A small Taipei eatery run by Peruvians: roast chicken, risotto, and purple corn drink like red wine

Text and photos byXiao Sheng’s Wandering Journey

Xiao Sheng, who is always planning the next trip, currently dreams most of visiting Peru’s Machu Picchu, the so-called City in the Sky. But with work keeping me busy, I have no idea when I’ll finally be able to set off for that longed-for destination. However, even if I can’t go to Machu Picchu, trying Peruvian food isn’t difficult—in Taipei, there’s a small restaurant opened by Peruvians. Since I can’t go to Machu Picchu, I might as well have some Peruvian roast chicken XD.

The Peruvian Roast Chicken POLLERIA is located on Guling Street in Taipei. I don’t usually come to this area of Guling Street, and it only reminds me of movies XD. This time, when a friend visited Taipei, we wanted to try some special cuisine, so we came to Polleria. It wasn’t until we arrived at the shop’s entrance that we realized how unassuming the place was—very different from what I had imagined.

There aren’t many seats inside the Polleria, just about five tables. Each table has a small Peruvian flag, and the colorful patterns on the walls—I think they must be Peruvian-themed designs—are passionate and unrestrained, perfectly matching the South American vibe I had in mind.

On the other side of the wall hang ornaments from Peru. These accessories have a very strong South American, Peruvian flair. If I get the chance, I’d really love to buy a few to use as decorations.

The meal at Polleria is simple: 1/4 roast chicken, Peruvian green sauce risotto, salad, and fries, served with Peruvian-style sauces. It comes with a choice of Coke or Sprite. The price ranges between NT$299 and NT$399. For an additional NT$90, you can upgrade your combo to include a traditional Peruvian purple corn drink. Since I’ve never tried a drink from Peru, I definitely had to give it a shot.

Roast chicken + Peruvian green sauce risotto + fries (NT$349): This was the combo my friend ordered, which includes the green sauce risotto. I didn’t order it because I was afraid the portion would be too big and I wouldn’t finish it. As it turned out... the risotto portion was super small, just a few bites and it was gone.

Roast chicken + salad + fries (NT$299): The basic combo is what I ordered. Overall, the price felt a bit high, but later, when the boss had a quieter moment, I chatted with him a little. He said all the spices they use are imported from Japan and Peru. I was curious why they import from Japan, and he explained that many Peruvians have moved to Japan, so they also export spices there. Importing from Japan is closer and more convenient. Hearing that made me feel that although the price is a bit steep, considering how much care goes into it, the pricing is reasonable.

The supporting cast of the combo—salad, fries, and green sauce risotto. The fries at Polleria are freshly cut and fried to a softer texture, with less crispiness, but they’re very hearty. Had it not been for the staff’s explanation, I wouldn’t have known that potatoes originally come from Peru and were only introduced to Europe after Columbus discovered the New World. The salad is very fresh, and the sauce gives it a unique flavor. As for the Peruvian green sauce risotto, the taste is quite unusual. Although the risotto is a bit dry, the Peruvian green sauce isn’t as heavy as basil-based pesto. Instead, it’s refreshing, and the more you eat, the more aromatic it becomes. The spices are unique and have a distinctive flavor. Even though it’s a bit dry, I still quite like this risotto.

Finally, the star of the show—the roast chicken—makes its appearance. The Peruvian roast chicken is made using traditional methods. The chicken is marinated in imported spices for 48 hours, and no low-grade oils are added during the process. Therefore, the fat in the roast chicken comes entirely from the chicken itself. The oven used is also a specially imported Peruvian model.

Although the portion is 1/4 of a chicken, it’s actually not very big—just about the size of one large drumstick. The chicken skin is roasted to an inviting golden brown, which is enough to make anyone’s mouth water. The chicken meat is tender and juicy. With each bite, you can taste the flavor of the Peruvian spices. It’s not overly heavy, but it really highlights the taste of the roast chicken, making it truly delightful. I heard that roast chicken is everywhere on the streets of Peru, and now I can’t help but look forward to the day I can enjoy the most authentic version when I eventually visit Peru.

Purple Corn Drink (add NT$90 to combo): This add-on purple corn drink is made from a type of corn grown in the Andes Mountains and has been cultivated since the time of the Inca Empire. Purple corn is highly nutritious, and you can’t help but wonder what it tastes like. But when poured into a wine glass, the purple color is barely visible—it looks just like red wine, as the colors are extremely similar.

The taste of the purple corn isn’t very “corn-like.” Instead, it’s somewhat reminiscent of hibiscus tea, but without the heavy feeling of hibiscus. It’s a flavor I’m trying for the first time. Taiwan is truly a treasure island—you can enjoy Western, Japanese, Korean, and Thai cuisines, and now even Peruvian food. Although I can’t travel to the places I dream of right now, at least I can enjoy Peruvian cuisine here in Taiwan and get my fix. The boss mentioned that they’ll soon be importing authentic Inca Cola. Looks like I’ll have another reason to visit then.

Peruvian Roast Chicken POLLERIA

Address: No. 61-5, Guling Street, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
Phone: 0979511540

Xiao Sheng’s Wandering Journey
Every journey, every trip is a pursuit. Though I’m not entirely sure what I’m searching for, what I ultimately gain is more than I ever imagined. And so, my wandering journey will continue endlessly.