El Huarique Peruvian Kitchen

I’m going to start off by saying that I’m Peruvian, and after living in LA and trying different Peruvian restaurants, I can confidently say this place is special. There’s truly no other spot like El Huarique. The flavors are authentic, the portions are generous, and you can taste the love in every dish. It feels like a hidden gem, which is exactly why it’s called “El Huarique” (meaning secret spot). The ceviche is as fresh and flavorful as back home, and the lomo saltado is cooked to perfection. Service is friendly, and even though it’s a small spot, the atmosphere makes you feel welcome. If you want real Peruvian food in LA, this is the place to go.

OK this is now my favorite Peruvian place so far. The tallarines Verdes are flavorful. The steak is marinated and tastes great. The ceviche is delicious and fresh. The papa hunciana has a kick and savory.

El Huarique Peruvian Kitchen (Culver City) is a charming spot with friendly service and beautiful décor, featuring Peruvian-style artifacts and a large screen in the back showing scenic videos of the Andes. Unfortunately, despite its appealing atmosphere, my experience fell short in several areas. The portion sizes are quite small compared to other Peruvian restaurants nearby, and all the dishes arrived at once — appetizers and entrées together — which made it hard to enjoy the meal in stages. We ordered the Papa a la Huancaína as an appetizer and the Lomo Saltado and Chaufa de Pollo as entrées. The Lomo Saltado was disappointing: the portion of meat was small, the fries were few, and the tomato and onion pieces were tiny. I’ve had this dish many times elsewhere, and it’s usually much heartier with larger, more flavorful portions. The Chaufa de Pollo, however, was quite good and well-prepared. The restaurant is known for its Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken, though we didn’t get a chance to try it. Unfortunately, a few other factors hurt the overall experience. It was a hot day, and with the front door open, flies and mosquitoes gathered near the window where we were seated inside. Additionally, the strong scent of burning incense or aromatic sticks inside and near the entrance was overwhelming and made it difficult to enjoy the meal. Overall, while the service and ambiance were pleasant, the small portions, serving style, and environmental distractions made this visit disappointing. Based on this experience, I wouldn’t plan to return.

Yummy yummy Peruvian Food! 🍔 It’s my first time experiencing Peruvian cuisine and I ordered the fried chicken sandwich(probably not the smartest choice) but the special herb taste definitely makes it unforgettable! ☕️ PLEASE do try the iced tea there, it made my day! 🪴The staff are very friendly and helpful

Fantastic family owned restaurant serving authentic Peruvian fare. Friendly service with a neighborhood feel, glad we came and hope to be back. Recommend making a reservation if you want to make sure they can accommodate you, it's not a huge place.

Absolutely amazing! The service, the owner’s vibe, the mint and basil lemonade taste like heaven 🪽I took the Veggies tacos! So delicious. I recommend it with love.

Damn good! So much amazing flavor in the chicken, but they gotta do something about the bland garlic rice! The fried yucca was great, just like mom makes it at home! Good service as well!

Tried this little spot and was blown away. The food is fantastic and reasonably priced. I also had a meal delivered by DoorDash that was excellent as well. Can’t recommend enough

Excellent service & food!! Cozy & comfortable as well. Celebrated my birthday here & they attended to our group to make sure we had all we needed.

Omg! My food was delicious, I will definitely be come back for more. Service was very nice and even though I got my food to go, they got my food and had me back on the road so I can go home and enjoy the loving meal they made me. So for the ambience it was nice and peaceful but it was also pack so you may have to wait but believe me when I say it's worth it. Thank you! And see you soon

The best South American food I've ever had! I ordered 1/2 a rotisserie chicken, an a la carte piece of fried fish, and fried sweet plantains. Everything was absolutely delicious. The 'Aji Verde' sauce on the side was the perfect condiment, with a creamy texture and a delicious, subtle kick of spice. The rotisserie chicken was unlike a standard lemon pepper or garlic preparation, it had a far more complex and savory flavor profile. I specifically came here in search of halal options and was very pleased to find that both the chicken and the fish were halal. The whole meal was less than $50 and more than enough to share. This is a family-run restaurant, and from the moment you walk in, you can feel the love. I was fortunate enough to have Leo as my host, whose father, Ernesto, owns the restaurant and is the chef. I definitely plan to be back soon!

