Street Food in Peru

Anticuchos

Anticuchos are made from beef hearts marinated in a seasoning based on chili pepper, garlic, yellow pepper, and vinegar. The beef hearts are then grilled on skewers in front of you. This is probably the most famous Peruvian street food and can be found on every street corner in the country! Some Anticuchos are made of beef or chicken, and they taste delicious whatever the meat is. Anticuchos, or skewered meat kebabs, that originate from Peru, yet are found in many South American countries. They are served with a boiled potato on the end of the skewer. Try the spicy green sauce they usually serve on the side for an extra kick!

 

Anticuchos

Peruvian Tamales

You will find Tamales inside a basket or in a cart with wheels! Most of them will be warm, and others will be at room temperature. Tamales are a staple that can be found across South America with different flavors and ingredients. The Peruvian tamales are made with Peruvian white or yellow corn. You usually find them in the mornings, as this is when Peruvians generally eat tamales. Tamales are a popular street food in Cusco. These tamales are made from boiled corn, which is mashed into a paste wrapped in the corn leaves and boiled. Usually street sellers offer sweet or salty, depending on your mood. Some of the most popular fillings are chicken or pork with olives, and the sweet tamales sometimes contain raisins. Tamales are one of the bargain street foods available and often eaten for breakfast. 

 

Tamales

 

Butifarras

This pork sandwich may not look too appetizing at first glance and is made from sliced pork or ham (Jamon Del Pais) and some chopped veggies (tomatoes, onions, chilies, etc.). However, the flavor is top-notch, as the tender ham contrasts with crispy bread buns. If you are staying in Miraflores, you can check out the butifarra stands in The Parque Kennedy for the best street food in Lima, Peru. These are perfect for a filling lunch, or even a snack if you’re feeling peckish on a cold Andean night in Cusco. Served on toasted bread with roast pork that is carved right in front of you and comes with salsa, ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise.

 

Butifarra

 

Salchipapas

You can generally guess what the Salchipapa is all about from the name. Each serving contains sliced, cooked sausage on a layer of French fries. This dish is trendy in Lima, the birthplace of the delicacy; however, this dish can be found throughout Peru. Salchipapas is so called due to its major ingredients of sausages (salchichas) and fried potatoes (papas). This popular Cusco street food was once a working-class meal but due to its popularity, now appears on menus even in the most gourmet of restaurants.  Served with mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard, this dish is not only found in Peru but all across South America, including Ecuador, Colombia, and Bolivia. The best accompaniments for this dish are ketchup, hot sauce, and mayonnaise. You can find another variation of Salchipapas called “Choripapas”, which calls for Chorizo instead of regular sausages, which are more prevalent in Chile, America, and Mexico.

 

Salchipapas

 

Choclo con Queso

Choclo is corn on a buttered and salted cob, served with a thick slice of cheese, and sold on many of the Cusco streets in Peru, especially in The Andean region. One of the main Cusco street foods especially in the Sacred Valley is choclo con queso. A fresh ear of boiled corn on the cob with cheese. This corn on the cob is particular to the Andean region has bigger kernels and is less sweet than the yellow version we are used to. Keep your eye out for ladies selling these delicious delights on small street stands or out of a basket, especially around the San Pedro Market. Unlike the corn you’ll find in North America, it lacks the sweetness and is a larger version with bigger kernels. If you’re a vegetarian, this is the best option for you here, for most street foods involve types of meat. It is also quite filling, giving you the energy you need to explore the streets.

 

Choclo

 

Empanadas

You might have seen or even tasted Empanadas, a prevalent dish in Latin American nations and worldwide. No one can resist the flavorsome crunchiness of the pastry and the melt-in-your-mouth fillings. Unlike other variations in Spain or nearby Latin American countries, traditional Peruvian-style Empanadas call for hard-boiled eggs, minced meat, olives, and raisins. They are also available in deep-fried and baked forms at numerous street vendors in Peru.

 

Meat Empanada

 

Papa Rellena – Stuffed Potato

This dish is quite peculiar because, thanks to its shape, it has become a favorite snack. It is a mashed potato dough filled with various stews; the most common are chicken and meat stew; finally, they are fried in abundant oil so that it is crispy on the outside. Many street stalls in Peru offer them ready-to-go, and you can also find them nowadays in restaurants!

 

Papa Rellena

 

Arroz con Leche/ Arroz Sambito

Arroz con Leche is the Peruvian version of rice pudding. Brought to Peru by the Spaniards during the colonial period, made with rice, sweetened condensed milk, and evaporated milk. The purple part is concentrated purple corn starch, a hot jam! It is also spiced with cinnamon and cloves and mixed with diced apples and apricots.

 

Arroz Zambito

Picarones

The picarón is a must-try street food while you are in Peru. It looks like a donut, yet it is made from pumpkin, and sweet potato mixed into the dough. This is another traditional lovely street food found in shopping malls, parks, corners of famous avenues, and outside churches. And although many restaurants have it on their menu, it is quite an experience to see how the dough is fried and bathed in chancaca (natural sugar) honey. In addition, if you eat it on the street, you can always ask for more chancaca syrup. Perfect for warming up on those cold Andean nights in Cusco!
 

Picarones