Chifa

Chifa

Lima, Peru

Chifa is a cooking practice of combining Chinese Cantonese elements with traditional Peruvian traditions and ingredients. The word Chifa means “to eat rice” or “to have a meal.” Chifa came to Peru when the Chinese immigrated into the country in the beginning of the 19th century. They accepted the Peruvian customs and beliefs, but they kept their culinary practices. Although due to a lack of ingredients, they had to substitute some Chinese ingredients with Peruvian ingredients instead. Around 1920, the first Chinese Peruvian restaurants opened. Limeans became fascinated by the Chifa cuisine practice., so Peruvian chefs started using products used in traditional Chinese cooking.

Chifa is a big part of Peruvian cuisine and is enjoyed by all socioeconomic levels. It is such a big part that there are over 6,000 chifa restaurants currently in Lima. Chinese foods such as rice, meat, noodles, and vegetables are a very important part of Chifa. Chifa has become such a big part of Peruvian culture that some dishes with Chinese roots aren’t even considered Chinese anymore.

Chifa is a big part of Peruvian cuisine and culture. It changed the way Peruvian chefs cooked and has imprinted itself into the culture. The practice of Chifa is in practically every restaurant and used for almost every meal nowadays.

By: April Lanka