House music + great food. Excellent service. Live DJ. Please never stop the house music! Really makes the experience read more

Yunta gets 5 stars from me! This place was a WHOLE VIBE! From the time I walked in, the music was on point and made me feel like I was in Peru or another country! Inside, the decors also made you feel like you were away on vacay in another country! Now the food...it was SO good! The options were all great and the waitress let us know they were all good! The strip steak was beyond good and the Arroz Mariscos (their version of a paella) was absolutely amazing! I'm going back for JUST an order of that! Even the white rice was amazing, paired with the steak. The appetizers were seasoned and tasted great, as did the nigiri! No bad dish was had! And the drink options were amazing - Old Fashioned...amazing! Wines...amazing! Inside, the staff was 100% amazing! They had everything down to a science and it was a party! They were having fun and jamming out to the local music/beats and even had a DJ! I wanted to dance (and did) with them! I think I've found my new spot for Peruvian food! Please run, don't walk, to Yunta, located in Southend! read more

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Came here for a private event for #OldFashionedWeek. The staff were very nice and the food was very tasty. Can't wait to return to try some more! read more

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Tuna Nigiri (5/5): Fresh, melt-in-your-mouth tuna over some good sushi rice. Would've loved some wasabi with this though. Yuca Balls (4/5): Crispy exterior with a soft, cheesy interior. Arroz Chaufa (4/5): Good fried rice. I liked the smoked pork, but the chicken was just ok. Arroz con Mariscos (4/5): Great seafood flavor, but too wet and mushy for me. Chocolate Lucuma (4/5): Silky lucuma mousse surrounded in a chocolate shell (which I wished was a little harder). The Oreo crumb base was also great. Edamame (4/5): Smoky and oily, but could've used some salt. RATING SYSTEM 5 - Great (Need to get this again) 4 - Good (Would get this again) 3 - Ok (Might give this another shot) 2 - Not Good (Won't get this again) 1 - Bad (Telling people to avoid this) read more

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I had the pleasure of checking this spot out over the weekend. My sister and I were in the area and both of us were starving. After browsing a little on Yelp we landed on Yunta( means Friend) . My sister told me she had been a few times and the food was amazing! We were greeted as soon as we walked in the door. However , the staff did step away to seat other patrons. While she was gone another staff approached us to ask if we had been helped! This first impression of recommendable service was impressive! The original staff returned to the host stand. After confirming we did not have reservations she advised we could sit at the bar or there was one table available but it was directly across from the restroom. She said she wanted to be completely honest and transparent about the table. We took the table next to the restrooms (it really was not a bad table). Our wait staff came to the table shortly after we were seated. He asked us about our water choice and also dropped off the complimentary fried corn ( somewhat addictive). My sister and I both opted for mocktails. I ordered the Dirty Chai Martino. Admittedly, it lacked flavor. I took one sip and realized it was not for me. The wait staff was kind enough to ask if I wanted to try something else. What he suggested was amazing, but I don't recall the name of the drinks it had a hint of smokiness to it. To start, I ordered the sesame salad and my sister opted for the edamame. My salad was a win! It was basic ingredients but put together created something special! I honestly could have made a meal out of the salad with a side of salmon! For an entree I had the Peruvian Seafood Risotto and my sister ordered the Ramen Chicken Soup. The risotto was flavorful and had a decent amount of protein in it. I did not try my sister's ramen, but she said it was good. I do want to mention again that the service at this restaurant is giving Michelin star quality! It is clear that the staff works together as a team to ensure that the guests needs are always met. Last, but not least, the aesthetic of this restaurant is a vibe! From the vibrant wall paper contrasted against the stone wall and light wood table and chairs to the entrance with faux moss and gold letters! The design is nice! Overall- this spot is a win in my book! read more

