BAAAANGERR I absolutely love Peruvian food, and back in AZ there was a spot we adored. Coming here, I was kinda nervous we wouldn't be able to have anything similar, but I was wrong! Actually... I was right because Jalea is 10x better than what we've ever had in the West Coast. This cozy restaurant is on Main Street, so if you're lucky, you can get street parking otherwise there is public parking spots scattered around Downtown St. Charles. Our server was really sweet, a little soft spoken, but got us through the menu. Our table was given some plantain and corn nuts to munch on while we browsed the menu. Everything was really dang good!! I ordered the Ceviche Carritellero that came with breaded shrimp. Gigantic breaded shrimp. It was so good and I loved the citrusy, bright flavors. My husband ordered the Chaufa Aeropuerto - the flavors on this was incredible. It was Peruvian fried rice with steak and pork belly, and an egg on top. This was a really great dinner experience, and I hope we can come back again to make this a regular date night spot for us! read more

Jalea - Chaufa aeropuerto - Peruvian Near Me - Saint Charles, Missouri

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Lovely place! Amazing experience. I recommend for everyone who wants to try something different read more

Jalea - Amazing experience - Peruvian Near Me - Saint Charles, Missouri

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Plantain chips were so delicious! I was like man I want more and then they gave us more on the house! The fried rice I ordered was so delicious. I need to try to recreate this at home so I can have it whenever! My husband ordered the chicken and he thought the fries were really good. He couldn't finish the chicken but ate a lot of it had the beans and rice. Unfortunately he did get the worst heartburn he's ever gotten so I felt so bad for him. He couldn't tell which thing gave it to him so it's really sad he'll never want to come back. I'll have to go back with someone else! read more

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Never had Peruvian food? Neither had we until coming here. After viewing the menu and a little research online, we decided to give this a try; we love Cuban food and Hispanic food, and the flavors seemed to align. We were blown away by the both the food and the service -- the family that owns and operates this business really really care about your experience while dining here. Everything we had was excellent and we tried several new foods we'd never had before. Can't wait to return! read more

Such a classy and intimate vibe! The ceviche was phenomenal and I'm so glad we tried it. We had a few glasses of Malbec from Argentina which was the perfect accompaniment. We also had Jalea mixta & the fish in it was delicious. The sweetest couple own it and work there, his wife served us and she did a great job explaining the menu. Well worth the visit! read more

One of my favorite restaurants! Everything I've tried on the menu has been fabulous and there is always something new to try as well. The craft cocktails are amazing and the service is excellent. They really make you feel welcome here and they take great care with each play they serve. I have enjoyed coming here with a large group of friends and also with just me and one other friend and service never slips. Check out my food photos, everything is as good as it looks. read more

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We enjoyed dinner here our first night on a recent trip and it was fantastic!!! We started with the Plantain chips - with an amazing cilantro based sauce. Then we enjoyed the Brasas half chicken (so good!) and a fried rice dish with pork belly (I can't remember the name). The service was super friendly. Everything was fresh and so flavorful. Wonderful start to a great weekend. read more

Jalea - Rice dish - Peruvian Near Me - Saint Charles, Missouri

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Atmosphere was quiet, quaint and lovely. I can tell that this is a small family run business and that they love what they do. Every worker I saw was interacting with the guests and just so friendly. Each plate feels prepared with skill and everything we had (and I do mean everything we had) was SO GOOD. we will definitely be back! read more

