Lomo SaltadoMust-try
Meat · Lunch
This hearty stir-fry combines tender beef with vibrant vegetables, aji amarillo, and a savory sauce, served with both rice and French fries for a unique texture and flavor experience.
WikiHes (CC BY-SA 4.0
Peru Food: 20 Dishes to Try
Every dish ranked by how essential it is — must-try picks first, with photos and what’s actually in them.
AnticuchosMust-try
Meat · Snack · Dinner
A flavorful and tender grilled street food experience featuring marinated beef heart on skewers, a true Bolivian delicacy.
No machine-readable author provided. Manuel González Olaechea assumed (based on copyright claims). (CC BY-SA 3.0
Arroz con PolloMust-try
Meat · Dinner · Lunch
This classic one-pot meal is flavorful and comforting, the vibrant green color coming from fresh cilantro and a touch of dark beer, typically served with chicken.
Kobako (CC BY-SA 2.5
Pastel de ChocloMust-try
Meat · Lunch · Snack
A comforting corn casserole, combining a sweet corn topping with a savory filling of pino (meat, onion), chicken, and olives, baked to golden perfection.
Paloma Baytelman from Santiago, Chile (CC BY-SA 2.0
Aji de GallinaMust-try
Meat · Dinner · Lunch
A creamy, comforting dish made with shredded chicken simmered in a rich sauce of aji amarillo (yellow chili), walnuts, cheese, and milk, served over potatoes and rice.
Feralbt (CC BY-SA 3.0
Papa a la HuancaínaMust-try
Vegetarian · Lunch · Snack
A classic appetizer from the highlands, this dish perfectly balances earthy potatoes with a smooth, flavorful cheese sauce made with aji amarillo and queso fresco.
The original uploader was Letincelle at English Wikipedia. (CC BY-SA 2.0
PicaronesMust-try
Vegetarian · Snack
Peruvian donuts made from sweet potato and squash, deep-fried and drizzled with chancaca (fig syrup), a popular sweet street food.
CC BY-SA 3.0
Chicha MoradaMust-try
Vegan · Snack
A refreshing, sweet, non-alcoholic drink made from purple corn, pineapple, cinnamon, and clove, offering a unique flavor profile that's uniquely Peruvian.
young shanahan from Bogotá, Colombia (CC BY 2.0
Causa RellenaMust-try
Meat · Lunch · Dinner
This cold, layered dish is a versatile canvas for various fillings, offering a refreshing combination of creamy potato seasoned with lime and aji amarillo with tangy, savory ingredients.
spersper (CC BY 2.0
Pollo a la BrasaMust-try
Meat · Dinner
Iconic Peruvian rotisserie chicken, marinated in spices and cooked over coals, usually served with fries and salad.
Dtarazona (Public domain
EmolienteMust-try
A traditional hot herbal drink sold by street vendors, known for its medicinal properties and warming comfort, especially in the cold mornings.
MiguelAlanCS (CC BY-SA 4.0
Arroz con PatoMust-try
Meat · Dinner
A rich and savory rice dish cooked with duck, typically featuring cilantro, dark beer, and aji amarillo, showcasing Northern Peruvian influences.
Dtarazona (Public domain
Trucha FritaMust-try
Meat · Lunch
Fresh trout, often sourced from Andean rivers, is simply fried and served with potatoes and salad, offering a taste of local aquatic life.
Akizia (CC BY-SA 4.0
Alpaca SteakMust-try
Meat · Dinner
Lean, tender, and lower in fat than beef, alpaca steak is a regional specialty in the Andes, offering a distinct gamey flavor and often served grilled.
David Berkowitz from New York, NY, USA (CC BY 2.0
Anticuchos de CorazónMust-try
Meat · Snack
Don't let the 'heart' part deter you – these tender, smoky skewers are a beloved street food, marinated in vinegar and spices for a rich, savory taste.
August Dominus (CC0
Caldo de GallinaMust-try
Breakfast · Lunch · Snack
A comforting and restorative chicken soup, often with potatoes, noodles, and a hard-boiled egg, perfect for cold Andean evenings or altitude acclimatization.
JONAVIAG (CC BY-SA 4.0
Chiri UchuMust-try
Meat · Lunch
This iconic cold platter is a traditional festival dish, showcasing a vibrant mix of chicken, guinea pig, sausages, corn, cheese, and seaweed.
Wikimedia Commons
Choclo con QuesoMust-try
Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner · Snack
This Andean corn variety has giant, starchy kernels paired with fresh local cheese. It is a common roadside snack in the Sacred Valley.
rat_racer (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Cuy al HornoMust-try
Meat · Dinner
Roasted guinea pig, a traditional Andean delicacy often served whole with herbs and potatoes, is a celebratory dish, distinct from more common meats.
Dtarazona (CC BY-SA 4.0
Sopa de QuinuaMust-try
Vegetarian · Lunch
A hearty, nutritious Andean soup featuring protein-rich quinoa, local vegetables, and sometimes alpaca or chicken, it's a staple for high-altitude living.
Q'orikenti (CC BY-SA 4.0
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under Creative Commons licenses. Individual credits shown on each photo where available.