Best Places to Enjoy Pan con Chicharrón in Lima, Peru

2024-03-17 19:50:00

(G for Gestión) You don’t have to leave the city to enjoy one of the most popular sandwiches in the national repertoire. Here we present a selection of five places where you can enjoy the classic pan con chicharrón. Whether for a hearty breakfast, lunch, mid-afternoon snack or dinner, this sandwich is one of the favorites of all Peruvians.

Although its origin is uncertain, it is believed that this dish became popular with the arrival of the Iberian pig to America. In fact, chicharrón is eaten in countries such as Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Colombia and Cuba. But ours, on crusty bread, with sweet potato and onion sarsa, has become one of the favorite breakfasts of all Peruvians. Generally, it is prepared using pork belly. The recipe? The meat is boiled with spices such as annatto and pepper, onion and salt; although it may have variations. After boiling the meat, it is taken to the hot oil, where it takes on that crispy texture on the outside.

Here we present a selection of places where you can enjoy this bite, without leaving the city.

El Chinito

This restaurant started with a small location in the Center of Lima. Felix Yong, son of Chinese immigrants, rented a small place that soon became famous for its sandwiches. His son Luis, a medical student, continued the tradition. Today the Yong family has twelve establishments where they serve traditional bread with pork rinds and other delicacies such as rib pork rinds, tamales, among other delicacies. They also offer chaufarroncito, a delicious chaufa with slices of pork rinds.

Photo: El Chinito

Joys Chicharronería

In the heart of San Borja is this chicharronería that opened its doors in the middle of the pandemic. In addition to its classic breads with pork rinds, it offers other classic sandwiches and dishes with an oriental feel, such as chaufa rice, soba, tonkatsu and chicken katsu. But their special, the bread with pork rinds, is served in two sizes: the regular one, with 120 grams of meat, and the Joys, with 180 grams of pork rinds. They also have a sandwich with chicharrón and filling. They all come with sarsa criolla and sweet potato.

Photo: Joys Chicharrón

Inca chicharrones

In 2000, two young entrepreneurs decided to open a chicharronería in the heart of Caminos del Inca. Demand grew quickly and they now have five locations; in Surco and Pueblo Libre. It offers the classic pork rind sandwich in two sizes, another with wood-fired pork, turkey, a classic hamburger, bondiola sandwich, stuffed sandwich, among others. Their menu includes combinations with tamale, filling and drinks.

Photo: Chicharrones del Inca

The Farolito

If you go during the weekend, we recommend going early. This busy establishment, opened in 1980, offers generous portions of bread with pork rinds, pork loin or stuffing. They also have family combos to take away and enjoy a hearty breakfast at home. Their Creole tamales are extraordinary.

Photo: El Farolito.

Chicharrones Kio

More than 45 years ago Alfonso and Kio Gaja ventured to create their first establishment, offering pork rinds. They now have eleven stores, three located in the San Miguel district. In addition to the classic bread with chicharrón, they offer cylinder pork sandwiches, BBQ pork, turkey, house ham, stuffing, among others. They also offer combos, family packages, grilled chicken, sausages and lunches.

Photo: What