Arabic Influence on Peruvian Cuisine

Arabic Influence on Peruvian Cuisine

Source: The Arabic influence in the gastronomy of Peru
Gulf Times
by Jose Benzaquen
July 4, 2021

Peruvian cuisine reflects the country’s history with a variety that is unique in the world. If we Peruvians have something to be grateful for in our culinary world, it would be the significant influence that the Arab culture that was integrated through the migration of Europeans from the lands of the Iberian Peninsula, the Al Andaluz, where the Arab presence was approximately 800 years with an important Caliphate established in Cordova.

The introduction of the two worlds of different cultures helped shaped the wealth of a land called Peru — known for its cultural diversity with an exquisite and tremendously varied gastronomy. As mentioned in our previous article on the Arab presence in Peru, confirmed Arab manifestations in many aspects and obviously in our cuisine.

Many typical Peruvian dishes can be easily recognised by its unique Arab touch, especially in the current variety of desserts where honey nougat, rice pudding (Roz b Halib) and Peruvian picarones are accompanied by dried fruits, sugar cane, from syrup (sugar dissolved in water) as well as many products that we can taste with some familiarity in the meals that are offered in many restaurants in Doha.

This article is over two years old, but still noteworthy,

Again, we see the enormous out-sized Arab influence in South America.

Some more from Peru:


Posted on YouTube: February 2, 2022


Posted on YouTube: October 7, 2021

Again, the influence of Arab culture can be found all over Latin America.

Two Peruvians Try An Arab Restaurant In Lima, Peru

Two Peruvians Try An Arab Restaurant In Lima, Peru


Posted on YouTube: February 2, 2022

Wow! Some sturdy Latins try out an Arab Restaurant called Arabito (Little Arab).

The restaurant is in a neighborhood (barrio) called Miraflores.

Basically, the two of them are running a food channel.

You can auto translate on YouTube.

From sources I have read, the Arab immigrants to Peru were 90% Christian. Again, we notice the emphasis on Christianity. However, I am not sure if the 10% of Arab immigrants who were Islamic have not produced descendants who did not convert to Christianity. According to Wikipedia, there are approximately 15,000 Muslims in Peru, which is far less than 0.1%.

Wikipedia’s figures are more precise, but seem dated (around 1992 or earlier), so I am more cautious in my estimates. What is clear is that the number seems very low.

The Arab numbers in Peru would be weighted heavily in favor of Christianity, probably Catholicism. Indeed, the Arab presence (Christianity or Islamic) does not seem that large in Peru at all. But it is there.

The Palestinian Arab Union Club of Peru

The Palestinian Arab Union Club of Peru


Posted on YouTube: November 3, 2019

A Palestinian Social Club in Peru.

Translation from the description of the YouTube Video – using Google Translate.

TAQALID, a Palestinian Festival that seeks to reunite Palestinian families from Latin America, sharing their millennial culture with the rest of the world, this year was held in Lima, Peru. The Great Taqalid Party was held at the Palestinian Arab Union Club and featured Haitham Khalaily, the Palestinian finalist for Arab Idol as a guest artist. The images are their own.

This is their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ClubArabePeru/

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