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Went to check out Yunta years ago when it first opened and never finished my review shame on me. That visit I recall the following items being amazing: Tostones Chicharron Yuka balls Lomo saltado Parrillero maki Cauliflower tempura Pisco & smoke Peruvian pineapple Revisted and had the most amazing time and experience. Our server Guilliana was amazing, she took great care of us and gave great menu recommendations. I ordered the Peruvian Pineapple again and wow it was good. Perfect combo of sweet and spicy. I saw someone at the bar with an interesting drink and was told it was a Freaky Friday. Order that and enjoyed it too. We started with Croquettes - OMG. I wanted more. They were creamy inside, crispy outside and very flavorful. For my entree I ordered the lomo saltado, and when it arrived I realized I ordered it on my previous visit. Very flavorful and a perfect portion also. It came with a side of rice. We loved everything and cannot wait to return. read more

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Great experience at Yunta! The sushi was fresh and the ceviche was to die for! Service was amazing, they refilled our drinks often, cleaned the plates from the table as soon as we finished eating and were super attentive. read more

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We didn't make a reservation and just walked in, but if you're planning to get a booth or table, I definitely recommend reserving ahead of time. We arrived around 5:30-6:00 PM and were told the next available table wouldn't be until 8:30, so we ended up sitting at the bar instead. Luckily, the barstools were comfortable, so I didn't mind at all. The service was great--fast, attentive, and the bartenders were really friendly. The drinks were also really good. I had a lychee martini that was strong but delicious. We also tried a few of their shots--they had a unique, acquired taste. The only one I didn't enjoy was the Hierba shot because the aftertaste reminded me of licorice, which I'm not a fan of. But if you like licorice, you'd probably enjoy it. As for the food, everything was amazing. The yuca balls were a 10/10. We also had the "Pulpo Anticuchero", which was a Spanish style octopus that came with roasted potatoes that were cooked perfectly--crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, very fresh and flavorful. I ordered the arroz con mariscos (seafood rice), which included calamari, octopus, squid, and more. It was really good, and the portion size was huge--definitely enough to feed 3-4 people, so keep that in mind when ordering. The ambiance was really nice as well. The music was good and not too loud, which made it easy to enjoy the overall vibe. Overall, I'd give this place a 10/10. read more

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Yunta might be my absolute #1 favorite restaurant in Charlotte. Eating at Yunta is a whole experience. And every course is crafted with such precision. Everything was so delicious. 100% recommend Yunta!! read more

Yunta Nikkei - Ponja Tiradito* - Peruvian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Yunta is STILL that spot! The place is still an absolute vibe with a live DJ and some dope decor. The place was definitely poppin and I was fortunate to sneak a seat at the bar in a few minutes. I would highly suggest you get reservations if you're planning on coming after 6pm on a weekend. Tried the gardener this time and it was a refreshing mocktail. I had to go back with the Ceviche Yunta because it's the perfect balance of spicy and acidity. The team here is super attentive and friendly. Can't wait to come back and try some of their nigiri options. read more

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Hubby and I visited friends over the long weekend who introduced us to Yunta Nikkei. What a great dining experience! We were there for an early lunch, so the restaurant was pretty empty when we first walked in. Between the four of us, we were able to try a variety of dishes: A brunch dish, a couple of tiradittos (scallops & hamachi), ceviche sampler, a chaufa, and a few nigiris. The service was really excellent. From the hostess, the servers, to the manager swinging by to check on us, everyone was friendly and welcoming. Each dish was brought out to us after we've enjoyed the previous. The server would give a little explanation (sometimes suggestion) on the dish. The pacing was great. The dishes didn't come all at once that we felt rushed nor did it lagged where we were hungrily waiting for the next. The food itself was really amazing too. I think we each have different 'favorites'. I especially love the scallop tiradittos, a surprising creamier sauce pairing so well with thinly slice scallops mixed with some crisps & micro greens. So delicious. Having said that, there wasn't a dish that I didn't like. There are so many other dishes I would have loved to try. We would definitely return when we are in this area again in the future. read more

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Overall the food was great. I visited with 2 friends on a Sunday at 4PM and we didn't have reservations. Originally we were offered to sit at the bar, but the seats were a bit uncomfortable so we did get a table, but was told the table was reserved in another hour for another party. Our food came out quick and the waiter was nice. I asked for my steak medium and it had to be sent back because it was over cooked. Within 10 minutes of the reservations I did feel we were rushed to eat and pack our food to move to the bar. We were told we had to close out our ticket prior to moving to the bar. The pico punch was so good I could have had several glasses. I guess the next visit I would be sure to make reservations so we don't feel like we had to have a rushed experience. Otherwise everything else was pretty good to me read more

