SpanishSpeakingPractice🇵🇪 Peru guide

Ordering at a cevichería in Peru

Order like a local at a Lima cevichería or huarique.

Peruvian food is a national religion and cevicherías are its temples. Knowing how to order is half of integrating in Lima — and once you can talk about pescado, ají and leche de tigre, conversation flows easily.

Lunch is the main meal (1–3 PM). Most cevicherías only serve fresh ceviche during lunch hours because the fish comes in that morning.

Vocabulary

SpanishEnglish
cevicheraw fish marinated in lime, ají, onion
tiraditosashimi-style sliced fish with sauce
leche de tigrethe citrus marinade — often served as a shot
pescado fresco del díafresh fish of the day
lenguado / corvina / merocommon fish types
ají amarillo / rocotoyellow chili / hot red chili
chicha moradapurple corn drink
pisco sourPeruvian cocktail
menú del díalunch set menu
entrada / fondo / postrestarter / main / dessert
para llevarto go
la cuenta, por favorthe check, please
picantespicy
sin cebolla / sin ajíno onion / no chili

Real dialogues

Practice both sides out loud.

Lunch at a Barranco cevichería

Friday lunch, busy place, helpful waiter.

  • Mozo

    Buenas tardes, ¿qué le sirvo?

    Good afternoon, what can I get you?

  • You

    Buenas. ¿Cuál es el pescado fresco del día?

    Hi. What's the fresh fish of the day?

  • Mozo

    Hoy tenemos lenguado y corvina, ambos riquísimos.

    Today we have sole and corvina, both delicious.

  • You

    Perfecto. Un ceviche de corvina y un tiradito de lenguado para compartir.

    Perfect. One corvina ceviche and one sole tiradito to share.

  • Mozo

    ¿Lo quiere picante o suave?

    Spicy or mild?

  • You

    Medio nomás, no muy picante. Y una chicha morada grande, por favor.

    Medium, not too spicy. And a large chicha morada, please.

  • Mozo

    ¿Algo para empezar? La leche de tigre está bárbara.

    Anything to start? The leche de tigre is great.

  • You

    Sí, una leche de tigre para ir abriendo el apetito.

    Yes, one leche de tigre to start.

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Peru local tips

Eat ceviche only at lunch

Authentic places stop serving it after 4 PM because the fish is no longer fresh that day. Nighttime ceviche is a tourist red flag.

Try huariques, not just famous spots

Huarique = humble local gem. Often 1/3 the price of Maido or Astrid & Gastón and just as delicious.

Tipping is 10%

Sometimes already included as 'servicio' on the bill — check before adding.

Practice prompts

  1. 01Order ceviche, ask the spice level, and request a chicha morada.
  2. 02Ask about the fresh fish of the day and pick one.
  3. 03Request the check and ask if the tip is included.

FAQs

Is it safe to eat ceviche in Peru?

Yes — Peruvian ceviche is made with the day's fresh fish and the lime acid cures it quickly. Eat it at lunch at a busy place; avoid empty restaurants at night.

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