Tasty Peruvian food in downtown Culver! I came with a party of 5 and enjoyed my time! Every time I get Peruvian food, the aji sauce is what I think about first and theirs was very herbaceous, almost slightly spicy, and less creamy compared to others I've had. The Peruvian chicken was tender and a great vehicle for the aji sauce. Yucca fries were fried until golden brown with a good crunch. Plantains were ripe and well-fried! The mixed ceviche featured jumbo shrimp and fresh sea bass. I liked the addition of choclo (white corn) and cancha (fried corn) because it offered more textural contrast and overall fun to eat! The fried fish was nicely fried with a light batter which helped encase the juicy, tender fish meat. Again another great vehicle for the aji sauce. Lomo Saltado was pretty good; beef pieces were tender and well seasoned but not sure if the fries added too much. I'm not a big rice person but I really liked their rice because it was steamed nicely with each grain intact but not overly sticky, and still had a good chew! It has a mom and pop shop vibe. I think staff were trying to clear our plates asap because we were taking a while (someone was waiting for a flight) but otherwise they were friendly and nice. Street parking available. I'd come back if I was in the area and craving Peruvian food!

Man! What can I say?! To die for. The ceviche is some of the best I've ever had and I've had my fair share! My wife had the lomo saltado and she said it was full of great flavor and the meat was cooked to perfection. My son and daughter shared the half chicken plate and it was gone at the end of the meal lol. Safe to say they enjoyed it. The service was also very good. Super attentive and informative. Street parking is somewhat easy. Can't wait to be back

I absolutely loved the food here! We ordered the loma saltado which was tender and flavorful beef sirloin paired with white rice and French fries. It was an interesting combo, but it worked. We also ordered the chicharron de pescado which was fried fish cubes served with yucca (tasted almost like French fries but slightly different consistency), pickled onions, tartar sauce and a green sauce (tasted similar to chimichurri). We were seated right away and the food came out quickly. It felt like a small hole in the wall and had cozy vibes. Overall, would recommend this place and can't wait to come back soon!

So happy I finally experienced the excellent food and service. Bravo to Sergio, Ernesto and Leo + staff! I can't wait to return to savor more deliciousness.

Neighborhood feeling restaurant Very friendly service My husband and I tried Ceviche Mixto, Lomo Saltado and Tallarin De Camarones. They were all flavorful and tasty. We are so glad to find this place.

A family-owned Peruvian Restaurant! 1st location was in Venice and now they have this restaurant as their 2nd location. Very cute ambiance with nice Peruvian decor around. I had a traditional and delicious Lomo saltado! We paired it with a ceviche mixto. The beef was nice juicy and tender. And the ceviche was fresh! They have bottled chica morada and inka cola. Very traditional drinks from Peru. They will have their beer and wine license later this year. Parking is metered in the front with some free residential parking around the corner. It's exciting to have another Peruvian restaurant on the westside. I can't wait to have it again.

It's been a while since I've had El Haurique in Venice so I was looking forward to dining in at their newer location in Culver City. It's a pretty small and quaint eatery that's directly on Sepulveda Blvd. The server was really friendly and helped us decide which peruvian dishes to get. I opted for the chicken and the ceviche mixto. I could eat like 5 ceviches..it tastes fresh with the right amount of citrus so it makes it addictive. Not only was the presentation beautiful, but the food tasted incredible. They don't have liquor or wine. They have non alcoholic options like chicha morada and inka kola. Street parking was easy to find on Sepulveda (metered) or in the neighborhood.

Had to come back for their delicious AMAZING chicken Sandwich. Highly recommended, I guarantee you won't be disappointed. It's juicy and full of flavor!

