Anticuchos
Peru's grilled beef-heart skewers
Think of it as: Like smoky steak kebabs with a pleasant bounce
Looks like kebabs. It's beef heart.
What does it taste like?
Firm, meaty heart with smoky chili and cumin heat.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureFirm and springy
What is it?
Beef heart marinated in chili, vinegar and cumin, threaded on skewers and grilled over charcoal. It's a beloved Peruvian evening street food, served with boiled potato and corn.Source: Wikipedia
How locals eat it
Grilled at street carts from dusk, eaten off the skewer with potatoes and corn.
Watch it
More videos on YouTubeWhere is it from?
🇵🇪Peru
CapitalLima
Populationabout 34.9 millionUN estimate for 2026
IndustriesCopper and gold mining, Fishing (anchovies), Tourism (Machu Picchu)
Famous peoplePaddington BearBeloved picture-book character who, in the story, comes from Peru
HelloHola
CurrencySol
And JapanHome to many descendants of Japanese immigrants (Nikkei)
Fun factHome of the sky city Machu Picchu, and the place where potatoes come from
The flag🇵🇪 Legend says the red and white were chosen from the colors of flamingos seen by independence hero San Martín.
From Tokyoabout 15,490 kmstraight line, Tokyo to Lima
Getting thereabout 22 hours from Tokyo (with transfers)rough guide
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeFor Machu Picchu, the dry season from May to September is best. Also try🐟 CevicheLomo saltadoAjí de gallina More from here🐹 Cuy🐟 Ceviche🪨 Pachamanca
✈ Check cheap flights Best timeFor Machu Picchu, the dry season from May to September is best. Also try🐟 CevicheLomo saltadoAjí de gallina More from here🐹 Cuy🐟 Ceviche🪨 Pachamanca
🇵🇪 Sounds & life in Peru
HolaHello（Hola）
Latin alphabet
Latin alphabet
Right now…
Anthem"National Anthem of Peru" (Himno Nacional del Perú)
MusicFolklore (Andean music) Mountain music with the sound of the quena flute
SportSoccer (volleyball is popular too)
Paolo Guerrero (soccer; Peru's goal scorer) World HeritageHistoric Sanctuary of Machu Picchu and more National animalVicuña National flowerCantuta FestivalInti Raymi (June 24, festival of the sun)
MusicFolklore (Andean music) Mountain music with the sound of the quena flute
SportSoccer (volleyball is popular too)
Paolo Guerrero (soccer; Peru's goal scorer) World HeritageHistoric Sanctuary of Machu Picchu and more National animalVicuña National flowerCantuta FestivalInti Raymi (June 24, festival of the sun)
Ingredients
- Beef heart 500 g
- Ají panca paste 3 tbsp
- Vinegar 3 tbsp
- Garlic 3 cloves
- Cumin 1 tsp
- Salt, a pinch
- Potatoes and corn, to serve
Can't find it? Ají panca → smoked paprika plus a little chili paste.
How to make it (one way)
- Trim the heart of sinew and fat, and cut into chunks
- Mix chili paste, vinegar, garlic, cumin and salt
- Marinate the heart overnight in the fridge
- Thread 3–4 pieces onto each skewer
- Grill hot and fast over charcoal, basting with marinade
Get the ingredients (ad)
aji panca pasteAmazon