The Peruvian food boom

Peruvians are very proud of their cuisine. Once you get into that subject, Peruvians can’t stop talking about it. The melange of Andean, Spanish, African, Chinese, Japanese with some Italian and French influences make of this food a varied and exquisite fare. Lima has been declared the gastronomical capital of the Americas and according to several tourism operators, the “Peruvian gastronomical tours” have increased dramatically this millennium. That means that some tourists visit Peru just to try its food. In 2004, The Economist magazine said that "Peru can lay claim to one of the world's dozen or so great cuisines. "
Potatoes are native to the Andes and according to the International Potato Center Peru produces 2,400 varieties of this tuber. So imagine the variety of dishes that Peruvians create with potatoes. Try the “Papa a la Huancaína,” “Causa Limeña” or “Papa Rellena.” But the most popular Peruvian dish is “ceviche,” (pictured left) chunks of sea fish marinated in lime juice, chile peppers and onions. Seafood is popular in this country since the generous Pacific Ocean that bathes the entire coast produces a huge variety of fish, like sea bass, sole, corvina, cod, snapper and an enormous array of other fruits of the sea like octopus, mussels, clams, shrimp, crab, squid, and scallops. A whole cornucopia that can also be part of the ceviche. Africans contributed with the cooking styles and the use of everything that was eatable. Chinese brought the use of rice (Peruvians eat rice every day) and the sauteing technique along with the use of soy sauce and ginger. Later, the Japanese, Italian and French immigrants brought their own additions.
Peru produces its own kind of native chile peppers (ají,) which offer its food a unique taste. Most of its dishes have ají to give color and flavor. The Peruvian salsa, called "salsa criolla," is a mix of feathered red onions, lime juice, salt, pepper, oil and ají strips, and it's a fabulous accompaniment to a Chicharrón sandwich (pictured above.)

Tipping?

Not in restaurants. Not in taxis. Of course, a waiter will be very happy if you do tip, and the taxi driver will be very surprised.
This is something a lot of tourists find a little confusing and sometimes unfair, but it’s part of the local culture. When you pay at a restaurant there is a sales tax and a service tax already included.
In Peru, everything comes with the tax built-in as part of the final price, so what you see on the restaurant menu, the supermarket or the department store is what you are going to be charged. Salons, spas and barbershops expect tips but not at the 15% rate. A couple dollars will suffice.
Credit cards? They are widely accepted. But if you ask for a discount (at a crafts market, for instance) you will be asked to pay in cash.

Water, soda, wine?

Wine is consumed with every meal. When you go to a small eatery and ask for the fixed priced menu, your drinks of choice can be soda water, regular soda or wine. Wine, clearly, is very cheap in Argentina. Malbec is a typical red wine from the region of Mendoza, and it can be found in the wine stores and supermarkets of Buenos Aires. As in the United States, wine prices vary, but local wines, whatever the grape, are definitely cheaper. I remember getting a decent bottle of vino blanco for $2.

Beef and more beef

Argentineans are known by their beef consumption. The most common cuts served at restaurants are the bife de lomo and the bife de chorizo. The first one comes with no fat, and it’s a little more expensive. Both are boneless, juicy and tender. I usually asked for one-half bife, which was plenty. Side dishes include papas fritas (French fries,) papas rejilla (crispy round fries with holes,) puré de papas (mashed potatoes,) pureed pumpkin and salad. They’re ordered separately. At an average restaurant, a good bife goes for $12-$14 and the sides for $6-$7. That’s a lot of food.
There are many other beef cuts, of course. If you ask for a parrilla, it comes with tripe, kidney, sausage and other meats. It will feed at least two very hungry people.

Empanadas, yum!

Argentineans give themselves the honor of having invented the empanada. I didn’t want to argue with them about it. I grew up eating empanadas (especially on Sundays) and I am Peruvian. However, empanadas are everywhere in Buenos Aires. These delicious stuffed turnovers come with different savory fillings. Among the common ones are beef, chicken, ham and cheese, Salteña (with potatoes to extend the filling) and humita (corn.) They are usually baked but sometimes fried, and they’re deliciously crispy. You can see how they’re made at some restaurants, and you can identify the filling by scrutinizing the shape of the empanada. They’re cheap to eat, too. They usually sell for 3 or 4 pesos ($1 U.S. equals 3.8 pesos).

Chicken has a place, too

If you’re tired of beef, Milanesa and Suprema are good alternatives. They both are boneless and breaded chicken cuts, flattened like sheets, seasoned and fried to crispy perfection.
“What is the difference between a Milanesa and a Suprema?” I asked a waiter at a restaurant in the swanky Puerto Madero area. “Milanesa is made with dark meat and Suprema with white,” he responded. I understood then why Suprema is “supreme,” but I still liked the Milanesa better.
Order it with a salad or mashed potatoes instead of just fries. Otherwise it can taste a little dry.