Foodmap Peru Westlandpeppers
 

Peruvian cuisine

Peru is a country with a rich culture and diverse culinary traditions, reflecting indigenous, Spanish, and other immigrant influences. Peruvian cuisine is one of the most innovative and flavorful in the world, and it's known as one of the best culinary destinations globally.

This South American country boasts incredible ecological diversity. Thanks to its varied climates, you'll find all sorts of produce growing there. The focus is always on fresh, local ingredients, from fresh fish straight from the Pacific Ocean to veggies and herbs from the fertile valleys of the Andes mountains.

One of the most unique things about Peruvian cuisine is how it blends different culinary traditions. Immigrants from all over the world brought their eating habits and cultures to Peru. The result? A cuisine with mixed cultures, tons of different ingredients, and various cooking methods. Each region has its own dishes, all based on local traditions and ingredients. It really has the power to transform traditional dishes into modern culinary delights.

Whether you're a fan of seafood, meat, veggies, or herbs, you're sure to find a dish that'll tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more!

 

Fusion Kitchens

Nikkei
Nikkei refers to the fusion cuisine that developed in Peru, blending Japanese and Peruvian cultures. The term “Nikkei” refers to people of Japanese descent who live outside of Japan. In Peru, there's a large community of Nikkei people who brought their Japanese culinary traditions and ingredients, like soy sauce, ginger, and seafood, and incorporated them into their Peruvian cooking. Over time, Japanese immigrants started adapting their traditional dishes to local Peruvian ingredients, creating a unique fusion cuisine that blended the two cultures.

One of the most famous dishes from Nikkei cuisine is tiradito, which is similar to ceviche but with Japanese flavors like soy sauce and ginger. Another popular dish is sushi with Peruvian sauces made from, for example, aji amarillo peppers.

Nikkei cuisine has become increasingly popular in recent years, spreading beyond Peru to other countries, including the United States, Japan, and even the Netherlands. This fusion of Japanese and Peruvian flavors has resulted in a unique and delicious culinary tradition that really shows off the creativity and ingenuity of both cultures.

Chifa
The same thing happened with Chinese immigrants, leading to Chifa cuisine. This cuisine blends Peruvian ingredients with Chinese cooking techniques. For example, one of the most popular Chifa dishes is arroz chaufa, which is similar to fried rice but with Peruvian ingredients like aji amarillo peppers and cilantro.

Cod Tiradito with Aji Amarillo Paste Westlandpeppers
Cod Tiradito with Aji Amarillo paste.
Nigiri Masu Kabayaki Westlandpeppers
Nigiri Masu Kabayaki, from the book: Cocina Nikkei by Katinka Lansink. Photo credits: Sven Benjamins.
Aji Amarillo & Rocoto Peppers Westlandpeppers
Fresh Aji Amarillo & Rocoto peppers.
Anticuchos
Anticuchos: Peruvian skewers, traditionally made from beef heart, marinated in vinegar, Aji Panca, herbs, and barbecued.

Ají Chili Peppers

Chili peppers, known as “ají“ in Peru, are an essential ingredient in Peruvian cuisine, adding extra warmth and flavor to many dishes. Peruvian cuisine boasts a wide variety of chili peppers, from mild and fruity to extremely hot and spicy.

One of the most popular chili peppers in Peruvian cuisine is the Aji Amarillo. Aji Amarillo peppers are Peru's edible gold, offering a spicy, fruity, colorful, and creamy flavor. In Peruvian cooking, the Aji Amarillo, along with red onion and garlic, forms the 'holy trinity' and is the base for many dishes. This pepper is medium hot and especially famous for its delicious fruity aromas, reminiscent of a peach. You'll often find this pepper in ceviche, sauces, and stews.

Another popular pepper is the Rocoto, often used in spicy dishes like Rocoto relleno, a stuffed pepper dish. And then there's the Aji Limo pepper, a small, fruity, and spicy pepper used in many dishes, including ceviche and stir-fries.

Peruvian cuisine also features dried peppers like the Aji Panca, which has a smoky, fruity flavor and a mild spiciness. This pepper is often used in marinades, stews, and sauces, and it's a key ingredient in dishes like anticuchos, which are grilled beef heart skewers.

Another popular dried chili pepper is the Aji Mirasol, the dried version of the Aji Amarillo. The Aji Mirasol is medium hot and is especially known for its delicious fruity aromas, reminiscent of a peach. This makes the pepper great in ceviche, salsa verde, or sauces.

