An Underrated Lima Souvenir Option
Hear me out on this one. Peru is home to some of the best food in the world. Of course, the birthplace of potatoes is capable of amazing culinary delights. But what can you take home with you?
Peruvian snacks make for a great souvenir because not only are they delicious, but they are very hard to source once you leave the country. When I leave Lima, my suitcase is filled to the brim with goodies for friends and family. Here’s what I buy and what grocery stores I recommend.
What I Buy as Souvenirs at Lima Grocery Stores
Healthy Options
Sweet potato syrup from the Wong Balta supermarket in Mirafores
In 2024, I bought a jar of Ecoandino Yacon Syrup, made from the native Andean yacon root, for my parents, who were looking for a sugar substitute for their morning coffee. The yacon root is low in sugar, high in fiber, and has a caramel taste. It was a hit.
When I returned to Lima earlier this year, I brought four jars back for my parents so they can survive until my next trip.
Other healthy snack ideas
Quinoa-based cereal bars and snacks
Powdered lucuma, a very sweet and rich Amazonian fruit that is high in fiber and antioxidants
Powdered maca root, great for hormonal health and used in smoothies
Peruvian Snacks
Via Unsplash. I wish I had my own photos but I eat these too quickly!
I am addicted to the corn that goes on top of ceviche and is served tableside as a little snack with drinks (like pretzels and nuts).
These are called “canchita,” which is the word for “popcorn” in Peruvian Spanish, but I have also seen these called “cancha or choclo serrano,” aka dried maize.
You can buy these at any grocery store or convenience store- usually in the chip aisle or near the cash register. In January, I bought three packs of these in plain, nacho cheese, and spicy flavors from the supermarket on the lower level of the outdoor/indoor shopping mall Larcomar in Miraflores. They were devoured before the month was over.
Beer snobs may need to avert their eyes. While I love wine and cocktails, I’ve never been a huge beer drinker or really able to stomach the IPA trend. When I’ve liked it, beer has really served more as a refreshment or, albeit a poorly conceived, source of hydration: A cold lager on the beach after a swim or a well-poured Guinness with some oysters after a summer day. Perfection!
Peru is not known for their beer, and that seems unlikely to change, but I really enjoyed the Cusqueña Negra dark lager. To me, it’s a sweeter, chocolatier Guuiness, so I always bring a six-pack home to enjoy in the warmer months.
Where to Buy Peruvian Snacks
Wong Supermarkets
A top-tier grocery store. I recommend going to the Wong Balta in Miraflores or the Wong Dos Mayo in San Isidro for the most options.
The Wong Balta has a section of Peruvian products as soon as you go up the escalator, all the perfect size to bring home, ranging from Pisco to snacks to the healthy options mentioned above. Bonus: The San Isidro location also has a wine cave with incredible South American selections.
Convenience Stores
Tambo or Oxxo has locations throughout Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro, and is a great place to pick up snacks to bring back as souvenirs. They’re like the Peruvian answer to Japanese 7/11s. They’re clean, you can use credit cards, and they’re open late.
Don’t expect any healthy products like the yacon syrup, but they will have lots of local snack options, including canchita and Peru’s famous bubblegum-flavored Inka Cola soda.