Living in Peru : your everyday companion

(By Patricia Unterman, San Francisco Examiner -link-)

Practically every first-time visitor to Peru makes the pilgrimage to Machu Picchu, the haunting, architecturally sophisticated ruins of a royal Incan retreat on a mountain top.

What a food-focused traveler like me learns along the way is that the success of this pre-Columbian civilization was based on a brilliant and inventive system of subsistence agriculture.

Ancient Incan stone terraces still crawl up the steep sides of the Urubamba Valley below Machu Picchu, planted, as always, with corn, potatoes, beans and indigenous grains like quinoa. Meter by meter, the microclimates of the terraces change with the angle of the sun, altitude and season. The Incans knew which of thousands of cultivated varieties thrived in each microzone.

Peru has three distinct geographic areas running north to south down the length of the country: a long coastal desert in the west rising to rainy, snow-topped mountains in the center and descending to the jungles of the Amazon basin in the east.

The country possesses extraordinary biodiversity, and its cuisine showcases this bounty of ingredients in exciting dishes inspired by Spanish, native Indian, African, Chinese and Japanese kitchens. For a food traveler, Peru is paradise.

The feast begins in Lima, the sprawling, Los Angeles-like capital of 8 million people on the coast. No underground public transport, lots of traffic, no city planning — but fantastic eating.

A visit to the immaculate Surquillo market will show you the main players on Lima’s menus — fabulous local shrimp, octopus, tiny scallops and fish; beef hearts and intestines; jungle fruits; colorful fat-kerneled native corn; a rainbow of potatoes; the Key lime-like limon; fresh herbs; lemongrass; and chiles — specifically bright yellow ones and apple-shaped chiles called rocoto.

Then head to a popular anticucheria such as Pepe’s for a skewer of the most popular Peruvian bite, beef heart, cut into chunks, rubbed in spices, grilled over a wood fire and served with a stout ear of corn. The cost: $2.

The iconic dish of Lima is ceviche, raw fish and seafood marinated in “tiger milk,” a mixture of Peru’s distinctive lime-like lemons, salt and chiles. The Pacific current off Lima’s coast is cold and the pristine corvina and sole caught there have firm, sweet flesh.

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Yes i did not know how delicious Peruvian food was until I moved out of Peru and had to adjust to a new food with lots of grease, beans and canned stuff. I really miss fresh Peruvian food. Hope the USA could welcome our food soon.

Yeah, expensive food is delicious everywhere!  Not too many people earning soles can afford the food she is talking about.  $120 for a meal---come on.  That´s a monthly salary for a lot of people!

Sorry, but I have to disagree.  Having lived in Lima for a year, I've found the food to be extremely uninspiring and dull.  Unless you are eating at one of the upscale restaurants, or dining on sushi, typical Peruvian food lacks insight, spices, and really very much flavor.  There are some good Italian spots around town, and many of the sushi restaurants are quite good, but anticuchos, fried guinea pig, and plain rice and potatoes are nothing that will be "conquering the world" any time soon.  Shopping in the markets is a great experience, however, and anyone who enjoys cooking can pick up the necessary ingredients to prepare a world-class dinner at home for about $20.  Personally, ceviche is nothing to write home about either. 

Hi jstreet

It seems that you have not tasted the whole variety of Peruvian food, it is true that we use a lot of potatoes and rice, but it is delicious in "aji de gallina", "arroz con mariscos", "lomo saltado", not to mention "chupe de camarones", "conchitas a la parmesana", "pato norteño", "seco de cabrito", "tiradito", "causa de langostinos".... I have lived abroad 10 years in Europe, and I would say that Peruvian food is as delicious as Italian and French cuisines. It is important of course where you go to eat because even in France and Italy there are also cheap and fatning dishes!

Bon apetit

I hope that the $120.00 dinner came with a bj, and Jstree its ovious that you didn't meet/have the right friend that reccomented the right foods.

I have to agree with jstreet, sorry. It's understandable (and typical) for tourists to enjoy food from a place where the menu is different from what they're used to, but stay in that place a little longer (like myself, several years now in peru) and soon enough you begin craving the stuff you've always been used to. Every time I go out to grab something to eat, it's the same old items on the menu... bland, unimaginative, no spice to it, items often soaked in lime juice when they shouldn't be (mayo, anynone?). The "aji" is average, not too bad but lacks zing compared to others. It doesn't matter if I'm eating on the cheap or somewhere upscale, the only big difference is that the more expensive places are likely to serve higher quality ingredients, and if there is some variation in the menu by chance, they're not really "authentic" peruvian recipes anyways. I enjoy the people and the various things Peru (outside of Lima) has to offer, but food's not one of them. France and Italy, and others (and dare I say Mexico) conquered the world's taste buds a long, long time ago and I seriously doubt that's going to change any time soon... it's just not up there with the world's finest, whether it's a cheap menu or an expensive one, sorry.

to whom it may concern...

I'll just try to translate a piece of a letter that a Chilenian writer wrote about peruvian food

Nacion de Chile, Domingo 11 de marzo de 2007
>De paseo por la capital gastronomica de Sudamerica
>Lima, viaje a la gloria culinaria
>Cesar Fredes
Nacion de Chile, Domingo

..., a feast glorious of creativity, flavor and refinement. From a spongy and addictive bread, of mashed out potato and butter, to an ice cream of manjar of yellow potato and trufes of hot chocolate.  also Chips wayro potatos Hayro with sashimi of aji­ and huacatay, wild potatoes roasted to the salt with sauce ocopa, Potatoes huamantanga skipped with mantequilla and parsley, ocas in leaf of platano with two huancaina sauce versions, concentrated yellow potatoes in of burst crabs (a glory), homemade olluquito with aromes of jamon iberico, cau cau of shells and mint, sancochado of chuño with lomito of lamb surrounded in repollo and paico, and rack of chuletones of calf horneado on Potatoes, with a bearnesa sauce to huacatay. It is not said, and the one that understands it understands it. But but the clasic French sauce to accompany meats does without the refined estragon to yield protagonism to the very peruvian huacatay, and is better!.....

just to mentionwhat can you do with POTATOES, and a little inmagination............

relax good food is not for everybody, you need to have a palate, to begin with...............
or as we say in Peru,  "what was not born, can't grow up"

this website is bunz!!!!

