One of the most famous Chinese food recipes is fried rice. In almost every country there is a Chinatown where you can enjoy it, but did you know that depending on the place, its flavours and ingredients vary? Let’s talk about Chinese fried rice vs. Peruvian arroz chaufa!
You don’t have to delve into the recipes to know that both have rice as a basic ingredient, one of the most versatile cereals in international cuisine. But as in every story, this one has a plot twist. The Chinese rice we make in Peru is not so Chinese, it has particular ingredients that make it unique. Once you try it, you will never forget it and you will always want to repeat!
What is the difference between the two dishes? Join us to find out!
Main Differences between Chinese Fried Rice and Peruvian Arroz Chaufa
To find the differences between Chinese Fried Rice vs Peruvian Arroz Chaufa, you have to know each dish, and that’s what we’ll do. Let’s get started!
What is Chinese Fried Rice?
The truth is that in China fried rice is not as popular as in other countries. In the Asian giant, the real tradition is white rice. The original version of the fried rice we know today in this part of the world comes from the Canton region and its shape has been moulded by the march of time and human displacement.
Cantonese Chinese fried rice is a dish whose history is quite ancient, dating back to 4000 B.C. It has been passed down from generation to generation, crossing borders, preserving its cooking technique, such as quick stir-frying over very high heat.
Chinese fried rice recipes include among their ingredients bean sprouts, carrots, scallions, ginger, egg omelette, meat or seafood, and soy sauce, and may even include oyster sauce or a touch of sweet and sour sauce.
With the Chinese migration to America in the 19th century, Chinese fried rice took other forms and presentations, adding ingredients, fusing and adapting. Today, depending on the country where it is prepared, it will have its own characteristics. For example, in Venezuela, the extra touch of flavour is achieved with the sofrito of sweet chilli, bacon, garlic and ginger.
And so, each country adds its own unique touch to obtain a dish that is closer to its own flavours, without departing from the traditional Cantonese dish. Hence the variety of recipes you can find on the internet for Cuban, Venezuelan, Puerto Rican, Mexican, Peruvian and many more Chinese fried rice.
What is Peruvian Arroz Chaufa?
Arroz Chaufa is a fried rice dish prepared in Peru. It originated back in the 19th century when the first Chinese immigrants arrived in this country and brought with them part of their gastronomic culture, which gradually merged with the Peruvian one, and saw the birth of several creations, among them chaufa rice, a dish that today cannot be missing from the Peruvian table.
Unlike the Chinese fried rice that is eaten in other countries, in Peru, Chaufa has become part of the gastronomic identity of Peruvians and each region of the country contributes something that makes it even more different, to the point that each family has its own recipe for Chaufa rice.
This dish is quite loaded with ingredients and is served in abundant portions, accompanied with soy sauce and aji amarillo or rocoto sauce.
It can be a dish where only vegetables are combined, or a mixed one of proteins and vegetables, or also one where carbohydrates are combined, as is the case of chaufa aeropuerto, where rice is mixed with sautéed noodles.
As you may have noticed, from Chinese fried rice came chaufa rice, a fried rice that has the authentic flavours of Peruvian cuisine, such as aji amarillo, pisco and the immense variety of Peruvian foods that come together in this dish and allow you to discover an explosion of unique flavours.
Which of the two dishes would you choose if you had to choose between Chinese fried rice vs Peruvian Arroz Chaufa?
Which is better Chinese Fried Rice or Peruvian Arroz Chaufa?
Both dishes are very delicious. Each has a different flavour to offer, but it all depends on what you want at what time. Chinese Fried Rice is for staying in your comfort zone and there is nothing wrong with that. Peruvian chaufa rice is the perfect dish if you’re in an adventurous mood.
The flavours that chaufa rice allows you to discover are so intense and unique that they captivate the most exquisite palates.
To try chaufa rice is to be left with the desire to continue discovering flavours and textures combined in a single dish. In fact, it is said that chaufa rice is the jewel of chifa food and the best kept gastronomic secret we Peruvians have. We eat it several times a week, at lunch or dinner. It is a must.
Thanks to the popularity of chifa food, with its chaufa rice dishes, lomo saltado, sopa wantán, among others, it has been making its way into other countries with restaurants seeking to share with the rest of the world those exquisite and irresistible flavours that Peruvians are very familiar with.
So, choosing Peruvian chaufa rice gives you the opportunity to explore new versions of the traditional Chinese fried rice that is widely known around the world.
Where do they serve Peruvian chaufa rice in Miami?
Miami is a city that gives you the opportunity to embark on a journey through the gastronomic flavours of many cuisines of the world, among them the Chinese-Peruvian fusion cuisine, better known as chifa.
In this city you will find our restaurant Chifa Du Kang, the best in this type of food, whose dishes include rice chaufa, lomo saltado, chicken chijaukay, chicken tipakay, among others.
Visit us at Chifa Du Kang and live one of the best gastronomic experiences in the city. Dare to discover why we are the best restaurant serving authentic chifa food, and of course, the best Peruvian chaufa rice in Miami.
