1.- WHAT IS CHICHA POR GASTÓN ACURIO?
Many people are unaware that Chicha Restaurante Cusco is more than just a place to eat delicious Andean food. It’s considered an artistic expression, specially designed by renowned chef Gastón Acurio, who has elevated Peruvian cuisine to the highest levels of international acclaim. Chicha Restaurante Cusco was designed to fully express the rich culinary heritage that has been preserved for generations, one of the reasons travelers choose Cusco as their vacation destination. This is also due to the wide variety of options available, as the ingredients are virtually limitless, having been part of traditional recipes throughout gastronomic history. For this reason, each dish is more than just a concentrated burst of flavor; it can be considered a combination of history and customs, represented in a single taste that will delight your palate. Chicha Restaurante Cusco is one of the most accessible places, located in the heart of the city’s historic district. It’s quite easy for travelers to find, as it’s near the main square, making it a place where tradition and innovation blend seamlessly.
1.1.- The Concept Behind Cusco Chicha Restaurante
The most important thing to know before considering Cusco Chicha Restaurante as your favorite place to eat during your trip is to understand its purpose. The origin of Restaurante Chicha Cusco is based on its name. Chicha has a direct connection to the cultural environment, as it refers to the historical beverage made from corn and fermented. This beverage has been consumed for over 2,000 years in this region, even long before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors. It was not only consumed during popular celebrations but also in various religious ceremonies and family gatherings, symbolizing the fraternity and hospitality that existed among the Andean people.
This is why Gastón Acurio chose such an emblematic name for his restaurant, as he seeks to expand upon the very essence of his cultural knowledge, represented in each dish. For this reason, Restaurante Chicha Cusco aims to create a space where locals and travelers from around the world can enjoy good food, and where each dish is considered a connection between the past and present of culture. This is achieved by using diverse ancestral elements and ingredients that enhance the flavor, such as quinoa, corn, native potatoes, tarwi, and other superfoods that provide both flavor and nutrients.
1.2.- Why did they choose Cusco?
Cusco is an important and essential city for all travelers worldwide, which is why Gastón Acurio chose it as the location for one of his leading restaurants. This restaurant is not only connected to the city’s culinary heritage but also to the vast Andean cosmogony. Furthermore, the region encompasses the expansive Peruvian Andes Mountains, providing fertile land for producing diverse and unique ingredients. For example, there are thousands of varieties of native potatoes, a type of Andean corn known for its large size, and superfoods that are essential for nutrition and daily life. In addition, thousands of aromatic herbs contribute an unmistakable flavor reminiscent of ancient Inca crops. All of this has been combined at Best Restaurants in Cusco Chicha to create a unique culinary experience that deserves to be preserved and shared with palates around the world.
2.- WHERE IS CHICHA LOCATED IN CUSCO?
One of the main advantages of Chicha Restaurante Cusco is its location within the city’s historic center. It’s a short walk from the main square, making it easily accessible to tourist attractions like hotels and other lodging. This makes it an ideal spot to experience the delicious cuisine of the Andean region for the first time before continuing your exploration by visiting historical sites and attractions. Located in a bustling area of Plaza Regocijo, inside a colonial-era building on the second floor, the restaurant’s entrance is accessed through an interior courtyard via a hotel, creating a more discreet and exclusive atmosphere. The most remarkable feature is the historic colonial design of this courtyard, where original elements create a perfect ambiance, providing a warm and sophisticated welcome to this unique setting.
| “Eat more, worry less.” |
3.- THE MENU AT CHICHA — A DEEP DIVE INTO ANDEAN HAUTE CUISINE
3.1.- How the Menu Is Organized
In more ways than one, the menu at Chicha Restaurante Cusco offers a diverse culinary experience rooted in the traditions of the Peruvian Andes. Under the guidance and direction of Gastón Acurio, each recipe prepared in this exclusive restaurant has become a unique showcase of how local ingredients can be enhanced by combining them to create unique dishes. Traditional techniques are maintained while presenting a contemporary twist.
The menu is designed to enhance the culinary experience, offering various categories to choose from, including water, land, Cusco, and international flavors. This approach allows diners to broaden their understanding of flavors and enjoy tastes from diverse regions while remaining true to their roots. For this reason, the dishes are directly inspired by the culinary traditions of each region, incorporating international influences reinterpreted with Andean ingredients.
