Where to try Nikkei cuisine in Peru

Nikkei cuisine, which derives from the word ‘Nikkeijin’, meaning the ‘Japanese diaspora’, is history captured in food. Immigrants from Japan began arriving in Peru from the late 19th century onwards seeking work and a new life. They brought with them their cooking methods and a love of seafood and umami flavours, and slowly adapted Peruvian food and ingredients to suit their tastes. The result is a fusion cuisine now gaining worldwide recognition, thanks to pioneers such as Nobu Matsuhisa and Mitsuharu Tsumura.

It’s no wonder that Peru’s restaurants recently dominated the top end of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Nikkei cuisine has played a big role in this newfound interest, with its zesty, fresh, seafood-rich dishes. Combining miso, dashi and soy sauce – staples of Japanese cuisine – with Peruvian chilli peppers and various other local ingredients, the core of Nikkei cooking is built on simplicity and flavour. By harnessing the umami-rich profiles of ingredients like bonito flakes and kombu kelp, it is that rare example of two different cultures coming together in culinary harmony.

Five Nikkei dishes you should try (and where to find them)

In Peruvian-Japanese fusion cuisine, ceviche is the undeniable champion. Fish and seafood marinated in fresh lime juice and sprinkled with spicy yellow chilli peppers continues to capture people’s hearts and taste buds far beyond Peru’s borders. Traditionally served with boiled sweetcorn kernels, sweet potato and plenty of julienned red onion, you will find variations around the country. For the freshest fish, stick to the coast, with Enkai in Lima and Cevichería Purito Limón in Arequipa (+51 54 281295) both good options.

Octopus is popular all around the Pacific, and this merger of two different preparation styles is an absolute delight: grilled just enough to preserve its texture and topped with a creamy, slightly tart black-olive sauce. For a truly authentic Nikkei experience, head to the capital, Lima, to try this and other dishes at the best-in-class Maido or Shizen Restaurante Nikkei (+51 926 855 394).

Peru is notable for its coast, which is rich in seafood. Oysters are a big ingredient here, and by combining their unique qualities with Peruvian flavours and Japanese-style recipes, inventive chefs have come up with dishes that are simply mouthwatering. Ginger, lime, avocado, yellow chilli peppers and black olives are just some of the ingredients you might find paired with oysters in Nikkei restaurants around Peru. To try some of the more creative, head to Koi Maki Bar in Trujillo and Costanera 700 in Lima.

Noodles remind us that the charm of Peruvian-Japanese cooking isn’t restricted to seafood. Udon and ramen dishes have also been given a Nikkei makeover, and you’ll find that Indigenous Peruvian ingredients such as sweet potato, yellow chilli peppers and local spices make wonderful accompaniments. Indulge in some noodle goodness at Kintaro in Cusco, or try the more high-end Osaka in Lima.

Maki (traditional sushi rolls) have taken Peru by storm, but the Nikkei version is worlds apart from the Japanese original. Peruvian chefs have been quick to integrate traditional local ingredients, such as yellow chilli peppers, avocado, lime and olive sauce, to create an infinite variety of fusion maki that continue to grow in popularity. The biggest crowd pleaser (and with good reason) is maki acevichado, a sushi roll filled with ceviche. It’s a must-try when you’re experimenting with Nikkei. Sample this at Edo Sushi Bar in Lima, or head to Sukha in Urubamba.

Try this

Nikkei cookery courses
There are lots of cookery classes on Scoolinary that can teach you the foundations of Nikkei cuisine, with many of them run by Lima’s top chefs. Toshi Matsufuji of Al Toke Pez offers a great, self-paced ‘Nikkei Street Food’ course, while the co-founders of Shizen Restaurante Nikkei (Coco Tomita and Mayra Flores) and founder of Sutorīto Māketto (Javier Miyasato) offer a ‘Nikkei Cuisine’ class covering everything from maki acevichado to ceviche.

Visit EatPeru.com for authentic Peruvian recipes and articles on Nikkei cuisine, Peruvian-Chinese food, Peruvian chocolate and street food.