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The food might be really nice here but I will never know. We tried to sit at the bar to at least get a cool drink but there was a spill on the floor and dirty seats. We were actively ignored by the hostess and multiple staff members to put our name in until they let us know the only way we are getting in on a Friday night at 8pm is by reservation. Don't come here without a reservation... apparently even for the bar. You can't walk in and sit in this place. Such a shame because I was excited to review it for all of you. read more

Yunta Nikkei - We only saw the initial door decorations - Peruvian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Yunta is a pretty solid spot! The fusion of Japanese and Peruvian brings out unique flavors in everything they do. Their sushi rolls challenged me in a good way with their flavor combos and had me expanding my palette. One negative note is I went in on a Saturday, relatively slow, only 5 other people at the bar and it took me about 10 mins to get a drink. read more

Checked out Yunta in Charlotte around 9 PM on a Tuesday and was surprised how busy and lively it still was. We sat at the bar and ordered a sushi roll that wasn't on the menu--came with a creamy white sauce instead of soy and it was so good, gone in seconds. We also got the pork and beef fried rice and a steak kebab--both were amazing. Great vibes, great service. Will definitely be back! read more

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What an amazing experience. Peruvian-Japanese Fusion! Fusion done right. We had a table of 4 and ordered edamame, chicken skewers, calamari, crab sushi, and a chicken-noodle bowl. All the dishes were great. The calamari dish was under Wok which made us think it was an entree but it really should have been an appetizer. Service was great, our waiter Daniel brought us a bunch of sauces to try. The restaurant was very loud and dark. It would have been nice if the volume was lowered and there were more lights. read more

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I waited months for the right excuse to check out Yunta and like any good millennial, I used my parents as a cover to justify this splurge. They flew in, I made a reservation two weeks in advance like I was buying Coldplay tickets, and the universe rewarded us with a table at 7 PM sharp with a 90-minute time limit. That's right. This place runs tighter than the TSA. Walking up to Yunta feels like you're entering a stylish Peruvian lounge that moonlights as a design showroom. It's sleek, modern, and the entrance screams, "We serve raw fish, but it's fancy." Inside, you're met with moody lighting, hanging glass orbs that look like high-end bubble wrap, and a wall of moss reminding you that yes, this is South End, and yes, plants are still the main personality trait. The bar was packed. The booths were full. And it felt like everyone in the room knew they scored a coveted spot. We started with a little complimentary crunch...a tin of cancha (toasted Peruvian corn) that came out swinging with some heat. My mom nearly choked on the spice but kept going back like it owed her money. Now for the good stuff. Here's what we ordered: Clásico Ceviche. This was the one everyone hypes up and let me tell you...it earns the hype. Big cubes of mahi, red onion, sweet potato, and choclo corn swim in a citrusy leche de tigre so fresh it probably had its own passport. That broth could bring someone back from the brink. Salmon Ceviche. If the clásico was bold and zesty, the salmon version came in smooth like a DJ at 2AM. Avocado, cucumber, and a hint of yuzu made this feel more Nikkei than Peruvian. I could eat a bucket of this and still want more. Cruella Maki. This roll looked like it was styled by a fashion intern on a Red Bull bender. Topped with crunchy bits, microgreens, and a drizzle of drama. Salmon tartar and avocado inside, wrapped tight and served with a side sauce that made me want to dip my phone in it just to keep the flavor around. Beef Anticucho. Let's talk about the star of the show. These filet mignon skewers had that just-charred-enough sear, topped with chives and what I swear were tiny flavor pearls. Served with a green huacatay aioli that was creamy, punchy, and completely necessary. We fought over the last piece like it was the last charger at the airport. Shoutout to Breiner and team, who kept the meal moving and made us feel like regulars on our first visit. The pacing was perfect for the tight dining window, but we never felt rushed or ignored. The food was legit. The service was tight. The space is gorgeous. And yes, I'm already trying to snag another reservation like I'm hunting for Burning Man tickets. If you haven't been to Yunta yet...do what you gotta do. Set a calendar reminder. Fake a birthday. Bribe someone. Want more legit Charlotte food spots without the fluff? I made a guide. It's called evansfoodguide.com Go eat something good! instagram.com/charlottefoodieguy read more

