Chicha Peruvian Kitchen Midtown — Restaurant in Sacramento

My fiancé and I were looking for a new place to go— both a new restaurant and cuisine we hadn’t tried before. Chichas was one of the first places that popped up when we googled “top restaurants in Sacramento.” The atmosphere is comforting and colorful, and it smelled phenomenal upon entering.

We were seated my Jesús, who had served us the whole time we were there. Up front we were served with bread balls and a flavored butter. The menu had a ton of things that sounded amazing—I had to ask Jesús for a recommendation between my top 4 items because it all sounded so good, and he was great to explain the contents and flavors of each dish before making a recommendation. I had the Lomo Saltado a La Antigua, my fiancé had the Pollo Pachamanquero and we shared the sangria. For both dishes— flavors were so amazing and the meat was tender. One of my favorite parts of the meal was the rice— so flavorful that I couldn’t get enough. Also the sangria was a little different than when we’re used to (in a good way for sure)— a little thicker, very robust fruit flavor—we highly recommend.

Jesús was nice enough to chat with us for a bit afterward about the development and opening of the restaurant, and about some food recommendations for next time. They’re seeking to do a buffet option with music soon that will take place once a month— so we can try all kinds of new foods in one visit. We will definitely be back!!...

I had high hopes for this place, but it totally missed the mark. We drove up from the East Bay to meet family for lunch, and unfortunately, it was a disappointment.

We had a reservation for 12:30 for a party of ten, and while the service was good and the restaurant wasn't busy, with only one other couple dining, the food still took 30 minutes to arrive. We ordered the Chalaco and Tri Ceviche. The presentation was appealing, and the seasoning was decent, but the fish was tough and failed to absorb the lime flavor. This issue persisted across all the ceviches, likely because they used tilapia, which doesn't seem to hold up well in this dish. One of the kids ordered pizza. After the 30min wait, it came out burnt. They had the nerve to ask if we still wanted it. I should have taken a picture of it.

My son ordered the anticuchos, which were severely overcooked to the point of being beef jerky. We also tried their namesake drink, the chicha morada, but it tasted incredibly synthetic and disappointing.

The one highlight was the Fettuccine a La Huancaina Con Lomo Saltado. The noodles were exceptional, but sadly, the Lomo was dry and tough.

All in all, our experience was far from what we expected, and we will not...

Chicha Peruvian Kitchen was such a refreshing experience because Peruvian cuisine isn’t something you come across every day in Sacramento. The restaurant itself has a cozy, colorful vibe that instantly made me feel welcome. I started with the ceviche, and it was absolutely outstanding - fresh, citrusy, and with just the right amount of heat. Every bite was so vibrant that I couldn’t stop talking about it. For my entrée, I tried the lomo saltado, and it quickly became one of my favorite dishes in the city. The beef was tender, the fries soaked up the rich sauce perfectly, and the mix of flavors felt comforting and exotic at the same time. The staff were warm and attentive, always ready to explain the menu and share their recommendations. I loved learning more about Peruvian ingredients and traditions along the way. The meal ended with a passionfruit mousse that was light, sweet, and tangy - the perfect ending to a meal that was already incredible. Chicha doesn’t just serve food; it shares culture, flavor, and warmth. I left already planning my next visit because there are still so many dishes I...