The fried rice here is the best I've ever had! I went with some friends and they liked the food too.

Tried Jalea based on all the recommendations. Left it to our server Jose to recommend to be on for the evening. The ceviche was amazing, just a flavor explosion in your mouth. The Arroz Con Mariscos was beautiful and flavorful. Just as heads up the dishes have a prominent amount of cilantro, which can be overwhelming to some. I am sure they can accommodate cutting it back or eliminating if that is not your thing. read more

Jalea - Arroz con Mariscos - Peruvian Near Me - Saint Charles, Missouri

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Absolutely fabulous food! I love Peruvian food and this place delivers! The ceviche was my personal favorite, especially with the added shrimp on top. Absolutely chef's kiss! All of the 3 drinks we ordered were incredible, the paella was flavorful beyond belief, and we got 2 desserts because....why not?! Needless to say, we were absolutely stuffed and thrilled with the whole dining experience. Truly one of my new favorites in STL (I'm from here but visiting from Dallas). My only recommendation would be to upgrade the A/C. I was so warm and it was hot outside. It could be an older building issue, but adding fans would be wonderful. Really great experience and can't wait to return! read more

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Another home run for Jalea! The Pisco sour is a delight, and the service fast and very personalized. We all had fantastic meals with only the freshest steak and seafood. There is a wonderful twist to each dish we have eaten here. Love the photos on the wall honoring their Peruvian roots. read more

Simply elegant. The family touch, the beautiful dinner. 5 out of 5! Definitely will go back! read more

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Towards the end of main street, few steps away from Baked bear. I had Peruvian food for the first time in NYC and it was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had. I am so glad to have Jalea come to Saint Charles. We ordered the: Plantain chips with Aji Verde and Yucca Fries+ Huancaina as appetizers The Lomo Saltado (steak), Pork Belly Carapulcra, Tuna Tiradito (ceviche style), Jalea 1/2 (deep-fried calamari, fish, shrimp, etc), and Arroz con Pollo (chicken). Every single dish was delicious. For me, it's all about the Aji Verde sauce. It's like the main highlight for all the Peruvian food and wouldn't have gone if they didn't have this sauce. They make changes to the menu and I want to go every time to try out everything different! Prices are high, but affordable! Recommend reservations and checking the place out! read more

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Peruvian Food at its best. The Spices, the temperature of each entrée , each component complimented one another bringing out bold flavors in every bite. The service was spectacular and the ambiance energetic and warm. I highly recommend this restaurant. Enjoy! A.W. :) read more

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Jalea is an absolute gem! I've dined at Michelin-starred Peruvian spots, and they don't even come close. The flavors are bold, the ceviche is perfection, and the tiger's milk is next level. Chef Andrés delivers magic on a plate, while Luis crafts incredible drinks and welcomes you like family. If you love Peruvian food, this place is a must-visit. 10/10!!! Jalea deserves their M star! I drove 4.5 hours to try it. Well worth it!!!!!! read more

Fresh, healthy food. Crisp drinks. Impeccable service. Highly recommend the mixto ceviche. read more

Jalea - Front desk/cashier - Peruvian Near Me - Saint Charles, Missouri

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Cozy restaurant with classy atmosphere. Wonderful food and service. Our server explained ingredients and how each dish was made. Definitely recommend! read more

The highlight of the dinner was the mixed ceviche, we also had the Chaufa Aeropuerto which was good but nothing really special, it was just fried rice. Back to the ceviche, it's slightly odd to me this was an entree I usually think of ceviche as a shareable/appetizer but I guess it's because this was a generous portion (for a ceviche) the fish, shrimp and octopus were all delicious. I did order extra plantain chips, after eating the first order as appetizer, because I felt something was missing with the ceviche, I like to have something to eat it with, plantains chips are great but maybe some sort of bread would be good and it would give a more filling feel to the dish. The service was fine, got a bit slow when the place got busier but it was okay, expected. They do have a nice soundtrack/ambiance music going, I enjoyed it. read more

Amazing place. Authentic. Comfortable. Service top notch. Food is incredible. Seafood and chicken dishes. Can't go wrong with anything on the menu. read more

Fantastic experience at Jalea! It isn't very often we have Peruvian food but we have yet to be disappointed every single bite was delicious. The service also outstanding. The restaurant is very cozy, perfect for a date night. Don't miss out on drinks, I ordered the Pisco Sour and my husband ordered the Peruana. Both were so refreshing. First time in awhile I would say both our drinks were evenly matched in taste. We enjoyed the plantain chips as a small appetizer. The entrees were both delicious: he ordered the Chaufa Aeropuerto and I the Pollo a la Braza con Chaufa. I can't remember the last time I ordered a chicken dish at a restaurant where it was cooked and seasoned so perfectly. If you tend to get full easily I do recommend sharing an entree. If you are not able to go back home and refrigerate left overs then certainly a good idea to share an entree! To top it all off we had the best dessert. Sweet plantains with ice cream/dulce de leche. Definitely do not skip out on dessert here! So nice to have a place like this in St. Charles. Props to Jalea!! read more

