jeaninep Asu Mare Peru Restobar opened at 430 Market Street in Elmwood Park, NJ. The brick-and-mortar restaurant is the next step for owners Victor Rondon and Anthony Citron, who started in 2020 with a food truck. The two, who are both Peruvian, focused on selling Peruvian street food. Read on for more about Elmwood Park’s newest restaurant, Asu Mare Peru.
The Backstory
Victor Rondon and Anthony Cintron are both Peruvian. The business started out in 2019 as a food truck selling Peruvian-style street food. Over time, the two realized that they had outgrown the food truck model and started looking for a brick-and-mortar space in 2024. They landed in Elmwood Park, where they both live, to open up shop.
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Asu is a slang expression used to express excitement or amazement, similar to ‘oh my gosh’ or ‘wow’. Peruvian food and culture are having a bit of a moment. Peru’s capital, Lima, was chosen by Condé Nast Traveler’s global editors as “one of the best places to eat for 2025”, and Maido (in Lima) was named the ‘World’s Best Restaurant’ in 2025.
The restaurant is an homage to Peruvian culture, in the food and drink offerings, and the decor and vibe.
The expansion into brick & mortar offers a space for patrons to drink, dine, listen to music (DJ present some nights), and taste Peruvian fare. It is conveniently located off Market Street in Elmwood Park and has available parking, which is one of the main reasons this location was chosen. The owners also reside in the area and love to share their culture.
What to Expect
While the in-house menu differs from the food truck, there is one special item on the restaurant menu paying homage to street food, the Asu Mare Tower. The tower includes Salchipapa, wings, and hamburgers. Salchipapa, a well-known Latin American street food that originated in Peru, is a unique combination of beef and chicken hot dogs cut and sliced with French fries, mayonnaise, and ketchup.
The owner shared that Lomo Saltado (Juicy beef stir-fried in a wok with red onion, tomato, and cilantro, tossed in our house sauce for depth and character. Served with white rice and crispy fries. Also available with chicken, shrimp, or mixed, and Arroz Chaufa (Wok-fried rice with egg and our Peruvian-Oriental seasoning, delivering an aromatic, balanced profile. Available with chicken, beef, shrimp, or mixed) are guest favorites.
All dishes are made with Peruvian staples and ingredients, and that includes cocktails. The Chicha Sour is crafted with Peruvian Purple Corn or Maiz Morado, an ancient, antioxidant-rich heirloom corn that is grown in the Andes. A take on the Cosmopolitan, the Limapolitan is a blend of vodka, guava, curacao, citrus, manchego, and olive.
Desserts include Lucama Peruvian ice cream and a chocolate flan. Non-alcoholic beverage Inca Kola, developed in the 1930’s in Lima and known for its unique flavor profile, is a guest favorite.
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The decor offers curated art from muralist Elijah Minton @theartalchemist on its walls and even in the restrooms, which also have selfie mirrors with lighting settings that reflect the artwork. The DJ booth sits off to the side towards the back, and the deep and bright colors offer a sense of warmth throughout the interior.
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