicken restaurant) everywhere you go. We recommend visiting a local restaurant instead of taking it to a tourist restaurant to enjoy this delicacy. Every third Sunday of July is the national day of Pollo a la Brasa in Peru.

Frequently Asked Questions about Peruvian food.

Is Peruvian food tasty?

• Peru has recently been the best culinary destination in South America and the world.
• Lima has 2 of the top 50 restaurants in the world.
• You can’t go wrong with the food in Peru.

We have a lot of variety, from typical dishes such as cuy, alpaca, and pachamanca to innovative new fusions such as Nikkei (Peruvian-Japanese food).

Is Peruvian food spicy?

When you read Ceviche, Rocoto Relleno, and Ají de Gallina, the most famous Peruvian dishes are chili-based; however, Peruvian food is not spicy. Ceviche is spicy; if it is not spicy, it is not ceviche; that is what Peruvians say. However, you can choose the degree of spiciness you want.

Most dishes, such as aji de gallina, always have aji Amarillo, garlic, and onion, which are not spicy. You can always order chili next to the restaurant or Pico de Gallo.

Where does Peruvian food come from?

Peru has a long history, from the first civilizations that flourished in the desert in 5000 BC to the great Inca empire that ended in the 16th century with the Spanish invasion. During colonial and republican times, Peru has received migrants from all over the world, each bringing their own Chinese, Japanese, African, and European traditions.

• Peru is famous for its traditional dishes from many cultures in the past
• Now we have plenty of variety for all tastes.