Over the past two centuries, large numbers of Chinese immigrants have crossed the oceans to settle in Peru, blending their heritage with local traditions. Today, Chinese-Peruvian cuisine, known as "Chifa", is celebrated as a unique culinary fusion and a beloved part of Peru's cultural identity.
Studies have shown that an estimated 2.5 to 3.1 million people in Peru have Chinese ancestry, accounting for about 10 percent of the country's total population. Over time, Chinese immigrants and Peruvians have blended Chinese and Peruvian cultures, creating a uniquely Peruvian style of Chinese cuisine.
In the heart of Lima's historical district lies one of the Western Hemisphere's oldest Chinatowns. The streets are dotted with restaurants proudly displaying "Chifa" signs -- a term derived from the Chinese phrase for "having a meal" but now synonymous with Peruvian-Chinese cuisine.
Fried rice is a standout favorite in Chifa cuisine, complemented by popular dishes like rice with stir-fried toppings, chow mein, fish-flavored shredded pork, vinegar-sauteed shredded potatoes, stir-fried tenderloin, dumplings, and wontons. Many food enthusiasts regard Peruvian-Chinese cuisine as the pinnacle of Latin American Chinese food, thanks to its masterful blend of culinary traditions and flavors.
"(Local people like) teppanyaki-style stir-fried vegetables with lots of meat in them. Another popular dish is Peking Duck. And we have this (specialty dish) -- fried wontons. In China, wontons are not fried; they are served in soup. But in Peru, people love making fried wontons, paired with a sweet and sour sauce," said Luo Huantian, manager of a Chinese restaurant in Lima.
"We receive about 300 to 500 customers every day. We are grateful for the support of so many customers. Our food is incredibly delicious and diverse," said Joseph, another restaurant manager.
Many Peruvians say they have been accustomed to dining at Chinese restaurants for as long as they can remember, with Chinese cuisine becoming an integral part of their diet. According to local media estimates, there are approximately 50,000 Chinese restaurants in Peru. Today, Chinese cuisine not only enriches Peru's culinary culture but also serves as a bridge for cultural exchange between China and Peru.
"The dishes here are all excellent. My favorite is the noodles, and the pork here is also very delicious," said a diner at a Chinese restaurant.
"I really enjoy Chinese snacks, such as shrimp dumplings, shumai, and the wide variety of dim sum," said another local diner.
Fusion culinary traditions amplify cultural exchanges between China, Peru
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday met with Chilean President Gabriel Boric on the sidelines of the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima, Peru, to discuss relations between their two countries and other issues of common concern.
Noting that Chile was the first South American country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC), Xi said that for more than half a century, China and Chile have consistently supported each other's core interests and major concerns, remaining good friends who trust each other and good partners for win-win cooperation.
China is willing to take the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Chile next year as an opportunity to enhance strategic communication, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, share development opportunities, and promote greater development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Chile, in the greater interests of the peoples of both countries, Xi said.
Stressing that both sides should work to strengthen exchanges and communications between them at all levels and in all areas, adhere to mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit and connectivity, and keep enriching the content of cooperation, Xi said that the two countries should enhance cooperation in fields such as infrastructure, clean energy, information and communication so as to promote bilateral cooperation toward greater sustainability and onto broader fields through high-level free trade and more open industrial policies.
China welcomes the export of more high-quality Chilean products to China and supports more Chinese enterprises in making investment and starting up businesses in Chile, Xi said, adding that he hopes Chile will provide a transparent, open and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises.
China is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with Chile within the framework of multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and APEC, to practice true multilateralism, maintain stability and smooth operation of global supply chains, safeguard the common interests of the Global South, and jointly build an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community, Xi said.
For his part, Boric said that Chile and China enjoy friendly relations, and the trade and economic cooperation between the two countries is fruitful. In the current international context, continued development of Chile-China relations is of great significance.
Chile is firmly committed to the one-China principle and is ready to deepen exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields such as culture and education, said the Chilean president.
Boric also extended his congratulations to Xi on the opening on Thursday of the Chancay Port built with Chinese aid in Peru.
Noting that Chile welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and cooperate in areas such as capacity building and infrastructure, Boric said that Chile is willing to provide a favorable business environment for Chinese enterprises.
Chile looks forward to closely communicating with China within multilateral frameworks such as APEC, jointly opposing protectionism, and safeguarding global free trade and the security and smooth flow of supply chains, said Boric.
The Chilean side also supports China's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), said the Chilean president.
Xi meets Chilean president on relations
