city Essentials · 9 foods
Arequipa Essentials
A considered first route through Arequipa: the foods that carry its everyday habits, celebrations, ingredients, and memory.
Explore all Peru foods →THE
ESSENTIALS
The complete shortlist
9 foods to know.
Each selection includes the reason it belongs here—so this is a guide, not just a pile of names.
Arequipa, Peru
Rocoto Relleno
Arequipa’s signature stuffed rocoto should show a tender pepper, savory minced filling, melted cheese, and controlled heat.
Arequipa, Peru
Chupe de Camarones
Picanterías serve a rich shrimp broth crowded with potato, corn, egg, milk, and whole river prawns.
Arequipa, Peru
Adobo Arequipeño
Sunday-morning adoberías offer pork softened in a brick-red chicha-and-ají broth with bread for dipping.
Arequipa, Peru
Ocopa Arequipeña
Look for boiled potatoes under a creamy green huacatay-and-peanut sauce, finished with egg and olives.
Arequipa, Peru
Solterito
The city’s fresh salad combines firm cheese, broad beans, corn, tomato, onion, olives, and a lively herb dressing.
Arequipa, Peru
Queso Helado
Street vendors shave or scoop the cinnamon-speckled frozen milk sweet into cups with a light, icy texture.
Arequipa, Peru
Cuy Chactado
Picanterías flatten and fry the guinea pig until the skin is deeply crisp while the meat stays moist.
Arequipa, Peru
Chicha de Guinapo
Traditional picanterías pour this cloudy fermented black-corn drink with a grainy body and gently tart finish.
Arequipa, Peru
Chicharrón Peruano
Morning market plates pair crisp-edged pork with tender interior, golden potatoes, corn, and sharp onion relish.