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Excellent food. Awesome service. Great music. Don't hesitate to try this place. Must haves: chicharron, Que guevada drink, and any of the ceviches! AMAZING. And don't forget the passion fruit crème brûlée read more

Can't say enough about the food and the service here! Everything blew us away with the attention to detail of the food and the recommendations from the servers. The chicharron bites were the highlight as well as the drinks. Can't wait to return! read more

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I tried the yuca balls, the cruella roll, arroz chafa with pork belly, and the beef anticucho. I have zero complaints, our waiter was super nice, the service was incredible, and the food all came out great. I will be coming back to try the ceviche and nigiri for sure. I could have eaten like 30 of those yuca balls! read more

My friend and I loved our experience so much! We ordered a logos array of items: Yunta Ceviche, Ponja Tiradito, Parrillero Maki, Arroz con Mariscos, and Brasa Potatoes! Everything came out amazing and the servers made sure we knew exactly what we were getting and a little bit of the history behind the flavor profiles. 10/10 experience! read more

I've been wanting to try this place for so long but it was so hard to get a reservation. I set my priority notify on for Resy and got so lucky with a reservation from a cancellation this weekend. I can confidently say this was worth the wait so don't get discouraged if it's hard to go. This is hands down my favorite restaurant in Charlotte now and it's hard to get a reservation for a reason! Between the atmosphere, service, and food, I was truly so blown away. Onto the food! We started with the Panza, which was a salmon nigiri, and the Ceviche Classico. The salmon was melt in your mouth and had subtle hints of truffle and citrus. This was delicious! And oh my gosh was my life changed with the ceviche. We were drinking the leche de tigre. The fish was also melt in your mouth and every ingredient was so fresh and amazing. Just wow. We also got the Tuna Tiradito and the Lomo Soltado. The Chef recommended taking a bite of all the different ingredients for the Tuna Tiradito and what a perfect blend of unique savory flavors. The tuna was excellent and this had to have been my favorite. The fresh filet mignon in the Lomo Soltado also did not disappoint. I was also drinking the sauce that it came with at the end. Although we were so full we were unbuttoning our pants at the dinner table lol, we could not skip on the desserts as the looked amazing. The Chocolate Lacuma was so light but also decadent and just wow. I am truly blown away by this entire meal. I have to add that the people on either side of us ordered different things and looked just as happy so it seems that you really can't go wrong. I am already planning my next trip back as it was absolutely incredible and I need to try more things on the menu. Overall I couldn't recommend this place enough, especially for a date night! read more

Yunta Nikkei - Tuna Ponja Tiradito* - Peruvian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Mid all around. I had their octopus, seafood ceviche and scallops. From freshness to taste to flavor I find everything to be ok, nothing excites my taste buds. Spicy level has a little kick. I do love fushion and always interested in the different combinations. While this work, I think it comes down to the quality of the seafood, which I thought it was slightly lack of. read more

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We've been here twice and had a great experience both times. All the food was delicious. Service was excellent. My favorite dish was the Tiger's Milk ceviche. We also loved the arroz chaufa. I would've liked the chicharron to be crispier. Beef anticucho was very tender and well seasoned. Tasted great with the sliced daikon and dipping sauce. Highly recommend. read more

I really enjoy this place. The food and the ambiance. I've been twice and ordered ceviche both times. The ceviche was flavorful and seafood fresh. The service is good, albeit a little slow when busy. We had a not so great experience the last time we went where our server was missing for a while, and he didn't put our food order in at the time we ordered it delaying the arrival of our meals. Also, my friend asked for an additional item for the ceviche and we waited, it never came. The manager stopped by our table later in the meal to ask how things were going. We mentioned the delays, and he totally gaslit us and never offered to make things right. He was also condescending to my friend in his tone. This was not a good way to handle that. Hopefully it was a one off situation. Other than that, I look forward to coming back and trying other menu items. read more

