Tullpa Restaurant

Great little find! The food was delicious and full of layered flavor. I didn't know what I was doing, and the server was so helpful. If I didn't think it would have been weird, I would have hugged her. She really knew her stuff. 100% will be back.

The servers were amazing! The food was pretty good with great presentation. We had 2 of the combination trays because we wanted to try everything. Empanadas were nice and crispy. Pretty oily but very tasty. I also can never say "no" to passion fruit anything and was pleased to find that they had passionfruit juice. I would come again and try more dishes.

I got the Chaufa al Wok with chicken! It was delicious! Delicious rice and seasoned chicken, no complaints. I was hungry before it arrived, and had to hold myself back from eating it too fast. I also got a traditional Peruvian drink called Chicha Morada that is made with purple corn. Also very tasty. It has a very fragrant taste. My sister got Lomo Saltado, and the steak was very tender. Definitely will be back!

The prices are a bit high but the food is incredibly tasty. I shared the stewed chicken with a friend and it was sooo moist with beans, rice, and a bit of salad. The honey on the plantains wasn't to my tasted, but the plantains themselves were amazing!

Just went here to celebrate a friend’s birthday and the food was phenomenal! We started with the drink recommended by our waitress, split the share platter so we could get a nice sample of the cuisine, and ended the meal with a delicious rice pudding (arroz con leche) that I will dream about forever.

Highly recommend visiting and will definitely be coming back!

Amazing Restaurant. Decently busy but not too crowded. Service was immediate and attentive! The restaurant was clean and well run. The food was amazing and filling. Its not incredibly cheap but it's worth the price. Will definitely return! Get the empanadas, they're fantastic.

Amazing flavor and service. We will be back! Only thing to change would be that it was evening and they left the florescent lights on over head rather than turning on the softer pendant lights for more atmosphere. Otherwise everything was delicious!!

Absolutely fabulous food and experience! Our waitress was so patient and helpful. Everything tasted wonderful. The owner came out and introduced herself and checked on us. I absolutely recommend stopping in!

We have been here twice now and both times have been great. Don't look past this place, it is seriously one of my favorites now. (Try the tacu tacu with lomo saltado, it's fantastic)

I went to Tullpa for the first time with friends. We ordered enough to try a little bit of everything. It was all delicious. Ceviche is so fresh. I'll definitely be back soon.

Amazing find.

Peruvian cuisine, absolutely mind-blowing.

Not cheap, but it's Des Moines and I ate mostly seafood. And, to be honest, I'm happier to pay 17 dollars for this causa with shrimps than for a plain pesto rigatoni in a fake Italian-ish "I want to be posh" restaurant.

Just for the *decorations* of that causa, crunchy to perfection, I would pay a few extra dollars without even blinking.

The place is not upscale at all, and that's the beauty of it. The presentations are beautiful just because the chef cares. And it shows.

While I was almost moved by the traditional ceviche and arroz con mariscos ("combinado perfecto"), the chef asked the waiter what I commented (in English) about the causa and he translated "she said it was wonderful".

It was.

(Bonus: insanely delicious pisco sour)

My friends and I stopped here to try it out! They are vegetarian and I'm not. There was a really nice selection for anyone! The lady working was super friendly and eager to explain anything needed.
The food itself was absolutely delicious and fresh. I didn't get a photo of my soup, but I tried the dishes pictured and omg!!! Amazing! Perfect flavor, texture, and looked delicious!

Please check them out on your next outting!

I have been here three times already and I'm just looking for opportunities to bring others to try the incredible food that Gloria serves here! Be sure to try some appetizers. I love the causa, maduros con queso, y papas a la huancaina. Every dish anyone in my part had tried had been excellent and the presentation is lovely as well!

This place is great!! Fast and friendly service. A very tasty Imported Tequila, I'd never seen before. All 3 of our meals in our group were exceptional also.

Incredibly delicious fish and beef dishes. The beef empanadas were also fantastic. Really good pisco sours as well. Excellent service.

I was just passing through and stopped on. I was so amazed at the flavors. I tried their version of ceviche and oh my gosh. I have never had anything like it. The lime sauce is indescribably delicious. I posted on my own food blog Kansas City Foodies that anyone going to DesMoines must try this spot. 4 stars well deserved!

Everything was absolutely delicious and cooked to perfection. The owner came out and explained the different dishes, which was super cool. What a great eatery option in the Merle Hay area!
Drink: Mazamorra Morada
Dinner: Share platter with Lomo Saltado, Causa de Pollo, Arroz Chauffa, Chicarron Criollo, and Papas a la Huancaina
Dessert: Arroz con Leche

We stumbled upon Tullpa Restaurant on Merle Hay Road today and wow! What a find! Maira, our waitress, was friendly and helpful in describing the dishes. Recommended a sampler plate and I'm happy we ordered it. So delicious and the flavors were incredible. We will definitely be going back to try some of the other dishes. Highly recommend!

I was there with co-workers and the food is wonderful. I loved every bite. The plating for each dish was full of color and looked like art. I had the Empanadas, my first time, and each bite was savory and full of flavor. I also had the Bistek Lo Pobre and it had such umami and full of flavor. My favorite was the Dessert. I had Mazamorra Morada and I fell in love. I also got a cheesecake - better then New York Cheesecake. Best Meal ever. I am definitely going back. Our server was the best. She was so kind and funny. I recommend this Restaurant to everyone that just wants good food.

Review
My friend and I stumbled onto Tullpa (really close to Merle Hay Mall) as we were trying to find something we hadn’t eaten in Des Moines and I am so glad we did!

From the moment we stepped in we were welcomed into a beautiful restaurant with a lots of color, great lighting, and some wonderful upbeat music playing.

As this was our first time at Tullpa we didn’t know exactly what to get, but thankfully our waitress had some great recommendations for us.

We asked her to surprise us with an appetizer, two entrees, and a dessert.

First, we were brought a delicious dish of crunchy corn pieces with two dipping sauces, one sweet and one spicy, the perfect pre dinner snack.

Next arrived an Acevichada Causa. This was an incredible dish in presentation and taste! This dish is an interesting take on ceviche as it combines the traditional taste of ceviche with a wonderful potato dough patty. What a delicious combo.

Next arrived our first entree, another fish dish, Salmon a la chorillana. Normally, I am not a fan of salmon, but this was far from a normal salmon dish. The salmon fillet arrived in a sweet onion and tomato sauce flavored with different warm spices and a surprising secret ingredient you’ll never guess (you’ll just have to order it to find out what it is)! This dish was the perfect blend of sweet and savory!

Next, a dish I’ve had before (but never this delicious), Lomo Saltado. A traditional Peruvian dish of stir fried beef, onions, and tomato (with a side of rice and fries). The beef was moist and flavorful, the fries had an interesting seasoning that fit perfectly!

Of course we had to try some desert (even though the portions were huge, we made room). We were brought a rice pudding with dates, cinnamon, and an interesting jelly like substance of corn and various spices. Even though it looked unassuming, the flavor was incredible. Not too sweet, a wonderful consistency, and just so unlike any traditional American desserts.

If you are looking to expand your culinary horizons, trying to experience a different cultures food, or simply looking for the perfect spot to take that special someone, I encourage you to give Tullpa a try. I promise you won’t be disappointed!