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Chifa Peru food is a wonderful fusion of Peruvian and Chinese cuisines. This regional food celebrates Chinese and Peruvian culinary traditions and unites them in Chifa cuisine.
The dominant influence of Chinese Peruvians surprised us the most when we first got to Lima on our authentic food quest. Chifa restaurants in Lima are plentiful and found literally at almost every corner.
To better understand this phenomenon, we talked with locals and learned about Peruvian Chifa and the Chinese influence on Peruvian cuisine.
To help guide your culinary explorations, we highlight 5 of the most popular Chifa dishes to explore.
What is Chifa Peru?
Chifa in Peru refers to the style of food that Chinese immigrants created when they first came to Peru.
The Chinese people brought with them their own beloved culinary traditions and incorporated them into their new setting.
They experimented with making meals by using traditional Chinese ingredients combined with Peruvian ingredients.
In Lima today, there are thousands of Chifa restaurants across the city. Some estimate there to be more than 6,000 opened Chifa restaurants.
This staggering number of Chinese-Peruvian restaurants reflects the enduring popularity of this fusion food in Peru.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: If you are curious about Peruvian Chifa dishes, consider making them at home with a local chef. The Chef and the Dish offers cooking classes with a Peruvian chef, live via Skype. Learn how to make Lomo Saltado and other popular Chifa dishes in the comfort of your own kitchen. Find out more about Peruvian cooking classes with The Chef and the Dish.
Chifa History in Peru
To understand how Peru’s Chinese food came to be, one must delve into the nation’s history.
The Chinese were the first Asian immigrants to arrive in Peru between 1848 and 1874.
These early immigrants came as laborers. Many stayed in Peru and established small businesses and restaurants.
The Chinese introduced new ingredients to the local Peruvians. These ingredients included ginger, soy sauce, and scallions.
The Chinese immigrants also continued utilizing their traditional cooking methods.
They used local sweet and sour ingredients like pineapples and bananas from the Amazon and potatoes from the Andes Highlands to create a new cuisine called Chifa.
In the Cantonese language, “chi” means to eat, and “fan” means rice.
Barrio Chino in Lima
Chinatown in Lima or Barrio Chino is one of the Western Hemisphere’s earliest Chinatowns.
This is where early Chinese immigrants lived and where many Chifa dishes were created.
Today, the area is still one of the best neighborhoods in Lima where you can find exceptional cuisine at the many Chifa restaurants in the area.
Although the neighborhood only encompasses two blocks, you’ll find plenty of Peruvian Chinese food at all hours of the day.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Explore Peruvian cuisine with a local guide on a private street food tour. This 10 tasting of Lima with locals food tour, takes you around the city including Barrio Chino for a taste of classic Chifa cuisine. Learn about the history of Peruvian Chinese dishes and all the diverse ingredients and communities that have made Peruvian cuisine one of the best in the world.
5 Must-Try Chifa Dishes
1. Arroz Chaufa – Peruvian Chaufa Rice
Arroz Chaufa, also known simply as “chaufa,” is the most emblematic Chinese Peruvian food.
The word “chaufa” comes from the Cantonese language, and it means “fried rice.”
Arroz Chaufa is prepared with a mix of fried rice, vegetables, Chinese onions, garlic, ginger, eggs, and chicken.
Together, these ingredients are cooked in a wok with soy sauce.
Chaufa can also be prepared with other meats besides chicken, such as pork or steak.
One fun fact about this dish is that it has brought about the term “chaufero,” a cook who specializes in the art of making chaufa.
Don’t order this dish and expect to get a complex, fancy meal. Arroz chaufa is intentionally simple.
Arroz Chaufa is a great meal when you want something quick and easy, yet filling and satisfying.
RELATED: Peruvian Criollo Food Guide: Top 7 Dishes to Devour
2. Chaufa de Mariscos – Seafood Chaufa Rice Dish
Chaufa de Mariscos is another one of the most popular Chifa dishes. It is a variation of the traditional chaufa dish, but this time cooked with seafood.
This Chinese Peruvian fusion food is very much a part of the Peruvian food culture, and you’ll find it at many types of restaurants, not just Chinese restaurants.