Ceviche

Ceviche is *the* national dish of Peru! It's usually made with fresh raw fish, like sea bass or flounder, but you can also use other seafood such as shrimp, octopus, or scallops. The fish is typically cut into small pieces and marinated in lime or lemon juice, along with red onion, cilantro, and aji peppers. You can also add other ingredients like celery, ginger, salt, and garlic. The acidity in the lime/lemon juice 'cooks' the fish, resulting in a tender and flavorful dish. 
 
Since then, this dish has spread throughout Latin America and has also become popular in other parts of the world. You can find variations of ceviche in many countries, including Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, and Chile. Each region has its own take on the dish, with unique ingredients and flavor profiles.
 
Ceviche is usually served with sides like sweet potato, corn, avocado, or plantain chips. The dish isn't just tasty, it's healthy too, as it's low in fat and packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals.
 
Ceviche Clasico
Chicha Morada Westlandpeppers
Chicha Morada: Peru's national lemonade, made from purple corn.

Drinks

One of the most popular Peruvian drinks is chicha morada, a purple-black drink that looks like blood. It's made from boiled purple corn, maíz Morado, and infused with pineapple and orange peels, cinnamon, and cloves. Sugar and lime juice are often added too. This non-alcoholic drink has a sweet, slightly tart taste and is often served with meals or as a refreshing beverage on warm days.

Peru is also famous for its delicious cocktails, like the Pisco Sour. Pisco is Peru's national drink, made from grapes grown in coastal areas and distilled into a clear, colorless spirit with a high alcohol content. Pisco has a strong, distinct flavor and is often enjoyed neat or used as a base for cocktails. To make a Pisco Sour cocktail, you mix Pisco with lime juice, sugar, egg white, and a dash of bitters. It's a refreshing and zesty drink that's perfect for a night out or as an aperitif before a meal.

Peruvian Products

Spanish-chili-red_Westlandpeppers (1)

Chili Pepper / Cayenne

Starting from  3,90
Select options This product comes in different varieties. You can pick your option on the product page.
Jalapeno-green_Westlandpeppers (1)

Jalapeño

Starting from  2,52
Select options This product comes in different varieties. You can pick your option on the product page.
Dried Aji Amarillo_Westlandpeppers (1)

Aji Mirasol / Dried Aji Amarillo

Starting from  8,72
Select options This product comes in different varieties. You can pick your option on the product page.
Dried-Aji Panca_Westlandpeppers (4)

Dried Aji Panca

Starting from  5,73
Select options This product comes in different varieties. You can pick your option on the product page.
Aji Amarillo Powder_Westlandpeppers (1)

Aji Amarillo chili powder

Starting from  5,96
Select options This product comes in different varieties. You can pick your option on the product page.
Aji-Amarillo_orange_Westlandpeppers (1)

Ají Amaríllo

Starting from  11,70
Select options This product comes in different varieties. You can pick your option on the product page.
Cayenne Powder_Westlandpeppers

Cayenne Powder

Starting from  4,50
Select options This product comes in different varieties. You can pick your option on the product page.

Delicious recipes from Peru

Cod Tiradito
Tiradito is one of the most famous dishes from Nikkei cuisine, similar to ceviche, but it differs in how it's cut and the function of the tiger's milk.
Aji Amarillo Empanadas
Empanadas are yummy South American filled pastries. This recipe will show you how to make about 16 small empanadas with a delicious pumpkin and Aji Amarillo pepper filling.
Aji Amarillo Saus
Aji Amarillo sauce is a staple in Peruvian cooking, used in all sorts of dishes. And guess what? This recipe makes it super easy to whip up your own!

Cookbook Tips

Cocina Nikkei

Katinka Lansink

PERU

Gaston Acurio
(English)

Peruvian Restaurants

Nazka

Amsterdam

Pachamama

Groningen

Maita

Haarlem

Piscomar

Madrid

Callao

Scheveningen

Salmuera

Amsterdam

Inca Mania

Delft

A Cevicheria

Lisbon

Blue Blood

The Hague

Lima Nikkei Izakaya

Antwerp

Moche

Amsterdam

La Cevicheria

Paris

Must see!

Street Food Latin America

Ep 4: Lima, Peru
Netflix

Chef's Table Peru

S3 Ep 6: Virgilio Martínez
Netflix

The Potato Eaters

S2 Ep 4: Ceviche
S2 Ep 10: Fries
NPO

Various peppers Westlandpeppers

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