Quick eats at the Cuzco airport

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Waiting for my flight to Puerto Maldanado for my Amazon adventure, I grabbed a couple empanadas to snack on at the Cuzco airport.

Chicken empanada.  Nothing fancy here, just a point of a finger to the snacks in the display case and a quick minute in the microwave.  More satisfying that I expected, so I ordered another one.

This time I chose a carne (beef) one.

Just as good as the chicken one.

 Address:          Cuzco Airport

Type:                 Peruvian

Cicciolina - Cuzco, Peru

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My last night in Cuzco before I headed out for some camping in the Amazon, I chose a very highly raved restaurant called Ciccolina.  I deterred myself and my stomach from the tempting street vendors  to save an appetite for this place.  First of all, I could not find the restaurant!  I must have walked past this doorway about ten times before I almost gave up.  

Apparently, you walk through the doorway into this little courtyard and Cicciolina is upstairs.

Some tasty bread with olive oil and dipping sauces.

Peruvian scallops in their shell that were bbqed with soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and lime.  I was hoping these scallops would be similar to those I had enjoyed in Barcelona (seen HERE), but the soy sauce overpowered the sweetness of the scallops.

A dish of bbqed octopus tossed with roasted rosemary, tomatoes, and garlic.  Again, the sauce overpowered any flavor the octopus had.

A tartar of fresh Langui red trout with wasabi mayo and caviar layered on crispy yuca.  A very standard tartar.  Nothing too special here besides it was made with trout, which is a popular fish in the Andes region.

Red trout that is bbqed sauced with coconut milk.  Crispy fried sweet potato balls accompany this dish.  The fish was as little overcooked for me (It didnt flake off).  Also, the fried potato balls were dense and heavy. 

Dessert was a chocolate mousse from the Quillabambas jungle and scoop of Pisco ice cream.  The mousse was heavy and thick with a mild chocolate flavor.  The Pisco ice cream was probably the only high point of the dinner - very creative and tasted exactly like a pisco sour.  

Overall, I was extremely disappointed with this restaurant (Thanks to Tripadvisor!).  The sauces were too salty or bland.  I wish I had just wandered the street of Cuzco eating at the nighttime street vendors.

Address:                   Cicciolina
                                  Calle Triunfo 393 2nd floor
                                  Cusco, Peru

Type:                        Peruvian

Mercado Central de San Pedro - Cuzco, Peru

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The market in Cuzco is huge.  I would say almost a block long.  There are a couple difference entrances on the sides of the building.

The market is sectioned out by types of food:  fruits & vegetables, meats, dried foods, etc.

 On one of the outer corners of the market, there are several tables set up for juices.  I was excited thinking that it would be simlar to the freshly made juices I had in Spain.  Check that out here (La Boqueria - Barcelona). 

The fruit selection was a little limited.  The vendors give you a menu to pick from then proceed to make your drink.  The mango - orange juice was really thick, almost like a smoothie.  Not as refreshing as I had hoped, but you can taste the ripe fruits.

 For being a market, I noticed there weren't many food vendors inside ( you can find the lined up OUTSIDE the market).  Also, the market was pretty empty, not sure if it was due to the parade celebration outside.  It wasn't as exciting as I had hoped for, but it was still worth a trip to look around.

Address:                    Mercado Central de San Pedro
                                          Cuzco, Peru

Type:                            market

La Chomba - Cuzco, Peru

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I was determined not to leave the Andes area without eating cuy (guinea pig).  La Chomba was a local spot hidden in a small courtyard.  This is what it looks like from the street.  If you walk through this walkway then you will see the actual entrance to the restaurant on the right.

The front door of the restaurant.  Once you walk in you'll notice how crowded it is, but someone will help you find a seat and you order off the menus on the walls.

By the time I reached this restaurant it was about 2p in the afternoon.  Every restaurant I passed walking to La Chomba was empty, but La Chomba was packed! (A good sign).  A singer and some some guitarist provided some live, authentic music to enjoy with the meal.  Make sure you have a couple coins to tip afterwards.   You'll end up being in the minority if you don't.

I had ordered the lechon (roast pig) as well as the cuy (guinea pig), but they were out of the lechon (insert sad face here).  The head and curled up paws let you know you were eating a guinea pig.  Jokes aside, the cuy was actually quite delicious.  The skin was crisp and the lean meat was flavorful.  The preparation was similar to that of Chinese roast pig.  The sides included a chow mein and some potatoes.  Both were very filling.

Yup, ate everything!

Address:                     La Chomba (La Chomba Ajha Wasi)

                                           Avenida Tullumayo

                                           Numero 339, Primer Piso

        

Type:                             Peruvian, casual

Popular chomps:           cuy
                                       lechon (roast pig)

Chomp worthy:    cuy (guinea pig)