From reading all the above comments, I'd venture to say that Peruvian cuisine caters to individual taste.  As for it being interesting to tourists only, I would have to whole-heartedly disagree.  I grew up in Peru in a Chinese home. Let me add to Lea Velasco's list, Pollo a la brasa, Papa a la Huacaina, Papa Rellena, Picarrey Frito, Cau Cau, Peruvian large crabs and all the items on a "Chifa" menu (Chinese Peruvian Food). I think the variety of Chili's are to die for!  Instead, I find the USA Chili/Mexican Chili to lack body (matter of taste, I am sure). And the drinks ... la chicha morada, the desserts: las masamorra, the lucuma ice cream is unsurpassed anywhere (I am an Ice Cream addict).  Bottom line is, we probably all get homesick for the foods we grew up with.  We associate those foods with home, comfort, love, etc.  Those who live in Peru for a year or so and do not have a satisfying outlook there probably are missing the food and comforts of home more than anything else.  I was complaining alot about American food for a while - then I made a home with a good husband, kids, a good job and I cook with American Spices, organic foods, and lots of fruits and all of a sudden, it all tastes pretty good to me again.  I still try to make Peruvian dishes when possible for variety.  But ... I cannot get Lucumas here, the zillion variety of mangoes and papaya's and the Peruvian Plantains.  Each country has its unique variety of foods and the only unimaginative aspect of food I encountered are the people who eat it.

everybody most favorite peruvian food pollo a la brasa

"everybody most favorite peruvian food pollo a la brasa"...

Also known in english as brazed chicken and commonly served in many parts of the world, consisting of (1) fowl which was introduced to latin america by the europeans, (2) potatoes served in the american junk-food fashion (french fries), (3) lettuce, a product that originates from the middle-east and was introduced to latin america by the europeans. Next we're going to have someone claim that hamburgers and pizza are favourite peruvian foods just because they're served here? ;)

"relax good food is not for everybody, you need to have a palate, to begin with"...

unfortunately that so-called 'palate' is often accompanied by a birth-country bias by those who haven't acquired much of a real 'palate' from tasting the food in the rest of the world ;)

cheers! :)

(quote)
unfortunately that so-called 'palate' is often accompanied by a birth-country bias by those who haven't acquired much of a real 'palate' from tasting the food in the rest of the world ;)  (unquote)

Sure, I am peruvian born, but I am living abroad, some 30 years now
and can tell you that chinese food in china is not that good, Indian food (indian continent) is delicious, real thai food is to die for, European food, the west is teastier than the east (sorry but few exeptions, of course, they dont meet my palate, they are way too greasy, but that is because of the wheather, not my fault) middle east food - nothing to talk about, same as north american food - from mexico down, taste gets better, a lot better, Surinam being a nice discovery, haven't been there, but tasted it in amsterdam, same with Cuban food in miami, very nice  - african food,,,,,,,,,,,sorry, didn't make it that far south yet, but ive been told.......

sure the palate is bias, everything is bias but if someone that puts katchup in his rice tells me that the food in Boca Raton is exellent, believe me, I will take that "with a pinch of salt" (pun intended)

I am so impressed about all the positive and negative points of view these people make about the peruvian cousine. I am a peruvian who left his country ten years ago. I miss all those kinds of food you guys talked about. I feel like I need to go out to eat some peruvian food. Sudado de Pescado ( Bonito), Causa Rellena, Papa rellena, Rocoto Relleno, Mondonguito a la Italiana, Papa a la Huancaina, Chupe de Camarones, Seco de Cordero con frijoles, Cayua Rellena, Mazamorra Morado de Fresas frescas are some dishes of the Peruvian cousine that taste SO GOOD. My sister knows how to cook and serve them. If all peruvians knew how to cook , THE PERUVIAN COUSINE WOULD BE UP TO COMPETE WITH THE FRENCH AND MEXICAN COUSINE that are universally know.  In New York you could go to taste peruvian food on "Pio Pio" restaurant. they cook very well peruvian dishes.  

well.. i feel overwhelmed  after reading all kind of comments about peruvian food i'm peruvian originally from Piura (Northern Peru) if i got to add something... no doubt it'd be that it would be hard for me getting used to another taste lol everyday i eat different delicious dishes i'm gratefully thanked to all foreigners that appreciate peruvian food .

SOS, SOS ok is there any one that now any restuarant that serves "Mondonguito a la Italiana"??? Please i have returned to peru 4 time and never found on. Oh and Javier, Big UPS for mentioning Mondonguito a la Italiana my fav. u know ur peruvien food much respect from Detroit via Jerzey.

I lived in Peru for 7 years throughout the 90's and I have visited and worked in nearly all the south american countries, along with 2 years in south east asia. I can honestly say that I have eaten 80% of the dishes the above folks have mentioned (+ I didn't see pachamanca mentioned). In my opinion the tremendous variety of dishes is absolutely fabulous and I would have to say that out of all south america it is the most diverse and culinary rich of all the south american countires.

Yes I do miss my ceviche

I'm peruvian born, too. I'm 21. I lived in the US for two years on my own. I don't know how to cook.  My mama never taught me how to.  I really didn't even care when I was still in peru. Once I moved, I realized I was a jerk. My first months in the US were great, eating mc donald's, sonic, applebee's, Italian, Chinesse, etc. I was enjoying it and also gaining weight. I was already the huggest cow ever when I decided to stop eating the american crappy food. but What could I do if I didn't know how to cook a thing?
so if you ( all the ones with the negative comments of peruvian food )
 had eaten peruvian food made by me, you would have hated it and talked crap about it, just like your doing. It depends where you eat it, who cooked it. cheap places and expensive places mean anything. Like in all over the world , in peru there're people that do it right and people that do it wrong.
PERUVIAN FOOD IS DELICIOUS!!! It's ready to compete along with mexican and italian. we have a huge variety of ingredients. rainbow of potatoes like someone said. we have it all.  

Let me tell you Street and Pogoros or whatever your name is!!!! I am Peruvian born, american citizen for 23 years and lived and have another nationality in northern Europe, besides lived in Europe for 6 years. Not just toured!!! Maybe you are from Mexico where the only thing is famous the fat tacos with beans that beans is only fed to Peruvians, it is like and insult in a daily routine in Peru!!! ok. Besides full of gas and too much chili!!!! and fatning. In USA, there is nothing typical from here except the hamburgers, pizza which is even Italian and JUNK!!!!ok. Chinese here is fatning not even a civilized american or latinamerican knows the difference between cantonese, and schezuan, you know why because our PERUVIAN FOOD HAS ALL OF THAT, JAPANESE,CHINESE, INCAS, SPANISH, MESTIZOS and as WE ARE!!! MIXED, WHEREVER WE GO EVEN IN JAPAN, OUR FOOD IS # 1 ON EARTH!!! COMPRENDE!!! DO YOUR RESEARCH, AND PERU HAS THOUSAND OF RECIPES, NOT JUST CEVICHE OK!!! we have cabrito al horno, palta rellena, papa a la huancaina, pachamanca, pescado a lo macho, aji de gallina, anticuchos, mazamorra morada, carne asada, cau cau, tacu tacu y salud PEEEEEERU con PISCO PERUANO, NO IMITACION!!! CLASE!!!ARRIBA PERU, AND IF YOU DIDN'T LIKE PERU, DON'T BE THERE MAYBE YOU CAN
BE HAPPIER EATING BEANS EVERY DAY AND JUNK WITH FULL OF CHOLESTEROL. THAT'S THE ONLY THING YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T KNOW ANY BETTER!!! REMEMBER SALUD PERU!!!!

 I forgot to make a comment, by the way Italian food will never be my taste, why is the last on my list!!!! I have to be starving!!! full of pasta and red sauce and carb big time, I love scandivanian - nordic european because, it is as salmon with vegetables, as green as in Peru, as the smallest markets, you see the variety of fruits and vegetables and salmon reminds me Lima- Peru where I was born. Because the variety of fish and the taste, Try it but beans and pasta no thank you, it is boring!!! Don't you enjoy different dishes every day and as an entree as Papa a la Huancaina, or Causa rellena made of potatoes and peruvian aji and filled of chicken or fish, papa rellena plus your main course, on top of that chilcano, or ceviche 20 different types of ceviche, remember Peru was and provides millions of fishes that you can't find on earth!!! Take my word. The more I am far from home, the years I spent in Europe, our food is unique, and the best, not junk or carb, or plain, we got it all!!!!

hello ppl it's me again .. roberto carlos  from Arequipa peru i'd lke to keep in touch with some of you to discuss how peruvian food is being taken by americans as well as to know if seminars about it are given. My e-mail is please add me bye..
 rothlerboy24@hotmail.com

I'm from the USA, I've lived here all my life. However, I was lucky enough to go to Peru for 5 weeks as a foreign exchange student when I was in high school.  Some of the best food I've ever had was in Peru and I miss it and would love to have it again.  Mazzamorra morado yumm, not to mention pachamancha (excuse my bad spelling) and the best ice cream I've ever had anywhere... real churros hot with the cream inside... and numerous other dishes I don't know the names of.  I was too chicken to try ceviche - raw fish, sushi or otherwise, I haven't been able to bring myself to try.  I'd say Peruvian food - like any other cuisine - has its definite priceless dishes as well as the mediocre and the bad.  Taste is a subjective thing and it isn't for everyone... just like some of us adore Italian and some of us don't.  I have to take issue with those who decided to attack north American food when this is supposed to be about Peruvian cuisine.  If you think that all there is to N American cuisine is burgers and pizza (which is not Italian perse, it was invented here just like the fortune cookie, know your history) then you haven't really experienced N American cuisine.  Fast food may be what you see on the corner and may be quick and easy to get (your McDs, Sonic, BK, etc) but it is not the entirety of our cuisine - hell, it isn't even a major part of it.  Thats like going to Peru and claiming the street vendors selling empanadas or burger joints like Bembos are the entirety of Peruvian cuisine.  

