THE 10 MOST POPULAR TYPICAL FOODS OF THE PERUVIAN COAST - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

Some of the typical foods of the Peruvian coast are ceviche, fish sudado, shrimp chupe, rice with shrimp or tiger milk.

The Pacific coast provides many species of fish and shellfish; its seas have some of the most abundant supplies of fresh fish.

Chili pepper

For this reason, most of the classic dishes are based on seafood; from the ceviche to the stretcher, passing through the fish sweat. Probably the most popular typical food on the coast is fish ceviche and all its variations.

Tiradito is also a very traditional dish from this region; The food in this area has a clear Japanese influence.

Like many other cultures, Peruvian dishes are a rich combination of various influences, including Spanish and Asian, with traditional ingredients originating from Peru.

Traditionally Peruvian dishes include rice and potatoes, combined with different proteins such as fish, lamb, chicken or pork. Depending on the region, dishes include locally grown bell peppers, such as ají amarillo or red hot pepper.

You may also be interested in this list of dishes from the Peruvian highlands.

10 most popular typical dishes of the Peruvian coast

1- Ceviche

Ceviche is a very simple dish typically made from fresh local raw fish, or any form of seafood, which is marinated using citrus juices of lime or lemon. It is a very refreshing meal as it is served cold.

It is probably the most popular Peruvian dish. The pieces of raw fish (usually some white fish) are cut into cubes and marinated in the citrus sauce, then cut red onions, salt, garlic and hot pepper are added. It is served with a side of corn kernels, potatoes, yucca and / or sweet potato.

The salt and the citric element make the fish cook lightly, leaving it delicate and soft on the palate. The most popular ceviche variations include: corvina, snook, scallops, squid, shrimp, mixed, etc.

While this food can be found throughout Peru, it is naturally more common in coastal cities. Ceviche is sold along the coast, from small food carts on the beach to the finest restaurants in Lima.

Ceviche has existed in one way or another in this country for several centuries. For example, the Incas ate fish marinated in chincha (a fermented corn beer).

2- Tiradito

Tiradito can be considered as a cousin of ceviche. It is made with fish cooked in lime or lemon juice like ceviche, but the fish is cut into thin strips (it is cut into cubes in ceviche) and no onion is used.

The tiradito contains long, thin slices of fresh fish marinated in lime or lemon juice, hot yellow bell peppers, and spices. It is generally garnished with corn. This food has a great Japanese influence.

Modern variations of this dish serve it with a variety of sauces, usually containing chili or hot peppers.

3- Aji de Gallina

Ají de gallina is the most famous chicken dish on the Peruvian coast; it is the ultimate comfort food. Contains shredded chicken in a cream of yellow bell peppers, cheese and hot peppers.

The shredded chicken is cooked in a rich sauce of cream, cheese, hazelnuts and bell peppers. It is served alongside a generous portion of rice, a hard-boiled egg, and an olive. Sometimes boiled potatoes can be added.

The ají de gallina can also be used to fill empanadas.

4- Kid's Dry

It is a very typical dish of the northwest of Peru; basically it is a stew or stew of tender goat meat. It is usually cooked on firewood and is accompanied by a serving of beans, rice and tender yucca.

It is a very common dish in this region as most of the people raise goats. Seco de cabrito is generally cooked at Peruvian parties or on special occasions such as weddings or birthdays.

5- Fish Sweat

This dish is a steamed fish stew or broth. This food is a great example of 'Creole cuisine', which means that it is a combination of Spanish ingredients and native Peruvian ingredients.

This simple stew is seasoned with tomatoes, garlic, lemon juice, onions, and chili peppers. Generally, the fish is marinated with various species and then cooked in a sauce with white wine.

When ready it is served with a side of steamed white rice, a green salad and boiled potatoes or yuccas.

6- Tiger Milk

This dish is a product that comes from the preparation of ceviche. Tiger milk is made with the juice that remains from the ceviche; This liquid can be served as a drink or as an aperitif.

If it is taken as a drink, only the juice is taken; on the other hand, if it is taken as an aperitif, a thicker version is served with fish. The latter is like a version of ceviche that is more similar to a soup.

A variation of leche de tigre adds fried squid to the liquid of the ceviche.

7- Shrimp Chupe

The shrimp chupe is a kind of shrimp cream. This traditional meal consists of a broth made from crab mixed with potatoes, chili pepper and whole milk.

The chupe has a clear Asian influence and is a strong main dish.

8- Rice with Shrimp / Rice with Chicken

Rice with chicken or shrimp is one of the most popular traditional dishes in Peru. The ingredients used and the cooking techniques are very similar to Spanish paella; some people consider it to be a copy of paella with Asian influences.

However, this food that mixes the rich flavor of rice combined with pieces of chicken or shrimp is a perfect example of how the ingredients of Peruvian cuisine blend with other culinary influences.

9- King Kong

King kong is a traditional dessert from the north of Peru, specifically from Lambayeque.

This sweet consists of a large alfajor cookie filled with pineapple jam, peanut candy and manjarblanco (milk candy).

10- Suspiro a la Limeña

Suspiro Lima is a traditional Peruvian dessert typical of Lima. This recipe has a slow cooking process that results in a smooth, golden custard-like base (made from dulce de leche) which is then topped with a smooth and creamy meringue.

The origin of this sweet can be found in the mid-19th century in Lima; Amparo Ayarza, the wife of the Peruvian poet José Galvez, created the recipe.

Its particular name comes from Galvez himself, who thought that the dessert was as sweet and light as the 'sigh of a woman'.

References

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