Charango is a concept borne of a love of travel, a love of food and a love of incomparable experiences. It’s the new kid on the Bree Street block, set to become a definitive foodie destination in South Africa with a menu dedicated to Peruvian-Japanese fusion, or Nikkei cuisine.
Peruvian Bar and Grill on Bree Street
Overseen by talented Head Chef Kieran Whyte, Charango serves an innovative menu focussing on textures and depth of flavour, incorporating native vegetables, fruit and fish with the aim of encouraging diners to discover interesting new taste combinations. The menu is designed for sharing with most dishes served as finger food, in small piqueos dishes, best described as Peruvian tapas. These dishes sit alongside a curated wine selection and an extensive cocktail list based on pisco infusions.
Nikkei cuisine has become the latest gastronomic sensation to hit culinary capitals – half a dozen new restaurants dedicated to the cuisine have opened since 2012 in London alone. Following in the footsteps of top international Peruvian-Japanese restaurants such as Chotto-Matte; Lima Floral; Rayminyc and most recently Uni, Charango opens the world of Nikkei cuisine to locals.
Peru’s culinary traditions speak to the cultural influences which have swept over the South American country, such as the Japanese, who began migrating to Peru in the 1800s. Japanese Peruvians now comprise the second largest ethnic Japanese population in Latin America (after Brazil). The roots of Nikkei lie in the importance both traditions give to fresh fish, as Japanese sushi mixes perfectly with ceviche, which lies at the heart of most Peruvian menus.
Japanese dishes have been combined with the flavours and cooking techniques of the indigenous Peruvians to remarkable effect, bringing together the best of the delicate, refined Japanese cuisine with Peruvian freshness and spice. Think fresh fish combined with corn, ají peppers, yuca, potatoes and, in Charango’s case, a host of creative flourishes — delicious Charango ‘New Style’ Ceviche; Seared Tuna Tataki and Toasted Quinoa Creme.
Charango celebrates this delicious mix of cultures and offers diners a dynamic fusion of street and contemporary style-food: from ceviche to hot, seared kebab-style meat cooked over coals. And it’s not just the food that’s innovative. The cutting- edge interior features clean, earthy lines offset against colourful contemporary South African mural art by Faith47.
Located in the heart of buzzing Bree Street, Charango is unpretentious, sophisticated and modern with a Peruvian sense of fun.
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Directions to Charango
114 Bree Street
Cape Town
021-422 0757