Hello,

I was reading all the comments and I just had to say something about some comments.  I'm going to start with educating everybody about the fact that the Marriott in Lima, Peru is been nominated last year the No1 worldwide because of its Customer Service and its "FOOD". Second, a quick question to Melissa, you said American food is not about McDonalds, hamburguers, pizza, ... but can you name some of your main dishes form the top of your head??? We just named almost  20 and that's just few of our main delicious dishes that Peruvian food has to offer.  I've been living in the US for more than 10 years and I've been to excellent restaurants but they have italian dishes, asian dishes, latin american dishes...but American dishes????? can't even think of one...except hamburguers...So I dont wanna attack American food but I dont think there's much to talk about when it comes to American food. 
And one more thing..."Machu-Picchu encabeza las 7 maravillas del Mundo."  Que mas podemos pedir, deliciosos platos de comida, Pisco Sour, helado de lucuma...tenemos el mejor hotel Marriott en el mundo entero...una de las comidas con mayor diversidad...aparte la gente peruana es lo maximo!!!!  y encima cerrando con broche de oro, tenemos a nuestro Machu-Picchu como la primera maravilla del mundo. Que viva el Peruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Sure I can - its very easy.  The thing about N American cuisine is that its about fusion - they don't call this the melting pot without there being some truth to it.  Everyone in this country unless they are part of one of the original native tribes has their roots in immigration and colonization from Europe and elsewhere.  The hot dog and hamburger that so many people seem to think is the only thing that can be said to be American was originally tradtional German dishes brought over by immigrants.  What can be called "American cuisine" is what has evolved in the past 200+ years, mostly beginning in homecooking.  What you've had at restaurants unless they are genuine authentic is Americanized Italian, latin, and asian dishes but thats really besides the point.  You wanted me to name some dishes? Okay - meatloaf, southern fried chicken w/ mashed potatoes and country gravy, new england clam chowder, maine lobster, crabcakes, omaha grilled steak, chicken pot pie, cabbage rolls,  shepherds pie, jambalaya and corn bread, traditional ham and beans stew, pot roast with boiled potatoes, cheesesteak, sweet potato pie, biscuits and gravy, grits, chili, a ton of louisiana creole dishes I can't even begin to name but one of which is gumbo,  thats just off the top of my head.  And since you mention all the Italian and Asian restaurants you've been to here - well, chop suey and General Tso's and the fortune cookie? Developed here, are N American.  Most of what you're eating in restaurants here is American fusion and wouldn't be recognized as authentic food back say in Italy, China, or Mexico just FYI... and don't forget chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter, fudge... just some other foods of ours to enjoy. 

Now thats pretty much enough about american foods - it wasn't my intention to hijack the thread comments but since you specifically asked I rose to the occasion... but this is supposed to be about Peruvian food, which I do enjoy.  In fact, I'm planning on going to El Patio in Sarasota very soon to get some papas a la huancaina and some aji de gallina and some mazamora morada. 

Well said Berry!

I am Peruvian born, and lived there for 21 years, and, well...I think that peruvian food is the best there is, hands down.

but food now, all around the world is about fussion, and the melting point of North American food -or food from anywere around the world- is something to enjoy, and that is something a peruvian "food freak" wont care to agree with, maybe for not having try them yet.

I enjoy rellish (is it from there?) and a bunch of american stuff, but the fussion we talk about, has happened in Peru also, with the best of results, and that is something I have to agree with, I hope I could go to Sarasota to have some aji de gallina, nothing like that here, but I manage, as a peruvian born, I know my way 'round the kitchen...

I was born/raised in Peru and moved to the US back in 1992.  I miss Peruvian Food so much, but not just the dishes (criole/indigenous/mixed) but also the fruits.  Granadilla, Chirimoya i Lucuma especially.
The only way to get Lucuma here in the States is in powder form.
I've made ice-creams, desserts and even cakes and bread (since I work in a bakery) and my friends love the taste and are always asking for more.  I've even asked one of the local Starbucks Coffee Shoppe's staff to make me a special Frappuccino made with a bit of their Vanilla Bean base mix and a lot of Lucuma which eventually had such success that it captivated the taste-buds of the locals asking for a relaxing drink.
I understand some people may be upset after having experienced a dissatisfactory encounter with some of the typical dishes of Peru, but like another user noted:  It doesn't matter if it costs $1 or $120... It's all about how avid, how experienced and how dedicated the hands making your plate are.
It's a shame the US runs stereotypical tags upon all latin-american people and generalize their culture.  It just shows how much of American individuals lack the courtesy of looking for facts or searching for answers themselves, to learn a thing or two about other cultures.
Mexican food is good, however, having an American generalize that "ALL" south-american food will be based on rice, beans, and super hot jalapeño peppers, and that we are fed BEANS since our very first days living and breathing on the face of this earth, is really saddening.
I'm not saying that Peruvian food is "the best" out there, but that we all should appreciate what it has to offer, and if you didn't like it the first time then try giving it the benefit of the doubt and try going somewhere else.  This of course doesn't just apply to Peruvian food, but any place you go to visit.
I wish you all good luck in your every-day lives and best of luck.
Costa Sierra i Selva.  Viva el Peru, Carajo!

I forgot to add a few more things to my comment.
Let me first say that not all people in the US are "absent minded" or as I'd like to say "culturally challenged".  In fact I'm happy to see more individuals be more eager towards learning about different cultures.  It's one world and we're all borthers and sisters.
Berry, yes, I agree with you.  Taste is all about an individual's opinion.
There's no way to name all the dishes that have merged into the US culinary menu since they're all variations made by americans each with styles, preparation and ingredients differing from one another.
I love Quiches and Meatloaf and of course a good Shoofly Pie.
Peruvian, on a gastronomical levels, has been affected the same way by addaptation.  Chifa's roots are Chinese (the word derives from "Chi Fan" which means "To Eat Rice") and there's also Italian, Japanese and so on and so on thrown into the ever-ending mix, just like in the US, though Peruvian dishes each have names that distinguish them from another.
I just wish some of my goodies would be a bit more widely available here in the States so I wouldn't have to deal with these massive withdrawals.
I ask to my fellow Peruvians to please respect other cultures as well, and as far as JSTREET and PGOROS comment-thingy goes, if you ask me, they seem like the same person with different names for each comment, or just one of those disgruntled Chilean youths making a mockery out of us again.
Provecho Everyone, and Berry, go get me some alfajores please.  Just kidding.   I'll be there soon to visit, and I can't really wait.  All this talk about food made me really hungry for those dishes I grew up with as a kid.
Bye bye.

Nandemonai, that's funny, I was just checking out the recent comments here and in reading yours, I was nodding in agreement but then of course you had to add a snide remark about the two people (one being me) that posted negative comments about peruvian food. First, I'm not jstreet. Second, I'm from the mediterranean (just to let you know as well as someone further up above who tried to excuse my taste because I *must* be american). Third, the foods that I do prefer are from places I've actually been to, including Peru, where I'm currently at.

I've found French, Italian and Thai food to be superb compared to pretty much any other, with ingredients carefully mixed with the right spices etc., and cooked to perfection with sinful aromas. With Peruvian food, I find the same ingredients 90% of the time, and many of those ingredients are a "fusion" from many other places (contrary to Arromazam's opinion that Peru is unaffected by this fusion). I honestly, truly, don't find anything spectacularly tasty or of high quality in Peruvian dishes but I should have known that having a differing opinion here would get some people defensive.

Maybe with further "fusion" and more imaginative chefs, Peruvian food will gain status globally. Until then, there's good reason as to why foods from certain countries are consistently popular in most countries. Where Peruvian food is popular is basically only where there's a sufficient Peruvian population. I'm not trying to be an a-hole, if someone loves Peruvian food, that's great! You guys should just learn to accept that not everyone does.

This website does a lot of boasting about how Peruvian 'this' or Peruvian 'that' will conquer the world (the most recent silliness here being olives)... in reality, things around the world are quite different, and if a product from here is going to compete globally, it first needs to be acknowledged that it's not up to certain standards, and secondly people have to strive to improve the product, and THEN maybe it will compete and be respected in other markets. I'm just being realistic here, if Peru (or any other underdeveloped country) wants to penetrate and compete in global markets, the inhabitants have to change the common mentality here. "All talk and no action" doesn't achieve anything... except more talk.

Pgoros is right, 100%, exept of course were he missquotes me and Nandemonai.

we are saying basicaly the same thing, "This website does a lot of boasting " as you say, well, in Peru, peruvians as in any other "underdeveloped country", are proud boastfull people.

and IN MY OPINION, Peruvian food rocks, even when I preffer some kalamata to blue olives in my salad.

diferent food takes time to get used to, I still can't enjoy watermelon with salty cheese, but maybe pgoros does, as this is regular in some mediterranean countries, and I dont like my Avocado/Palta sweet, like they do in Brasil, or sweet Carp fish made into a patty, like somewere in europe.
all food is so private to a special group of people, that even the best dishes in some countries, will recieve a "no comment" from a foreigner.

the title of this forum "food of peru will conquer...." made me laugh, not only for the english, but also for the naivite of the statement.

enjoy your food, winn awards.

Arromazam (I think that's you above (?)), no need to say specifically that I'm "right" because it's really meant to be just an opinion, and respected as one, that's all. If I misinterpreted something you wrote about food fusion, I apologize, as well as to Nandemonai, even though the suggestion that I've been posting under two names or that I'm just some mischievious Chilean came across as a brushoff to me and my personal thoughts on the subject of food.

I have to smile in agreement about Peruvians being proud and boastful... I think that's generally an endearing quaility in people, and I have several Peruvian friends who are just as you describe... it just seems a little too much at times, to the point of being irrational when it comes to certain topics, and I strongly feel that this excessiveness is a major stumbling block for development. What I mean is, if the boasting gets to the point where people actually believe "this" or "that" is the best in the world, then things will always remain the same, no one will step up and urge for improvement since according to everyone, all's A-OK, be it the economy, efficiency in workplaces, wages, food, etc. Meanwhile, the rest of the world just moves on...


Anyways, this is drifting off-topic but I would like to state that while I may honestly not like Peruvian food too much nor do I think much of the ingredients are really *authentic*  (c'mon, ceviche is not ceviche without the onions, but where did those onions originate from?), my opinion of the food doesn't automatically translate as well to the Peruvian people (after all, I married one!), so please don't go and debate me on a personal level, it's all I ask (ie. I must be Chilean, I don't have a palate, etc). Cheers! :)

PS - I'm not fond of watermelon and cheese either. Grapes (or red wine) and cheese on the other hand after a serving of barbouni & tarama salata or sardeles pastes...

I'm Peruvian and proud of it!  We have such an incredible culture!
Our cuisine will take the world by storm.  I just returned from Scandinavia and France (where I lived for three years and frequently visit).  I was so turned off by Scandinavian food that I don't intend to ever return to that part of the world......even if I get a free trip.  I spent several days in Brittany and Normandy, in France, and frankly I became "empachada" or rather I had a bad case of gastritis.  The food was so bad that I had to go shopping to Carrefour and buy some good-looking salmon and a "gigot de pres sale", a regional delicacy: lamb which feeds on the pastures that are irrigated with salt water, near Mont Saint Michel.  I diplomatically told my hosts that I wanted to offer them the salmon and the "gigot" as a token of my appreciation for lodging me, but basically......I couldn't stand all the fat in their food, the white sauces and the smelly cheeses. As we say in Peru....."bueno es culantro, pero no tanto"....that is to say: enough is enough!

The best food I have had, aside from Peruvian food, was in Budapest, Hungary.  I know Hungary is not known for its cuisine, but my husband and I had some delicious food there......enough to want to fly to Budapest just to eat at this one restaurant.   But as so many people have said: it depends on who does the cooking.  We have a few "Peruvian" restaurants in San Francisco......but I always ask if the chef or the coooks are Peruvian, if they're not......Chau, Chau!  Most of the cooks at Peruvian restaurants here in the USA are now Mexican and they really don't understand Peruvian dishes.  It's not just a matter of following a recipe.....it's the passion, the love you put into those dishes.....like when my mother used to cook my meals when I was a little girl.  Since as a child I couldn't relate to the more spicey dishes in our cuisine......my mom used to prepare me something "a lo macho".....which included delicious white rice, spinach pure, a juicy sirloin on top, garnished with a fried egg, green beans and a fried banana on the side.  I challenge anyone to walk away from a dish like that!   I have since developed a taste for things like "patitas con mani".....which translates as "little feet with peanuts"...., carapulcra....which translates as "clean face".  Don't ask me whose little feet and whose clean face are involved here......but they are very tasty dishes.

