Road Trip: Inka Mama's Peruvian Cuisine - Foothill Ranch (OC)

Recently, we had to attend to some business in the Lake Forest/Foothill Ranch area, and went looking for some sustenance. The sign and the words "Peruvian Cuisine" stood out as a better alternative to the various chain restaurants in the area. And since the Missus is now addicted to Cebiche, we just had to stop here.

Inka Mama's interior is very well adorned in rich browns, and the two Servers, who appeared to be the Owners were very warm and friendly...practically oozing warmth. They literally couldn't help themselves but dance to the music.

Of course the Missus started with the Ceviche (Cebiche Pescado - $11.95):

We had kinda wondered about the prices, since they seemed a bit high for the location, but the the portion sizes were quite large, and the Cebiche was no exception. I found the fish to be overly tough and stringy, and the Leche de Tigre ("Tiger's Milk" - the Cebiche Marinade) to be extremely sour. I prefer more balance between the sour-salty-spicy flavors. I'm glad the dish was studded with Cancha (fried corn kernels). After a bite, I needed a big sip of Inca Cola($2) to clear my palate. The Missus enjoyed this more than I, though when She tried to drink the Leche de Tigre, Her face turned into a sour pucker, not seen since I told Her that I couldn't tell the difference between Her Chanel handbag, and a similar knockoff.......

I had ordered the Chicharon De Pollo ($8.95):

This was an immensely tasty and satisfying dish on many levels. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs had been marinated in a garlic-lime mixture, than deep fried until the exterior was a beautiful brown color. The chicken was topped with a mildly biting, but refreshing Salza Criolla (Salsa Criolla/Zarsa Criolla), a simple relish of thinly sliced red onion, lime, cilantro, and some chilies. The flavor of the moist dark meat chicken and the relish was excellent. The various textures complemented the flavors well. So good, it's worth another look!

The Missus ordered the Cabrito Norteno ($14.45):

This stew was made with lamb instead of kid, and is also known as Seco De Cordero, and Cabrito(or Cordero)  al a Nortena. The thickened sauce is flavored with cilantro and garlic, and in this case the flavors were balanced out with the Sarza Criolla.

 

Served with a large portion of beans and rice, the Missus wasn't able to finish....so I took over, and wiped the plate clean.

What about my entree? Well, totally against character(and possibly in response to the, "sheesh you're so boring and predictable" comments from the Missus), I ordered something a bit different from what I'll usually try the first time(aka Lomo...). I went with the Ajiaco de Pescado($13.45):

Described as Cod Filet seasoned in a spicy garlic chili sauce, this was not very spicy, and though I could taste some onions and cilantro, there wasn't much garlic flavor. It was a very thin tomato based sauce studded with diced potatoes. The Cod was very dry, and tasted very fishy...even for me. I guess I had expected more powerful flavors.

Still, based on the Chicharon de Pollo, I'd say this was a good meal. If we visit again, we'll definitely order that, and I'd go with some basic dishes...and maybe some fried ones. As I mentioned before, the service was warm and friendly...oh yes, and the Lucuma(Egg Fruit) Ice Cream was nice and refreshing. Funny thing is.....Egg Fruit grows in Hawaii! I had never had it, and would never have known, until I did a bit of research. I've seen these trees before, but never thought the fruit was edible!

 

Inka Mama's Peruvian Cuisine
26676 Portola Pkwy, Suite B
Foothill Ranch, CA 92610
(949) 951-6262

Hours - Mon-Thurs 11am-3pm, 5pm-9pm
        Fri 11am-3pm, 5pm-10pm
Sat-Sun 1130am-9pm

Comments

[RONW]

South American dishes must have their own unique tastes and flavors.  Maybe if you stumble across an argentinian restaurant or a chilean restaurant, ect., you could clue us in.

[Kathy]

Hey Kirk!
How does Inca Cola taste? It looks a bit like Mountain Dew?...
Never seen Lucuma ice cream before, that's pretty darn cool! :)

[Michael]

What's a Chanel bag?
Nice job.

[thess]

Oh Kirk, it's so hard to imagine how all these taste as I've never eaten any Peruvian dish..ever.

though I always make the onion salad (Salza Criolla according to you) for my adobo chicken or pork.

have a good week, Kirk!

[elmomonster]

Leave it up to Kirk-san to scoop me in my own neighborhood. Seriously, though, this one went past my radar. I gotta try that chicken!

[nhbilly]

You finally dropped by one of my favorite place. I love the lamb nortena my favorite dish of all time and not to mention the saltado de pescado. I'm starving and stuck at work reading this. :-(

[Kirk]

Hi RONW - You'll find that every Latin American Country has their own signature dishes and style. I think that Peruvian cuisine is going to be pretty "hot" as the dishes borrow from very diverse cultures.

Hi Kathy - The first time I had Inka Cola I hated it...it's very "bubble-gumish", and fizzy. But over time I've grown kinda fond of it...it is pretty sweet.

Hi Michael - Why don't you ask Sue? he-he-he....

Hi Thess - I think you'd love the food.....

Hi Elmo - LOL! We were lucky, and just kinda spotted the place.

Hi Billy - Man, you sure are working long hours nowadays......

[nhbilly]

Here is another place to check out when you're down here during the week. I am not sure of the their weekend schedule.

Inca's

16277 Laguna Canyon Rd
Irvine, CA, 92602
(949) 753-1276

[Pam]

that chicharon de pollo looks so good! haven't had peruvian food in awhile, so thanks for the reminder!

and i would have given you a sour face with that chanel comment too! you men don't know anything! hahaha.

i know i haven't stopped by & commented in a while--hope you & the missus are doing well! =)

[Kirk]

Hi Billy - Another one? Thanks for the recommendation!

Hi Pam - Yes, we men don't know anything...though I'm partial to Marc Jacobs.....we are well, and I hope you and Isaac are doing well in your new home!

[Annie]

I wonder what a lucuma -- an egg fruit looks like!

[Kirk]

Hi Annie - How are you? Hope all is well. Here are a couple of liknks that may help:

http://www.lucuma.com/lucumafruit.asp

http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/lucuma.htm

[Chris]

I love you.

[Kirk]

Hi Chris - Why????