Chef Yeral Caldas has called San Francisco home since 2005 and has worked hard to build his dream. Originally from Chimbote, Peru, Chef Yeral comes from a restaurateur family with his father having had his own restaurants and learning from him at a young age. Chef Yeral is an ambitious restaurateur with the goal to open “not just one, but many” Peruvian restaurants in San Francisco. In the years since he arrived in the city, that is exactly what he’s done, with Cholo Soy and now his latest endeavor, El Ají. Caldas may be best known for his authentic ceviches, which he conjures up daily. With his first restaurant a simple counter top at Cholo Soy, which began operating out of the multi-purpose Plaza Adelante building on 19th and Mission streets in 2012. It was his first shot in the restaurant business and it gave him momentum. His small eatery turned into a popular lunch stop among Mission residents, often crowded with patrons. When thinking of what to call his first restaurant he came up with Cholo Soy, “The word “cholo” is very, very common in Peru,” said Caldas. “It’s a synonym for work, effort, dedication, and honesty. It’s someone who doesn’t give up – that’s a cholo…And I am that, so I gave it that name,” he said. With El Aji, Chef Yeral enjoys serving a full menu in addition to his famous ceviches that have received numerous accolades.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“One of the best kept secrets in town!”
– Ryan Basso, SF Weekly“The Best Damn Ceviche You’ve Ever Had”
– Anna Roth, SF Weekly“Food of the people — inexpensive, exciting, and soul warming.”Best restaurants near me
– Kate Williams, KQED Food“Ceviche: I can honestly say I’ve found El Aji’s to be the best I’ve had.”
– Maria C. Ascarrunz, Mission Local NewsEl Aji Peruvian Restaurant Menu - San Francisco Updated 1/14/2024
Menu and pricing subject to changeAPPETIZERS
Choros a la Chalaca $12.00
Large mussels topped with fine chopped onions, tomatoes, cilantro and Peruvian corn. Gluten-free. Dairy-free.Papa a la Huancaina $10.00
Sliced potatoes topped with huancaina sauce (yellow aji pepper cream sauce). Served with egg and Peruvian olives.Ocopa $10.00
Sliced potatoes topped with ocopa sauce (yellow aji pepper, peanuts and huacatay cream sauce). Served with egg and Peruvian olives.Causa Rellena $10.00
Layered mashed potatoes, red onions and mayo, chicken or tuna.Anticuchos $14.50
Grilled beef heart.Salchipapas $10.00
Chopped hot dogs and french fries.Yuca Frita $9.00
Fried yuca served with 2 house sauces. Gluten-free.Calamar Frito $15.00
Fried calamari, served with fried yuca.Jalea Mixta $16.00
Fried seafood, served with fried yuca.PASTAS
Spaghetti Saltado $18.00
Spaghetti, red onion, tomatoes. Dairy-free.Spaghetti Pesto $18.00
Tallarines verdes: spinach, basil, Parmesan.CEVICHES
Ceviche Classico $16.00
Fish, red onions, cilantro, lime juice. Served with dried corn and sweet potato. Gluten-free. Dairy-free.Ceviche Chalaco $16.00
In our yellow pepper (aji Amarillo) sauce. Fish, red onions, cilantro, lime juice. Served with dried corn and sweet potato. Gluten-free. Dairy-free.BEEF / CARNES
Lomo Saltado $22.00
Beef sirloin steak (USDA), red onions, tomatoes, served with rice, french fries. Gluten-free. Dairy-free.Seco de Carne $20.00
Beef chuck marinated with cilantro and "cholo" sauce (6 different red peppers) served with Peruvian beans, white rice, and salsa criolla. Gluten-free. Dairy-free.Seco de Cordero $26.00
Lamb shank marinated with cilantro "cholo sauce (6 different red peppers) served with Peruvian beans, white rice, and salsa criolla. Gluten-free. Dairy-free.Bistec a Lo Pobre $26.00
Grilled ribeye steak (USDA), fried egg, french fries and fried plantains, served with rice and salad. Gluten-free.VEGETARIAN
Saltado de Tofu $17.00
Tofu, red onions, tomatoes, served with rice, french fries. Gluten-free. Dairy-free.Saltado de Hongos $17.00
Mushrooms, red onions, tomatoes, served with rice, french fries. Gluten-free. Dairy-free.SEAFOOD / MARISCOS
Arroz con Mariscos $25.00
Fried rice with aji panca, wine, sauteed mussels, calamari, red onions, tomatoes and corn, topped with salsa criolla.Saltado de Mariscos $25.00
Seafood stir-fry, red onions, tomatoes, served with rice and french fries. Gluten-free. Dairy-free.Pescado a Lo Macho $25.00
Sauteed shellfish in red pepper sauce over fish fillet with white rice.Pescado Empanizado $20.00
Panko breaded deep-fried fish fillet, served with salad and french fries.Seafood Soup $20.00
Seafood, angel hair pasta and red sauce.CHICKEN / AVES
Rotisserie Chicken Whole to-Go $25.00
Served with french fries and salad. Gluten-free. Dairy-free.1/2 Chicken $18.00
Served with french fries and salad. Gluten-free. Dairy-free.Pollo Broster $20.00
Potato starch breaded chicken served with salad and french fries.Saltado de Pollo $19.00
Chicken, red onions, tomatoes, served with rice, french fries. Gluten-free. Dairy-free.Aji de Gallina $19.00
Shredded chicken breast with yellow aji pepper sauce, crumbled saltine crackers and evaporated milk, served with white rice.Arroz Chaufa $19.00
Fried rice, egg, green onions. Gluten-free.Chicken $19.00
Beef $20.00
DESSERTS
Alfajores $5.00
Tiramisu $5.00
Lucuma Ice Cream $5.00
DRINKS
Maracuya - Inca Kola $4.00
Chicha Morada $6.00
San Pellegrino $4.50
Smart Water $2.50
Soda $3.00
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