The Peruvian cuisine has a very important reputation, and is one of the best cuisines in Latin America. Few of the dishes that are very popular in Peru are, Cebiche, Pachamanca, Chupe de Camarones, Aji de Gallina and Juanes. The quality and variety of the Peruvian Cuisine has to do to different factors.

The first factor is the ecological and climate diversity of Peru (Peru geography present 84 of 104 existing zones of life in the entire world). This allows having big variety of ingredients that are every chef's dream to have. Some of the ingredients that are use in the Peruvian Cuisine are seafood, rice, poultry, lamb, and a big variety of potatoes and corn, guinea pigs, and the delicious aji (chili). Among the fruits that are use in our cuisine, we have chirimoya and lucuma; these are great on desserts.

The second factor has to do with western and eastern traditions. Throughout the centuries, Peru had a very strong Spanish influence, when it comes to prepare soups and stews. We also have Arabic influence in the desserts, African influence when it comes to our Creole food, Italian influence in pastas, Japanese influence when it come to any kind of seafood and the Chinese influence which has promote to open the famous Chinese restaurants of “Chifas” known in Peru.

Traditional Dishes by Region

Let us begin with the Peruvian coast and all the seafood dishes available for the inhabitants of the coast. The main ingredient is: aji (chili) together with limes, we will make a delicious marinade sauce in which the fish will be cook and “El Cebiche” will be the dish to enjoy; along with other dishes such as: Picante de Mariscos, Parihuela and Arroz de Mariscos.

In the northern region of Peru, we also offer delicious dishes such as; Arroz con Pato; Seco de Chavelo; Cabrito con Frejoles and others.

In Lima, we can taste dishes such as Aji de Gallina, Causa Limena (cold appetizer made by smashed potatoes), Arroz con Pollo, Lomo Saltado and Anticuchos or (kabobs) all these and more are proudly made by our inhabitants in the capital of Peru.

In the Andes of Peru, we can find the delicious Pachamanca in which an oven is build underground, and all the ingredients are put to cook with very fines and sophisticated spices. La papa a la Huancaina or la Ocopa is irresistible as well as other dishes like Rocoto Relleno, Chupe de Camarones all these from Arequipa and from Cusco we have, Lamb cooked in the oven.