Home / Dinner / Choros a la Chalaca

Choros a la Chalaca

Steamed mussels piled high with a bright salsa of onion, tomato, lime, and choclo — the colorful appetizer of Lima’s port, Callao.

⏱ 30 minPrep time
🔥 10 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
☆☆☆☆☆No ratings yet
Choros a la Chalaca

This dish comes from Callao, Lima’s old port, whose residents are nicknamed ‘chalacos.’ Fresh mussels are steamed open and topped with a crunchy, citrusy salad of red onion, tomato, corn, and aji limo — a brilliant, no-cook sauce that celebrates the sea.

A port-town appetizer with a crunch

The mussels are plump and briny, and the salsa on top is cold, crunchy, and bright with lime, with a slow burn from the aji limo. A squeeze more lime and a pinch of salt make each spoonful taste like the coast.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Discard any mussels that are open and do not close when tapped, then steam them in a large pot with 1/2 cup of water for 4 to 6 minutes until they open wide; discard any that stay shut.
  2. Let the mussels cool enough to handle, then remove and discard the top shell of each, leaving the mussel in the bottom shell.
  3. Toss the onion, tomatoes, corn, aji limo, and cilantro with the lime juice, olive oil, and salt in a bowl.
  4. Arrange the half-shell mussels on a platter and spoon the salsa generously over each one.
  5. Serve immediately with lime wedges and a small dish of salt on the side.

💡 Chef tips & storage

The salsa can be made up to an hour ahead, but dress the mussels at the last minute so the shells stay dry and the topping stays crunchy. Choros a la chalaca do not keep — eat them the day they are made.

Rate this recipe

☆☆☆☆☆No ratings yet
Sign in to rate this recipe.

Recipe details

Prep30 min
Cook10 min
Servings4
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →