Lomo Saltado is a must-try Peruvian dish! Juicy beef, onions, and tomatoes are stir-fried with soy sauce, creating a delicious mix of flavors. Served with crispy fries and rice, it’s the perfect comfort food. Want to know why everyone loves it? Read our article and discover the story behind this mouthwatering dish!
Lomo saltado in Peru: history, recipe and evolution of an iconic dish
In the long list of traditional Peruvian dishes, we find the well-known lomo saltado. In its origins, culinary fusion stands out, which adds to the creativity of Peruvian chefs to achieve delicious combinations of flavors.
History
It is widely recorded that at the end of the 19th century, the union between Lima chefs and Cantonese Chinese who came to Peru in search of a better future took place. This is how new ways of cooking food were adopted. One of them is wok flambé, which is a procedure traditionally used for sautéing in China.
Evolution of the dish
With the arrival of the Cantonese Chinese, the innovations in Peruvian cuisine were very varied. One of the most attractive characteristics is the frying pan cooking technique. From then on, vegetables native to the country were added to lomo saltado, and they were sautéed at the same time as the beef.
A traditional recipe for lomo saltado
Ingredients
- Beef
- Red or white onion
- Green pepper
- Yellow chili
- Green part of the spring onion
- Tomato
- Soy sauce
- Apple vinegar
Preparation
- Cut the meat into thin strips.
- Brown them alone over high heat in a wok or frying pan to seal and leave juices inside, and remove from the heat to add later.
- Chop the vegetables into more or less large pieces, except the tomato, and sauté to taste.
- Add the meat with all its juice.
- Add the vinegar and soy sauce.
- Sauté to taste
- Sauté until the sauce thickens
- Turn it off when it starts to bubble
It can be accompanied with rice or French fries
Where to enjoy lomo saltado in Peru
Being one of the favorite specialties throughout Peru, there are perfect places to enjoy lomo saltado. Here are some:
Lima
- Central: Located on Avenida Pedro de Osma 301 in Lima, the founder and chef of the restaurant, Virgilio Martínez, and his wife, also a chef, aim to promote the country through the food they offer. There, you can choose between 12 and 14 dishes based on the different ecosystems and altitudes of the Peruvian territory.
- Panchita: Panchita, located on Calle 2 de Mayo in Miraflores, is a cult and tribute to traditional Lima cuisine. It is a charming space with a family atmosphere that is based on tradition, without neglecting to adapt to new times.
One of its great stars is the lomo saltado in the most homemade way and faithful to its origin, fused since the end of the 19th century, accompanied by potatoes and rice.
Cusco
Cusco is a city that, along with its surroundings, has many places of historical and cultural interest for you. It is one of the most developed cuisines with foreign contributions, but based on ingredients from the region and preparation methods from yesteryear, it could not be missing.
- Chicha: At Chicha, located in the Plaza Regocijo in Cusco, you can enjoy classic dishes from Cusco cuisine with the gourmet touch of the famous chef Gastón Acurio.
Of course, there is no lack of the traditional lomo saltado, accompanied by rice with buttered corn. - Pachapapa: Located in Carmen Bajo 120, Plaza de San Blas in Cusco, Pachapapa stands out for being based on the culinary tradition of the region. The recipes of the dishes it offers are those that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Machu Picchu Pueblo
In this mystical and amazing town of Peru, the presence of good food in the best style and with a long tradition of the country could not be missing.
- Inti House Restaurant: Located in the main square of the town of Machu Picchu, this striking-looking restaurant enjoys an outstanding reputation. Among its main dishes, the traditional lomo saltado stands out.
- Julián Restaurant: Located at Imperio de los Incas 618 in Aguas Calientes, is known for offering international food and the best of Peruvian cuisine.
Its menu is quite varied, with many starters, soups, and main dishes such as lomo saltado with crispy potatoes.