What Is Lomo Saltado?
By Sofrito Latin Cafe. Published September 15, 2026.
Lomo saltado is a Peruvian beef stir-fry cooked fast over high heat in a wok, combining strips of beef with onions, tomatoes, and fried potatoes, then served over white rice. It is one of Peru's most recognized dishes and a clear example of the country's Chinese-Peruvian (chifa) cooking tradition, where wok technique meets Andean ingredients.
What is in lomo saltado?
The core of the dish is simple and consistent from kitchen to kitchen. A traditional plate includes:
- Sliced beef (often sirloin or tenderloin), seared quickly so it stays tender
- Red onions cut into wide wedges
- Tomatoes, added late so they soften but hold shape
- Fried potatoes, tossed in near the end so they pick up the pan sauce
- A savory sauce built on soy sauce, vinegar, and aji amarillo pepper
- White rice served alongside, not underneath, so the fries stay crisp
The name comes from the Spanish word "saltado," meaning tossed or jumped, which describes the fast tossing motion in the hot wok. You can read more background on the dish at its Wikipedia entry.
Why does lomo saltado taste the way it does?
The flavor is the result of two cultures meeting on one plate. The soy sauce and high-heat wok method come from Chinese immigrants who arrived in Peru in the nineteenth century, while the potatoes, aji amarillo, and beef reflect local Peruvian ingredients. That mix gives the dish its distinctive savory, slightly tangy character that is neither purely Chinese nor purely criollo.
Why is a Peruvian dish on a Cuban and Venezuelan menu?
Sofrito Latin Cafe leans toward Cuban and Venezuelan cooking, so lomo saltado can look like an outlier at first glance. The reason is our founders. Sofrito Latin Cafe was built by a team that includes Carlos Calderon of Peru, and lomo saltado is a plate he grew up with. It sits on the board as an authentic Peruvian contribution from one of the people who started the restaurant, not as a menu filler. You can learn how the different traditions fit together in our guide to Cuban versus Venezuelan food.
Where can I order lomo saltado at Sofrito Latin Cafe?
Once you know what the dish is, the next step is the live listing. You can find lomo saltado on our menu, where the current price and description are always up to date. To place an order for pickup or delivery, use our online ordering page. If you are still deciding, our what to order guide walks through the dishes worth trying first.
Is lomo saltado spicy?
It is mild to moderate. The aji amarillo pepper adds warmth and fruitiness more than sharp heat, so most people find it flavorful rather than fiery. If you are sensitive to spice, it is an approachable place to start with Peruvian food.
Visit or Contact Sofrito Latin Cafe
Sofrito Latin Cafe is located at 8607 Palm Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32836. Call us at (407) 778-4205.
Hours:
- Sunday through Thursday: 8am to 9pm
- Friday and Saturday: 8am to 10pm
Frequently Asked Questions
What does lomo saltado mean?
It translates roughly to "tossed loin," referring to the beef and the tossing motion used to cook it quickly in a wok.
What is lomo saltado served with?
It is served with white rice on the side, and it already includes fried potatoes mixed into the stir-fry itself, so the dish carries a double starch that is part of the tradition.
Is lomo saltado Chinese or Peruvian?
It is Peruvian, but it belongs to the chifa tradition, which blends Chinese wok cooking with Peruvian ingredients. The dish is claimed proudly as part of Peru's national cuisine.
Does Sofrito Latin Cafe serve authentic lomo saltado?
Yes. The dish is on our menu because co-founder Carlos Calderon of Peru brought it to the kitchen, so it reflects a genuine Peruvian recipe rather than a generic version.
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