When we say Latin cuisine, the first thing that comes to mind is usually Mexican, or some variation of it. But how much do you know about authentic Peruvian cuisine? Coya Mykonos is a luxury Peruvian restaurant that brings Incan heritage and Latin American culture to the island of Mykonos. Let’s learn a little bit about what this place offers.

Peruvian Cuisine – The Basics You Need to Know Before Coming to COYA Mykonos

What makes dishes in Peru cuisine special is the variety of influences that were adapted to local ingredients and native heritage. Immigrants from all over the world, like Spain, Italy, and Germany brought their food and recipes from their homeland. Predominantly Incan indigenous population kept their heritage but they also incorporated all those foreign influences and made them their own. The staples of Peruvian cuisine are corn, potatoes, quinoa, and beans, while some meats like beef, pork, and chicken were brought by Spanish immigrants as well as rice and wheat.

A major Incan staple is, of course, chilly pepper. What is interesting is that some Peruvian local ingredients gained huge popularity worldwide in recent decades. Some plants and cereals are marketed as superfoods thanks to their nutritional value. These days we all know and value the nutritional quality of quinoa, sweet potato, and chilly peppers. Some of them are used as quality food ingredients and some are even used in homeopathic remedies.

Peruvian cuisine differs a lot depending on the part of the country. That is why you have three types of Peruvian cuisine – Coastal, Andes, and Amazon. They differ mainly in the ingredients and fresh produce that is used for each region.

Coastal Peruvian Cuisine

Coastal Peruvian cuisine relies mostly on fresh fish, a bit of seafood, and various vegetables and fruits. You’ve probably heard of Ceviche – well, this is where it comes from. In its original form, it is a dish made out of marinated fish and seafood and garnished with herbs.

To name just a few other specialties from this region – Shrimp cioppino, Antichucos, Tamales, Arroztapado, Lomo Saltado, Peruvian Ham, and many others. Some of them are brought by immigrants and adapted by locals with their recognizable spices and some of them are purely native to the region.

Andes Peruvian Cuisine

The Area of the Andes is still very much indigenous when it comes to its cuisine. The main meat is alpacas and guinea pigs, and the main fish is sweet-water trout. Some of the immigrant influences are best seen in the form of other animals that are now used – pork, chicken, and beef.

Some of the most important dishes from this region are Pachamanca stew made of a variety of meats, Olluco (a plant from the tubers family), and Arequipa (stuffed chilies). There are plenty of other less-known dishes – they are, of course, by no means less tasty than the ones that we mentioned here.

Amazon Peruvian Cuisine

Cuisine in this region features meat, fish, and plants from the rainforest. Many animals that are the staple of this cuisine are prohibited from being hunted by the law, so you won’t find them as easily as the specialties from the other regions. This cuisine is exotic, to say the least.

Some of the animals that are protected by law but are important in the Amazon Peruvian cuisine are turtles, black caymans, and some jungle mammals that are collectively called carne de monte. Some of the specialties that are legal, however, are Juane (chicken and rice wrapped in bijao leaves) and Chapo (a beverage made with sweet plantain).

What Is COYA Mykonos All About?

This luxury Peruvian restaurant and its late-night bar are all about celebrating the Indigenous culture of Peru and the influence that was brought by immigrants, making a world fusion of the tastiest results. If you are up for some well-known, or less-known Peruvian dishes, cocktails, an open-air lounge dinner setting, Latino vibes DJ, and a great dining experience overall, this is the place to go.

Pisco cocktail bar may just be the best Latin bar in Mykonos. It has an outstanding selection of cocktails with that little Peruvian kick. They say that Latino parties are best here, and we all know how Latinos like to party – with a lot of dancing and a lot of great drinks, and maybe some snacks on the side to keep them going through the night. We can promise you’ll have that authentic Mykonos nightlife experience here – there’s no doubt you will enjoy a night at COYA.

Don’t forget to try the COYA signature cocktail “Pisco Sour” – it is the best refreshment for the steamy Mediterranean night in the rhythm of the Latino music. Fiesta comes to life here every day during summer season, glorifying the Peruvian food, made out of the best and the freshest local ingredients.

What Do We Recommend You Try at COYA?

There is so much to choose from, starting with light but vivid appetizers like Croquetas de lubina (Chilean seabass with red chili), Calamares con Ocopa (baby squid with Peruvian marigold and quinoa), and a few different types of Ceviche. For your main course, you should try Peruvian sashimi, marinated skewers on the charcoal grill, and some of the dishes cooked in iron pots like lobster and seabass stews. There is also the freshest seafood and fish you could wish for made in the distinctive Peruvian way.

For all the barbeque and meat lovers out there – don’t worry, there are plenty of meat dishes to choose from, like beef and chicken prepared on the grill. And for dessert, may we suggest churros or roasted pineapple with coconut ice cream?

Sun Salutation Festivity Is a Hallmark of This Fantastic Restaurant

In honor of the Incan sun god, Inti, COYA Mykonos hosts a Sun Salutation festivities every Thursday starting with the 30th of July. Performers dressed in Peruvian-inspired costumes will take care of the Latino atmosphere while you enjoy magnificent dishes, specially prepared for the occasion. Resident DJ, Alex Twin, who is well-known in Ibiza, and the drummer will create an unusual but harmonious mix to amplify the whole Peruvian experience.