Arroz Chaufa: Peruvian Fried Rice (2024)

Peru’s immigrants, particularly the Chinese, have deeply influenced the country’s culinary scene. One evidence of this is the birth of a tasty rice mixture called arroz chaufa.

Arroz chaufa is Peruvian fried rice made of meat or seafood, a variety of vegetables, rice, and soy sauce. Ginger and sesame oil are also used to flavor this dish. Some variations of the recipe will also have egg mixed in with the veggies and meat.

In the rest of the article, we will take a closer look at what arroz chaufa is.

We will see its history as it developed in Peru as well as its compelling current cultural context.

We will also share a recipe you can follow at home to try today.

What Is Arroz Chaufa?

Arroz chaufa is Peruvian fried rice, commonly found in restaurants and can also be made at home in Peru.

It is typically served with one type of meat or seafood, a mix of vegetables, rice, and soy sauce. Ginger and sesame oil are also commonly used to flavor this dish.

You will also find egg mixed in between the colorful vegetables and chunks of delicious meat.

This popular Peruvian dish can be eaten as a meal itself or as a side dish. It is a great way to turn leftover rice into a new, delicious meal.

You may even find this dish made with quinoa or noodles in place of rice in different regions.

History of Arroz Chaufa

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Chinese immigration to Peru was very common.

As the Chinese community grew in this South American country, a style of cuisine developed, blending traditional Chinese recipes with a Peruvian flair.

This mix of styles, particularly Cantonese Chinese influence, is known as chifa.

You may hear chifa referring to the Chinese-Peruvian food in restaurants where it is served.

As fried rice is widely eaten in China, the immigrants brought with them the recipe and the desire to prepare this classic in their new home.

However, not all the traditional ingredients could easily be found in Peru, so the immigrants had to substitute certain traditional ingredients for ones that were more easily available.

As their cooking style became more popular, Peruvian chefs found themselves interested in using ingredients like ginger and soy sauce in their dishes as well.

The name itself shows this true blending of Chinese and Peruvian influence. In Cantonese, fried rice is called “chow fan.” Over time, the pronunciation became “chaufa” in Peruvian Spanish.

Nowadays, this dish is easily found all over Peru and is well-loved by Peruvians of all backgrounds.

In Peru’s cities, you can find higher-end chifa restaurants as well as more economical neighborhood options.

Peruvians’ love for food is also beginning to spread to neighboring countries, as chifa restaurants can now be found in Ecuador, Bolivia, and Chile.

How To Make Arroz Chaufa

Arroz chaufa is a dish you can easily make at home with minimal ingredients.

You can cook up this recipe using rice leftover from another meal.

It is a great option if you need to prepare a side dish or a main course.

For this recipe, you will need:

• 1.5-2 cups (300 – 400 grams) of plain cooked rice
• 3 eggs
• 1 spanish onion
• 1 yellow pepper
• 1 large red pepper
• Scallions
• 1 pound meat of choice
• Canola oil
• Sesame oil
• Soy sauce

1. Prepare 1.5 – 2 cups of plain, cooked rice (about 300 – 400 grams). Set this aside.
2. Take three eggs, crack them into a bowl, and whisk. Cook these eggs in a pan over medium-high heat, as you would for an omelet. Set aside your omelet and let it cool. When it is cool enough to handle, you will want to dice this up into small pieces.
3. Next, prepare the vegetables. Dice one Spanish onion, one large yellow pepper, one large red pepper, and a handful of scallions. Set these aside. If you have other vegetables in the house you think would complement this dish, feel free to substitute or add them as well.
4. Choose your meat of choice. You can make chaufa with beef, pork, chicken, or even make it into a seafood dish. You can even leave out the meat altogether for a vegetarian option. We’re using beef for this recipe, but you can substitute it here as you wish.
5. Take a pound of prime cut beef (about .45 kilos) and cut it into thinner, smaller pieces. Place these in a pan or skillet over high heat and cook the meat until it is halfway done. You don’t want to completely cook the meat at this stage. Remove from the heat, let it cool for a few moments, and dice it.
6. Pour in enough canola oil in a large pan to coat it and cook everything together. Heat the oil, add the onion first, and then add the peppers. Stir and cook these until they begin to soften. Next, mix in the meat, and add in your cooked rice.
7. As you are stirring these ingredients together, you can begin adding your sauces to taste. Start with some soy sauce (note: you can always add more later). You will want the sauce to coat the rice enough to make it a light brown all over. Add a touch of sesame oil, and you can add in a bit more canola oil at this time as well. Finally, add the scallions and egg. Mix all of this well over the heat.
8. Serve up your delicious, homemade chaufa, and enjoy the mix of flavors and cultures all in one dish. You can garnish the plate with any leftover scallions you have.

For a tutorial, you can check out this video on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEoJmfM10Hk

Final Thoughts

Whether you try this dish at home or you can visit a chifa restaurant on your next adventure in South America, you are sure to enjoy the taste of arroz chaufa.

Feel free to experiment with the recipe, trying out different options when it comes to meat, vegetables, and sauces.

The Chinese weren’t the only Asian country to influence new Peruvian dishes.

The Japanese too had an impact on the culinary scene in Peru.

Read, Nikkei Cuisine: Peruvian-Japanese Culinary Fusion.

Sources

• Cusco Eats: Chaufa Claims Peruvian Palates Day and Night
• Culture Trip: A Historical Guide to the Peruvian Cuisine
• Wikipedia: Chifa
• Youtube: How to Cook Peruvian Fried Chaufa