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Wonderful experience. Great ambience and amazing service. I would recommend this place for date night or evening with friends. This place is great for smaller groups of 6 or less. Food was flavorful, fresh and delicious. Highly recommend this place. Would definitely go there again read more

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Amazing food and service! The chicken seasoning was unforgettably delicious! My 85 year old mother loved the Ceviche and the Purple Soft Drink. I think it was called Chicha Morada. I had the Arroz Con Mariscos and I will go back and order that again!! It's nothing like Mexican food, but it's Peruvian and they know how to work magic in the kitchen! Give it a try, you won't be disappointed read more

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Wow. The food is fantastic, the service was friendly and the atmosphere was warm yet inviting. I was so excited to see Pisco sours on the menu. We ordered the Chaufa Aerupuerto(fried rice with egg omelette on top) and the Jalea/Ceviche combo. So much flavor all around. Will definitely return. read more

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WARNING: Please prepare yourself for an epic flavor experience!!!! I am always a little wary of food "on this side of the river" IYKYK!!! This place has been featured several times in the local restaurant scene publications. I had an open evening, so I made a reservation. The atmosphere is cozy and warm. The team is so welcoming and friendly, I felt like I was at a friends place for dinner. I had a beautiful cocktail called Chilcano with ginger, lime, and bitters. It was bright and refreshing. Of course, the yuca fries were a must. A crispy outside and a soft pillowy inside made for a perfect bite!! The signature items are the ceviche and the jalea (pronounced ha-lay-uh) which is crispy fried seafood. I went with the Carretillero which combines both dishes on one plate. This was the most beautifully executed meal I've had in some time. The ceviche is fresh and bright and the fish has a firm texture paired alongside sweet potato and corn. I was offered a spoon so I could take in every delicious bite!! The shrimp had a tasty crispy coating and sat on top of thinly sliced plantains to keep them crispy. I plan to visit again soon, as I overheard rave reviews about the arroz con pollo (chicken with rice). read more

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Stopped by Jalea after work with a friend. We haven't tried much Peruvian food so wasn't sure what to expect. The server was very helpful and excited to discuss the menu with us. The bartender very kindly gave us a sample of a drink (I don't drink so I can't remember specifically what it was ) but my friend liked it and the gesture was nice. We had the frites with cheese which is made from yucca. I'm the Philippines we call this plant cassava. It's a fruit very much like a potato and I loved them fried. She also got pasta and we split a salad. I loved the cozy, intimate interior as well. read more

Jalea - Peruvian Near Me - Saint Charles, Missouri

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Small menu, but what they offered was fantastic. Pretty generous portions. Great ambiance, quiet calm atmosphere.

We had an amazing time at Jalea - the service was wonderful and everything on the menu looks tasty. We ordered the Yuca Fries and Ceviche and both were spectacular. The ceviche was very fresh which is hard to find in the St. Louis area. The location is right on the Main Street of St. Charles so there are many walkable activities to do before or after your trip to Jalea. read more

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Great food in a neat space. Our waiter was fantastic and made great recommendations. Highly recommend!

Such a wonderful gem in St. Charles historic downtown area! I was intrigued by Jalea the moment I saw it. I love Peruvian food and I think this restaurant is one of the best places in St. Louis. The presentation is on point and the taste is delicious! The price is definitely reasonable and justified by the quality and portion size. My favorite dish is Chaufa Aeropuerto. This fried rice dish packs a flavorful punch with a great combo of protein: short rib, pork belly, shrimp, egg. I also enjoyed the Jalea cod with super crispy Yucca root, a cross between potato and sweet potato. If you are into battered fried stuffs, this is it for you! I highly recommend checking out this restaurant! The service is fast and servers are friendly. I would like to return to try other dishes. read more

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Love this place ! Food and services always amazing . One of the best ceviche in STL. Menu is limited but everything on the menu is delicious. read more

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Let's just say the food was fresh, and delicious! I will be back because I want to try everything. The portions are very reasonable. The staff was very friendly and checked on us often. If your in the area give it a try. You won't be disappointed! read more

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My first visit tonight to Jalea and will surely not be my last. My Pollo a la Brasa (chicken) was super moist with a delicious smoky flavor. The dinner included steak fries and salad, along with 4 different dipping sauces. I added a side of Mr Meowski's sourdough bread to help sop up the Leche de Tigre sauce on the Ceviche. Other standouts on the menu were the Ceviche, Arroz con Mariscos and the Jalea Mixta. Service was very attentive to the last detail. Please hurry to Jalea! You won't be sorry. read more

Jalea - Pollo a la Brasa - Peruvian Near Me - Saint Charles, Missouri

We've been over 5 times now and will keep coming back. The roasted chicken is amazing and I love the fried fish too. It's not too breaded or heavy. I love the atmosphere and the service is always friendly and the right amount of attention. read more

Jalea - My favorite drink - Peruvian Near Me - Saint Charles, Missouri

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Delicious food! The staff is wonderful and so kind!!! The drinks are tasty too!! Definitely would come back again! read more

Jalea - Peruvian Near Me - Saint Charles, Missouri

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Really glad we found is gem in St. Louis! We order the Pollo a la Parrilla, and the portion was great, the chicken was super juicy. We also ordered mixto ceviche, *chefs kiss*. MUST TRY if you're a seafood lover. read more