Ordered food to go A loma saltado and a shrimp with noodles .Both were delicious and really fresh. I will definitely order from them again. I want to try the tacos

Excellent food and attentive service. The owner is very earnest and makes you feel welcome. I really appreciate his enthusiastic suggestions. Everything was great, from the passionfruit drink to the fresh pollo entero. The yucca fries were perfectly cooked and seasoned along with dipping sauce. The lomo saltado was probably the best cut of meat for this dish I've ever seen. The restaurant is clean and great for small or larger groups. There was no wait during lunch. I'd absolutely come here again when I'm in the area.

3.5 stars. Food was enjoyable. Had the beef chow mein and the lomo saltado. Also had the mixed ceviche and when we asked what was in it was told mussels, clams, shrimp and fish. Well there weren't any mussels or clams but there were lots of vegetables (which can be problematic for the kid) that weren't mentioned - corn nuts, hominy, butternut, not much fish and some shrimp. Service was very friendly although there was 1 guy for the whole restaurant and we could have used water refills especially after 1 of the glasses of water was dirty (also problematic for the kid). I did enjoy their aji verde.

Came for dinner just before the kitchen closed at 8:30PM. Ordered the dish I use to test all Peruvian restaurants, lomo saltado. Theirs is the best I've had. Tender beef, beautifully sauteed to just beyond medium rare. This is a chef who understands the art of cooking. I'll make a point of getting to the west side more often, now that I know about El Huarique. Thanks, Yelp, for showing me the way!

Fast service, accommodating staff, and DELICIOUS food. I mean this place deserves the rating it has earned. Everything was so fresh and tasty. Genuinely some of the best fish tacos I've ever had (but can you really go wrong?). This would be the perfect date spot, the decor was bright and culturally representative of Peru. The server was patient as he walked us through the different dishes and he led us on the right path! Both dishes were great as you can probably tell by the glowing review. We're big seafood people and we can attest that this place has great fish! Definitely recommend!

This cute place was amazing!! We arrived to discover we hadn't finalized a reservation for 10 people! The people running the front were not fazed and quickly arranged the tables as a few customers left to accommodate our group. Everything we ordered was delicious, even special orders for vegans and vegetarians. I was visiting cousins in LA and we lost track of time, talking and eating and before we knew it, it was 9:30! It said they closed at 8:30, but no one rushed us, even bringing us dessert. My husband is Peruvian and he would give it 5 stars also!

Great Peruvian food, service and also fast. Leo is nice host too!

What a gem! This was an amazing and tasteful experience from start to finish. El Huarique immediately dazzles with a cute little patio w/hightops and matching ambiance. Upon entering you see a well-lit, cozy space that's clean and welcoming. We were immediately greeted by a very kind, conversational staff who walked us through the menu. My boyfriend has some food restrictions and rarely tries new things -when he asked for some they honored the request without question. Needless to say, I was impressed before my dinner arrived. From the 1st bite of my Chicken Soltado I knew we'd chosen the perfect restaurant. The meal was perfectly balanced, flavorful and fulfilling. I'm excited to add this to my regular list of "go to" restaurants and explore more of the menu. There's nothing like good food and excellent service. Add this one to your list.

Amazing! Wow, the presentation was decadent. The flavor just danced inside my mouth. One of the best Peruvian restaurants I've had and I have eaten at quite a number of places. The 5 star review is accurate. Very conscientious server/owner checked on us to make everything was to our liking.

