Part of the fun of going on vacation and exploring a new country is trying all of the different foods their culture has to offer. If you are planning a luxury tour to the beautiful country of Peru, in addition to exploring the Amazon rainforest, the breathtaking Andes Mountains, and ancient historical sites like Machu Picchu, you can also go on a culinary adventure. Here is a list of the top four Peruvian foods you can't miss.

Ceviche 

Other countries may make a claim to ceviche, but it is Peru's national dish, and no one does it better. Fresh from the warm waters of the South Pacific sea bass is enzymatically cooked with lime juice, onions, salt, and ají or hot chili peppers. It is usually served with sweet potatoes and fresh corn. The marinade the fish cooks in is known as leche de tigre, or tiger's milk. It is usually spiked with Pisco, a Peruvian brandy, and drunk in a shot glass alongside the meal.

Ají De Gallina

This tasty dish is chicken that is simmered in a sauce of cream, ají amarillo, a pureed hot pepper paste, ground walnuts, and cheese. When the chicken is tender, it is taken off of the bone and shredded and then served with both rice and boiled potatoes. Hard-boiled eggs and black olives are the customary garnishes.

Cuy

Cuy is a guinea pig. While most North Americans view this furry rodent as a pet rather than a food source, to the Peruvians, cuy is a delicacy. Many Peruvian families raise guinea pigs in their backyards, much like some people raise meat rabbits in hutches. Gourmet cuy are fed a constant diet of alfalfa, which results in a tender and tasty meat. Cuy are usually grilled whole over an open pit, complete with their head, teeth, eyes, and ears intact. They are brushed with garlic oil and salt while they cook to crisp their skin to a golden brown. While both the sight and the thought may be a bit disconcerting at first, trying new things is part of the fun, and it really is a tasty dish. It is usually served with French fries or potatoes and aji dehuacatay, a spicy green salsa.

Anticuchos De Corazon

Like most organ meats, the heart is tender and flavorful. A beef heart is marinated in vinegar, spices, and chiles and then grilled over an open flame. It is served with onions, potatoes, and lime. It is also frequently served on a skewer as street food.

For more help planning your luxury tour to Peru, contact a travel agency like Kuoda Personalized Travel.