Chifa is a popular cuisine in Peru that mixes Peruvian and Chinese foods, with dishes infused with ingredients or flavorings found in Peruvian cuisine. The cuisine arose from an influx of Chinese immigrants to Peru in the 1800s and 1900s. Chifa is now served in many American cities, and Lima has around 6,000 chifa restaurants.
Chifa is a term used to describe a certain type of cuisine served in Peru which is a mix of Peruvian and Chinese foods. The exact origin of the word is unknown, but it may come from a Mandarin term meaning “to eat rice.” This type of cuisine is extremely popular in Lima, the capital of Peru. Many dishes begin with a traditional Chinese food base and are infused with ingredients or flavorings found in Peruvian cuisine.
The chifa genre of food arose as a result of an influx of Chinese immigrants to Peru in the 1800s and 1900s. Some readily available produce and ingredients in Peru were replaced with traditional Chinese ingredients in many dishes, resulting in a completely new. Since the first Chifa restaurant opened in Lima in the 1920s, food has become one of the most widely served cuisines in Peru, and Peruvians openly embrace it as part of their culture. In Peru, “chifa” is also used as a noun to refer to a restaurant that serves chifa food.
Many different dishes are part of chifa cuisine and the mix of Peruvian and Chinese foods is very evident. For example, potatoes – which are not usually found in traditional Chinese food – are often infused with fried rice and sauces used mostly in Chinese cooking. Pineapple chicken, wontons, garlic pork, alpaca curry, fried noodles and various soups are popular dishes of chifa. Sweet and sour dishes are also common.
The popularity of chifas has extended beyond Peru. There are chifas in many American cities, where meals are often served in small portions that are meant to be shared. Lima is still by far where chifas are most common with some 6,000 restaurants calling the city home. Gaining popularity in Peru is Japanese/Peruvian cuisine, mixing Peruvian flavors with traditional Japanese dishes such as sushi. Due to the popularity of chifa, it’s hard to find real Chinese food in Peru that only includes ingredients that are native to China.
Chifa is one of the many types of cuisine valued by Peruvian culture. The dishes found in Peru often reflect influences from other cultures and countries, such as Spain, France and Italy. Beans, potatoes, rice and corn are often the basis of Peruvian dishes. Other crops native to Peru that are commonly used in cooking include peanuts, tomatoes, and various fruits. Different regions of Peru specialize in different types of cuisines and traditional dishes.
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