My girlfriend and I were craving Lomo Saltado and decided to try El Huarique Peruvian Kitchen based on glowing reviews -- and it absolutely lived up to the hype. This cozy, locally owned spot instantly made us feel like we were part of a community gathering or a family get-together. The ambiance is warm and inviting, with subtle, thoughtful decor that adds a personal touch. One of the two owners was our server (the other is the chef), and it was clear from the start that they pour their heart into every dish and interaction. We shared the Lomo Saltado and Fish Ceviche, and both were out of this world. The Lomo was tender, deeply flavorful, and (as I joked at the table) very much "saltadoed." The green sauce that accompanied the steak? Absolutely to die for. The fries were crispy, well-seasoned, and held up beautifully under the savory juices of the dish. As for the ceviche -- wow. It was a traditional preparation, complete with two types of corn, sweet potato, and cancha. The freshness of the fish, the brightness of the lime, and the crunch of the corn created the perfect textural contrast. It was easily one of the best ceviches I've had in LA. Yes, the food takes a little time to arrive, but it's because it's made fresh by a two-person team who truly care. And trust me -- it's worth every minute. This place is an absolute gem. We'll be coming back again and again.

The lomo soltado was SO great. The beef was tender and the gravy was delicious. The rotisserie chicken came highly recommended. It was well cooked, but we didn't like the seasoning.

I. Food Plantains Appetizer (4/5) - felt a bit overcooked, but overall solid flavor - good texture Seafood Paella (5/5) - rice was really nice and aromatic - seafood was also cooked thoroughly and soft - the green salsa was very delicious and spicy II. Service - 5 stars, very friendly and kind - bonus points for keeping the restaurant very clean! III. Ambiance - feels professional and homey - very comfortable to eat some casual bites with friends

Yesterday I visited for the first time. They look like they are still ramping up. The place looks nice inside, but sadly there were no other customers at noon. The man working there told me of some specials and I selected Aji de gallina (chili chicken) especially since they did not have rotisserie chicken. I also got a beef empanada. Both were very flavorful. The chicken dish came with rice. I'd like to try their beans next time I visit.

Really good lomo here, it's a bit on the expensive side but that is because of the quality of the meat, in short I think it was well worth it. Really nice lomo saltado, I'll be back in the future.

We stumbled into this hidden gem and were not disappointed. We were welcomed in with friendly smiles and offered menus & drinks. Very well appointed dining room with sweet cultural decorations and a friendly vibe. I had the Lomo Salado and a passionfruit drink. Both were excellent. My husband had the Ají de Gallina which I think is what I would order next time. I love Peruvian cuisine and this place fit the bill. If only they had pisco sours to go with..: that would be an extra star!! No alcohol on the menu although the table next to us was offered wine. So not sure if it's available or not.

This spot is a gem! The Peruvian food was absolutely delicious--flavorful, fresh, and perfectly cooked. You can tell a lot of love goes into the food. The steak was my favorite, but honestly everything I tried was amazing. I'll definitely be coming back

The food here is SO very delicious and incredible! By the looks of how busy the restaurant was at lunch service, I'd wager that many customers feel the same way. And service for my to-go order was also incredibly kind and excellent - which is never expected, but always highly appreciated. Ordered the fish sandwich with an upgraded fee for yucca fries instead of standard fries, and also the lomo saltado (my go-to order at every Peruvian joint to gauge as a baseline). Both orders were incredible and tasty, down to every component of each dish and fresh, good ingredients. I think the fish sandwich surprised me the most - the sauce in there was so good that I even tried to use my yucca fries to sop up every drop of deliciousness. The wet to dry ratio was on point, fish tasted fresh with breading just right, and the sandwich wasn't sloppy or falling apart. I just know that I'm going to have a hard time straying away from ordering this again. The lomo saltado was also really tasty. Slightly different than any lomo saltado I've ever tried - don't know how to explain this but just trust that it was different in a really good way. They didn't skimp on the steak, and there was a lovely char flavor to the meat. All the veggies included in the dish were really fresh. And that rice! I dunno what's in it, but it was cooked well and really addictive. My tastebuds were overjoyed, to say the least. I had forgotten to ask for green sauce ahead of purchasing my order, which is something I really enjoy at lots of Peruvian restaurants (if available). At pick up, I mentioned that I forgot to ask for this sauce and asked if that was available. The person helping me with my to-go order said "absolutely!" and gave me a generous portion, which was so nice of him and I'm so glad he did cuz I used every drop of that too with my yucca fries - it was very tasty! I should note that both of my dishes were standalone perfect imo that neither technically needed the green sauce, but my own personal preference is to have the sauce to add at my whim. This restaurant is 100% worth checking out. I personally cannot wait to come back and explore more items on the menu.

