A Quick Guide to Cusco’s Street Food!
A Quick Guide to Cusco’s Street Food!
A Quick Guide to Cusco’s Street Food! How do you feel about giving it a try? Some people probably warned you not to try the street food, but honestly, as a Spanish student living in Cusco, we think you should go for it! Peruvian street food is a very cheap and quick way to sample the lovely Peruvian fare, with no commitment to a full plate! Peruvian food is amazing, including the street food. We will give you some tips and tricks: a Quick Guide to Cusco’s Street Food!
Cusco’s Street Food!
Many people are wary of eating food prepared by street vendors in Peru. But believe me: it’s the norm here in Cusco and, in most cases, perfectly safe. Trust your gut…….if it looks bad…don’t try it! And trust the crowd… if people are gathered around, waiting to eat it, the stand likely has a good reputation, and there’s a reason for that! If it’s deserted, there’s likely a reason for that too, and I’m not interested in finding out what it is!
Following is a list of some popular street bites in Cusco…by no means is this list complete…explore Cusco’s street food and let us know what you enjoyed most! ¡Buen provecho!
PERUVIAN STREET FOOD IN CUSCO: TOP # 8
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Anticucho
“Meat on a stick” grilled to perfection on the streets of Cusco after 6 pm, that’s what anticucho is. The traditional anticucho is corazon (cow heart), but if you aren’t feeling that adventurous, you can try the chicken or regular old beef. The meat itself is impaled on what appears to be a weapon of mass destruction (an obscenely sharp bamboo skewer), blunted at the end with a (somehow a little) dry potato (which most locals love).
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Be sure to top your meat with the green sauce! It’s a staple at every anticucho stand. These stands are usually found near Plaza de Armas and Av. del Sol, and you will see lots of people standing around eating. Street food becomes a meeting spot for people in Cusco. You can ask the AMAUTA team for the best recommendations.
You can also try anticucho at a Peruvian restaurant if street food isn’t your thing, since it is muy rico! Definitely a must-try.
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Salchipapa
At first glance, this looks like something that only a child would dare to try, and it’s true that kids love it! But, to my surprise, I’ve seen many adults order this popular dish with a straight face… (I still can’t say ¨salchipapa¨ without laughing).
The “salchi” on this plate is a fried and sliced Peruvian hot dog, and the Papa is French fries, served smothered in ketchup, mustard, mayo, and aji sauce. Ask your teachers for their favorite places to try this dish. Try it! You’ll like it! Our Spanish students in Cusco love it! You can find fancier versions of this with chicken and vegetables at restaurants around Cusco, but the street food version is the best.
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Toast Pork Sandwiches
Yummy! And you can find them all over Cusco! The sandwich is on a crusty bun, filled to the brim with pork, carved on the spot, and topped with a fresh local salsa that includes loads of red onion. Add ketchup, mustard, and mayo, and you can walk away with this filling meal within moments! This amazing sandwich is called Butifarra, named after a Spanish sausage that arrived in Peru during colonial times.
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Avocado and cheese sandwiches
(for the veggies!)
These very simple sandwiches are available in the mornings; pick one up on your way to Spanish class! They are nothing more than bread with local salty cheese or (even better!) creamy Avocado (palta)! The locals aren’t used to putting both cheese and avocado on the same bread, so if you want to try that combo, be prepared to be convincing!Would you like to study Spanish in Cusco?
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Use this link to register
FYI: on Calle San Agustin, you’ll find the best pan con palta! The cheerful woman makes each one to order so they are never mushy or stale, adds the secret ingredient of love, and will even add cebolla if you wish! They cost between 1.50-3 Soles, and you can get carne and chicken sandwiches too.
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Quinoa/Manzana bebida
The above-mentioned sandwiches are usually accompanied by a yummy, warm morning beverage made with quinoa (the protein-rich Andean grain-like seed), apple juice, and cinnamon.
For 1.50 sol, you can warm yourself from the inside out on Cusco’s brisk mornings! You can ask for milk (con leche), and the best way to drink this is in a plastic bag on your walk to the Spanish classes at AMAUTA.
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Papa rellena
As Peru is home to over 3,000 varieties of potatoes, it is not surprising that you can find many traditional dishes made with papas! Papas rellenas, or stuffed potatoes, are simply a dough made from potatoes, stuffed with beef, onions, olives, eggs, spices, etc., then fried until golden and served! You can also ask for picante salsa with it – which I would recommend, as the potato can be dry.
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Choclo con Queso
On first glance it looks terribly bland, but surprisingly this large piece of jumbo boiled corn, accompanied by a chunk of local cheese, is simple, filling, and rather tasty!
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Causa con tuna
This dish is not made in the street, but it is sold! Causa is one of my favorite dishes in Peru and can be found in the Sacred Valley at the market and on the street – and also in Cusco. Causa is layers of mashed potato filled with chicken, tuna, and avocado.
You can find this being sold mainly in Uramabamba, Pisac and Ollantaytambo. The women selling it make it at home using amazing recipes, and it only costs 5 soles. Finding her is tough sometimes; head to the Sacred Valley, and you will find her sitting by plastic boxes filled with food near Plaza De Armas in Urubamba.
We hope you enjoyed our A Quick Guide to Cusco’s Street Food! Let us know which unique bites you have tried while traveling in Peru or while learning Spanish in Cusco.
You can also send or send us a photo! 🙂