Jalea - Peruvian Near Me - Saint Charles, Missouri

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This was our second visit, our first visit was over a year ago and not a fantastic experience. Food was good the first time, as I recall our issue was mostly staffing. Since the food was good, and we've heard high praises from our friends, we decided to come back. We found it very easy to get a reservation which was a shock since it was so hard to get in the first time. Overall service was phenomenal this time, everything came out of the kitchen as it should. We started with Yucca-potato croquettes. 5 to a serving, with a delightful light sauce underneath. From the description on the menu I was definitely not picturing what came out on the plate, but they were delicious. We kind of split our main entrees, unfortunately I had eaten before we arrived so I was only a few bites into my paella before I got full. I cannot identify the flavors of the paella, but they packed a lot of punch and I was definitely sad that I couldn't eat more. My partner was all too happy to eat my paella and we ended up bringing his Chaufa home. The Chaufa has a very strong savory flavor, which I appreciated but my partner did not. Portions were huge! Ambiance is very nice, a little dark and moody, but not too dark. I enjoyed the art on the walls and the bathroom was clean. read more

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Absolutely phenomenal food? Everything that we had was full of flavor and cooked perfectly! The food takes a little bit to prepare, which is absolutely fine since it's so full of flavor, but the service itself could've been a little bit more attentive otherwise this would've been five stars! This place absolutely deserves to be fully packed with a line out the door. read more

Perfect setting to celebrate a special occasion. Owner's know the regulars by name and made newcomers like us feel welcome. Nothing happens quickly which made the experience even more enjoyable. All six in the group were impressed. Little things make a difference: Service begins w/ complimentary Peruvian Corn Nuts, chilled glass water bottles, and table setting. Cocktails ordered and arrived, followed by complimentary plantain chips served with a green ahi sauce, before entrees arrived. Best, most authentic Peruvian food we've had in the US. Every dish and sauce was thoughtfully created. Pisco Sour reminds me of the Jockey Club in Lima. So good! Chicken, Ceviche, Chaufa Aeropuerto - Peruvian Fried Rice, Beef Strip loin. Pork Belly. Shrimp. Egg. WOW! read more

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A wonderful gem for all! Recently visited to celebrate a birthday and all generations in our party loved the food. The Jalea Mixta was a big hit along with the variety of sauces. It is great having a place in St. Charles to order plantains and yuca. And the pisco sours are spot on! read more

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Gosh! The ceviche was sooooo good! Also loved the Lomo Saltado. I'm used to having it with fries, but kind of preferred the small potato halves. And... the pisco sour! Yum! Great service and atmosphere. Delicious! If I lived nearby I'd be here often! read more

Jalea - LOMO SALTADO 8oz beef strip loin. saltado sauce (veal stock, vinegar, soy sauce, tomato, red onion). green onion. garlic rice - Peruvian Near Me - Saint Charles, Missouri

Such a cute place. The service is always good. They change the menu according to the season which keeps things interesting. read more

Jalea - Paella - Peruvian Near Me - Saint Charles, Missouri

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This is a charming restaurant with absolutely amazing authentic food. The restaurant is a genuine family run Peruvian restaurant. The service was top notch. We had the traditional ceviche as a starter and it was quite possibly the best ceviche we've ever had. Perfectly balanced and the fish was fresh and delicious. My husband and I shared the fried mixed seafood and the Paella. Both were outstanding. I had a Pisco Sour that was perfectly crafted. We travel through St. Charles a couple of times each year and always eat dinner in Historic Downtown. This was by far our favorite. We will definitely be back. read more

very limited menu which often is a good sign highly recommend for somthing a tad unusual read more

The food is astronomically amazing. The ceviche was fresh and tasty. The service was good. The ambiance was chill and relaxed. read more

Jalea - Peruvian Near Me - Saint Charles, Missouri

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Very tasty spot. They're most known for their ceviche and it definitely delivered. It was addicting to say the least. The lomo saltado was another highlight, with its delicious sauce, however, the beef strip loin was a little tougher than I would prefer. Definitely some quality and flavorful food with great people, but nothing particularly mind-blowing. Favorite dishes: Mixto ceviche, lomo saltado read more

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Pros: - the service was top notch - the drinks were sosososo good - the food was fresh and very tasty. We've never had Peruvian food, but we enjoyed our entire meal. Cons: - hmmm.... Don't have one at this time. Until next time! read more

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The food and service here are amazing! If you love ceviche, you need to eat here! The seafood paella and chicken dish are also amazing. And don't forget to order plantain chips. read more

Jalea - Seafood paella - Peruvian Near Me - Saint Charles, Missouri

First time. It was excellent. The food was very original and Devine. Atmosphere was pleasant.

