The food is absolutely amazing. If you want a taste of real Peruvian flavor, this is it. The service is amazing and the owners were extremely friendly. There is indoor and outdoor seating and very scenic, great for pictures too! Definitely recommend!! I'm coming back read more

Merka Saltao - Peruvian Near Me - Culver City, California

Alonso from Merka Saltao was very responsive, professional, and kind in addressing this mishap.

Their saltados are delicious. Merka is the perfect summary of the Peruvian cuisine. Can't wait to go again

Delicious!!!!! Got the steak lomo, the yellow chili beans (like a refried bean), and the rice with giant corn. I also sampled the yellow aji sauce, the super spicy green sauce, and the steak juguito sauce (fave!). BIG chunks of lean, tender steak, decent portion size, and everything was deeply seasoned including the rice and beans. The sauces are fantastic too. The steak comes with a side of extra "juguito" which I think is a sauce made with the steak drippings, oyster sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, and more. It packs incredible meaty steak flavor. The owner is also very kind and clearly loves to be there. Downtown culver can be tough for businesses but this place was packed tonight and I hope it continues that way! read more

I used to live in Culver City, and it's changed so much in 19 years -- way more traffic and spots like the pricey Erewhon. I was excited to finally try Merka Saltao after seeing it on Instagram. Growing up in a Peruvian household and visiting Peru often, I've had plenty of Lomo Saltado, so I came with high expectations. I visited during the U.S. vs. Turkey World Cup game and ordered at the counter (they also have a self-order kiosk). The menu is straightforward with some fun custom options. I went classic with the steak Lomo Saltado and also tried the chicken version. Both were excellent -- flavorful, well-prepared, and every bit as good as what I've had in Peru. Paired it with an Inca-Cola. Skipped the burrito to save calories and passed on the rocoto hot honey since I'm not big on spice. Overall, Merka Saltao delivers a solid, quick taste of home. Highly recommend if you're in Culver City craving Peruvian food look no further than MS. It'll save you a drive to Downey! (Just a heads-up: you might wanna order from the computer on the wall being that the the counter lady who took my order felt a bit reluctant to do her job that day. As you rolled her eyes as I read off the menu to her while ordering) read more

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As a Peruvian, I wholeheartedly give Merka Saltao the stamp of approval! The locale is very cute with a giant rainbow llama statue out front and nice patio tables for al fresco dining. To order, we went inside and used ipads. Our orders were brought right to our tables by a friendly server, who also brought us napkins/cutlery. I came with a friend, and we each got traditional lomo saltados with steak, lucuma dulce de leche desserts with chocolate on top, and an Inca Kola. First off, this lomo saltado is excellent! I love how they serve extra steak juice on the side so you can pour it over your rice for added flavor! I found the fries to be crispy, the rice to be just right, and the steak to be perfectly marinated. The flavors were flavoring!!! My bowl had slightly more rice/fries than my friends' (who had more steak), but I'm not even mad. I dunked my fries in their sauces. I tried the aji amarillo sauce and the avocado cilantro sauce--both were really good!! The lucuma dessert seemed really small for the price, but it was really good--just small. I think next time I'll skip the lucuma dessert and get ice cream across the street at Salt & Straw. Overall, this is one of the best lomo saltados I've had in a Peruvian restaurant in the US. I will 100% be coming back when I'm in LA! For my lomo saltado, dessert, Inca Kola, tax, and tip, I paid a total of $31.51. read more

