{"id":5298,"date":"2020-07-17T01:03:10","date_gmt":"2020-07-17T06:03:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.inkayniperutours.com\/blog\/?p=5298"},"modified":"2026-05-11T16:17:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T21:17:55","slug":"chiriuchu-or-cold-food-famous-dish-of-the-region-of-cusco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.inkayniperutours.com\/blog\/chiriuchu-or-cold-food-famous-dish-of-the-region-of-cusco","title":{"rendered":"\u201cChiriuchu or Cold food\u201d, Famous dish of the region of Cusco"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every traveler that has visited <\/span>Cusco<\/b><\/a> can define it as magical not only for its history, culture, traditions, or customs, but also for its exquisite local cuisine.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you haven\u2019t yet arrived in <\/span>Cusco<\/b><\/a>, but have plans on coming soon, we recommend trying the famous and delicious dish called Chiriuchu. There are other dishes that are also highly recommended like chicharrones (fried pork), baked Guinea pig (Cuy), Capchi of Zetas, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, we invite you to know the secret of <\/span>\u201cChiriuchu, Famous dish of the region of Cusco\u201d.<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Chiriuchu,

Chiriuchu, Famous dish of the region of Cusco<\/i><\/b><\/p><\/div>\n

Etymology:<\/b><\/p>\n

Chiriuchu comes from two quechua words Chiri which means cold and Uchu which refers to food. Therefore we can translate those words as \u201cCold food\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Origin:<\/h2>\n

There are many versions of this traditional food that dates back to the Incas time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to some historians, <\/span>Chiriuchu <\/b>could be part of an Andean duality. The Incas used this arrangement to keep society organized, uptown people (Hanan) and downtown individuals (Hurin).<\/span><\/p>\n

In 1572, the chronicler, Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa, explained the duality ancient Peruvians applied to their meals, which was divided into \u201cmachos (male)\u201d food that came from the soil, and the others classified as \u201cchinas or hembras (female)\u201d, ingredients that are used for this dish such as corn, guinea pig, chicken, seaweed, fish roes, among others.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is believed that it has its origins from the Ayni (an Andean reciprocity work system among families) because, at the end of the day, each Ayllu (family community) shared the best production from their lands with other families creating a mixture of food from Coast, Highlands, and Jungle.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Cuy

Baked Guinea pig, typical dish of Tipon<\/i><\/b><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

When is Chiriuchu eaten?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Although Chiriuchu can be eaten at any time of the year, it is a tradition to eat it during Corpus Christi in June.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many people who attend the mass of the corpus in <\/span>Plaza de Armas of Cusco<\/b><\/a>, also try the delicious Chiriuchu around <\/span>Plaza of San Francisco<\/b><\/a>, where many stands are found during June.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cost:<\/b> The price of Chiriuchu depends on the place you decide to eat it. It normally varies from 25 PEN to 30 PEN.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

Chiriuchu Ingredients for 4 portions:<\/b><\/h2>\n