Everything about our experience was amazing. A friend recommended that we give Jalea a try while visiting the St. Charles area recently. Upon entry we were warmly welcomed by an older gentleman. As we had made reservations he promptly seated us. The ambiance is warm and inviting. This gentleman gave us the lowdown on Peruvian food and flavors. Our waiter arrived and answered additional questions and gave us recommendations for drinks and food. The food was delicious. Very flavorful. We had the chicken, shrimp ceviche, yuca frites, and plantain. I will be back next on my next visit to that area. read more

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I've been waiting to try Jalea for a while, and it lived up to my expectations! Food at Jalea is unique to anything else I've had in St. Louis or St. Charles area, and it's such a great addition to Main Street St Charles! Tried: calamari food cart, Jalea mixta Loved: the calamari food cart ceviche - hands down the best ceviche I've had! The Le Tigre marinade they use on their ceviche is amazing, and the seafood is so fresh! I enjoyed everything about the dish, including the sauces and the plantain chips The Jalea Mixta was also amazing, and a good addition to our ceviche. I recommend dipping the fried fish from the mixta into the ceviche marinade - so good! Disliked: it is smaller inside (also a plus because it is homey inside), so even a weeknight gets busy - I recommend getting reservations or just planning ahead in general. On weekends street parking can also be more difficult but there are parking lots closer to the river to park at read more

Jalea - Calamari Food Cart and Jalea Mixta - Peruvian Near Me - Saint Charles, Missouri

My fiancé and I have been to Jalea numerous times since moving near by, we will always sing their praises! The menu changes keep each experience just different enough. The seafood is always fresh and prepared in many delicious ways. We couldn't recommend Jalea enough! read more

I love this place although my wife doesn't because she is less adventurous less chicken and seafood and more wine. Their wine list is less familiar but their Brasa chicken is amazing. Best chicken I've ever had. Paella is as good as I got in Portugal or better, ceviche is fine, they do it well but not the best thing on the menu. I have been back repeatedly and will continue. The process of chicken is so good. I had to learn how to make it myself so I bought the spices to marinate and I do a pretty decent job but there's as much better. read more

For our 8-year anniversary, I took my wife to Jalea. We were the first patrons to arrive and everyone was friendly and welcoming. The ambience is warm and cozy, being dimly lit in a way that makes it seem like it is just you and your companion. We started with the mosquitos, which is their version of a mojito. My wife found it quite strong, so I finished both. For an appetizer, we ordered the plantain chips with a Verde sauce that completely makes the dish. The chips are good, but the sauce is stellar and would go well on anything. I would eat my wallet if it was draped in the Verde sauce. For our main dishes, my wife ordered the chicken curry, while I had the Lomo Saltado. Taking my first bite of a potato, I had to shut my eyes and savor it. The Saltado was delicious from beginning to end. I did, however, have a very minor problem with a 2" chunk of steak being on the blue side and too rare for me, but that was only a tiny chunk amidst every other perfectly cooked portions of steak. My wife felt the same about the flavor of her dish, but did say that she would have preferred chunks of chicken instead of shredded chicken. None of the negatives were enough to drop my rating. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at Jalea. After losing Mango years ago, hope for a good Peruvian restaurant seemed impossible. Jalea carries the reigns perfectly. read more

Jalea - Peruvian Near Me - Saint Charles, Missouri

Upon arrival we were greeted promptly and warmly and were shown to our table. There were plenty of booths and tables in the beautifully decorated dining area. Once seated our waiter supplied us with drink and food menus and also a high chair for the little one. This was my first visit for Peruvian food and I was unsure what to order, but everything looked amazing. Our group decided on sharing a couple appetizers and we ordered our own entrees. Our choices were so full of flavor and extremely tasty! The dish I ordered had rice in it and I can say, it's the best rice I have ever had. I look forward to another dinner at Jalea! Such a great local eatery. read more