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Peruvian Lomo Saltado in Culver City Love the concept of this Peruvian restaurant that is a fast casual joint that allows you to mix authentic proteins and sides in a bowl with rice, salad, vegetables, fries and or quinoa! The sauces are also so delicious and made IN-HOUSE! Some of the ingredients are even sourced from Peru! I got a chance to talk to one of the owners who actually lives in Peru and travels back and forth. He told me it was their mission and love for Peruvian culture to share their food in ways that are more accessible so that more people could try it!!! So much respect for them!!! The food is delicious, sauces are amazing. I love that they use really clean, fresh ingredients, they cook on a hot work, and even use the air fryer for their fries. They do not use shortcuts!! Every dish, drink and side is made very intentionally with ingredients and techniques that are what makes Peruvian Food so special. Love love love! Even the burrito was genius and hit the spot. The owner explained that even the idea of a burrito was a way to introduce people to the flavors of Peru. I loved that everything felt healthy but indulgent all at once. And I didn't feel guilty either! This is high quality Peruvian food. Whichever combination of sides you get, make sure to try their sauces and the Chicha Morada drink and the dulce de leche dessert is a must add to your order! No skipped steps which makes you really appreciate the menu here. Also, the ambiance here is so bright and vibrant! And even at night it feels romantic. Great place to catch up with friends or grab a quick bite. Super delicious!!! And honestly a great deal. Their chicken lomo saltado bowl is only $13.60! Thank you for bringing authentic flavors of Peru to the heart of culver city @merka.saltao !!! I can see and feel the love of your team's cooking in every bite. Great food and great people! Go support them and spread the word read more

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I rarely use social media besides Yelp, but I came across a video about Merka Saltao and had some free time since my family was at Universal. I was warmly greeted and helped through the menu by a young woman. I chose the Classic Lomo Saltado ($20.90) and upgraded to the tenderest steak for an extra $3.55. They offer many ways to customize your bowl. You get one free sauce, but I asked for the two most popular, Avocado Lime Ranch and Yellow Chili. The second sauce is an extra $1.50. Skip them both! I didn't like either; the Yellow Chili was creamy like an aioli. Instead, use their house hot sauce, The Green Sauce. It's extra spicy, but in a good way! I wish I had asked if they sell it. The bowl included rice with corn, onions, peppers, fries, and steak. The steak was so tender, and the rice was authentic, just like other Peruvian places I go to. The fries were excellent, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The portions are great for the price; I was ready for a nap after my large bowl! It was a very filling meal, even for a big guy like me. This place is a viral gem and absolutely worth visiting! I'll be back! read more

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Came in after hearing the rave it was getting from a segment that NPR aired last week. The place is nicely advertised outside with bright colors with a nice font that stands out. It was busy this Sunday afternoon. The service upfront was very friendly and helpful. The burritos were flavorful and at a good size for the price. read more

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Taking place at one of our favorite areas to dine and just stroll around Culver, Merka Saltao has come to our attention as we passed by. Besides, we haven't had much Peruvian dishes in town. You could either self-order at the kiosk or got served at the counter, then waited as your order got prepared. It's decent wait time, but the only downside was the kitchen smell kinda lingered on you as they had the kitchen being pretty open right in the same venue. First timer so obviously getting the signature Lomo Saltado with steak as our protein choice. The stir-fry meal itself was flavorful and we loved the rich mix of veggies in the salad especially with me loving onions and peppers. We just wished the steak to be more juicy as it's tad dry and slightly overcooked for our liking. We might give a shot on the chicken/pollo next time. read more

Merka Saltao - Classic Lomo Saltado (Full Sides) - Peruvian Near Me - Culver City, California

With the ever-rotating doors of the restaurant scene in DTCC, it can be hard to keep up with many food spots opening and closing. Merka Saltao opened just last year, and I hope it's here to stay! Advertised as fast-casual Peruvian food, it specializes in the iconic lomo saltado that can be customized to your preferences. I ordered take-out and headed over. Service was minimal, but really nice as I was only there to pick up. I opted for the lomo saltado burrito and lomo saltado bowl (full size). Both were really tasty, packed full of rice, protein of choice (chicken and beef), and fries. The sauces, however, were the star of the show, with the green salsa packing serious heat; I had to wash it down with the chicha morada to cool off! Yellow sauce was creamy and less spicy, which made for a good counterbalance. Overall, solid Peruvian joint. It's on the pricey side (I was surprised the beef was an additional cost of $3.85), but portions were decent for two, possibly three, meals. Merka Saltao is a promising food spot, and worth trying while on lunch break or a nice day out! read more

