San Jerónimo says goodbye today: what to eat at the cacharpari
The cacharpari is the festival's farewell. Active stalls serving chiriuchu, chicken soup with spearmint, chicha de jora, and tamales. This is what people eat.
When the dance troupes pack away their embroidered costumes and the procession returns to the church, the festival of San Jerónimo does not fade: it moves to the dining table. The cacharpari marks the official farewell, but in practice, it is the day the food fair operates at full swing. Local families unearth their last pots, turning the plaza into a large open-air dining room where devotion is celebrated plate by plate.
Cusqueño chicken soup: the secret of fresh spearmint
The dish that defines the cacharpari and festive mornings in Cusco is chicken soup. Unlike coastal versions, Andean broth features fresh spearmint, not cilantro. It is a gentle, aromatic touch that balances the rich flavor of free-range chicken against the morning cold. At Pirwa Restaurant, we prepare our soups to that exact standard: local ingredients, fresh herbs, and recipes faithful to Cusqueño heritage.
Chiriuchu and fair food: the essential feast
No patron saint festival is complete without chiriuchu. Served cold, it brings together ingredients from the three regions on a single platter: guinea pig, chicken, dried beef, savory fritter, moraya, seaweed, and trout roe. In San Jerónimo's main square, it is eaten with your hands—no cutlery, no pretense, just authentic celebration. Learn here the history of chiriuchu, the dish that accompanies every big festival.
Around the plaza, the stalls round out the menu with plantain-leaf tamales, fried pork with corn (chicharrón con mote), and warm spiced punch; review the typical dishes of Cusco you will find during these festivities.
Chicha de jora: the ceremonial pairing of the farewell
Every dance troupe carries its own demijohn of chicha de jora. During the cacharpari, this fermented corn beverage serves as a toast of reciprocity between families and dancers. Its light acidity cleanses the palate against the richness of festive meats. Discover more about chicha de jora, the ancestral beverage that sustains every Cusqueño celebration.
Pirwa and San Jerónimo: the same roots, a different table
The food fair in San Jerónimo shares the exact same roots as the dishes we serve at Pirwa. We share the same markets and traditional recipes. In San Jerónimo you eat standing up amid music; at Pirwa you enjoy a fireplace, tablecloths, and colonial balconies overlooking Plaza San Francisco.
To confirm civic calendar dates, consult the Municipality of San Jerónimo and the festivities of EMUFEC Cusco. San Jerónimo also connects with the South Valley and its circuit of the district's baroque church, as well as the Paucartambo Festival and the streets of San Blas. Additionally, the Universidad Andina documents these dances as cultural heritage.
Enjoy traditional flavor at Pirwa Restaurant
The flavors of our local festivals are the soul of Cusqueño cuisine. We welcome you to continue this culinary celebration in an intimate and cozy atmosphere in the city center.
Book your table in the Historic Center: Explore our traditional menu and reserve at Pirwa Restaurant facing Plaza San Francisco.
Fecha de Publicación: 29/09/2026