By the way.....it was only a few years ago that the Guinness World of Records cited Peruvian cuisine as "the most varied in the world"......with over 400 dishes.  This display took place at Costa Verde restaurant.

I feel that the guys who find our cuisine unimaginative and dull are probably backpackers who eat out of pots and pans on the Inca Trail. Maybe someone fixed "arroz chaufa" con Spam... and they thought they were eating authentic Peruvian food! Next time you're in Peru, do your homework and ask a Peruvian with some culinary savvy, which is the best place to eat authentic dishes and go for it!  You may have to spend a few Nuevos Soles.....but it would be worth it.  If you're not well-acquainted with the flavors of our delicious food......then, you're not in a position to make a judgement.

Soo.......that's my opinion.  By the way.......you're going to eat the best "pan frances" in the world, in Lima........not in France.  Also, we have a great soft drink in Inca Kola which goes with any Peruvian dish.  Peru is the only country in the world where Coca-Cola and Pepsi don't reign.....the "Golden Kola" does.  Viva el Peru!!

I'm Peruvian and proud of it!  We have such an incredible culture!
Our cuisine will take the world by storm.  I just returned from Scandinavia and France (where I lived for three years and frequently visit).  I was so turned off by Scandinavian food that I don't intend to ever return to that part of the world......even if I get a free trip.  I spent several days in Brittany and Normandy, in France, and frankly I became "empachada" or rather I had a bad case of gastritis.  The food was so bad that I had to go shopping to Carrefour and buy some good-looking salmon and a "gigot de pres sale", a regional delicacy: lamb which feeds on the pastures that are irrigated with salt water, near Mont Saint Michel.  I diplomatically told my hosts that I wanted to offer them the salmon and the "gigot" as a token of my appreciation for lodging me, but basically......I couldn't stand all the fat in their food, the white sauces and the smelly cheeses. As we say in Peru....."bueno es culantro, pero no tanto"....that is to say: enough is enough!

The best food I have had, aside from Peruvian food, was in Budapest, Hungary.  I know Hungary is not known for its cuisine, but my husband and I had some delicious food there......enough to want to fly to Budapest just to eat at this one restaurant.   But as so many people have said: it depends on who does the cooking.  We have a few "Peruvian" restaurants in San Francisco......but I always ask if the chef or the coooks are Peruvian, if they're not......Chau, Chau!  Most of the cooks at Peruvian restaurants here in the USA are now Mexican and they really don't understand Peruvian dishes.  It's not just a matter of following a recipe.....it's the passion, the love you put into those dishes.....like when my mother used to cook my meals when I was a little girl.  Since as a child I couldn't relate to the more spicey dishes in our cuisine......my mom used to prepare me something "a lo macho".....which included delicious white rice, spinach pure, a juicy sirloin on top, garnished with a fried egg, green beans and a fried banana on the side.  I challenge anyone to walk away from a dish like that!   I have since developed a taste for things like "patitas con mani".....which translates as "little feet with peanuts"...., carapulcra....which translates as "clean face".  Don't ask me whose little feet and whose clean face are involved here......but they are very tasty dishes.

By the way.....it was only a few years ago that the Guinness World of Records cited Peruvian cuisine as "the most varied in the world"......with over 400 dishes.  This display took place at Costa Verde restaurant.

I feel that the guys who find our cuisine unimaginative and dull are probably backpackers who eat out of pots and pans on the Inca Trail. Maybe someone fixed "arroz chaufa" con Spam... and they thought they were eating authentic Peruvian food! Next time you're in Peru, do your homework and ask a Peruvian with some culinary savvy, which is the best place to eat authentic dishes and go for it!  You may have to spend a few Nuevos Soles.....but it would be worth it.  If you're not well-acquainted with the flavors of our delicious food......then, you're not in a position to make a judgement.

Soo.......that's my opinion.  By the way.......you're going to eat the best "pan frances" in the world, in Lima........not in France.  Also, we have a great soft drink in Inca Kola which goes with any Peruvian dish.  Peru is the only country in the world where Coca-Cola and Pepsi don't reign.....the "Golden Kola" does.  Viva el Peru!!

Danmar, I guess I can add you to the list of posters who have tried to label me. Now I'm a backpacker?? ;)

OK, you're proudly Peruvian and your bias for all things Peruvian clearly shows. I'm of Greek origin, I love Greek food but it's still not my favourite. At least I can be objective. After spending 6+ years in Peru and 12+ years before that in several other countries, and eating cheap dishes as well as some of the most expensive ones around, I'd think that my opinion would count, no?... that being that Peruvian food rates (FOR ME) about a 4/10 versus what I've experienced elsewhere.

Get back to me when you figure out what true cuisine is all about... of course that'll mean understanding French food, among others, and learning about what real chefs are about ;)

Here's "food" for thought: my wife's family (Peruvian) routinely asks me when I'll have the next barbecue. I don't really do anything fancy, mind you, but the things I cook up are meat or veggie recipes from the mediterranean, done just right and with a nice mix of spices... they say they've never tasted anything better.

Yes, you CAN be proud of your country and admit that the food is so-so at the same time ;)

Ahhh, I didn't notice your 2nd, revised post, so allow me to comment on that nonsense:

You write:
"Soo.......that's my opinion.  By the way.......you're going to eat the best "pan frances" in the world, in Lima........not in France.  Also, we have a great soft drink in Inca Kola which goes with any Peruvian dish.  Peru is the only country in the world where Coca-Cola and Pepsi don't reign.....the "Golden Kola" does.  Viva el Peru!!"

