1. Ceviche. Top of any list of must-try foods in Peru is Ceviche, which originated here in Peru and is the national dish of the country. It's a cold-cooked fish dish that is marinated in lime juice and usually served alongside red onions, boiled corn and sweet potato.

Some of the common main courses served for dinner in Peru include a tasty soup, lomo saltado, ají de gallina, pollo a la brasa, tacu tacu and arroz con pollo.

The four traditional staples of Peruvian cuisine are corn, potatoes and other tubers, Amaranthaceae (quinoa, kañiwa and kiwicha), and legumes (beans and lupins). Staples brought by the Spanish include rice, wheat and meats (beef, pork and chicken).

The INEI figures for Lima emphasize the range in prices for classic dishes in Lima: a lomo saltado can cost between S/. 8.00 and S/. 39.00, while ceviche ranges from S/. 10.00 to S/.