Tacacho with cecina: 3 unmissable restaurants that come close to the original flavor of the jungle

Appetizing, with complex flavors and unknown to some, the amazonian food It is one of the gastronomic treasures that has been least explored in our country. Of course, it is not about a lack of supply, because there are more and more restaurants, businesses and dark kitchens who bet to captivate us with their dishes. Of course, like everyone, they have faced the difficulties that come with the pandemic and have known how to adapt perfectly. To celebrate them, we present this note, where we show three restaurants with different histories but that have a common goal: to make the potential of Amazonian gastronomy known. Our protagonist? He tacacho with jerkya dish that shines not only for its flavors and textures, but also for the fusion possibilities it offers.

1. The Aguajal

At the beginning of the 1990s, they decided to worship typical Amazonian food in Lima, thus sharing tasty ingredients, regional liquors, exotic fruits and secret recipes of yesteryear and Moyobambino roots. Over time, El Aguajal has been able to expand and has five stores in Lima and one in Arequipa. In their menu they offer entries such as wontons stuffed with cecina and paiche ceviche, broths such as the classic inchicapi and funds such as salted cecina, juane and Chaufa Aguajal.

To prepare the best tacacho with cecina, they tell us that it is not just about technique, but also about using the best ingredients, including wiraconcho, which is also known as lard. In addition to the cecina and the tacacho, they serve it accompanied in a very traditional way, with ají de cocona. In addition, they offer the mixed tacacho, which adds a tasty regional chorizo.

Plate price: S/33 (at Jesús María headquarters)

Learn more about the restaurant:

In addition to their local Jesús María, they have offices in San Borja, San Martín de Porres, Los Olivos, Izaguirre and in the city of Arequipa. You can learn more about the restaurant on its website, Facebook or Instagram.

2. Huambra

This dark kitchen, with a view to becoming a restaurant, was born during the pandemic. Juan Pablo Mansilla tells us that it all began in the middle of last year, when he and his family decided to prepare juanes for an online sale for the Fiesta de San Juan. Over time, Huambra was born, whose name is a tribute to the women in the family, beginning with Juan Pablo’s mother. In his menu, they bet on combining classics such as juane, patacones and roasted ripe plantains, with more daring dishes such as Amazonian tacos, the sacha mostrito de la Huambra or the paiche hamburger.

Huambra bets on a tacacho made with very green plantain. Traditionally it is made with grilled plantain, but they come close to this flavor thanks to the fact that they are fried. “No using oil, it has to be made with pork lard. You have to respect that recipe”, explains Juan Pablo. They bring the cecina from Tarapoto and cook it on the grill. To complement it, they offer ají de cocona or ají charapita.

Plate price: $35

Learn more about the restaurant:

The restaurant manages the service of delivery and pick up at your local Miraflores, prior coordination. You can learn more about your proposal on your social networks, such as Instagram and Facebook, or on your website.

3. Sea and Jungle Amazonian Cuisine

This restaurant was inaugurated in March 2016 and was born with the dream of bringing an authentic gastronomic proposal of Amazonian cuisine. In addition, they bet on the fusion with Creole and marine food, thus achieving dishes such as the Amazon chaufa, the fettuccine in cocona sauce or the cecina a lo pobre.

At Mar y Selva, they serve the tacacho, made with bellaco plantain and fresh pork rinds, alongside a sheet of jerky and a delicious dollop of ají de cocona (which balances out the smoky, hearty flavors of the dish). They also offer a version that, in addition to what has already been mentioned, includes a tasty regional smoked chorizo. They remind us that the tacacho, due to its texture and flavor, can be eaten alone or be the perfect accompaniment to exquisite meats such as river fish.

Plate price: S/32

Learn more about the restaurant:

The restaurant is located at Avenida Tomás Marsano 1195, Surquillo. They have salon service, pick up in store and delivery. Visit their social networks, Facebook and Instagram, or their website. You can contact (01) 5557847.