Glad you brought up bread. The best pan frances is in France, without question for me. Almost all breads here are the same thing, just shaped differently to mimic one type of bread or another. Croissants sold here, for example, are not at all true croissants. I think you have no idea of the difference.

There are so many great breads around the world that I have not been able to get here unless it's imported... dark german ryes, various italian breads, sourdoughs, you name it, it's not here :(

Don't even get me started on salamis or sausages...

As for Inca Cola, yes, it's the #1 cola in Peru. However, you enlightened world traveller you, there are many countries that produce their own national cola where it's also the #1 drink. Do some research and get your facts straight, please.

In fact, as I re-read your post(s), I suspect more and more that you don't really know what you're talking about.

I am not from Peru, nor am I Peruvian. However, my husband is, and my kids are 1/2 as well. I am Native American,American Indian. I have never been outside of the United States, but would love the chance of visiting the country of Peru. My husband is from Cayou, I apologize if I spelt it wrong. We both have very open minds about foods from all over the world as well as do my children. But as the old sang goes, nothing tastes bettter than a home cooked meal. I would like to suprise him with an authentic Peruvian Dish, and if anyone can help me out in this category, it would very much be appreciated. Thank You to anyone who is willing to help. My email is: alibis4you@hotmail.com

Dear Rowena

I suggest you visit our Gastronomy section, where you will find various delicious recipes http://www.livinginperu.com/gastronomy/categories-recipes you can cook and surprise your husband with.

Good luck - CK

This is for you pgoros!!!! Of course I am peruvian and Probably you must think my opinion is not neutral. I am sorry to say that you qualification about peruvian dishes (4/10) is too  far away from the best cooks in the world!!!  Peru has the best food in American Continent and is the second best cuisine in this world after French (I have many french friends, I liked their food; honestly they're not compared to the flavour that is inside Peruvian food). Of couse Mediterranian, indian food are also good but My paladar feel there is something missing.... And that is the whole peruvian species, the unique flavour of Peruavian chili (una infinidad de aji and big red rocoto).   see ya around

I have been in many countries, lived in Germany, Scandinavian countries, my kids are half peruvian, born in USA and also scandinavian by dad and hold 2 passports why not peruvian?? Our food is fantastic, I miss home food from Peru maybe because we were raised there, not counting the andean food, cuy, pachamanca, the different types of potatoes.My dad criollo from Lima, my mother from Ayacucho, the rich culture from our ancestors, my mom used to gather at home with choclos with fresh cheese and aji with guacatay, also the variety of food from Lima or the coast, arroz con pato with salsa crilla, carapulcra, patita con mani, cuy con aderezo criollo, asado con tallarines, tallarines verdes, ensalada rusa, etc. My kids went to Lima, Canete, Pisco around 2004, they loved it, I wish I could of stay few weeks in Peru,quality of food, cheap and rich of herbs from our ancestors, not counting ceviche mixto, parihuela, los postres. Our country is so rich of culture when I went Cuzco, Huaraz the sierra of Peru, the food is incredibl, not processed as in USA, the cheapest you can get go to Pollo Tropical which is not authentic peruvian, is the taste!!! People who knows peruvian food loves to eat, my husband, my kids, ask for anticuchos, chaufa, it is on their blood. Well guys, I traveled all over the world. There is not a single person that I have ever met and says that peruvian food is not ok. They love it, they ask for it, they love the taste!!! Proud to be peruvian, from Lima, miss procession de los Milagros, I am devoted because after school I used to follow him, it is what god created, I am devoted, I even follow him in USA. It is within you. It is faith!!! ask him for miracles and then tell me why people is so devoted to him. Salud con Pisco Sour y chimpun Callao!!!!!

MY COMMENT: IT IS JUST GREAT, CONGRATULATION FOR THE PERUVIAN TASTE TASTE, I GUESS IT IS   RIGHT, PERUVIAN FOOD IS ONE OF THE BEST IN THE WORLD VERY ORGANIC VERY NATURAL,I AGREE WHITH IT  I TASTED MANY DIFFERENT FOOD  IN  MANY DIFFERENT COUNTRIES  AND THE VARIETY OF PERU IS WONDERFUL. SALUD CON PISCO SOUR.

Hello everyone, Just wanted to add other peruvian dishes! if u actually go to peru or do some research you will find that we have the MOst Variety of potatoes! Also our fruits u will not find them anywhere, and as someone mentioned above: lucuma, platano de la isla, naranjitas chinas, tamarindo! Dishes: olluco, caigua rellena, seco chavelo (from piura), humitas,Tamalitos verdes, and I'm taking about peruvian tamales! chicharron de calamar, arroz con pato, picante de cuy, locro de zapallo, la chicha, chanfainita, matasquita, aji de gallina, quinua con leche o dulce, malarrabia, rachi rachi, escabeche de pescado, tiradito, sopa de novios, aguadito, trucha al horno, ocopa, rocoto relleno, cachema encebollada, asado con pure y arroz, sudado, ceviche de conchas negras, choros a la chalaca, tallarines verdes, picante de machas, tallarines con crema de papa la huancaina, el relleno del desayuno, anticuchos, escabeche de pescado... The list goes on and on, I recommend people to do some research before they say anything about peruvian food, u don't have to like it,  but we have tons of varieties, at least more than just junk food,

Enjoy everyone!

P.S And yes the peruvian chichen is The best! if u don't agree then u have not gone to the right restaurant, don't be cheap spend some money is some good food!

