Peruvian street food is a crucial experience for curious and adventurous travelers making their way to Machu Picchu. Beyond the polished presentation and attentive service of Peru’s tourist restaurants, the true local flavor is found on the streets, especially at neighborhood food carts, where dishes are prepared using time-honored recipes and served in a decent way.
Iconic street foods include Anticuchos de Corazón “Skewers”, Salchipapas, and Pollipapas, perfect for recharging after a long day. You can also find Papa Rellena “Stuffed Mashed Potato”, crispy and flavorful, ideal for eating on the go. To accompany any of them, nothing beats a Hot Emoliente, a soothing and highly digestible drink that completes the feast.
The bold culinary journey continues with sweet flavors that are part of Peru’s cultural identity: freshly fried Picarones, creamy Arroz con Leche, and the unmistakable Mazamorra Morada, often served together as a traditional dessert.
Getting immersed yourself in street food along the route to Machu Picchu is, undoubtedly, an experience you will never forget.
Below, we will describe some of the peruvian street food, as well as where and when to find them.
Anticuchos de Corazón – Peru’s Famous Skewers
One of the best street foods found in any Peruvian city is the popular Anticucho, made with beef heart, just beef, or chicken. Over time, it has gained widespread popularity being one of the most sought-after snacks among people on the streets.
Anticuchos are prepared by marinating pieces of meat, which are then skewered on cane sticks. They are grilled over charcoal on a rustic grill, giving them a distinctive smoky flavor. They are served hot, accompanied by a generous portion of whole boiled potatoes, lightly grilled until golden. To enjoy them properly, a spoonful of Uchucuta is essential; it is a spicy sauce made with Andean herbs.
Salchipapas y Pollipapas, Popular Street Food in Peru
Perhaps among the most popular street foods throughout Peru, Salchipapas and Pollipapas are dishes every Peruvian knows and has tried at least once in their life, whether out of craving or necessity.
Unlike Peruvian Anticuchos, Salchipapas and Pollipapas are usually found in working-class neighborhoods across the country. Street corners are the ideal spots, where the caserita “regular seller for someone” always has her adapted food cart parked and ready to serve these tasty dishes.
Salchipapas are made with crispy French fries, a portion of boiled noodles, and fried sliced sausages. They are traditionally topped with mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, and the spicy sauce known as Uchucuta.
Pollipapas, on the other hand, are very similar to Salchipapas but more filling. In addition to the Salchipapa base, they include a portion of Arroz Chaufa “Fried-browned rice,” and, of course, a piece of fried chicken in a KFC-style preparation.
Papa Rellena: Crispy Peruvian Stuffed Potato
Not as popular, but definitely one of those dishes you can’t pass up when you come across it. If you can not find it on the streets in Peru, Papa Rellena is also served in Peruvian restaurants.
Papa rellena is prepared from boiled mashed potatoes, which form the outer layer. This potato base is filled with a savory mixture of seasoned meat stew, finely chopped onion, carrot, egg, and olives. Once shaped and completely sealed so the filling doesn’t show, it is coated in flour and deep-fried until golden. When ready to serve, it is accompanied by Uchucuta, a spicy sauce made with Andean herbs.
Arroz con Leche y Mazamorra Morada, A Classic Peruvian Dessert
There are certain spots on Peruvian streets where this delicious dessert can be found. The iconic Arroz con Leche and Mazamorra Morada are among the most popular desserts in Peru.
Arroz con Leche is made by cooking rice until tender, then adding milk, cinnamon, and cloves. It is simmered gently and sweetened with sugar, resulting in a creamy texture with a rich, sweet flavor and a pronounced aroma.
Mazamorra Morada, on the other hand, is prepared using an extract of purple corn boiled with cinnamon and cloves. Cornstarch and sugar are added, then pieces of pineapple and fig. The mixture is slowly simmered until it reaches a smooth, fragrant consistency.
They are usually served together on a single plate in what is locally known as “El Clásico,” a name inspired by the colors of Peru’s most popular and rival soccer teams: Arroz con Leche represents Universitario de Deportes, while Mazamorra Morada represents Alianza Lima.
Emoliente, A Traditional Herbal Drink
Of course, if you find yourself extremely thirsty, feeling cold, or simply craving a warm or lukewarm herbal drink, there is the popular Herbal Emoliente. This is a hot or warm beverage commonly found on Peruvian streets, but only at certain times of the day. Since it is a hot drink, it is usually sold in the afternoons, evenings, and late at night.
Its preparation is simple: Andean herbs with digestive and nutritional properties are slowly simmered over low heat. The base of the drink is barley, combined with horsetail, cinnamon, and cloves, making a fragrant and soothing beverage.
Passersby who seek out a glass of Andean herbal Emoliente are well aware of its medicinal benefits. When ordering, they often request the addition of lemon juice, lucerne, aloe vera, flaxseed, or ayrampo seeds, depending on the discomfort they wish to relieve.
With this, we conclude the description of this small selection of street foods and drinks that visitors to Peru and Machu Picchu can enjoy. It is important to ask about the most recommended places to try them, as cleanliness is not always guaranteed at every food stall.
Be bold and enjoy the flavors of street cuisine, as many say, the best is found on the streets.