Chaufa de Mariscos is typically prepared with ají amarillo or Peruvian yellow chili pepper which is a staple of Peruvian traditional dishes.
Added to the fried rice are shrimp, squid, and scallops, though some Peruvian restaurants may also include octopus and mussels.
This dish is typically cooked in a wok with Chinese ingredients like soy sauce, Chinese chives, ginger, bean sprouts and others.
While cooking, the dish takes on a beautiful yellow color from traditional Peruvian ají Amarillo sauce.
The unique blend of Chinese Peruvian flavors made this one of our favorite Chifa dishes.
We recommend skipping the standard Arroz Chaufa and choosing Chaufa de Marisco when you see it on any Chifa menu.
RELATED: Best Ceviche in Lima Peru: 7 Must-Try Cevicherias Selected by Locals
3. Tallarin con Pollo (Stir-Fried Noodles with Chicken)
Tallarin along with Chaufa is one of the most popular Chifa dishes that is on every Chifa menu.
Tallarin by itself is yellow noodles made with eggs.
Tallarin con pollo is a dish that pairs these noodles with chicken or pollo. As with chaufa, tallarin is stir-fried in a wok with vegetables like Chinese onions, chicken, soy sauce, and ginger.
There are several variations of Tallarin using different vegetables and meats to create multiple flavors.
While in Lima, we tried Tallarin con Pollo in combination with Chaufa. We enjoyed the stir-fried noodles and the texture of the dish.
We found Tallarin with chicken to have more complex flavors and was more tasty than a simple Chaufa, fried rice dish.
This is one Peruvian and Chinese dish you’ll quickly come to love for a quick and tasty meal.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: If you are in Lima for the first time, we recommend taking a city walking tour to learn about Peru’s capital. This 3.5-hour Lima city walking tour in small groups introduces you to the city’s history and historic landmarks and monuments. A better understanding of Peru’s culture will help you better appreciate the local food scene.
4. Sopa de Wonton – Wonton Soup
Any Chifa restaurant in Lima will almost always have Sopa de Wonton or Wonton Soup.
Sopa de wonton is the most common soup served at any Chifa restaurant.
Typically served as a starter, this soup is an exquisite chicken broth with steamed wontons, Chinese cabbage, and tender chicken pieces.
The wontons are Chinese dumplings made from flour and eggs and filled with meat.
On a Chifa menu, you’ll also find an upgraded Special Wonton Soup. This version includes Chinese onion, cabbage, Chinese noodles, roast duck or pork, and quail eggs.
While simple, this Chifa food is quite flavorful. It’s a delightful way to stimulate your taste buds before moving on to a typical Chifa dish.
Note that you may also see the name of this dish spelled “sopa wantán.”
RELATED: Cusco Food Guide: 10 Foods To Have And Where To Eat Them
5. Lomo Saltado – Peruvian-Style Beef Stir Fry
While many people consider Lomo Saltado a traditional Peruvian dish, it is a Chinese Peruvian fusion food.
This dish combines Peruvian and Chinese ingredients and is traditionally cooked in woks.
Thin-cut strips of beef are stir-fried with potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and Peru’s favorite seasoning, aji Amarillo.
Additional flavorings include soy sauce, garlic, and cilantro.
Lomo Saltado is served Chinese-style with white rice and Peruvian potatoes cooked into french fries.
Lomo Saltado is a Criollo dish, meaning a fusion of two cultures. It is one of Peru’s most famous dishes and a staple of Peruvian cuisine.
While in Peru, we savored Lomo Saltado across the country at Peruvian Chinese restaurants.
This was one of our favorite dishes. And, after digging into exquisite Chinese Peruvian flavors, it’s easy to see why this dish has transcended its Chinese origins to become a staple Peruvian food.
RELATED: Nikkei Cuisine: 5 Amazing Japanese Peruvian Foods That Will Make You Salivate
In Summary
The immigrant culture is very strong in Peru, and the Chinese influence has yielded surprising yet excellent fusion food known as Chifa dishes.
Peru remains the country with the most Chinese restaurants in South America.
