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Quechua Potato Soup — traditional dish from Cusco, Peru
Soup Meat

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥420kcal
💪30gProtein
🌾50gCarbs
🥑9gFat
🌿6gFibre
⚖️400 gServing

* Per serving · 400 g. May vary.

Quechua Potato Soup

How to order / say it
Say it Chairo — [CHAI-roh]
Order I'd like the Chairo, please.
Locally Quisiera el Chairo, por favor.
Say locally

A hearty soup made with potatoes, corn, and dried llama meat.

Why try it?

Chairo is emblematic of the Andean agricultural diversity, combining native ingredients to create a comforting dish. It reflects the resourcefulness and traditions of Andean farmers and their sustainable use of local grains and roots.

How it tastes

The rich broth combines earthy flavors from potatoes and lentils with a savory depth from dried meat. Sunchokes and fresh vegetables add sweetness, complemented by aromatic herbs.

Origin & History — first documented: 1600

Originating in the Andes, Chairo is rooted in Quechua traditions. It's been a staple for centuries, particularly popular in the highland areas where ingredients like potatoes and chuño (dried potatoes) are plentiful.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🥕 300 g potatoes
  • 🌾 100 g chuño
  • 🫘 150 g fava beans
  • 🥩 200 g dried llama meat
  • 🧄 100 g onion
  • 🥕 100 g carrot
  • 🧄 15 g garlic

Method

  1. 1 Cook the meat in water until tender.
  2. 2 Add potatoes, chuño, fava beans, and vegetables to the pot.
  3. 3 Simmer until vegetables are cooked through and flavors meld.
  4. 4 Season with salt and serve hot.
All South America recipes — Peru — Cusco — Quechua Potato Soup
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