Very nice. Pleasant place with friendly and attentive waitstaff. Yucca fries were lightly seasoned, crispy outside, moist inside. Ceviche mixta was great. Fish, shrimp, and Spanish octopus. Sauce managed to be both tart and savory somehow. Highly flavorful, and memorable. The serving didn't look that big coming out, but I didn't realize the depth of the bowl. So it turned out to e quite filling. The wife's cod jalea was also very good, and she commented on how she also liked the salad/salsa that accompanied it. Dessert was delicious, too - lucuma & chocolate, served in a martini glass but large enough to share. Lucuma fruit mousse, chocolate cake (crumbled in it), and dolce de leche. That dolce was a bomb. read more

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Food was outstanding. We weren't in the mood for ceviche so opted for the Jalea entree after a snack of plantain chips with a creamy, spicy dip. The plantain chips were sliced long and paper thin, and were outstanding and not greasy. The entree was a seafood mix of breaded, flaky white fish, jumbo shrimp and calamari which was outstanding. Along with some yucca spears and a sprinkling of Peruvian corn and homemade tartar and aji-citrus sauces, it was much better seafood meal than you might expect - enough for two meals, actually. We capped our meal with a Peruvian-inspired beer and a Pisco sour, which were both very nice. To top it all off, the service was outstanding and the owner kindly thanked us for choosing his restaurant for our meal. It's nice to see this end of Main Street have some variety in its restaurants. We will return. read more

Excellent ceviche and pisco sours! Service was friendly and relaxed. We look forward to going back!

The restaurant is adorable, the food is delicious and the staff was amazing. We had the ceviche, beef kabobs, pisco sour and cosmopolitan which were all amazing. The staff was highly attentive and answered all of our questions. I highly recommend this restaurant. read more

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My son and I visited this restaurant today. We had heard good things about it. We asked the waiter for a recommendation and he suggested the Chanda Aeropuerto. He said it was a fried rice with everything in it and it was big enough to share. We ordered it and the Yucca Fries with Huancaina cheese dip. The Yucca Fries were good and I liked the sauce too. The Chanda was good too. It was very moist and tasty. We also ordered two craft beers. I asked for an Amber or an Ale and was given a stout that I didn't care for. My son ordered a Blonde and it was good. The staff was friendly and attentive. They did a good job. I did think it was a little pricey. Overall it was a good experience. read more

Great service, beautiful ambiance and most importantly amazing food! We come from California where we have many options but this has been one of the best experiences I've had. Thank you Jalea for making our dinner memorable. read more

Food is absolutely incredible. Ordered all the apps and devoured every last one. We ordered the Lomo and arroz con camarones dish. They were out of this world delicious. read more

Food was wonderful. Everything we ordered was very flavorful. The service was prompt and friendly. Highly recommend.

Loved my experience at Jalea!!! It's a family owned restaurant and they are so lovely!!! The owner insisted on a glass of wine "on the house" because the kind I first ordered was out of stock. He was all smiles all night and it was contagious. The food was amazing too. I will definitely be back soon! read more

I know it's hard to imagine a restaurant achieving customer satisfaction 100% of the time but that's what we are seeing here with all 5 star reviews from each Yelper. The restaurant is a small family run business who's love comes out of the kitchen each night. My wife calls me the chicken man because I could eat chicken every night, and this reminds me of the very best chicken I've ever eaten. My wife on the other hand tires of chicken - but even she said, "I will crave this chicken". We ordered both versions offered, Pollo a la Parrilla which came with 4 dipping sauces, mustard or cilantro for chicken, cheese or fry sauce for potatoes. This version was slightly spicier (not as spicy as jerk). The fries were very light and cooked to perfection, crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. Both chicken were also cooked perfectly the way I like it...just legal. I had the arroz con Pollo marinated in the same family secret recipe but served with a cilantro rice with carrots, wax beans and topped with pickled onion. The potatoes were served as cold sliced topped with yellow pepper cream sauce with was very subtle for my taste but not objectionable. The rice however was outstanding. This dish also came with mustard sauce which was very good but the flavor of the chicken was good by itself. I know they have more to choose from, but I will definitely be back for the chicken. Desert was a delicious chocolate mouse with a drizzle of fruit sauce Dolce de Leche. Delicio de Leche! Highly recommend. Our server Marrie was fabulous- real and honest. She also loves the chicken so much she would gladly take one home each night if she could. Ask for her and you will enjoy you meal even more. The room is simple, clean and intimate. It is obvious they each care about your experience. When I called at 5:30 for dinner on a Friday night, they said reservations were full, but they had two tables deuces currently open wish I believe they say for Walk ins. I also saw a counter for two that I believe is for walk-ins as well. Reservations recommended read more

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una experiencia increíble. La comida fue super buenísima y rico. Volveremos pronto por supuesto! read more

Jalea - Peruvian Near Me - Saint Charles, Missouri

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It was worth the trip to St. Charles. The food reminded me of my Peru visit, with authentic flavors and an American touch. We loved the Lomo Saltado. Portions were generous. read more