Cuzco & Machu Picchu - Discover Peru: Experience the Best of Peru - page 391

a wonton-style sopa de gallina (chicken soup) and a chicha morada (purple corn drink)
that's beyond fresh. Naturally, debate rages as to whether it's worth the price: our vote is
yes.

A Guide to Cuzco Cuisine
Steaming soups, fresh-grilled meats and an ice-cold chela (that's Peruvian slang for beer). Here are some local
dishes not to miss when you're in Cuzco.
Anticucho The Peruvian answer to the lollipop is beef heart on a stick, with a potato
on the end for punctuation. Much more delicious than it sounds - many who try it
without realizing it's heart end up addicted.
Caldo de gallina It's impossible to find bad soup in Cuzco, but simple, healthy, hearty
caldo de gallina (chicken soup) is a standout, and a local favorite for hangovers. It also
goes down well if the altitude has you dizzy.
Chicharrones Deep-fried chunks of pork, served with corn, mint leaves and onion.
This one is definitely more than the sum of its parts: get a bit of each ingredient on
your fork and you'll experience coronary-inducing heaven.
Choclo con queso Choclo are the huge, pale cobs of corn that are typical of the area.
Served with a teeth-squeaking chunk of cheese, it's a great, cheap snack. Look for it in
the Sacred Valley.
Cuy Yes, they really do eat guinea pig. Nothing to be afraid of (it tastes like chicken -
honestly!), though it's often served complete with head, which can be, er, disconcert-
ing.
Lechón Suckling pig with plenty of crackling, generally served with tamales (corn
cakes). Another shortcut to a heart attack, but what a way to go.

LIMO $$$
Offline map Google map
( 24-068; Portal de Carnes 236, 2nd l; mains S24-60; 11am-11pm Mon-Sat) Start with a tart pisco
sour, it's the perfect accompaniment to the fresh Peruvian-Asian seafood creations. The
basket of native potatoes with sauces as a starter is a fun change from bread. And tiradi-
tos, sashimi-style strips of fish, simply melt on the tongue. Other hits are the creamy cau-
sas (potato terrines) and sudadito, a brothy mix of greens, corn and seared scallops.

| Peruvian