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Absolutely love it here! The ambiance is great with amazing customer service from employees who are knowledgeable on food and drinks. The food is amazing every time and there is a DJ from Thursday to Saturday and brunch on Sundays! read more

Yunta Nikkei - Peruvian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Yunta is an amazing place to eat. I loved every minute there. The food was really good and the people were very friendly and welcoming. The ambience was very nice as the place was comfortable and quiet for the most part. I can see why this is a tough place to get into. If you're coming to town, or are locals, you need to put this on your to-do list. Only thing I would suggest is to have this place start using OpenTable versus Resy. My daughter, along with some of her friends had issues reservations vanished. read more

Yunta was absolutely amazing. The staff was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. The food was top notch - one of the best meals we have ever had. The flavor in each dish was wonderful. We will definitely be back the next time we visit Charlotte. We ordered the classic ceviche, gratin nigiri, parrillero maki and the udon noodles. All were amazing! Our favorites were the ceviche and udon. The sushi was perfect with unique and delicious flavors. It was our anniversary and they made it very special. Many thanks! 10 out of 10 recommend! read more

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The food is truly innovative and delicious! levanta was so fresh and delicious The staff is super adorable read more

Excelente servicio! Visitamos el lugar mi hermana, mi mamá y yo por el día de las madres. Breiner hizo nuestra experiencia increíble, nos explico a detalle todo, nos ayudó con el menú e incluso nos trajo el postre con una vela y fotos para tomarnos entre familia. El ambiente espectacular y muy lindo. Recomendadisimo!!! Excellent service! My sister, my mom, and I visited the place for Mother's Day. Breiner made our experience incredible; he explained everything to us in detail, helped us with the menu, and even brought us dessert with a candle and photos for us to take as a family. The atmosphere was spectacular and very charming. Highly recommended!!! read more

When I saw the July 2024 article in Axios Charlotte listing Yunta as the #1 restaurant in the area, I had to make a reservation. My husband and I ventured there for an early dinner (at 4pm!) on a Saturday. There is a small parking lot behind the restaurant that Yunta shares with the other businesses (including Poppy's Bagels and The Wine Loft), but given that we planned for an earlier dinner, we had no trouble finding a spot. There's street parking along Magnolia Ave as well, along with parking across the street in the Atherton Mill parking lot/garage. Despite the early reservation, Yunta was almost completely full. We were seated in the back hallway to the left, near the exit door. We had a two-person booth, a perfect spot for us. It was bit warm in the restaurant, and I'm not sure if that's because we were close to the door, or their air conditioning wasn't operating properly. At least I wasn't freezing, like I usually am! For our drinks, my husband had a Peruvian Smoke, and I had a glass of Prosecco. The Peruvian Smoke wasn't too sweet, and we both loved the smoke flavor. The Prosecco was a VERY generous serving. They also give you a small bowl of fried corn kernels to tide you over until you order. They were unique, tasty, and not too salty, and we almost finished the entire bowl. For our appetizers, we ordered the (shrimp) croquettes and chicken ramen. The croquettes were served five to an order, and were accompanied by two delicious sauces. The shrimp were cut into small pieces inside the croquettes, and the croquettes had a yummy paste-like filling. Despite being fried, they were light and delicious! My husband's ramen was amazing. The broth had incredible flavor, and the bowl was just a little bit smaller than a typical ramen bowl. The menu says it comes with Asian noodles, but they seemed like fettuccini to me. It appeared that they used both white and dark meat in the soup, but I could be mistaken. The soup was definitely one of our favorite dishes of the night. For our entrees, I chose the Pulpo Anticuchero, and my husband had the Arroz Chaufa. The portions were generous, and we both had leftovers to take home. The octopus was very tender, and was served with an amazing chimichurri sauce. My husband's chaufa was similarly flavorful, and a huge serving. (Note: The "smoked pork" in this dish is a very tender pork belly.) Throughout the meal, our server (Christian N.) was terrific. And other staff came by frequently to refill our waters and remove empty plates. We were too full to have dessert, but next time, we'll forgo the croquettes to save room for their chocolate domed dessert. It looked so good! Just an FYI, Yunta doesn't accept cash. They do accept mobile payments (like Apple Pay), but you need to follow your server to the register to scan your phone or watch. I only wish they used a QR code-type of system for a better checkout experience, but I'll take this mobile experience in place of using my credit card. All in all, we had a fabulous meal for a very reasonable cost. We can't wait to return! read more