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The menu is very precise with a lot of flavor! The prices are high, but the dinner portions are very filling. The atmosphere is rich and dim and somewhat romantic. The server we had was hard to relate to because of a language barrier and did not seem professional. My dinner was good and I'd like to go back just for drinks and appetizers, especially since the dinner prices were high. read more

Jalea reminds me of family- your warm comfort bubble where you're always welcome and there's always great food waiting for you. The restaurant itself is small, but don't let that fool you because their food and service will blow you away. The staff are quick on their toes and are some of the FRIENDLIEST people you'll meet. Not sure what to order? Let them walk you through their menu. They have a small menu, but filled with items that are done exceptionally well. We have not had a dish we didn't like. Start off with their plantain chips with aji verdi and move on to their ceviche as it is bright and crisp. Their cocktails are boozy and delicious and desserts are decadent. read more

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An absolute gem. The best meal we had in St. Charles over a four day period. Pisco Sour - 5/5 Tart and refreshing. Be sure to try one. Chicha Morada - 5/5 Christmas in a glass. Ceviche Mixto - 4/5 On the pricier side for the size, but excellent. Lomo Saltado - 5/5 An excellent rendition of a traditional peruvian dish. Meaty and salty with rice and an expertly fried egg to cut the salt. Polla a la Brasa - 5/5 A sleeper hit, the brining on this chicken, plus the cremas, make for a very flavorful meal. Arroz con Mariscos - 4/5 The rice here I found a bit too salty, but the seafood items cooked together with it were excellent. Chicken Curry - 5/5 Don't miss this Peruvian take on an asian classic. Scrumptious. read more

Jalea is the Peruvian vacation that your tastebuds need this summer! Everything on the menu is light, fresh, and will leave you satisfied but not stuffed! Street parking available. Reservations recommended! MY FAVS: Ceviche, Sanguchi, Pollo a la Parrilla, Pisco Sour read more

Jalea - an omelet on a plate on a table - Peruvian Near Me - Saint Charles, Missouri

This place gets ALL the things right! The cocktail was both delicious AND gorgeous! Check out that ICE CUBE!!! A friend and I stopped here for dinner before a concert @ Lindenwood and enjoyed our meal VERY much. We shared everything, so we wouldn't walk out feeling like stuffed pigs and it worked quite well. We started with Mixto Ceviche as an appetizer and it was GREAT. My friend wasn't fond of the octopus, but that was just a personal thing. Then we shared the Lomo Saltado and it was FANTASTIC! Such great flavors and textures... And THEN, because we had roooooom, we shared the Lucuma Tiramisu. Some of the best tiramisu EVAH! Service was perfect, attentive without being intrusive. The ambiance was SO NICE! The layout is really nice and it's a quiet place to enjoy your meal. read more

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Jalea is Peruvian food at its finest. If you are craving Peruvian food, a quick drive to St Charles from St Louis will give you a taste of the best Peruvian food. We tried the Clasico ceviche and the plantain chips + Aji verde as appetizers. The ceviche was fresh and well made. For the main course, we had the Pollo a La and Chaufa Aeropuerto. The chicken was well marinated and extremely flavorful. It came with a side of steak fries and house salad. The fries were crisp. The Chaufa Aeropuerto was very unique dish. The Peruvian fried rice was charred to perfection. The shrimp omelette complemented the dish perfectly. The pork belly and short rib were delicious too! This was our favorite dish and I would highly recommend it. The portions were large and perfect for sharing. For the drinks, we had the Pisco sour and Perunana. Both were excellent! This is a family run restaurant and the flavors are reflective of it.The service was prompt and efficient. read more

