Send us a text

Ever wonder how a nation's history can be tasted on a plate? Peru's extraordinary cuisine offers exactly that—a delicious time capsule of cultural exchange spanning thousands of years.

The geography alone sets the stage for culinary magic: coastal waters teeming with seafood, Andean highlands with ancient agricultural traditions, and Amazonian biodiversity creating a pantry unlike any other on Earth. But what truly distinguishes Peruvian food is how it tells the story of cultural convergence through flavor.

Take ceviche, that brilliant coastal creation where raw fish "cooks" in lime juice. Simple yet profound, it captures the essence of Peru's Pacific relationship. Then there's Lomo Saltado, where Chinese wok techniques meet Peruvian ingredients, served with both rice and French fries—a delicious compromise between culinary traditions that became something uniquely Peruvian.

We explore dishes that connect directly to pre-colonial heritage, like Pachamanca, where food cooks underground with hot stones in a ritual honoring Mother Earth. We examine how Peru's mind-boggling 4,000+ varieties of native potatoes and ancient grains sustained civilizations long before becoming global superfoods. And we discover how relatively recent Japanese and Chinese influences created entirely new fusion cuisines (Nikkei and Chifa) that are now fundamental to Peru's culinary identity.

What emerges is more than a collection of recipes—it's a portrait of a nation that has continuously absorbed global influences while maintaining its distinctive character. Each dish tells a story about the land, history, and peoples who created modern Peru. Join us as we explore how food truly can reflect a nation's soul, and consider what cultural layers might be hidden in your own favorite foods.

Support the show

can I pet that dawg songwriter / listen anywhere