What’s interesting is that, unlike the U.S. where Chinese food is considered “ethnic,” Chifa is so deeply integrated with traditional Peruvian culture that the food has become, in itself, authentic Peruvian.
While in Peru, add Chifa restaurants and dishes to your culinary itinerary. Allow your taste buds to be excited by the diversity of remarkable Peruvian Chinese dishes.
Have you had any Chifa Peru dishes? Please let us know in the comments below, which ones you’ve had or are most tempted by from this Peruvian Chifa food guide.
Savor The Adventure!
More Peruvian Local Food Experiences
Our book, Authentic Food Quest Peru takes you on a journey through the regional food specialties in Peru. Get an introduction to Peruvian food and the history of how this unique gastronomy came to be.
Discover the authentic foods in Lima and Cusco as well as the top Peruvian foods and drinks that should not be missed. Take this guide with you as you explore Peru’s magnificent cuisine.
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Claire is co-founder of Authentic Food Quest and a lover of simple and exquisite cuisine. Since 2015, with her partner, Rosemary, she has been traveling the world as a digital nomad, creating content about local food experiences.
Her advice from visiting 45 countries and more than 240 food cities has been featured in Lonely Planet, Business Insider, Honest Cooking, Food Insider, and Huffington Post. She has also co-authored three books, including one in collaboration with Costa Brava Tourism.
An ex-mechanical engineer, Claire is responsible for SEO, keeping the website running, and the fun food & travel videos on YouTube.
When Claire is not eating, she can be found running or cycling. Find out more about Authentic Food Quest
As a Peruvian, I’m familiar with chifa. In fact, I’m dining at one right now.
Just one thing: nobody in Perú says wonton, but wantan (sth like “wahnTAHN” when pronounced).
Lucky you to be dining at a chifa restaurant. We miss this delicious cuisine. You are totally right…it is wantan!! Where is your favorite Chifa restaurant? Thanks for stopping by!
Great article! Peruvian gastronomy is so unique because it is a mixed of different traditions, like the Spanish and the Chinese. Chifa is one of the most flavorful and delicious food in Peru! You have to try the Arroz Chaufa and Sopa Wantan!
Thank you for your comments and we wholeheartedly agree, Peruvian cuisine is amazing!! We did enjoy Arroz Chaufa and Sopa Wantan…amazing food all around. Thanks for stopping by.
All of these meals look so delicious, particularly the lomo saltado. I wouldn’t have known that it’s a dish that is a fusion of Chinese and Peruvian food. Hopefully I get a chance to try these dishes at some point in the future.
Thanks Taylor for your comments. We were also surprised and delighted to discover Chinese-Peruvian cuisine. It’s great that this dish is now a national dish in the country. Visit your local Peruvian restaurant and chances are they’ll have it on the menu. Thanks for stopping by!
That’s really interesting! I had no idea about such a strong Chinese influence in Peru! I love Chinese cuisine and would be very curious to try the food made in a Peruvian way!
The Chinese food with the Peruvian influence is really different and delicious. If you have a Peruvian restaurant in your area…check it out:) Thanks so much!
so interesting to know how the Chinese arrived there. I must say the Sopa de Wonton looks quite intriguing 🙂
Thanks Tandy! Yes the Sopa de Wonton is really a nice soup to start the meal, really simple but flavorful.
So cool. I didn’t realize there was so much Chinese food in Peru! I visited, but didn’t make it to Lima. Of course I’m a huge mexican/latin food fan, so I probably wouldn’t have even noticed, but so interesting to learn this!
Thanks Karilyn! Maybe you had Lomo Saltado which is a very popular Peruvian meal coming from Chinese roots.
Its fascinating how almost every country has their own Chinatown. Wontons are one of my favourite comfort foods, glad to see its readily available!
Hi Mar, agree and in Peru it is even more fascinating how they combined Chinese and Peru food to make it truly Peruvian.
Interesting… Sopa de wonton… Haha so amusing how they mix Peruvian and Chinese language as well.
It is truly a melding of cultures in Peru – It’s not so much Chinese in Peru…but rather Peruvian – in language and food!