Merka Saltao - Lomo saltado with chicha morada - Peruvian Near Me - Culver City, California

Solid fast casual spot for a flavorful Peruvian lunch. I ordered a build-your-own bowl and opted for the rice with giant corn, house salad, and chicken lomo saltado. Tax included the total was $15.06. I appreciated that there is a menu behind the counter with calories listed. Upon entry, thereare tablets to order from, but presumably you can order at the counter, too. My food took 12 minutes to come out, and everything was hot and fresh. However, I'm dinging a star because I barely got any chicken in my bowl. Yes, there's an option to add extra protein for a cost, but there still should have been more meat in the regular bowl. The meal felt like a rice and veggie bowl, with a chicken topping. Overall, very yummy food in a beautifully decorated spot but if I'm wanting more protein (without needing to pay extra) I might consider something else. read more

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Went for lunch today and ordered the pollo Saltado with rice and fries. The green hot sauce is delicious. The food was mid. Fries were a little cold and overcooked. The pollo mix was a bit salty. Maybe I'm used to pollo inkas style of food but this place wasn't great. read more

Food is amazing! Fresh and very authentic Peruvian. I went with a Peruvian Service was great! Very welcoming, fast and pleasant. Cute place. Very bohemian. Sit inside or outside and people watch. read more

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This place was so good! I got the classic lomo saltado with steak, and everything was flavorful. The steak was juicy, and the French fries were coated with seasoning, so they stayed crispy being served under the steak and veggies. Even the rice, which I originally thought was plain, was made with broth and had great flavor. You can choose an additional sauce, and I liked the avocado ranch (not pictured). I highly recommend visiting this spot for your next outing. read more

Merka Saltao - Lomo saltado with steak - Peruvian Near Me - Culver City, California

I believe this restaurant is located in downtown culver city. The surrounding area is filled with restaurants. There were 3 huge parking structures in the area. They offer the first hour free. Essentially, Merka is a Peruvian chipotle style eatery. They have healthy options like quinoa and yellow beans, as well as tofu for those who are vegetarian. The food was delicious, but I must admit the biggest flaw about this place is the portions. My brother who came w/ me told me he was still hungry after eating the build your own bowl. For relatively the same price at Cava or Chipotle, you are given a relative small amount of food for $15. I was still hungry after eating the build your own bowl as well. So if you have a huge appetite, you're going to eat 2 bowls. read more

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I was pretty excited for a new Peruvian spot in Culver City. I came here with a friend and wanted to try it because they specialize in lomo saltado varieties. The cashier was really helpful in guiding me on what to order since it was my first time. I liked the concept because it feels like a build your own. The fries were crispy and the beef & tomatoes were very tasty. There was green sauce that was pretty spicy but addictive so I kept dousing my food with it. The restaurant was pretty full when I went on a Friday. It was a nice environment and not too loud so I could still have a conversation with my friend. read more

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Chipotle closing in dtcc paved way for the new kid on the block, Merka Saltao. Peruvian fast food but I prefer the word "swift bites." I was devoted the moment I had their house hot sauce atop their flavorful bowls and refreshing drinks. I also remember the owner passing out fliers before they opened, and with that personal touch I felt that this place was going to be special. They have an ordering system with touch screens although I think you can come up to the cashier and order. Loved the modern Peruvian decor inside; it felt casual yet chic. I hope Merka Saltao is here to stay! read more

Merka Saltao - Peruvian Near Me - Culver City, California

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I'm a big lomo Salgado fan and I'm glad there's a place dedicated to it. I would say the idea is similar to that of a chipotle - rice bowl, salad bowl, wrap, etc... I truly enjoyed the chicken Saltado bowl with fries and rice. The juice from the mix was not overtaking the dish but enough where by the end of the meal, it is mixed into the side dishes (my side were the fries! Also got to try the homemade passionfruit juice - not too sweet, not too bitter - a perfect drink for when the summertime comes! Parking - street parking (if you're lucky) or you will have to find a spot in the variety of parking lots around the area. read more

