2025

TYPICAL PERUVIAN FOOD
LIMA & HIGHLANDS (SIERRA)

English Presentation – Food & Culture


In this presentation we will show some of the most famous dishes from Lima and the Peruvian Highlands (Sierra).

GROUP MEMBERS

  • > Jairo Mendoza
  • > Diana Quispe
  • > Justa Quispe
  • > Lorena Torres

COURSE: ENGLISH – TYPICAL FOOD OF PERU

1. Peru: Country of Many Flavors

02

Peru & Its Regions

Peru has three main regions: coast, highlands (sierra) and jungle. Each region has different climate, culture and food.

  • The coast has a lot of fresh fish and seafood.
  • The highlands are famous for potatoes, corn and meat.
  • Peruvian food mixes indigenous, Spanish and Asian influences.

English Focus

In this presentation we use Present Simple to talk about food:

  • We eat ceviche for lunch.
  • It is made with fish, lime and chili.
  • People usually drink chicha with their meal.

Tip: Use “is made with…”, “people eat…”, “we usually have…” to describe each dish.

2. Lima Region – Overview

03

Lima, the Capital

  • Lima is on the central coast of Peru.
  • It is famous as the gastronomic capital of Latin America.
  • Many traditional dishes from all Peru are served in Lima.

Ingredients from the Coast

  • Fresh fish and seafood: fish, octopus, shrimp.
  • Lime, ají (chili), red onion, coriander.
  • Sweet potato and large corn (choclo).

Street Food & Desserts

  • Popular street foods: anticuchos, picarones.
  • Famous dessert: Suspiro a la Limeña.
  • People usually drink chicha morada or Inca Kola.

3. Typical Dishes – Lima

04

Ceviche

  • Ceviche is the most famous Peruvian dish.
  • It is made with raw fish cooked in lime juice.
  • It also has red onion, chili pepper (ají), salt and coriander.
  • People usually eat ceviche at lunch, not at night.
  • We normally serve it with sweet potato and big corn.

Lomo Saltado & Ají de Gallina

  • Lomo saltado is a stir-fry with beef, onion, tomato and soy sauce.
  • It mixes Chinese and Peruvian flavors and is served with rice and fries.
  • Ají de gallina is a creamy chicken stew with yellow chili and bread.
  • Families in Lima often eat these dishes for lunch or dinner.

Example: People in Lima eat lomo saltado when they want a fast and tasty lunch.

4. More Flavors from Lima

05

Causa Limeña & Anticuchos

  • Causa limeña is a cold dish made with mashed yellow potato, lime and chili.
  • It is usually filled with chicken, tuna or avocado.
  • Anticuchos are grilled meat skewers, traditionally beef heart.
  • People eat anticuchos on the street at night with potatoes and spicy sauce.
DESSERT Suspiro a la Limeña is a sweet dessert with caramel cream and meringue.
DRINK Chicha morada is a purple corn drink with pineapple, apple and cinnamon.
ENGLISH SENTENCES We usually have causa as a starter.
People drink chicha morada in family lunches.

5. Highlands (Sierra) – Overview

06

Life in the Andes

The sierra has high mountains, cold weather and strong sun. People need warm and energetic food.

  • Main crops: potatoes, corn, quinoa, beans.
  • Common meats: lamb, pork, alpaca, cuy (guinea pig).
  • Many dishes come from Inca traditions.

Typical Ingredients

  • Potato: Peru has more than 3,000 varieties.
  • Choclo (large corn) and chuño (dried potato).
  • Ají (chili peppers) for flavor and color.
  • Spices and herbs like huacatay and oregano.

Example: People in the highlands eat a lot of soup because the weather is cold.

6. Typical Dishes – Highlands

07

Pachamanca

  • Pachamanca means “earth pot” in Quechua.
  • Meat, potatoes and corn are cooked under hot stones in the ground.
  • It is a special dish for festivals and family reunions.
  • Families prepare pachamanca on Sundays and celebrations.

Cuy Chactado & Trucha

  • Cuy chactado is fried guinea pig, very crispy.
  • People serve it with potatoes, salad and spicy sauce.
  • Trucha frita (fried trout) is common near lakes and rivers.
  • It is usually eaten with rice, salad and mote (corn).

Soups & Stews

  • Chairo is a thick soup with meat, potato and chuño.
  • Caldo de cabeza and other soups are eaten in the morning.
  • These dishes help people to work in the fields all day.

7. When Do Peruvians Eat These Dishes?

08
WEEKDAYS
Simple & Fast
Everyday food: People usually eat lomo saltado, ají de gallina or soups for lunch. Students and workers need fast and energetic meals.
WEEKENDS
Family Time
On weekends families eat ceviche in Lima and pachamanca or cuy in the highlands. People spend time together and share traditional dishes.
CELEBRATIONS
Festivals
In parties and regional festivals, people prepare big dishes like pachamanca, carapulcra with sopa seca, and many desserts. Food is part of the celebration and identity.

8. Lima vs. Highlands – Comparison

09

Lima (Coast)

  • Uses a lot of fish and seafood.
  • Dishes are usually fresh and light.
  • Famous dishes: ceviche, lomo saltado, causa, anticuchos.
  • Popular drinks: chicha morada, Inca Kola, pisco sour.
  • People in Lima eat ceviche when it is hot and sunny.

Highlands (Sierra)

  • Uses potatoes, corn, quinoa and meat.
  • Dishes are usually hot, heavy and very filling.
  • Famous dishes: pachamanca, cuy chactado, soups and stews.
  • Food helps people work in cold and high altitude.

Summary in English:
Coastal food is fresh and light; highland food is hot and strong.

9. Questions & Closing

10

Thank You for Your Attention

Peruvian food is not only delicious, it is also a part of our history and identity.
Do you have any questions about the dishes from Lima or the Highlands?

Jairo Mendoza

Presenter

Diana Quispe

Content & Research

Justa Quispe

Content & Slides

Lorena Torres

Design & Images

TYPICAL PERUVIAN FOOD · LIMA & HIGHLANDS · 2025