Peruvian chef Virgilio Martinez, whose Lima restaurant Central has held the title of Latin America's best restaurant three times, will be opening a new restaurant in Hong Kong this summer.

In a sign of the epicurean times, Peruvian cuisine will make a splashy entrance in one of the gastronomic capitals of Asia in July, offering locals a taste of "Peruvian comfort food," reports Fine Dining Lovers. 

In recent years, interest in Peru's food traditions, including its offspring Nikkei and Chifa cuisine -- fusion Japanese, Chinese and Peruvian dishes -- have reached the upper echelons of haute gastronomy. 

 

Tatler Asia

Named after a hearty plant native to the Peruvian Andes, also known as Peruvian feathergrass, Ichu Peru will be a relaxed, bistro-style eatery showcasing Peruvian ingredients. 

Along with 80 covers inside, the restaurant will be able to seat 85 diners on an outdoor terrace. A bar area will also offer casual dining. 

Martinez rose to international chef stardom with his restaurant Central, where guests embark on a culinary tasting tour of Peru, from the oceans to the Amazon and the Andes mountains. 

Dishes are labeled by the altitude at which ingredients are found.  

According to Fine Dining Lovers, the original Central will serve its final meal June 9, before relocating to a new space in Lima that will house an exhibition space for their research and development project Mater Iniciativa, along with a solo restaurant from wife and partner Pia Leon.