Where does Papa a la huancaína come from?

Papa a la huancaína — country of origin: Peru.

What is Papa a la huancaína made of?

Potato, chilli, cheese, milk, salt, vegetable oil, egg, aji amarillo chilli paste, soda crackers.

Which allergens does Papa a la huancaína contain?

Contains cereals and gluten-containing products. Contains eggs and egg products. Contains milk and milk products (including lactose).

Papa a la huancaína

Boiled yellow potatoes served cold or at room temperature under a creamy sauce of aji amarillo chilli, fresh cheese, evaporated milk and crackers, from Peru.

Also known as: Huancaina potatoes · Papas a la huancaína · Huancaína sauce potatoes

Allergens & declarations

Contains

Cereals (gluten)

Wheat

Contains cereals and gluten-containing products

Egg

Contains eggs and egg products

Milk (including Lactose)

Contains milk and milk products (including lactose)

This describes the classic recipe, so you know what to ask about. It is not a declaration for any particular kitchen — recipes and suppliers vary, and only the restaurant can tell you what is in the dish it serves.

In detail

Papa a la huancaína is a Peruvian starter of sliced boiled potatoes coated in a yellow chilli and cheese sauce. It is usually served cold or at room temperature, often on a bed of lettuce with boiled egg and olives.

What it really is

The sauce is made by blending aji amarillo chilli paste with a soft white cheese, such as queso fresco, evaporated milk, oil and soda crackers, which thicken it. Yellow potatoes are boiled in their skins, peeled and sliced, then covered with the sauce. The dish is traditionally associated with the Mantaro Valley near Huancayo in the central Andes, and it is widely eaten across Peru.

It is often confused with other Peruvian potato dishes. Papa rellena is a stuffed and fried potato, and causa is a layered dish of mashed yellow potato with a filling, while papa a la huancaína is a sauced dish of sliced potato with no mashing and no frying.

How it's served

Served cold or at room temperature as a starter or side.
Potato slices are arranged on lettuce leaves and coated with the sauce.
Usually garnished with halves of boiled egg and black olives.
Eaten with a fork, often as one of several small Peruvian dishes shared at the table.

Name the key ingredients: yellow potato, aji amarillo chilli sauce with cheese.
State allergens: contains milk, eggs and wheat (from the crackers).
Note the heat level of the aji amarillo, which is usually mild to medium.
Specify whether egg and olives are included as a garnish.

Typical ingredients

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Frequently asked questions

What is Papa a la huancaína?: Boiled yellow potatoes served cold or at room temperature under a creamy sauce of aji amarillo chilli, fresh cheese, evaporated milk and crackers, from Peru.
Where does Papa a la huancaína come from?: Papa a la huancaína — country of origin: Peru.
What is Papa a la huancaína made of?: Potato, chilli, cheese, milk, salt, vegetable oil, egg, aji amarillo chilli paste, soda crackers.
Which allergens does Papa a la huancaína contain?: Contains cereals and gluten-containing products. Contains eggs and egg products. Contains milk and milk products (including lactose).
What is Papa a la huancaína also known as?: Huancaina potatoes, Papas a la huancaína, Huancaína sauce potatoes.