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First off, the vibe in here was amazing. Great bartender, Amanda! She was very knowledgeable of the menu and drinks. Food was to perfection, will definitely be back on a Sunday. read more

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Oh my goodness! Best ceviche I have ever had in my entire life! Pros: Amazing ambience, such a vibrant yet mysterious vibe, great music, amazing food! I have had a lot of ceviche from all over the world, the best is here. The classic ceviche was mind blowing. The only feedback I have is to maybe replace the sweet potato with another vegetable as it did not really complement the dish. But that could totally be overlooked by how amazing everything else was. I truly don't think you can go wrong with ordering anything off of this menu and that is so rare. Also, service was amazing. They were able to see us without a reservation, and I can't wait to visit again! Cons: the seating was a bit tight and a little too close to your neighboring guests. But really overall, I can't think of any cons related to food or service. Such a great spot! I already made my next reservation. Can't wait! read more

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Everyone was amazing and love love the new menu! Everyone works together which I love, but our waiter at the bar Johnathon was fantastic and really was helpful with our choices!! Food, drinks, ambiance with the Dj was on point! Can't wait to come back! read more

Honestly one of the best restaurants in CLT. Superb service and food. We had the ceviche sampler and loved all three types. We tried two of the meat skewers and liked the chicken ones best. They are outstanding. Ingredients seemed very fresh and fried food still managed to stay light. read more

If you plan on coming here.. even on a weekday for an early bird special.. MAKE A RESERVATION! My friends and I learned the hard way that you can't get a table for 4 around 6pm on a weekday.. but we did score a spot at one of the 2 outdoor tables.. which are first come/first served. I ordered the pisco and shiso drink to start. It was wonderfully spicy yet fruity. The alcohol wasn't overwhelming and it tasted more like a fruity spicy ginger beer. I had a bite of the panza which is like a salmon belly nigiri with lemon zest and crunchy quinoa. Yum! You have to ask for soy sauce.. but my friends enjoyed it without just the same. It was very fresh. For dinner I had the arroz con mariscos. It was a huge portion! I had leftovers. Served in a hot skillet and loaded with seafood. There was a decent variety of seafood mixed into the rice. Reason for 4 stars is that our waiter spilled an entire beer on our table.. and on one of my friends. We know this happens unfortunately and my friend was not upset (accidents happen) but nothing was offered outside of an apology (at least comp the drink you spilled on us)! It's street parking. The parking lot that is mentioned in other reviews is so tiny I wouldn't even bother checking it out. read more

Yunta Nikkei - Peruvian lo mein - Peruvian Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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Excellent food, service, and ambiance. Our server was extremely thorough with the menu and easily helped my wife navigate her egg and dairy allergy. I have been to so many restaurants who say they have "great cocktails" only to be disappointed time after time. Yunta ACTUALLY has fantastic cocktails. Six different cocktails at our table and all were really great. Well worth the cost. I genuinely can't wait to dine here again. read more

This spot has solidified itself as one of my Charlotte favorites, and after bringing a foodie friend from out of town, I can confidently say it still delivers. We left full and impressed. Every dish was a knockout--The Classico ceviche in tiger's milk was bright and zippy, the gratin nigiri was pure, buttery decadence (torched tableside for a little extra drama), and the Pulpo Anticuchero (octopus) had that perfect smoky-charred tenderness. What surprised us what The Arroz Chaufa. We ordered it not thinking too much about ot and were absolutely floored by how much we loved it--savory, a little crispy, and packed with umami. Service here is always on point, and the atmosphere is lively but never chaotic. Definitely go in with a "let's share everything" mindset and make a reservation! read more

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Excellent Food. Everything was tasty. Loved the Lomo Saltado. Great atmosphere and prompt service!

Wowowow the food here is insanely good. Ceviche blew my mind. Drinks are very tasty too.