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Closest I've had to the food I had when visiting Lima & Cusco. This is authentic Peruvian food and one of the few Peruvian restaurants in all of Missouri. The jalea was excellent. Fried shrimp were super plump and fried nicely. Ceviche was balanced with acidity and texture. Did wish there were different types of fish in the ceviche though. That would be my only critique. Service was friendly and drinks came out fast. Food did take some time but was well worth the wait. This was my 2nd time here, def won't be my last. read more

Jalea - Peruvian Near Me - Saint Charles, Missouri

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Wonderful staff. So friendly and always make things great. The food is top notch. I love the atmosphere as well. Very quiet, but great for dates or families. read more

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We love coming to Jalea. The food is amazing. We love feeling like we are escaping to Peru in downtown St Charles. Every time we go all the customers have smiles on their faces. The owners and servers are very kind and very generous. We love the slow pace and really having time to settle in, talk over drinks while we wait for food, and savor the delicious food. read more

Got a whole new group of things the second go around and now I'm sad we are moving in less than two months because this place is solid. Every food item we had was well made and the lomo Saltado was loved by all even our two year old who only loves delicious things. read more

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The food was great! I loved the ceviche, Jalea, and the pollo a la brasa. We also got the fried yucca and that was a crowd favorite. The restaurant itself was beautiful and since our table wasn't ready we waited by the bar and ordered our drinks. I got the mosquito and loved it! The staff was attentive and checked-in on us. Overall a great place to eat. We did have a longer wait then expected for the food but it was worth the wait. read more

Jalea - Ceviche - Peruvian Near Me - Saint Charles, Missouri

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My friends and I were excited to try this authentic Peruvian restaurant in Main Street Saint Charles. Right off the bat, the server and front of the house were very accomodating. We started with the yucca plantains and wow that sauce (almost like curry) and breading of the plantain knocked our socks off. A few members of the group ordered the ceviche. While they really liked the taste, they were noting how pairing with some sort of bread would have elevated the experience and matched the taste profile of them together. One thing that lived up to its expecation was the presentation being quite exquisite. They provided thorough explanations and answered all of our questions, as we are newcomers to Peruvian food. I felt the love in their food. You can totally tell that they care about what they are serving you. For the main course, most of the group ordered the Lomo Saltado. They were enamored by the taste of the beef strip and that sauce. I'm telling you that sauce was a game changer. I ordered the brasas half chicken. The chicken was very tender and really enjoyed the marinated spices on top. It was paired with a freshly made salad and French fries. The chicken was somewhat dry at parts and would have loved another more authentic pairing with the main dish rather than fries. However, the biggest perk is the food is quite filling so it somewhat offsets the price tag. Overall, Jalea offers a traditional Peruvian experience of their amazing food and culture. With excellent appetizers and filling entries, it was a place I will return to. Some things for consideration that didn't give this a 5 star rating was price of the meals being quite expensive compared to the taste. I felt the chicken and steak while good could have been a little more cheaper especially since the sides associated were more on the basic play. Would I come again? Yes, but more of a special occasion type of excursion. read more

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How did we miss this place? It is a little gem on Main Street. This place is medium to small size. 10-12 tables inside. Reservations 4 people max. If your party is larger than 4, you can make another reservation for them and let Jalea know you will be sitting together. Our party was 8 peeps and they made a big table for us, even if we didn't mention this during reservation process. They are very helpful! Our waitress was nice and helpful too. We came here around 7pm on a thursday night. Our food took 1 hour to arrive. It is ok, we got busy ordering their delicious cocktails, import & domestic beers and chatting. :) Just a heads up, Imported pilsen is a tiny bottle of beer and $10. Food is mostly seafood. Yuka fries, plantain chips, Ceviche, Jalea.. everything was delicious. If you pick the "traditional" option, comes with 3 different type of seafood. This place has a nice fancy vibes. We really enjoyed every minute here. I didn't get a chance to try their pistachio cocktail, our friend did, and looked so good. We will definitely come back. Finally, be prepared to see 7-8% tax plus 1% tourism tax since it is on the Historic Main Street. read more

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