Merka Saltao - Peruvian Near Me - Culver City, California

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I'm a bit shocked this spot wasn't busier when I popped in to pickup my takeout order one evening after a workout class nearby. The decor and aesthetic is fun and vibrant. Easy order and checkout setup with lots of seating. The staff were super friendly and helpful and I finally found my spot for lomo saltado...yasssss!!! 10/10 will be coming here again. Along with my lomo saltado, I got a side of fries, and actually really enjoyed their house salad. Just give yourself a bit of extra time for parking if you're on a schedule because parking downtown culver is always a bit chaotic (esp weekends). read more

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Food: - Chicken lomo saltado: good flavor and consistency, tender meat, strong soy sauce notes, too salty overall; best deal is the bowl - green sauce: good flavor, adds a kick to the dish - Salad: light and airy Service: - amazing! I commented that there weren't enough corn kernels in my rice and they gave me more corn kernels, on the house read more

Merka Saltao - Peruvian Near Me - Culver City, California

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I'm so obsessed with this place! I didn't know a place could be indulgent yet fresh & healthy all at once. Big corn?! Juicy chicken? Sauces that add the perfect amount of spice & flavor? Truly speaking my language. The chicken marinade especially reminds me of my mom's cooking for some reason, with subtle Asian-flavored seasonings, very comforting. Everything is cooked fresh to order on the grill, and you can really taste the difference from this place vs. its fast casual rivals nearby. I've also tried their Saltado mix Burrito with avocado, and it was so good, we immediately ordered another one. My go-to order for now will be the chicken with quinoa, house salad (comes with the huge Peruvian corn - my fav) and a side of fries. You also can't miss out on the rocoto green sauce which they have in store, adds a kick to everything. Bonus points for their fries being air fried, and honestly, some of the best I've ever had. read more

ordered two salads and a traditional lomo saltado plate here. really enjoyed it. personally, i had the lomo saltado with steak and house salad. the house salad is great because it had such a variety of crunchy veggies to keep you full and make it interesting, such as asparagus, broccoli, tomatoes, kale, nixtamalized corn (the big kernels), and more. the steak was perfectly cooked and they gave you really good amount. lots of bang for your buck. i couldn't even finish the bowl i had, eating half for lunch the next day haha. i was debating over getting this or the high protein bowl, which had lomo saltado, beans, and rice, but got the salad because i was craving something light. my friend had the hot honey chicken with asian salad and that looked pretty bomb as well. my other friend had the traditional lomo saltado, with the fries and rice. i love the grilled tomatoes, red onion, peppers, and green onion that come with the grilled meat. it was perfect, not too salty but just the right amount of flavor. lomo saltado is interesting because it's a mix of asian influence on south america, called Chifa cuisine. the owners of this spot are both from peru so it's pretty legit. lomo = premium tenderloin cut and saltado=sauteed, stir fried. i just picked everything up, but it's a very hip and chill ambiance here. you can tell a lot of thought went into the interior design and branding of this spot. yuppies galore gather here to nosh in the main artery of culver city. highly recommend this spot for healthy yet delicious bites! read more

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Love this place for 1) having Peruvian food which I feel like is a rare find and such an underrated cuisine and 2) offering a way to get it in a fast casual setting. Menu options are solid and pricing is fair (similar to other fast casual options). The restaurant is clean and bright, with a nice outdoor patio in front. Service was relatively quick. Definitely would come back. read more

Merka Saltao - Classic Lomo Saltado (Half Sides) - Peruvian Near Me - Culver City, California