Hi Everyone,
I'm peruvian, living now in USA for a couple of years. I was reading some of the comments here, and I just want to say that Peruvian food has a unique taste. My husband is american and love peruvian food, well... first of all,  he tries to adapt his stomach to the spicy peruvian food, It was not easy for the 1st months, now he loves it and enjoys it.
I can tell that American Food is not that awfull like people think. Americans, of course, have great plates and very tasties (fatty all too), but nothing compare with peruvian food that is delicious and nutrition (sometimes fatty too if you eat it in large quantities).
Actually, and I don't think nobody will disagree with me, but Peru has the most amazing plates, that of course, some of them they were a fusion of other many plates around the world, but with a real magic peruvian touch and flavor.
I'm proud of the peruvian cousine!... and now excuse mE, but I will go to cook some tallarines verdes (peruvian style) for lunch. Chao everybody!

I think that the awards that Peruvian food has won says it all. 

J Street has absolutly no taste, I have traveled Peru from the north to the south and I have connections of which resturants to go, and they are not even upscale and the food is amazing to taste. I do not eat much when I am in America, food is good here but when I go to Peru I find myself gaining 15 lbs by the time I come back because the food is soo good.

I think this person that is talking negative about Peruvian Food hates Peru, is the first time I see this kind of comments about the most delicious food ever , I had the oportunity to read reviews of many important americans newspapers talking how good and tasty peruvian food is.
I know many americans that die for Peruvian food, many people from Chile, Brasil, Colombia, Ecuador, France, Germany ,etc.
I also know many americans that married peruvian woman and they go every year to Peru just for the pleasure to eat and is also known that many bussinessman go to peru in those new gourmets tours.
I heard that lomo Saltado a peruvian speciality is being a boom in Spain.
Peru has that diversity in the food because , many inmigrants came to Peru, like the French and Italians in the 1800's , the Spanish and morocan , the jewish, the africans, the chinese and japanese and the Incas, all this diferent nacionalities embrace into a culinary adventure that gave birth to this incredible delicious food.
In Peru beans is not the tipical food , leave that to the mexicans and the "tortilla" is for peruvians the omelet that the french and spanish brought to Peru.
In Peru people are slender because they don't eat fatening food.
cheers!!!!!

I agree of the many foods delicious Peru has. It is a country of splender & beauty & yes, I did marry a wonderfull Peruvian lady some 10 years past. i'm American & now, so is she & we are very happy. It would be great to start a new thread about the subject of marring abroad & we welcome any coments you may have! Excelsor! Lima Peru!!

I read the whole thing, even though was not my intention , due to the fact I wanted to only find out what Machas was... After I read, I had to think that those dissing Peruvian food are really from the mediterranian part of the world or just have some type of taste buds impediment. I had been married to this wonderful American man and his family for 25 happy years, and let me tell you, I have great barbeques parties at my house, GOD forbid if I dont make papa a la huancayna , lol, That is a must in my house, my mom made 4 gallons of chicha and they were gone! flan, arroz con leche, torta healda, please!! the gringos cant resist! my husband loves my cooking, and he will tell you how delicious peruvian food is, not just the pollo a la brasa, but the causa, guisito de carne,esofado, ajo aco, carne asada, tallarines verdes, lomo, sopa a la minuta, causa, escabeche, ocopa, cau cau, I am a great cook, I cook italian better than the italians, acording to my hubby :) but when it comes to peruvian food, which I recently learned for the last 3 years he just loves it and his family, OH my GOd, they love to call and find out what I am making for dinner whenever we have b'days parties for the kids or gatherings, so Pgoros and Jstreet, you need to move to another country and learn the difference or just keep your opinions to yourselves and enter another website. By the way, I am borned in Peru but raised in the wonderful U.S.A my whole life and loving it. However, when I do go back to Peru I know I will enjoy the food because of its variety and taste. So Proud to be A Peruvian-American!!

an article I read recently said America will be importing various fruits & veggies from Peru. How ironic we as Americans treasure our society of wealth, freedom, etc. & have some of the worst low grade food available. Take our avacodos for instance. At about the size if a golf ball & just as hard. Compared to the Peruvian growers to us, how in the world did they outdo us on growing such wonderfull food? Their carrots are monsterious filled with 10 times the vitamins compared to ours or the potatoes, such a variety. I could go on but the ones that have seen it first hand know what I'm talking about. I think its too bad the Peruvians are being short changed by accepting American fast foods. It shouldn't be too long before they look like most of us! Chow!

You Know, I've read just about every word in this thread & one person nailed it right on the head, our American food is fat foods. Every where you look, fat people, pizza, Sonic, Mcburgers, nasty fries. Seems like everyone fries food in lard. I'm amazed we are still able to walk. Candy, icecream, any fatty food one can think of & we have it! No one I know even goes to fine dinning restaurants to taste the equisite foods you see on T.V. Its all fantasy for a lot of folks & when one does get to travel outside our fatty nation, they see they can afford GREAT food at a cost they can afford. I've been to Lima 8 times & I can tell you, I'll go again till I die cause I know there are other places that I could afford, but I ask myself why? Peru has all I need. Not only does it have restaurants I can afford, it also has hotels, taxis, grocery stores, everything we have with one distinct difference, I can afford it! I can tell you, I;ve checked out their hospitals & I can say with a happy hearty, it wont cost you your soul if you by chance need their services & you still get the same hospitality without the "OH GOD" feeling when the bill comes due. The ones that say contrary things about Peruvian food is probably the one that hates hotdogs at ballparks, they will complain about anything, just to get you upset. By the way, Jerry, I did the same thing! Drop me a line sometimes & we will chat about how lucky we are to have such beautiful wives. one of my wifes qualities is she owns a restaurant in Lima & her family taught her all the secrets in their fantastik cooking! Their restaurant is not fast food, & its priced in a way that if anyone from the usa was there they could eat & live with the cost. No stomach ach to worry about. I think I get more upset stomachs here in Tulsa than  anywhere else. Not once have I gotten ill from peruvian food! That that  America! Eat at Ponchos & you wont need E-Lax for quite a while. So, as Paul Harvey says, Wake Up Americans!!