Try Polla a la Brasa and Other Peruvian Dishes at These Las Vegas Restaurants

Even to diners who have never had it before, Peruvian food often seems familiar. The regional cuisine has a diverse array of culinary influences including China, Japan, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Africa. As a result, classic Peruvian dishes — such as ceviche, which is a variation on a Japanese staple — are reminiscent of recipes from other parts of the world. That isn’t to say that Peruvian food isn’t unique; in addition to drawing influence from a wide range of traditions, these dishes contain ingredients that are native to Peru such as lima beans, quinoa, and different types of potatoes (more than 3,800 different varieties are found in Peru).

For those craving arroz con pato (rice with duck), lomo saltado (sauteed beef), and pollo a la brasa (rotisserie chicken), here’s where to find Peruvian cuisine in Las Vegas.

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Casual Peruvian fare

The all-teal interior lends Peru Chicken the look of a fast-food joint, but diners should make no mistake; this is a restaurant where food is prepared with care. The casual restaurant is known for its lomo saltado, served with white rice and french fries, but one would be remiss to skip out on the namesake item. The polla a la brasa comes by the quarter, the half, or the whole, served with a choice of rice and beans or fries and salad.

Peru Chicken, 3886 W. Sahara Ave.; 702-982-0073

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For the ceviche aficionado

Ceviche is often referred to as the signature dish of Peru. Diners craving the fresh, citrusy dish will have plenty of choices at Lima Limon. The restaurant offers eight varieties including ceviche de camarones (fresh shrimp marinated in lime juice with sweet potatoes and Peruvian corn) and ceviche mixto (fresh mixed seafood and raw fish strips in lime juice with sweet potatoes and Peruvian corn). Other dishes include papa a la huancaina (potatoes smothered in yellow pepper cheese sauce), and Italian-inspired fettuccine alfredo.

Lima Limon, 222 S. Decatur Blvd.; 702-463-0002

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A quick Peruvian lunch

Pollo Inka Express was created in 2010 by a family of Peruvian immigrants who wanted to merge their family dishes with the American drive-through concept. Diners who are as passionate about polla a la brasa and arroz chaufa (Peruvian fried rice) as they are about convenience can order their favorite dishes from Polla Inka Express without leaving their cars. The Inka chicken sandwich, made with rotisserie chicken and salsa criolla, is an excellent casual Peruvian lunch.

Pollo Inka Express, 2440 S. Maryland Pkwy.; 702-522-7871

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A fine dining option

Once (pronounced like the Spanish word for eleven) is a beautiful Peruvian dining experience at the Grand Canal Shoppes. Chef Ricardo Zarate’s menu, which leans heavily on Japanese-influenced Peruvian food called Nikkei, features red snapper with yuzu, smoked eggplant ceviche, and beet salad with quinoa. The creative cocktail list includes the Peruvian favorite, a pisco sour as well as the decidedly Japanese Yuzu Me cocktail made with gin, wasabi simple syrup, lime, and yuzu.

Once, Grand Canal Shoppes, 3327 Las Vegas Blvd. S.; 702-607-3797

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A little bit of everything

Peruvian cuisine is all about finding inspiration from a seemingly contrasting regional recipes and creating something special. At El Toque del Sabor, diners will find just that. The extensive menu includes Chinese-inspired chifa del sabor (sweet and sour chicken with Peruvian fried rice), arroz con pato, and numerous ceviche choices.

El Toque del Sabor, 2501 E. Tropicana Ave. #2E; 702-547-0855

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