The four traditional staples of Peruvian cuisine are corn, potatoes and other tubers, Amaranthaceae (quinoa, kañiwa and kiwicha), and legumes (beans and lupins). Staples brought by the Spanish include rice, wheat and meats (beef, pork and chicken).

Peruvian Recipes are Based on the Freshest Ingredients Peruvian dishes can be so diverse, with so many ingredients to choose from, but there's one common aspect: freshness. No matter how simple, every Peruvian dish values its components' freshness. Even drinks like chicha Morada use the best variety of purple corn.

Ceviche. Top of any list of must-try foods in Peru is Ceviche, which originated here in Peru and is the national dish of the country. It's a cold-cooked fish dish that is marinated in lime juice and usually served alongside red onions, boiled corn and sweet potato.