Eating in Lima: anticuchos, a good choice for all travelers

Anticuchos at a Norky's (Photo: Isabel Guerra)

Anticuchos is the Limenian name for brochettes in Peruvian gastronomy: this is something you definitely need to taste in Lima.  Not only are they yummy, but also there are anticuchos for every budget and all of them are truly delicious.

Apart from being yummy and very affordable, Limenian anticuchos have two distinctive original characteristics: they are made of marinated beef heart, and the brochette sticks are made of sugar cane, which does not burn so easily.

There are many restaurants in Lima that serve anticuchos.

A good option is the pollo a la brasa (Peruvian roasted chicken) restaurants, which usually serve other barbecued food options, including the anticuchos: prices in these places range from US $3 to US $7, depending on the category of the place and the size of the serving.

Some recommendable pollo a la brasa chains are Pardos’ Chicken, Norky’s, Roky’s, and Las Canastas: all of which have restaurants all around Lima. At these places, anticuchos are usually large-sized, and are accompanied by a small lettuce-tomato salad and lots of fries.

If you prefer to go classy, you may want to try the traditional Manos Morenas or the latest craze in Lima: Panchita, owned and run by the popular Peruvian cook Gaston Acurio. Both are excellent choices and these places’ warm ambiance will add an extra pleasure to your gastronomic experience.

However, if you are on a tight budget and you have a taste for adventure, you may try any street vendor. Ask the locals; anticucho street vendors usually stand with their little carts at a determined corner every night, gathering a large crowd of fans: you will find to chairs nor tables, obviously, but some of these vendors place a small bench.

Prices are unbeatable: you can have a real good anticucho small serving, accompanied by boiled potato and rocoto (red hot chili) sauce by as low as US $0.80. You can expect paying between US $0.80 and US $2.

Bon appetit!

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(Video: “Anticuchos Tia Grima,” by Orquestaericarteta)