Inka Mama's South Coast - Santa Ana

Due to Peruvian food crave on the way home from work, I searched for the closest restaurant and this place popped up so I decided to give it a try. It would have been nice to dine in for the full experience but I went with to-go option and postponed for next time. This place had unique Peruvian decorations that entertained me while I was waiting for someone to help me with the order. The sofa at the entrance was a nice touch to the coziness as well. When the server came with the menu as soon as I told her that I would like to to-go the foods, she asked if it was my first time at the restaurant and then recommended what she likes, which was helpful deciding the order. She was very polite and friendly. Since it's my first time visiting this place, I went with the usuals, which was Arroz Con Mariscos (Peruvian paella, Lomo Saltado (Seasoned beef sauteed with onions, tomatoes, cilantro, French fries, soy sauce and garlic served with rice, and Tallarines Verdes with Shrimp (shrimps served on a bed of spinach and basil cream sauce with spaghetti and parmesan cheese. All three dishes were tasty and had great portions so I was satisfied with their foods.

A Disappointing Culinary Experience at Inca's Mama As a lifelong aficionado of Peruvian cuisine, I approached my dining experience at Inca's Mama with high expectations, fostered by years of exploring the rich flavors offered by establishments like Mario's in La Mirada and Hollywood, El Pollo Inca, among countless other Peruvian restaurants. Having nurtured a passion for Peruvian food since the age of five, my palate is well-acquainted with the vibrant tastes and aromas characteristic of this beloved cuisine. Unfortunately, my anticipation quickly dissolved into profound disappointment. From the moment the bread was served--traditionally a warm, welcoming prelude to the meal--I sensed a departure from the standard I had come to expect. Instead of the usual toasty warmth enveloping a soft interior, I was presented with bread that was cold, hard, and devoid of any appeal, making even Wonder Bread seem a preferable alternative. This was a harbinger of the meal to follow. Peruvian cuisine is celebrated for its bold flavors and ingenious use of ingredients, yet what I encountered at Inca's Mama was a stark contrast. The dishes were remarkably flavorless, a characteristic I never imagined could be associated with Peruvian food. It was as if the essence of what makes Peruvian cuisine so enchanting had been entirely omitted, leaving a void where there should have been an abundance of taste and culinary delight. Despite my profound disappointment with the meal, it is only fair to acknowledge the positive aspects of my visit. The servers were the epitome of kindness and professionalism, their amicable demeanor adding a glimmer of warmth to an otherwise lackluster experience. Moreover, the ambiance of Inca's Mama is undeniably beautiful, creating a visually appealing setting that promised much more than the cuisine delivered. It is with a heavy heart that I rate my experience at Inca's Mama with two stars, a reflection not of the culinary experience but of the commendable service and inviting atmosphere. My critique stems from a place of love for Peruvian cuisine and a longing for the rich, vibrant flavors that have captivated my palate since childhood. Unfortunately, my visit to Inca's Mama was a stark reminder that not all ventures into the world of culinary exploration yield satisfying results.

The place is clean and well put together. It has been there for a long while. The service also was prompt and the lady also was very nice. For the food: I have not been to this restaurant in years. I figure that I start with something that is sort of a calling card for every Peruvian restaurant. This dish which is an Asian influence dish is one of the most notable dishes and one of the easiest to make. Plus it has in general no need for many of the difficult to items. This lomo saltado did not live up to the expectation. It lack so many flavors, basic things that I was just disappointed. The dish came with a bunch of onions and two slices of tomato, the beef had a brown color the taste was ok but the color means that the flame was not high enough. The sauce was lacking it was barely there. This was possibly one of the least flavorful well made lomo saltados that I have tasted in Peruvian restaurants in decades. Lomo satado is a mouth symphony when well made. The dish has to be done with high flames, good beef, tomatoes, red onions. The sauce needs to be reasonably plenty to be able to be use with rice, but also to coat some of the fries when you eat it. The fries in some of the better restaurants are normally not to Peruvian standards but are usually well cooked. Some people would put slices of aji Amarillo, some I have seen with also some green onions. Those are all preferences. This was an overpriced dish that lack every sense of what one of the Peruvian calling cards needs to be.

The empanadas were a great starter. We got one beef and one spinach and loved both. The Filet Mignon Saltado was excellent. They initially accidentally gave us just the regular beef and it was a noticeable difference once they fixed the order and brought out the filet mignon. Delicious! We were happy to see that they have Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc wine from New Zealand!

Absolutely love this Peruvian spot across from South Coast Plaza. They have a large menu, plenty of seating, and friendly staff. I've tried several dishes from them and have been happy with everything I've ordered. The appetizers here are definitely fun to share and they have some really tasty ones like their fried chicken and this potato/shrimp/vegetable layered one. Food does take awhile to get to your table.