Food from Peru: The best cuisine in the world that you should try

Food from Peru: Dishes from the Peruvian jungle

The Peruvian jungle is one of the most relevant culinary and cultural wealth locations in Peru. However, its culinary riches are also remarkable. The jungle boasts a wide variety of flavors that, incorporated into its dishes, offer delightful experiences to those who dare to try something new.

Tacacho with Cecina and Heart of Palm Salad: A taste of the Peruvian jungle

Tacacho with Cecina is a dish originating from the Peruvian jungle, made with green vegetables and cured pork. Its intense flavor combines perfectly with the refreshing touch of heart of palm salad. The latter, extracted from Amazonian palms, becomes the irresistible
complement to this traditional Amazonian gastronomy recipe.

Peanut Cream with Crunchy Heart of Palm Pieces (Inchicapi)

Known as the classic soup of the Amazon, Inchicapi is a traditional dish of the region named after its main ingredient: peanuts (or peanuts). This comforting soup is made with a peanut base and served with crunchy pieces of heart of palm. There is no doubt that this typical jungle soup will become a delicacy you will want to enjoy over and over again!

Mango and Tapioca Panatela Patarashca

Patarashca is another typical culinary treasure of the Amazon. This exquisite recipe consists of wrapping river fish in bijao leaves before baking or grilling. In the kitchen of our Zafiro boat, Patarashca is served alongside mango and tapioca panatela, two luxurious accompaniments that further enhance the exquisite nature of this traditional dish.

Doncella Prepared Putanesca Style with Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Doncella, known as catfish, stands out as one of the most delicious fish in the Peruvian Amazon. Accompanied by putanesca sauce, this culinary delight has the power to amaze any traveler who dares to try it. Additionally, yellow potato puree adds a creamy and irresistible texture to this recipe, elevating it to an unparalleled level of gastronomic pleasure.

Iconic Peruvian Cuisine Dishes

Peru has a millennia-old and varied culture, inheriting from great pre-Columbian cultures, indigenous tribes of the Amazon, the Inca Empire, the Spanish Viceroyalty, as well as the immigration of multiple European, Asian, and African nations. Thanks to this, Peruvian cuisine has benefited from this great cultural diversity and reflects it in its internationally known dishes as the best cuisine in the world.

The King of Peruvian Dishes

Ceviche is the flagship food from Peru cuisine and an explosion of freshness and flavor. Prepared with raw fish marinated in lemon juice, accompanied by red onion, chili, cilantro, and sweet potato, ceviche is a unique sensory experience that reflects the abundance of marine products on the Peruvian coast.

Lomo saltado

Lomo saltado is a perfect example of Chinese influence in Peruvian cuisine. This dish combines sautéed pieces of beef with onion, tomato, yellow chili, and soy sauce, served over a bed of white rice. The combination of fresh ingredients and quick sautéing techniques gives lomo saltado its characteristic flavor and texture.

Ají de gallina

Ají de gallina is a comforting dish rooted in Peruvian criollo cuisine. Prepared with shredded chicken cooked in a creamy sauce of yellow chili, milk, bread, and nuts, this dish is a true
explosion of flavor. It is traditionally served with white rice, boiled potatoes, and olives, creating a perfect combination of flavors and textures.

Lesser-Known but Equally Delicious Delights

There are other dishes, beyond those already mentioned, that stand out for their mixture of flavors and fascinating presentation.

Anticuchos: Bites of Flavor and Tradition

Anticuchos are skewers of beef heart marinated in a mixture of panca chili, garlic, and vinegar, and then grilled. This dish, of pre-Columbian origin, is a testament to Peru’s rich culinary tradition and is commonly served as a street food dish.

Causa Limeña: A Dish of Heritage and Creativity

Causa limeña is a traditional dish that combines mashed yellow potato with lemon, yellow chili, and other seasonings, forming a kind of cake. It is filled with a variety of ingredients, such as chicken, tuna, or seafood, and served cold as an appetizer or main course.

Tacu Tacu: Flavor and Simplicity in One Dish

Tacu tacu is traditionally made with fried rice and beans, seasoned with garlic, onion, and chili. It is served as a side dish or main course, accompanied by meat, chicken, or seafood. Tacu tacu is an example of Peruvian cuisine, where simple ingredients are used to create flavorful and substantial dishes.

Conclusions

Peruvian cuisine is a true culinary gem that deserves to be explored and appreciated. Especially that from the Jungle, which has exotic flavors and extraordinary blends.

If you wish to venture into a unique and enriching experience for your palate, we invite you to travel aboard our cruise ship ‘El Zafiro,’ a wonderful boat where the most emblematic dishes of the Amazon, such as the Tacacho with Cecina and Heart of Palm Salad, are served.