Delivery review: CHUSCO by NAZKA’s delivery meal
In these crazy corona times, restaurants are closed, so we’re happily eating out at home. Luckily, many new and special delivery and takeaway restaurants are being added. And we’re going to test them for you. Today: CHUSCO by NAZKA in Amsterdam.
Guinea pigs, many people say when it comes to Peruvian cuisine, although ceviche has also become firmly established by now. Peruvian cuisine is much more than that. It is an impressive melting pot of Spanish, African, Japanese and Chinese cuisines, as well as indigenous traditions.
Last summer, NAZKA opened its doors in De Pijp, a Peruvian fine-dining restaurant. This restaurant had been at the top of my must-eat list for quite some time, until the corona drama struck. Owners Raul Lansink (Peruvian mother) and Christian Motte (raised in Peru) had Peruvian cuisine spoon-fed to them (cucharón). Now they have launched a special delivery restaurant, focused on Peruvian comfort food as you eat it on the street, at friends’ homes or in picanterias in Peru. CHUSCO means quirky in Spanish and ordinary in Peruvian Spanish.
The delivery
The delivery time keeps changing in the app. The delivery driver has already been waiting at the restaurant for quite some time, while apparently they are still cooking away. Much later than planned, he is at the door. His smile makes up for everything. You will not be disappointed, the letter at the bottom of the bag confidently begins. At the bottom of the document, a cheerful stray dog wags its tail.
The bag also contains two containers. One contains two small sprigs of bimi with two sauces. The other contains a little mound of rice with a yellow sauce and an egg. The yellow sauce looks a little dried out, but that is probably due to the bike ride. You will not be disappointed, I repeat the mantra. You will not be disappointed.
The menu
Seasonal grilled and fried veggies is the name of the starter. I pour the soy sauce over the mini bimi and dip them in the miso sauce. The flavor is certainly not disappointing, especially the fried corn that completes the dish. The portion could only have been slightly more generous.
The main course is Aji de Gallina. Aji means pepper, and the strikingly yellow ragout is made with aji amarillo (yellow pepper) and turmeric. It also contains, among other things, pulled chicken and botija olives, with a slice of potato and half an egg on top. The sauce is wonderfully creamy and deliciously seasoned. The container is empty far too quickly, and I regret not ordering the entire menu.
Can CHUSCO by NAZKA join us at the table more often?
Claro que sí! The dishes are absolutely delicious, and we can certainly use a culinary hug in the form of some comfort food during these turbulent times. The starter (€6.50) was on the small side, but luckily the main course (€18) was better proportioned. CHUSCO is a pleasant introduction for people who would like to try Peruvian food, and only fuels curiosity about its big sister NAZKA. CHUSCO can be ordered via Deliveroo.
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