Wow! All eyes have been on Peru’s food scene in the last five years, and I finally see why. This “Gastronomical Capital of the Americas” leaves me lots to return for.
Mistura is South America’s largest food festival and for the fifth year it was hosted in Lima, Peru.
While Lima is home to extraordinary restaurants like Central, recently namedLatin America’s Best Restaurant, street food is its pride and joy.
Locals and tourists flock to the weeklong Mistura food festival to try over 200 food and drink stalls, along with a marketplace highlighting Peruvian products and ingredients.
As a first-time tourist in Peru with limited exposure to Latin American cuisine, Mistura was the ideal place to hit up as much street food as possible with a limited time frame.
From beloved chains to independent restaurants it was hard to narrow down what to try, but with the quick list of “fast feasts” on Chowzter.com generated by chief Chowzter of Lima and journalist Nicholas Gill, I was in good hands.
It also helped to have J. Rodrigo Vera Latorre, founder of Mikuy Gastronommic Tours in Lima, give a private tour of Mistura.
From about 200 vendors I was able to try 36 items in the span of five hours. Not bad huh? From the 36, these were my top five:
1. Smoked pork from Al Cilindro de Javi
Pork is popular at Mistura and out of the many roasted/smoked pork I had, it was my favourite here. It’s a Chinese-Peruvian style smoked pork served with potatoes smoked in pork fat and drippings. It’s marinated in over 20 ingredients with sweet and savoury flavours of soy, brown sugar, and five-spice powder.
Where to try: Incomparable, but just as good on another level is BBQ Master’s Chinese barbecue pork in Richmond.
2. Anticuchos de Corazon from Tia Grimanesa
It was awarded as one of the seven “Tastiest Fast Feasts in Latin America” at Chowzter’s recent awards in Peru. Grimanesa started her business on the streets and quickly became known for her Anticuchos (grilled and skewered beef heart). Popularity and love from locals led to an eventual brick-and-mortar which draws a constant line up. This traditional Peruvian street food is one she’s perfected.
Where to try: El Inka Latin Deli in Burnaby or Silvestre Gusto Latino in Gastown.
Leche de Tigre from El Veridico de Fidel
Ceviche is Peru’s national dish and I had more Leche de Tigre (Tiger’s Milk) than I did water. It’s the leftover juices from the ingredients used to make ceviche. It’s pure bliss and the one here was my favourite. Creamy and rich and full of seafood flavour with a nice citrus kick and some non-overpowering heat. It gave Leche de Tigre new meaning.
Chupe de Pescado from La Olla Arequipeña
This aromatic Peruvian seafood chowder is typically made with fish, but here it was with langoustines. It’s rich in flavour and creamy in texture without being heavy and it’s also healthy. The tomato, onion and pepper soup base is made with added Peruvian vegetables, spices and herbs with a hint of Spanish influence, saffron. This is comfort food.
Chicharrón from Sanguchería El Chinito
Sandwiches are a large part of Lima’s fast food culture and this is a local favourite. A roast pork (belly or shoulder) sandwich with boiled and fried yams and pickled onions is a standard menu item at sandwich shops, but they’ve mastered it here. The slices of succulent pork are tender and high and while adding yams may sound unusual, it adds a sweetness to for balance.
Where to try: Chicha on East Broadway makes a slider version of this popular sandwich or Silvestre Gusto Latino in Gastown.
Follow Mijune’s culinary adventures this weekat the Barry Callebaut Chocolate International Ambassadors Seminar in Barcelona, and exploring Spanish tapas in Madrid. Follow #FMFinBarcelona and #FMFinMadrid for updates.
Find out more about Mijune at FollowMeFoodie.comor follow her on Twitter and Instagram @followmefoodie.
