Peruvian Guinea Pig Delicacy Cuy

2 min read

Peruvian Guinea Pig Delicacy Cuy

Earlier this year, we visited Peru to attend our sister’s wedding. After the wedding in Lima, we flew to Cusco to visit Machu Picchu.

Peruvian food is one of the best in South America as it is very unique as well as diversified. You can find many Asian influenced food as well as local and European influenced food. In Cuzco, the natives have their own delicacy. They eat Alpaca as well as Guinea Pig. The Peruvian Guinea Pig delicacy is called Cuy.

We don’t visit Peru often so we tried both alpaca and guinea pig. For the guinea pig delicacy, the cuy is not cheap. This is roast guinea pig delicacy with their local ingredient.

cusco alpaca — With Alpaca in Cuzco Square

We had this at one of the restaurants in Cuzco Square and it is almost double the price for alpaca or beef.

peruvian dish cuy chactado — Roast Guinea Pig Cuy

We had half of the guinea pig and they didn’t include the head. They cut it into two pieces and I find it hard to taste it as this is a guinea pig.

The taste of the Peruvian Guinea Pig Delicacy Cuy is like chicken. Surprisingly even the texture of the meat similar to the chicken. However, the skin is similar to pig. The roast cuy skin is similar to roast pork skin and it is crispy.

Will I taste Peruvian Guinea Pig Delicacy Cuy again? Maybe but it won’t be my first choice as they are cute creatures. Like I said, its once in a lifetime in Cuzco Peru, you have to do it or maybe there is no second time.