Peruvian Cuisine
Peruvian cuisine is only mildly spicy, despite its use of various chilli peppers, and is defined by the rich presence of four staple ingredients: corn, potatoes, quinoa, and legumes. The Spanish influence introduced rice, wheat, and meat—all of which remain core components of Peru food today. Recently, there's been a improvement in traditional ingredients like ají peppers and quinoa, as Peruvians embrace their flavourful culinary heritage. Corn, in particular, is deeply rooted in the culture, with hundreds of colourful variations eaten across the country.
Regional cuisine in Peru is as diverse as the geography itself. In the Andes, dishes often feature meats like alpaca and guinea pig alongside imported livestock. In contrast, Creole cuisine in Lima blends influences from South America and Asia, resulting in vibrant and complex flavours. Amazonian cuisine draws heavily from rainforest ingredients, offering exciting eats like piranha, river turtle, grilled jungle vegetables, and tropical fruits like camu camu.
Among the popular foods in Peru, don’t miss Rocoto Relleno from Arequipa—a spicy stuffed rocoto chilli filled with beef or pork and baked with cheese. For dessert, try Suspiro a la Limeña, a Spanish-influenced sweet treat made with dulce de leche and meringue infused with port wine.
