AmyHuangLa Cocina Peruana
February 22nd 2008 09:45
When we returned from Peru and I was experiencing 'reverse culture shock', we visited La Cocina Peruana, a Peruvian restaurant in Randwick.
The interior was welcoming and distinctively South American. The bright red and yellow wall paint and the traditional weaving hanging on the wall immediately brought a smile upon my face.
Upon a glance through the menu, I saw many familiar dish names: Ceviche de Pascado (marinated fish and seafood mix in lemon/chili type dressing); Arroz Con Pollo (Rice and grilled chicken); Aji de Gallina (shredded chicken in a curry style yellow sauce made of Peruvian spices) and Olluquito de Cordero (Lamb stew with Andean potatoes and ingredients).
I ordered Aji de Gallina because it was one of the first home cooked dishes that was served to us from the community. Expecting a flood of memories I must say I was greatly disappointed. My excitement faded as I took my first spoonful. The taste of bland and there was no distinct flavour that I was looking for. It almost just felt like eating floured chicken with no seasoning.
My fiance ordered Arroz Con Pollo and was mildly better. The spices were present and the rice was the same consistency as what we both remembered.
The Arroz con Leche (Rice milk pudding type thing) was good though, unless I was just reminiscing so much that I just don't care anymore.
The cafe, started from Lima, had travelled all the way to New York, London and now in Sydney, claims to have brought authentic Peruvian cuisine magic to Australians, most generally don't know very much about Peruvian food.
Unfortunately, for people who does know about Peruvian food, it may not live up to true Peruvian memories.
There is a reason to visit though, to just satisfy your curiosity as well as buy the Peruvian groceries that you can't get anywhere else. La Cocina Peruana import South American groceries to sell in their shop, which makes a trip worth while if you can cook your own Peruvian food!
La Cocina Peruana
103 Avoca St
Randwick NSW 2031
(02) 9326 4344
Open Wednesday to Friday only. Call to check hours.
The interior was welcoming and distinctively South American. The bright red and yellow wall paint and the traditional weaving hanging on the wall immediately brought a smile upon my face.
The interior of La Cocina Peruana (Image Source: Sydney Morning Herald.com.au)
Upon a glance through the menu, I saw many familiar dish names: Ceviche de Pascado (marinated fish and seafood mix in lemon/chili type dressing); Arroz Con Pollo (Rice and grilled chicken); Aji de Gallina (shredded chicken in a curry style yellow sauce made of Peruvian spices) and Olluquito de Cordero (Lamb stew with Andean potatoes and ingredients).
I ordered Aji de Gallina because it was one of the first home cooked dishes that was served to us from the community. Expecting a flood of memories I must say I was greatly disappointed. My excitement faded as I took my first spoonful. The taste of bland and there was no distinct flavour that I was looking for. It almost just felt like eating floured chicken with no seasoning.
My fiance ordered Arroz Con Pollo and was mildly better. The spices were present and the rice was the same consistency as what we both remembered.
The Arroz con Leche (Rice milk pudding type thing) was good though, unless I was just reminiscing so much that I just don't care anymore.
The cafe, started from Lima, had travelled all the way to New York, London and now in Sydney, claims to have brought authentic Peruvian cuisine magic to Australians, most generally don't know very much about Peruvian food.
Unfortunately, for people who does know about Peruvian food, it may not live up to true Peruvian memories.
There is a reason to visit though, to just satisfy your curiosity as well as buy the Peruvian groceries that you can't get anywhere else. La Cocina Peruana import South American groceries to sell in their shop, which makes a trip worth while if you can cook your own Peruvian food!
La Cocina Peruana
103 Avoca St
Randwick NSW 2031
(02) 9326 4344
Open Wednesday to Friday only. Call to check hours.
| 63 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by Anonymous
Having grown up in Los Angeles with my half Cuban/half Peruvian best friend, I was spoiled for peruvian food, which I have to say is one of the best cuisines in the world. With the combination of Italian, Chinese, Japanese and creole, the combination screams of grandiosity in your palate. Having moved here to Sydney 8 years ago, one of the things I truly miss about LA (and believe, me, aside from family and friends, there ain't anything else) is the latin american food. It's almost non-existant here in Australia!! And what they call Mexican food here? Absolutely putrid. But getting better marginally I do have to say with the place like Gomez y Gomez sprouting all over the place.
When I first heard about La Cocina a couple of years ago, I almost had an orgasm at the thought! So I dragged my husband to go there immediately and ordered my staple Peruvian dish, Lomo Saltado (like pad thai in a new thai restaurant, lomo saltado is what I order to test how good a Peruvian restaurant is). The verdict is.....well......okay. At least it's not bad. It's okay. There is the correct spice flavour used in the dish - but it's not sensational. I think the beef could be of better quality, or perhaps marinated longer (if they they even marinated it) and grilled (if not, pan fried in extremely high heat to get the charred bits). It was disappointing, but not too disappointing for me. Having not much choices of peruvian restaurants in this country, I am grateful for its existence. Even more grateful that they carry spices there I can buy and take home and cook for myself!
I do think people should try this place. For most here in Sydney that have not had Peruvian cuisine experience, La Cocina is not a bad place at all for an introduction. Go there, have the lomo saltado (stir fry beef in fries and tomato served with rice) or tallarin saltado (minus the rice and fries and add spaghetti!). Try the Sopa ala Minuta as a starter, then yes, the arroz con leche for dessert.
Just go out there and taste a new experience, I say!
Comment by AmyHuang
Sydney Table
Project Job Search
Travel Debate
Travel String
Love Adventures