A refreshing and worthy addition to the DTCC food scene! We are glad we gave this place a try. The food came out very quickly. My kids, who can be very picky about meat textures, found the steak/chicken to be excellent. I tried the "high protein saltado bowl" which was packed with flavor. Alonso, the owner, came by and recommended trying it with their house spicy green sauce made with rocoto. It was superb! The staff was patient when I had questions about food allergens. I appreciated that the person taking my order went back to the kitchen to double-check. It's awesome they have both gluten-free soy sauce and vegan oyster sauce options. The space was welcoming with ample indoor/outdoor seating. Definitely worth checking out. read more

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Such an amazing experience every time I step foot into this restaurant, from the moment you walk to the front you can already smell they cook food here for the soul, smells like an afternoon going to your grandmas house and sitting on the table to eat as a child, the environment and the people are great and loving, best place to collect food memories from and smells. Enjoy read more

I was in the mood for some Peruvian food so I thought I'd try this place out. The cashier was friendly but when I looked up at the menu I was already feeling a little suspicious when I saw "build your own bowl" setup with the food. Its giving fast-casual like Chipotle, not authentic. I ordered the lomo saltado and upon completing my order I was being blatantly upsold at the end and politely declined the extras. In a lomo saltado dish, the start of the show should be the beef. Disappointingly, the fries and rice outshined the central pillar of the dish. The seasoning was super basic and didn't stand out at all, especially when compared to the many quality Peruvian restaurants around LA. The biggest red flag I came across with this place is that there was NO INCA KOLA. Every self-respecting Peruvian restaurant needs Inca Kola and they said they didn't carry it. read more

Pretty good spot for a healthy meal! Inside was clean with plenty of seating on a Sunday, although some of the tables were sticky and not cleaned. The service was quick and they have a Kiosk to order yourself. We tried the steak Saltado bowl for $17.45 and the hot honey chicken bowl for $14.65. Both came with sides of rice with giant corn which was delicious! Love the corn :) the bowls also came with onions, tomatoes, and cilantro. The grilled veggies were sweet and delicious, but the meats could have been a bit more juicy and tender. The beef was hard to chew and dry. The chicken was better. Price point is a tad higher. Still a good place for a quick Togo meal! Their green sauce extra spicy was delicious and love that they are homemade ! read more

Merka Saltao - Seating - Peruvian Near Me - Culver City, California

If I could give more than 5 stars I would! Simple but delicious menu. Was left feeling full but not overly stuffed. Appreciate the quality of ingredients and that the fries are air fried. The sauces have a great kick too! read more

Merka Saltao - Classic Lomo Saltado (Full Sides) - Peruvian Near Me - Culver City, California

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This place is really cute, nice size for a party of 40 people, The owner and workers were all very friendly and welcoming, The menu was great offering meats but also wonderful for a vegetarian meal with all of the sides available. They also have a loyalty program you can build up points and They have a Happy Hour!!!! You got to try this place!!! The food is Amazing! Yummy Yummy read more

Merka Saltao - Lomo saltado - Peruvian Near Me - Culver City, California

Don't come here expecting a traditional sit-down Peruvian spot, this is definitely more of a fast-casual, fusion vibe, and they do it well! I ended up trying their burrito (I know, not exactly traditional Peruvian, but it's what they're known for!) and really liked it. The flavors were definitely there, a super tasty blend of a classic burrito with great Peruvian spices and flair. The service is standard fast-food style: you order at the counter or a computer kiosk and grab your food when it's ready. Simple and efficient. They also have a really nice patio area to sit and eat outside. I'll definitely be back to check out some of the other menu options. Worth a try if you want a quick, flavorful bite! read more

Yummy fast-casual Peruvian spot near the Culver steps. We stopped by for a quick dinner on a Sunday evening around 6, and there was no wait at all. I got the regular size high protein saltado bowl, which was probably enough for lunch, but I wish I had upgraded to the large for dinner. I thought my bowl was good and reasonably priced. Loved the chili beans in the protein bowl and the crispy fries that came with my partner's hot chicken bowl! read more

