Urubamba and Jora are two acclaimed Peruvian restaurants in Queens, New York. Urubamba, located at 86-20 37th Ave. in Jackson Heights, offers a taste of home-style Peruvian cooking. Owner Carlos Astorga explains the restaurant’s unique blend of influences: “Everybody that came from Peru, I would say Chinese, Italian, German, people from other parts of South America also, they all got mixed, and it just became Peruvian.” His family recipes, passed down for 48 years, feature foundational ingredients like onions, aji panca (a hot pepper), and aji amarillo, creating the authentic flavors that have kept customers returning. “Most Peruvian dishes, they start with onions…and we use aji panca which is a hot pepper. Then we use also aji armadillo, and they make the paste for all the dishes. That’s what gives it the flavor,” Astorga explains. The restaurant’s continued success demonstrates the enduring appeal of classic Peruvian dishes.
In contrast, Jora, situated at 47-46 11th St. in Long Island City, presents a more modern interpretation of Peruvian cuisine. Owner Alejandro Rojas highlights the country’s diverse culinary landscape: “Peruvian food is getting more and more renowned. We have a very, very rich soil and a lot of microclimates in Peru, which allows us to basically grow almost anything.” Jora’s menu showcases innovative dishes like their unique causa, a traditional cold potato puree, elevated with ingredients such as crab meat and cuttlefish ink. Rojas emphasizes the historical and cultural significance of Peruvian food: “So definitely Peruvian food is going to be a little bit of a trip throughout history. The history of Peru, the history of immigration, the history of just our culture in general.”
The two restaurants offer distinct experiences, with Urubamba focusing on comforting, familiar flavors and Jora showcasing a contemporary approach. Both, however, reflect the rich culinary heritage of Peru and its evolving presence in the New York food scene. Astorga’s commitment to family tradition is further evidenced by his support of his daughter’s upcoming Peruvian restaurant venture in Huntington.