The food in Arequipa has reached international fame. It has
the greatest variety in relation to the rest of the departments
of Perú. It is distinguished by its good flavor, seasoning
and the use of chili, which is why restaurants are called picanterías.
Its food is so diverse that there is a different soup each day,
presented as a broth or chupe (a thick soup).
The following dishes, based on either shrimp, pork, guinea-pig,
cheese and hot pepper, are among the most well-known: chupe
de camarones, ocopa arequipeña, rocoto relleno, adobo
de chancho, soltero de queso, pastel de papa, costillar frito,
cuy y conejo chactado, cauchi and chaque. As dessert, the iced
cottage cheese is recommended, and to drink the chicha de jora,
the local beer or anise of the region.