Merka Saltao - Peruvian Near Me - Culver City, California

Just moved to the west side and cannot stop coming back to this place. My boyfriend and I love lomo saltado and were very excited to find a fast casual spot that serves it at such high quality. The service is quick and the food is very delicous, we especially l ove the large corn peices and the salad dressing is a must have. read more

Merka Saltao - Classic Lomo Saltado (Half Sides) - Peruvian Near Me - Culver City, California

Delicious! Steak was perfect and salsa was bangin'. Ambiance was cute and fun. Service was good. read more

Merka Saltao - Peruvian Near Me - Culver City, California

Quite SALTADO that I just discovered this hidden gem, but you need to check out @merka.saltao for the most incredible Peruvian food I've had! They specialize in authentic, customizable Peruvian dishes, with an extensive menu consisting of classics such as lomo saltado and chicha morada, a super hard-to-find sweet refresher crafted from a purple corn infusion with fruits and spices. I love how you can choose between USDA grade sirloin, chicken or mushrooms for your protein and rice, quinoa, air-fried fries, beans or any of their three salads for your base, making it perfect for bulking, healthy eating, or vegan lifestyles. Definitely stop by if you're in the downtown Culver City area (especially for their great happy hour deals), and support the sweetest and most deserving small business! All the employees were so sweet and helpful, and the manager even kindly walked me to my car (since I had a lot of takeout + drinks) and offered water to a customer with a dog. There's also free validated parking in the Culver Steps parking garage for 1 hour, as well as very affordable parking in the nearby Cardiff garage. Featured here: lomo saltado saltado burrito (I got this with chicken) rocoto hot honey chicken quinoa bowl (I got this with steak) aji Amarillo sauce + signature green sauce (my favorite) chicha morada passionfruit juice culver sour read more

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Amazing Peruvian food in a fun, vibrant restaurant! We tried the lomo saltado with quinoa and yellow bean chili and another order with rice and fries. Everything was so delicious, and even better topped with their house green spicy sauce! Also got a side of their house salad, which was the perfect refreshing side to the hearty main meal. Would get this meal again for sure, probably with the fries and yellow bean chili! Parking isn't easy given the popular area it's in, so just be prepared to look around and/or pay. read more

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Merka Saltao is a Peruvian spot in downtown Culver City. There are tables for indoor and outdoor seating. Came here with a friend on a Friday afternoon and it was not busy. Upon entering, we were greeted by a staff member. There is an option to order at the front with a staff member or at one of the self-serve kiosks (there are two). We ordered at the front. My friend ordered the Lomo Saltado Combo and a Passion Fruit Juice. I ordered a Chicha Morada and a Build Your Own Saltado with Chicken, Rice, and a House Salad. We decided to sit outside in the covered patio area. Our food was delivered to us pretty quickly. The Chicha Morada was good. It was light and refreshing with a moderate cinnamon flavor. The Saltado was a good portion and flavor was good but the chicken was very dry. The rice and house salad were standard. Overall, giving Merka Saltao a 4/5. Prices are reasonable for the portions, although the Lomo Saltado Combo might be a tad on the pricey side. We were happy with our drinks. My main comment is that the chicken in my Saltado was dry and tough. If we come back, I would try a different protein. read more

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OUR FAVORITE in downtown Culver City right now! Incredible beef lomo saltado. So tender, juicy and flavorful. My kids are also obsessed with how good it is. They love the fries too. I enjoy how fresh the food is and I love the kale caesar salad with it. A total delight for the tastebuds!! read more

Merka Saltao - salad bowl with steak - Peruvian Near Me - Culver City, California

Food was really good; it felt refreshing and satisfying, makes for a really good lunch. It's in a good location, three parking structures within distance that provide an hour free parking. read more

Merka Saltao - Rocoto hot honey chicken, fries, Asian salad with passion fruit juice. - Peruvian Near Me - Culver City, California

Good Peruvian food. Service was great. It does get crowded and finding seats is hard so it's best to take it to go if you can. The price is decent and food is filling. read more