Do you know chifa cuisine? Learn a little more about this art!

Chifa cuisine is an intriguing gastronomic style that was born from the marriage between Chinese and Peruvian cuisine.

Its origins date back to the 1930s, when a wave of Chinese immigrants settled in Peru, bringing with them a wealth of culinary techniques and ingredients that were skillfully incorporated into local cuisine.

In chifas dishes, you can find a harmonious mix of flavors and ingredients, including ginger, garlic, soy, sesame, pepper and a multitude of spices.

This unique fusion between Chinese and Peruvian culinary traditions has given rise to exclusive and distinct dishes that captivate the palates of everyone who tries them.

According to the Casa e Jardim portal, typical ingredients that permeate Chifas recipes include soy sauce, ajinomoto, oyster sauce, sesame oil, aji amarillo pepper, rocoto pepper, a variety of vegetables, cinnamon and the fragrance of star anise.

This diverse palette of ingredients plays a key role in creating the cuisine's signature flavors and aromas, which serves as an extraordinary example of how cultural integration can be celebrated through cuisine.

Chifa cuisine recipes

1. Lomo Saltado: A classic dish that combines pieces of beef sautéed with onions, tomatoes and peppers, served with fries and rice.
2. Chaufa Rice: A fried rice dish, usually prepared with meat (chicken, pork or shrimp), eggs and vegetables.
3. Tallarín Saltado: Similar to Lomo Saltado, but with pasta (tallarín) instead of rice.
4. Sopa Wantán: A tasty soup of meat-filled dumplings, usually served in a clear broth.
5. Mapo Tofu: A spicy and aromatic tofu dish cooked with ground beef, black soybeans and soy sauce.
6. Peking Duck: Inspired by Chinese cuisine, this dish features roast duck, typically served with thin pancakes and hoisin sauce.
7. Spring Rolls: Thin dough rolls filled with a mixture of meat and vegetables, usually fried until crispy.
8. Kung Pao Shrimp: Shrimp cooked with peanuts, peppers and chives, in a spicy and sweet and sour sauce.
9. Chess Chicken: A Chinese version of the popular chicken dish with vegetables in a tasty sauce.
10. Banana Cake with Sesame Caramel: A delicious dessert that combines caramelized bananas with a sesame sauce.

These are just some of the many delicacies of Chifa cuisine, which offers a rich variety of flavors and textures, the result of the unique fusion between Chinese and Peruvian culinary traditions.

One of the most popular recipes in chifa cuisine is “Lomo Saltado”. This delicious dish combines Chinese and Peruvian influences, resulting in an incredibly tasty blend of flavors. Here is the recipe:

Lomo Saltado

Ingredients:

• 500g of beef (usually sirloin or striploin), cut into strips
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 1 large red onion, cut into thin strips
• 2 ripe tomatoes, cut into strips
• 1 yellow pepper, cut into strips
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce (shoyu)
• 2 tablespoons of vinegar
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional, for a spicy touch)
• Homemade French fries (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cilantro or chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Start by heating the oil in a large frying pan or wok over high heat.
2. Add the cut meat and stir until it is golden on the outside but still pink on the inside. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Remove the meat from the pan and set aside.
3. In the same frying pan, add more oil, if necessary, and add the onion, garlic, peppers and tomatoes. Saute for a few minutes until the vegetables are slightly caramelized and still crunchy.
4. Return the meat to the frying pan and mix well with the vegetables.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, vinegar, and chili sauce (if using).
6. Pour the sauce mixture over the meat and vegetables in the skillet. Stir well so that everything is well coated.
7. Cook for a further 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until all ingredients are heated through.
8. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. Serve Lomo Saltado hot, traditionally accompanied by white rice and sometimes French fries. Sprinkle chopped cilantro or fresh parsley on top for a touch of freshness.

This dish is an explosion of flavors and textures, with juicy meat, crunchy vegetables and delicious seasonings. It is a true delicacy of Peruvian chifa cuisine!