Peruvian aperitifs are a vibrant introduction to the country’s rich and diverse cuisine, offering a perfect balance of flavor, color, and texture. These small dishes are typically enjoyed before the main meal or as a snack whenever you would like, often accompanied by a soft Pisco Sour, a refreshing Inka Cola, or a chilled Cusqueña beer.
Causa
Among the most popular is Causa, a layered potato dish prepared with mashed yellow potatoes, lime, ají amarillo (yellow chili), and ground pepper. It is always stuffed with chicken in a creamy mayonnaise, tuna, or avocado, served with parsley leaves and slices of rocoto (spicy pepper) on top.
Andean Chip Potatoes
It is a crispy and tasty colorful snack made from native Peruvian potatoes, thinly sliced and lightly fried. Each chip offers a unique texture and earthy flavor, reflecting the richness of the Andes and the careful work of its people. Served with a hot sauce and sprinkled with salt from Maras.
Fresh Trout Ceviche
The famous and popular Trout Ceviche is a refreshing Peruvian iconic dish, featuring fresh river trout marinated in lime juice, red onions, cilantro, and ají limo (spicy chilli). The lime juice cures the fish, creating a tender, flavorful bite. Served with corn and sweet potato, you can also add as much chilli as you like. People say that if your ceviche dish is not spicy enough, there is no way to consider it ceviche.
Rocoto Relleno “Stuffed Spicy Pepper”
A classic dish from Arequipa, the delicious Stuffed Spicy Pepper, locally called Rocoto Relleno, is an appetizer based on a spicy pepper stuffed with a savory mix of ground beef, onions, peanuts, carrot, peas, and Andean spices. Fried with a layer of melted cheese, it offers a perfect balance of heat, flavor, and tradition. Do not forget to accompany it with a refreshing craft beer.
Choclo con Queso “Cheese and Fresh Corn”
Choclo con queso is a beloved Peruvian snack based on a large-kernel Andean corn served with a slice of fresh, salty white cheese. This is a small dish for those who still need to complement their appetite, also found on certain street corners around some cities in Peru. The fresh corn and cheese dish is commonly called Choclo con queso. Peruvians love to eat it as a snack whenever and wherever they have the opportunity.
Anticucho de Corazón
This is probably the most popular street food all over Peru, frequently found in the afternoons and evenings on some of the street corners. The beef heart skewer, or locally called Anticucho de Corazón, is a marinated beef heart grilled on skewers over open flames. It is also seasoned with vinegar, cumin seeds, ají panca (orange chili), and a portion of cusqueña beer. It is served with potatoes, fresh corn, and a small portion of Uchucuta “Spicy sauce”.
Carefully selected, this is a short list of some of the best aperitifs that travelers can enjoy after visiting Machu Picchu. Full House Restaurant in Machu Picchu is the ideal location to find each of them. Get a free Pisco Sour and make your culinary experience better by having any of these iconic Peruvian aperitifs. Reach our main Starter Menu by clicking here.
