Peruvian dishes find roots in Chinese cuisine

[Judi Lynn]

Dan Collyns
Dan Collyns@yachay_dc

Published October 11, 2019 at 4:02 PM
Updated October 11, 2019 at 7:56 PM

Peruvian cuisine is garnering international fame around the world to the delight Peruvians who are its biggest fans.

But food fans might find some flavors reminiscent of cuisine that took the world by storm a long time ago – Chinese food.

From the Peruvian capital Lima, CGTN’s Dan Collyns takes a closer look.

. . .

A master class in Peruvian cuisine with an oriental twist. Chefs from across Latin America are sharpening their skills and their taste buds at Lima’s Cordon Bleu school. They are learning from one of the country’s best Chinese-Peruvian chefs Patricia Chong.

Her father was a chef in one of Peru’s first Chinese restaurants in the early 20th century.

A type of restaurant you can find in any town in Peru known as Chifa.

“Chifa is a word that was born here, it’s Peruvian word that you won’t hear anywhere else,” Chong explains its origins. “It comes from the phrase ‘Ze Fan’ or ‘Chi Fan’ which means sit down at the table, come and eat. Dinner is served.”

Chinese people have a long history in Peru. The first immigrants arrived more than 160 years ago as indentured workers.

More:
https://america.cgtn.com/2019/10/11/peruvian-dishes-find-roots-in-chinese-cuisine