Food has no business being this good. It is unfair to every other Peruvian restaurant I've ever visited. Another person on Yelp said it was the best fish tacos they've ever had and they're not lying. I will compare every fish taco to this one. The food was so good even my children ate their food with no complaints - that's the highest praise. Lastly, my husband is from Peru and it said it's 10 stars. So, yep would recommend. Do yourself a favor and eat here. Sorry no photos, food didn't last long enough ‍

Decided last minute to do dinner and wanted something easy but sit down! The fish tacos were incredible (would order again) and my bf got the lomo saltado and highly recommends. Also got the yucca fries that were great

The fish Tacos were possibly the best I've ever had. My son got the Chicken sandwich and fries and he said the fries were perfect, just a tad crispy but pillowy on the inside. Sergio was a sweet guy. I am glad he and his business partner opened. This will be a regular spot for me.

Food was fresh and excellent, atmosphere was lovely and clean, the owner and the staff were helpful and endearing. Looking forward to trying more of the menu!

Veryyyyy flavorful food (had lomo saltado, tallarin de pollo and spicy ceviche mixto) and will be coming back with more people because it was tooo good. Ambiance very clean / polished / upscale casual. Service was kind and attentive. Absolutely recommend. This is a spot you become a regular at.

I had the llomo saltado it was flavorful and shared the ceviche really delicious! They are still new the staff needs a bit more organization and training to get the orders correctly. Overall is a really nice place and ambience with delicious food.

I was introduced to Peruvian food about 8 years ago when I stumbled upon El Huarique on the Venice Beach boardwalk. El Huarique translated is "hole in the wall", and that's exactly what it was. Once I tried their ceviche, I was hooked. I went back many times a week and tried everything on the menu. After a while I got to know the owner Ernesto and started to take photos of the food for his business. Now so many years later, they have now opened another restaurant and I had to stop in to say hello. The food here is spectacular and is a must try!! This time I got the Mixed Ceviche and the Lomo Saltado. Both of them were amazing. Also tried two of the fruit drinks that Ernesto brought over to me. This place is addicting!! Hope you all like it as much as I do.

This location once housed our beloved neighborhood Cuban restaurant, and it was bittersweet to see it go after so many years. But when I saw a new Peruvian spot open in its place, I knew I had to check it out because if there's one thing I love, it's a good Lomo Saltado. I finally made my way over on a Saturday afternoon. The first thing I noticed? They were out of rotisserie chicken. No big deal, though, because I already had my mind set on Lomo Saltado. My partner had been here before and raved about the food, so I was eager to see if it lived up to the hype. We were greeted by a friendly staff member who let us choose any open table. The place was nearly packed, with only a few indoor seats left. The patio was empty not surprising for a chilly March day in California. After scanning the menu, we settled on the Lomo Saltado and Ceviche Mixto both of which my partner had tried and highly recommended. Our server also suggested the house lemonade, which turned out to be a lemon-mint blend. If you're not a fan of mint, you might want to skip it, but I enjoyed its tangy kick. Lomo Saltado (5/5) - The beef sirloin was cooked to perfection, tender, flavorful, and well-seasoned. It came with a side of rice, but fair warning: the portion is on the smaller side, so order your own! Every bite was worth it. Ceviche Mixto (Spicy) (5/5) - Absolutely delicious. The balance of citrus, spice, and texture was spot on. The crunchy fried corn, choclo (Peruvian corn), and sweet potato added the perfect contrast to the tangy lime marinade. Pro tip: Don't mix everything together--keep the sweet potato separate so you can enjoy it as a palate cleanser. Plantains (5/5) - Perfectly cooked, sweet, and caramelized just right. I always pair mine with rice, and this combo did not disappoint. Lemonade (3/5) - More on the tangy side, with a refreshing minty twist. While I liked it, I wish they had mentioned the mint beforehand--I was expecting pure lime. Service & Atmosphere The service was excellent--friendly and attentive. In fact, I accidentally left my purse on the back of my chair, and a staff member ran outside to return it. The restaurant itself is small and cozy, so I can see it filling up quickly. If you're planning a visit, keep in mind that patio seating is available, but on cold days, everyone wants to be inside. If you love authentic Peruvian food, especially a killer ceviche, bookmark this spot immediately. I'll definitely be back to try more dishes. Highly recommend!