I would never have thought to try Chinese cuisine whilst in Peru. Some of the dishes you’ve shared look pretty delicious. I’m hungry right about now!
Thanks Bethaney for your comments. You can’t miss the “chifa” restaurants and dishes in Peru. It’s worth trying them out and comparing with your typical Chinese dishes. Glad the post made you hungry:)
Oh man those rice dishes look delicious. Now you got me thinking about dinner time…Great post!
Thanks Chris! Glad you liked the article. Hopefully you got inspired for your dinner 🙂
I had no idea there was such a large Chinese presence in Peru! I love how the cuisines meld to form a fusion of local and imported flavours. Looks tasty!
Hi Tamar, thanks for your comment! It not only look tasty, it is also delicious.
I was in Lima for 1 day, I did not notice all the Chinese restaurants and totally missed the Chifa phenomenon. That is so cool great read.
Hi Evelyne! Glad you liked the article. One day in Lima is a bit short to try all the cuisine from Peru. Although the Chifa are great to do, I would do Ceviche before Chifa dishes.
Fascinating post! Chaufa de Marisco sounds delicious and a lot like paella which I love.
Thanks Michele, glad you enjoyed reading the post. Would not say Chaufa de Marisco is close to Paella…it’s more like fried rice with delicious seafood…in a Chinese way!! Different spices and flavors from paella. Nevertheless, just as delicious 🙂
I actually find the “fusion” of cultures all over the world to be fascinating, although I don’t know if I ever would have guess Chinese and Peru as one! So, I guess it would make it that much more interesting! Really cool to see the combo of food though and how the two cultures really did combine, at least culinary speaking
Completely agree with you….until we got to Peru we would never have put Chinese and Peru together. Once we read up on the history of the culture of the food…it all made sense 🙂 The outcome in the different adaptations of the food is incredible!!
I love Chinese food! I think I could live on different variations of chifa. I never heard of Lomo Saltado but it looks delicious.
If you love Chinese food, you will not be disappointed with the variations of Chifa and Chaufa 🙂 True the Lomo Saltado is simple, yet delicious. Hope you can make it to Peru and experience all this goodness first-hand 🙂
Since centuries immigrants from one part of world have gone too other part of world and in thsi made the whole world look better.
Wow. CHIFA, is an eyeopener for me. Never knew of such thing. Thanks for introducing this.
Look forward to the day you would uncover India in your foodquest.
We could not agree with you more. The influence of immigrants around the world and in particular the cuisine is remarkable. We’ll keep you posted about discovering India 🙂 Thanks for your comments!
I am excited to learn more about the food in South America. This one is definitely a must try.
Thanks Karla…the food in South America is so fascinating. It’s amazing how much the local specialities differ by region and country. We have written lots about the food in the region and we invite you to stay engaged! Cheers 🙂
The Chinese influence in Lima is so interesting.
Glad you enjoyed reading about the Chinese influence in Lima and Peru in general 🙂
I think Chinese and Turkish food is taking over the world it is everywhere seemingly. And i love it love both if their cuisines . Some the dishes you listed look great i love rice based dishes
Interesting to hear about the Chinese immigrant influence in Peru, I didn’t know about that.
The Sopa de Wonton sounds delicious! I’m a big fan of miso soup so I think I will like it!
It’s a simple and delicious soup. I’m sure you would enjoy it 🙂
The Sopa de Wonton sounds really interesting, is this the peruvian version of Japans miso? I could defs go a plate of the Lomo Saltado, looks delicious
Yes,the Sopa de Wonton is the Peruvian Japanese miso. Simple and delicious and indeed the Lomo Saltado is yummy!! Thanks Anna for your comments:)
It’s always so interesting to see how people in other cultures have their own spin on Chinese food. And there seems to always be Chinese food EVERYWHERE. Great read! Love the insights.
Thanks so much Tammi. We were quite surprised to learn how old and big the Chinese community is in Peru! True, always Chinese food everywhere:)
Well I didn’t know this about the Chinese in Peru, or about the chifa. Great info.
Thanks Paula for your comments. Indeed the Chinese influence in Peru is quite embedded into the culture. This is reflected in the delicious dishes:)