Pachamanca
Meat and potatoes cooked underground on hot stones
Think of it as: Like a Hawaiian luau pit, Andean style
Dinner is buried. Dig it up.
What does it taste like?
Herb-marinated meat and fluffy potatoes, steamed until very tender.
SweetSpicySourSaltyFunkSmellTextureFluffy and tender
What is it?
Meats, potatoes, corn and fava beans are buried with hot stones and steamed underground. The name means "earth pot," and the Andean tradition goes back to Inca times.Source: Wikipedia
How locals eat it
A celebration for families or whole villages. Digging it up is the best part.
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🍢 Anticuchos
✈ 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🍢 Anticuchos
🇵🇪 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
- Pork, chicken and lamb, 1.5 kg total
- Potatoes 1 kg
- Sweet potatoes 500 g
- Corn 3 ears
- Fava beans 300 g
- Huacatay (Peruvian black mint) 1 bunch
- Stones, lots
Can't find it? No huacatay? Mint plus basil gets close.
How to make it (one way)
- Marinate the meat overnight in huacatay, garlic and chili
- Dig a pit and heat stones until red-hot
- Layer potatoes, meat, corn and beans on the stones
- Cover with leaves, cloth and earth, and steam about an hour
- Dig it up and share
⚠️ The stones get extremely hot. Make it with experienced people.