An interesting and genuine Peruvian food experience: Restaurant Barranco (17. September 2020)
Finally, I was able to get a table for the Barranco. Somehow you always have to book weeks in advance to secure a table which is – honestly speaking – quite annoying. However, it is worth doing it. Once you’re seated, the waitress attends you relatively quickly to bring some nibbles (corn) and the menu. Then, the waiting began. Once the drinks were served, I must say that they have quite a good selection. The “Nikkei Chilcano (Pisco Acholado, lime, ginger ale, ginger, umeshu)” (CHF 15.00) was rich and had an intense ginger flavor.
The concept of the dishes is ‘to share’ – so, the best idea is to order a couple of different dishes and put them in the middle to share. The “Tequeños de Aji de Gallina (wonton wrappers filled with traditional chili, planted chicken, salsa tari)” (CHF 15.00) and the “Ceviche Clásico (raw sea bass, sweet potatoes, Peruvian corn, leche de tigre)” (CHF 18.00) were very different. The tequeños weren’t really to my liking but the ceviche clásico is definitely something you should try. It is refreshing and at the same time intense in flavor.
The “Quina Colada (Pisco Acholado, quinquina, coconut, pineapple)” (CHF 16.00) was rather intense in terms of degree of alcohol and made you almost flinch a little but it was rich in terms of aroma.
While the “Chicharrón Andino (crispy, glazed pork belly, mote corn purree, zarza criolla)” (CHF 19.00) tasted absolutely delicious and was incredibly mouth-watering as the sauce was intense and the pork belly was perfectly juicy and smooth with the perfect degree of crispness, the “arroz con pato (sous-vide duck, chicha de jora marinade, traditional green rice, huancaina sauce)” (CHF 22.00) was relatively disappointing. On the one hand side because the duck was somewhat dry and chewy and on the other hand side because it couldn’t compete with the flavor intensity of the pork belly.
The “Lomo Saltado (sauteed beef filet, vegetables from the wok, rice)” (CHF 24.00) was exquisite. The meat was of high quality and the flavors were, once again, absolutely intense. Just really a dish which made your mouth happy and your taste buds dance.
The “Causa Verde (potato mash, wild coriander, planted chicken, olive and avocado emulsion)” (CHF 16.00) is a dish we saw passing by a couple of times until we finally ordered it. It is a vegetarian dish but one which creates a nice wow effect. The combination of flavors and consistencies makes it a truly delicious bite. Can absolutely recommend it.
The Barranco is definitely a good place and one you can return to but in all honesty, I don’t entirely understand the hype about it. Yes, it’s a great restaurant and there aren’t too many Peruvian locations in Zurich but is it that mind-blowing? I’d clearly answer that question with ‘no’. It is worth visiting and especially if you haven’t eaten anything along those lines, you will most likely love it, but it isn’t that incredibly unique experience one reads so much about. Still, I can absolutely recommend to visit it.
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Contact Details:
Restaurant Barranco
Sihlfeldstrasse 141
8004 Zürich (CH)
Tel.: +41 41 558 58 33
E-Mail: info@barranco.ch
Homepage: http://www.barranco.ch
About the Author: Sven
I started the blog in October 2009, while living in Milan which I definitely consider to be one of the food capitals of the world. I was in touch with food since my early childhood (as my father is a former chef). Whenever I can, I travel the world to discover new places, to meet people but mostly to try local dishes and to find hidden gems! If you know a place worth going, please drop a line to: info@thediningexperience.org.
Currently, I am a member of the following food-related associations: Chevalier @Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Zurich-Ville; Membre Gourmet Dégustateur @Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs [OMGD]; Gesellschafter @Goldener Fisch and Member @Slowfood Convivium Zurich City. 
