Lima, the capital of Peru, is known for its rich culinary scene, and gastronomy tours are a popular way for visitors to explore the city’s unique flavors and food culture. These tours offer a chance to taste traditional Peruvian dishes, learn about the ingredients and cooking techniques used in local cuisine, and experience the vibrant food markets and restaurants of Lima.
There are many tour companies in Lima that specialize in gastronomy tours, offering a range of options to suit different tastes and interests. Some of the top companies include Lima Gourmet Company, Foodie Peru, and Urban Adventures.
Lima Gourmet Company is a popular choice for visitors looking for a high-end gastronomy tour experience. The company offers a range of tours, from a four-hour Lima city food tour to a full-day Peruvian cooking class, where participants can learn to prepare classic dishes like ceviche and lomo saltado. The tours include visits to top restaurants and markets in the city, as well as opportunities to taste and learn about local ingredients like chirimoya, lucuma, and quinoa.
Foodie Peru is another popular gastronomy tour company in Lima, offering a range of tours that focus on specific neighborhoods or types of cuisine. The company’s Barranco Food Tour is a popular choice, taking visitors on a walking tour of the trendy Barranco neighborhood, with stops at local eateries and markets to sample traditional dishes like anticuchos and picarones. Foodie Peru also offers tours focused on specific ingredients, like chocolate or pisco, as well as private cooking classes and market visits.
For visitors looking for a more off-the-beaten-path gastronomy experience, Urban Adventures offers a range of tours that explore the lesser-known food markets and neighborhoods of Lima. The company’s Hidden Lima Food Tour takes visitors to a local market to sample street food, as well as to a family-owned restaurant to try traditional dishes like causa and ají de gallina. Urban Adventures also offers a Pisco and Cocktails tour, where participants can learn about the history and production of Peru’s national spirit and try a range of classic pisco cocktails.
One of the unique aspects of gastronomy tours in Lima is the opportunity to learn about the fusion of indigenous, Spanish, and Asian culinary traditions that have influenced Peruvian cuisine. Visitors can sample dishes like causa, a potato-based dish that combines indigenous ingredients with Spanish flavors, or chifa, a Peruvian take on Chinese food that incorporates local ingredients like rocoto peppers and Peruvian corn. Gastronomy tours provide a chance to not only taste these dishes but to learn about their history and cultural significance.
Here are some of the most important Peruvian dishes that everyone should try when visiting Peru:
- Ceviche: Peru’s most famous dish is ceviche, which is made with fresh raw fish marinated in citrus juices, onions, and peppers.
- Lomo Saltado: A popular stir-fry dish made with beef, onions, tomatoes, and spices, served with rice and french fries.
- Ají de Gallina: A creamy chicken stew made with aji amarillo peppers, cheese, bread, and milk.
- Anticuchos: Grilled beef heart skewers marinated in spices, served with potatoes and corn.
- Causa: A layered potato dish filled with chicken, tuna, or vegetables, and served cold.
- Rocoto Relleno: Stuffed bell peppers filled with meat, cheese, and vegetables, baked in the oven.
- Arroz con Pollo: A traditional chicken and rice dish, cooked with a variety of vegetables and spices.
- Papa a la Huancaína: Boiled potatoes served with a creamy sauce made with aji amarillo peppers, cheese, and milk.
- Chicha Morada: A refreshing drink made with purple corn, cinnamon, and fruit.
- Pisco Sour: Peru’s national drink, made with pisco brandy, lime juice, simple syrup, egg whites, and bitters.
Peru’s cuisine is also famous for its wide variety of potatoes, which come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Some other popular dishes made with potatoes include papas a la huancaina, papa rellena, and causa.
Another important ingredient in Peruvian cuisine is the aji amarillo pepper, which is used to add flavor and spice to many dishes. Aji amarillo is also the main ingredient in the popular Peruvian hot sauce, called huancaina sauce.
In addition to these traditional dishes, Peru has also become known for its innovative and modern cuisine, which combines traditional ingredients and techniques with modern cooking methods and presentation.
Overall, Peruvian cuisine is a true reflection of the country’s history, culture, and geography, and is a must-try for any food lover visiting Peru.