I don't leave reviews often, but meal I had was so good. I ordered the fried fish plate as take out and it was so amazing. The perfect about of seasons and the pickled onions were an amazing touch. I would've maybe swapped out the salad for another side, but i definitely will be back!

My parents were born in Lima, Peru. We are always on the hunt for authentic Peruvian restaurants and this place is fantastic. Not only is the food full of flavor, the staff is so kind! They catered an event for us and everyone was so impressed by the food, there were 0 leftovers.

We had such a delicious meal at El Huarique! It's a mix of traditional Peruvian spices and dishes with some LA flare. We thoroughly enjoyed the platanos, yuca, ceviche mixto, the pork tacos and chicarron de pescado. It was all delicious! Pair that with their basal mint lemonade for a refreshing summer meal! This place is a charming family restaurant and the service was wonderful. We'll be coming back again!

My new favorite Peruvian spot! The place itself has a nice sit-down vibe and would be a great place for a nice dinner. The owner is very nice as well and greeted me warmly when I arrived to pick up my takeout order. Food was phenomenal, bursting with flavor and with high quality ingredients, which seems to be a rarity these days. If you want to experience the best Peruvian food in LA this is the place!

This is the spot! A little eatery nestled away in Culver City. Delicious food (I had the Chicharron de Pescado - it was delicious.)

The staff was very welcoming and attentive (checked in on us throughout our meal). I had Beef Chow Mien, which was very flavorful and colorfully plated. The party next to us had the full chicken which looked and smelled amazing! I'll definitely be back!

I've never tried such a tastier pollo a la brasa. Everything was perfect, from the fries to the delicious finger licking beans! The aji verde and amarillo were yummy and complimented the fries and rice really well. We also tried the mint lemonade and was very refreshing. The service was top and the server was very friendly and kept checking on us. The place is cozy and in a perfect spot. I just wish they would come to the IE! I drove over an hour to try them and will do it again.

Honestly, the best Peruvian kitchen I've been to. The shrimp Chaufa, the lomo saltado, the fish ceviche, fried plantains and fried yucca were absolutely delicious. The staff was friendly and the ambiance was lovely. Take it from someone who likes their food made right; this was a really great meal.

What a gem! Phenomenal food, and stellar service. Been driving past this place for years and finally went in. We were so glad we did! Will most certainly be back! If you're looking for authentic family owned Peruvian food, definitely check this place out! Top notch.

Was craving Pollo Saltado and this really hit the spot. Perfect seasoning. Ordered through DoorDash. Unfortunately, the 1st driver stole the order, and the owner personally called us and apologized and said he was sending a new one immediately. It was incredible even when delivered, so I look forward to having it at the restaurant in the future.

This Peruvian place really hits the spot. The friendly service and relaxing local atmosphere make this a place worth a visit! I never tried the Venice location but this Culver location is close and fantastic.

I had the fried fish dinner + fried plantain and yucca, a couple evening ago. This is the best Peruvian restaurant that I've had. I live in the IE and can't wait to drive back out there for food.

Run, don't walk, to this fabulous restaurant with reasonably priced generous servings of amazing Peruvian cuisine! I'd be back for their perfectly fried and creamy yuca fries alone. Their fried fish entree with rice, salad and potatoes was a feast in itself! My bf had the Pollo Saltado which he very much enjoyed. Hope they add wine/beer to their offerings but I'll be back either way!