3.2.- List of appetizers you can’t miss
- Alpaca carpaccio with borage flowers and Andean pesto
Considered one of the most striking and representative dishes of this restaurant, it’s based on the preparation of thin slices of alpaca meat, which are incredibly tender and have a delicate flavor. This is combined with pesto, which contains herbs that add a fresh and aromatic touch.
- Tequeños with pork adobo and rocoto sauce
A reinterpretation of the traditional dish from the Arequipa region, this is a more contemporary version. While using the small tequeños as a base, it preserves the essence of the flavor with a filling of pork that has been slow–cooked using the traditional adobo method. The dish is accompanied by a balanced spicy sauce made exclusively with rocoto peppers. It’s an ideal appetizer to whet your appetite before the main course.
- Trout Ceviche in Tarwi and Tumbo Sauce
Ceviche is generally made with marine fish; however, this reinterpretation of an Andean dish uses fresh river trout for its delicate texture. It’s served with a sauce made from legumes that have been part of the traditional Andean diet for generations: tarwi, combined with the intense flavor of tumbo, an Andean fruit with acidic notes.
- Alpaca Anticuchos
Inspired by traditional street food and a staple of Peruvian cuisine, anticuchos are skewers of alpaca meat. First, the meat is marinated in chili peppers, spices, and local herbs, then it’s placed directly on the grill to cook slowly. This process results in meat that is juicy and tender, yet with a distinctive smoky flavor.
3.3.- Main Dishes
- Peking Guinea Pig
This dish can be considered the most emblematic and traditional of all the dishes at Chicha Restaurante Cusco, as it manages to surprise even the most demanding diners. Traditionally, its preparation is based on the Peking duck cooking technique, resulting in a classic dish where the guinea pig is the star. It’s served with incredibly crispy skin and a distinctive purple corn crepe, along with a hoisin sauce made with rocoto pepper and pickled turnip.
- Pork Cracklings
A variation of the traditional dish that is a classic in Peruvian cuisine, this dish involves cooking the pork for an extended period until the exterior becomes crispy while the interior remains juicy. It’s served with golden potatoes and an intense huacatay sauce, which provides an unmistakable freshness while preserving the intense Andean flavor in every bite.
- Pork Adobo
This traditional dish is a unique reinterpretation worth savoring with every bite. One of the most traditional and emblematic dishes of Cusco cuisine, when you choose it at Chicha Restaurante Cusco, you’ll experience how its essence remains intact. Its preparation involves slow cooking in a mixture of chicha de jora (a corn beverage), chili peppers, and spices, resulting in a tender pork texture and a flavorful broth.
- Lamb Pita with Muña Sauce
A dish with diverse flavors that successfully combines the traditional Andean ingredients, creating a sensory experience. The lamb is served with pita bread and a sauce made with Andean ingredients like muña (Andean mint) and cucumber. The uchucuta (a spicy sauce) adds a more intense flavor thanks to its ingredients such as chili peppers and traditional herbs.
- Mushroom and Fava Bean Kapchi
A traditional Andean recipe that combines various elements to create an intense yet fresh flavor. Fresh mushrooms, fava beans, cheese, and aromatic herbs result in a creamy stew with a concentrated flavor, demonstrating the versatility of Andean cuisine and its potential for vegetarian options.
- Alpaca Fillet with Wild Andean Pesto
One of the most popular dishes among travelers who appreciate the unique flavor of the meat cuts, alpaca meat is used for this reason. It’s lean yet retains a delicate taste and is carefully cooked to maintain its juiciness. The pesto is made from wild herbs and native potatoes, characterized by their vibrant colors, resulting in a dish that perfectly showcases the diversity of the region’s agricultural production.
3.4.- Desserts Worth Trying
- Chocolate Balloon
This is one of the unique options to cap off your culinary experience at Cusco Chicha Restaurante. A sphere made entirely of chocolate is filled with caramel mousse, beer ice cream, and a delightful quinoa foam. When the balloon is popped, you can enjoy a variety of components that create a delicious and visually stunning experience.
- Chocolate Soufflé with Mint Ice Cream
There’s nothing better than combining the intense flavor of high-quality chocolate with the refreshing sensation of ice cream. This ice cream, made with Andean mint, creates a fresh and intense flavor that bursts on the palate, resulting in a delightful yet perfectly balanced treat.
- Ginger Ice Cream with Vanilla Sauce
A lighter and more varied option, ideal for travelers with sensitive stomachs. In this version, the ginger provides a subtle contrast to the ice cream’s texture, perfectly complemented by a unique vanilla sauce that delivers a refreshing and intense flavor with every bite.
4.- RESPECT FOR TRADITION
“You must understand that at Chicha Restaurante Cusco, we don’t seek to reinvent traditional food; in fact, it’s quite the opposite. The purpose of all the Best Restaurants in Cusco Chicha restaurants has always been to express, in the best way possible, respect for tradition, always striving to highlight local products and their flavor. For this reason, the preparation of our dishes begins with the selection of the finest ingredients from farmers in the surrounding areas, as well as from livestock breeders and artisans, who are the only ones who can transmit the tradition intact, even through the generations.”
5.- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CHICHA RESTAURANTE CUSCO
- Does Chicha por Gastón Acurio require a reservation?
Cusco Chicha Restaurant is one of the most popular restaurants in the city, which is why it’s almost always fully booked, especially during peak season between May and October. It’s recommended to make a reservation at least three weeks in advance to ensure your table is ready for your visit. You can do this through your travel advisor or directly on their website.
- What is the dress code at Chicha in Cusco?
The restaurant maintains an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere, understanding that visitors may be planning their visit after a day of activities or excursions. Therefore, they offer a dress code that’s smart casual. You don’t need to wear formal attire, but you should avoid wearing sportswear or anything too informal.
- How much does it cost to eat at Chicha Cusco?
There are various price options at Cusco Chicha Restaurant, as it’s considered a mid-to-high-end restaurant. A full menu with a variety of choices will cost you around S/150 soles per person.
- Is Chicha restaurant in Cusco good for vegetarians?
Yes, like other restaurants in Cusco, it’s generally known for its variety of Andean meats and traditional dishes. However, it also offers vegetarian versions of many dishes, highlighting the use of superfoods like quinoa, broad beans, mushrooms, and more.
- What are the must-order dishes at Chicha Cusco?
The most important thing to consider during your blind tasting experience is not to miss the opportunity to try the Cuy a la Pekinesa (Peking-style guinea pig), alpaca carpaccio, trout ceviche with tarwi and tumbo (a type of passion fruit), alpaca anticucho (skewered meat), alpaca fillet with Andean pesto, and the chocolate balloon to complete the experience.
- Where exactly is Chicha restaurant located in Cusco?
It’s located in Plaza Regocijo, within the historic center, at number 261 on the second floor. Its entrance is directly connected to a historic colonial courtyard belonging to a hotel, with which it shares access. There are also side stairs that provide easy access to the second floor.
- What time does Chicha Cusco open and close?
The best part of the culinary experience you can enjoy here is that it’s available every day of the week, including holidays. However, there is a time restriction: it only serves food from 12:00 pm to 10:30 pm, so plan your visit within these hours.
- Is Chicha the same as Astrid y Gastón — what’s the difference?
Although both restaurants belong directly to Gastón Acurio, they are not the same concept. Chicha is a restaurant that specializes in regional Andean cuisine, highlighting ancestral ingredients and recipes that have been perfected over generations, adding a contemporary touch to the preparation and bringing out the flavors in a special way.
- Do they serve guinea pig (cuy) at Chicha Cusco?
In fact, it’s considered one of the most emblematic dishes you can find in your culinary experience: cuy a la pekinesa (Peking-style guinea pig). This is considered a contemporary reinterpretation of the ancestral preparation of guinea pig. In this version, the meat is served crispier and accompanied by purple corn crepes and a hoisin sauce containing rocoto pepper and pickled turnip.
Although the world’s palates are discerning, this restaurant can easily meet and exceed expectations by preserving the essence of Andean cuisine. Auri Peru understands how important a complete and flavorful experience is to you, so you can easily add it to your travel plans. Contact us and discover a world full of new flavors and experiences.
“Every dish has a story.”
