Crasqui Restaurant | Minneapolis's Vibrant Peruvian Kitchen

Tucked away in a modest storefront in South Minneapolis, Crasqui Restaurant is a warm, colorful, and wonderfully authentic destination for the bold, diverse flavors of Peruvian cuisine. This is not a generic Latin American spot; it's a family-run gem where the culinary traditions of Peru—a glorious fusion of indigenous ingredients, Spanish influences, African rhythms, and Asian techniques—come alive in every dish, served with genuine hospitality and pride. ✨ The Crasqui Experience: The atmosphere is cheerfully inviting and unpretentious—think vibrant colors, Peruvian textiles adorning the walls, the welcoming smile of owners who treat every guest like family, and the irresistible aroma of aji amarillo and anticuchos sizzling in the kitchen. The space is modest but warm, filled with the energy of regulars who've been coming for years and newcomers who've heard the whispers and followed their curiosity. The menu is a journey through Peru's extraordinary culinary landscape, a cuisine that deserves far more attention than it gets. The ceviche is essential and absolutely authentic—ultra-fresh fish "cooked" in citrusy leche de tigre, served with sweet potato, cancha (toasted corn), and red onion. It's bright, refreshing, and balanced, the leche de tigre so good you'll want to drink it straight (which, in Peru, people do). The lomo saltado—that iconic Peruvian-Chinese stir-fry of tender beef, onions, tomatoes, and french fries, served with rice—captures Peru's multicultural soul in a single dish. The beef is perfectly seared, the sauce rich and savory, the fries somehow staying crisp even after being tossed in all that goodness. The aji de gallina (shredded chicken in a creamy, slightly spicy walnut-based sauce) is pure comfort food, the kind of dish that makes you close your eyes on the first bite. The causa (layered potato terrine with chicken or seafood) showcases the Peruvian reverence for the potato—over 4,000 varieties grown in the Andes—transformed into something elegant and satisfying. The anticuchos (grilled beef heart skewers) aren't for the faint of heart, but they're a Peruvian street food classic for good reason. Marinated in vinegar and spices, grilled to tender perfection, they're smoky, savory, and absolutely delicious—proof that great cooking transforms humble ingredients into something transcendent. The papa a la huancaína (potatoes in a creamy, slightly spicy cheese sauce) is a perfect starter, the sauce rich and comforting. The seafood dishes reflect Peru's long coastline: fish, shrimp, and squid prepared with the bright, bold flavors that define Peruvian cooking. The tacu tacu—a traditional dish of rice and beans fried into a crispy cake, often topped with seafood or steak—is a textural masterpiece. Don't leave without trying the picarones for dessert—sweet potato and squash doughnuts drizzled with spiced syrup, a perfect end to the meal that's neither too heavy nor too sweet. The syrup, infused with cinnamon and cloves, tastes like Peruvian Christmas. The drink menu features Pisco sours, Peru's national cocktail and one of the great contributions to the cocktail canon. The perfect balance of Pisco brandy, lime, simple syrup, egg white, and bitters creates a drink that's simultaneously creamy, tart, and complex. They also offer chicha morada, a sweet, non-alcoholic beverage made from purple corn and spices that tastes like liquid candy—surprisingly refreshing and utterly Peruvian. The clientele reflects the restaurant's authenticity: Peruvian expats seeking a taste of home, their faces lighting up at flavors that transport them back; adventurous diners exploring a new cuisine; and regulars who've been coming for years, drawn by the consistency, warmth, and soul in every dish. It's a place designed for sharing multiple dishes, for discovering a cuisine that deserves a place alongside the world's great culinary traditions, and for anyone who believes that the best restaurants feel like an extension of someone's home—where the food is made with love and the welcome is genuine. 📝 Short Social Media Caption: “Found a little piece of Peru in Minneapolis. 🇵🇪✨ Crasqui is serving some of the most vibrant, authentic Peruvian food in the Twin Cities—ceviche so fresh it glows, lomo saltado that tells a thousand stories, and Pisco sours that transport you straight to Lima. A true hidden gem. #Crasqui #MinneapolisEats #PeruvianFood #Ceviche #LomoSaltado #PiscoSour #LatinAmericanCuisine #TwinCitiesEats #MNFoodie #HiddenGem