Llama Sam Expands to Hasbrouck Heights, Bringing Modern Peruvian Cuisine to Another Bergen County Community. Bergen County’s restaurant scene continues to grow with ambitious independent concepts, and one of its most celebrated culinary success stories is preparing for an exciting new chapter. Llama Sam, the acclaimed modern Peruvian restaurant that has earned a devoted following in downtown Hackensack, has officially announced plans to open a second location in Hasbrouck Heights. The new restaurant will occupy 183 Boulevard, introducing its distinctive approach to Peruvian cuisine to another North Jersey community while building on the reputation established by its intimate flagship location.
The expansion reflects both the restaurant’s growing popularity and the increasing appreciation for authentic Peruvian cuisine throughout New Jersey. While many diners have become familiar with Peruvian staples such as ceviche and lomo saltado, Llama Sam has distinguished itself by presenting traditional flavors through a contemporary lens while remaining deeply connected to the country’s rich culinary heritage.
Since opening in Hackensack, the restaurant has developed a loyal customer base despite operating from a cozy six table dining room. Its intimate atmosphere has become part of the experience, allowing guests to focus on thoughtfully prepared dishes that celebrate the diversity of Peruvian cooking. That success has now paved the way for a second location that will introduce even more diners to one of South America’s most dynamic culinary traditions.
Peruvian cuisine is often regarded as one of the world’s great gastronomic destinations because it reflects centuries of cultural influences. Indigenous Andean ingredients combine with Spanish, African, Chinese, Italian, and Japanese traditions to create a cuisine unlike any other. The country’s remarkable geography, stretching from the Pacific coastline to the Andes Mountains and the Amazon rainforest, provides access to an extraordinary variety of fresh seafood, vegetables, fruits, herbs, grains, and spices that define its national cuisine.
Llama Sam embraces that diversity while placing particular emphasis on Nikkei cuisine, the celebrated Japanese Peruvian culinary tradition that developed after Japanese immigration to Peru began in the late nineteenth century. Nikkei cooking combines Japanese precision, seafood expertise, and presentation with bold Peruvian flavors, native ingredients, and vibrant seasonings. Today, it is recognized internationally as one of the most innovative and influential styles of modern cuisine, and it serves as an important inspiration throughout the Llama Sam menu.
The restaurant itself carries a name filled with personal meaning. According to its founders, the llama represents one of the most respected and symbolic animals of the Andes Mountains, reflecting strength, resilience, and the cultural traditions of Peru. The name “Sam” serves as an acronym honoring the initials of their parents, creating a restaurant identity that celebrates both family and heritage while paying tribute to the people who inspired their journey.
Behind the concept are three longtime friends, Karla Briones, Moisés Guzmán, and Yojanna Granado, who shared a vision of bringing authentic Peruvian flavors to Northern New Jersey. Their goal was never simply to open another restaurant. Instead, they sought to create a destination where traditional recipes, modern culinary techniques, and genuine hospitality could come together to introduce diners to the richness of Peruvian culture.
Leading the kitchen is a chef whose culinary background includes more than a decade of experience working in high end professional kitchens. That expertise is reflected throughout the menu, where careful execution and refined presentation complement authentic flavors rather than overshadow them. Every dish demonstrates an understanding that great cooking begins with outstanding ingredients and respect for tradition.
Among the restaurant’s most recognized signature dishes is its celebrated Ceviche Llama Sam. Ceviche has long been considered Peru’s national dish, traditionally prepared by curing fresh seafood in citrus juice before combining it with onions, peppers, herbs, and carefully balanced seasonings. Llama Sam elevates that classic preparation by incorporating fresh fish, lightly grilled octopus, creamy avocado, sweet potato, crisp green plantains, and a vibrant citrus based marinade that delivers brightness, spice, texture, and freshness in every bite. The result is a dish that honors tradition while showcasing the creativity that defines the restaurant’s approach.
Another cornerstone of the menu is Lomo Saltado, one of Peru’s most beloved comfort foods. Created through the influence of Chinese immigrants who introduced wok cooking techniques to Peru, the dish combines tender strips of beef with onions, tomatoes, soy sauce, and spices before serving everything alongside crispy potatoes and rice. It remains one of the country’s most recognizable culinary exports, and Llama Sam’s version highlights both its rustic origins and refined execution.
Guests can also enjoy Tallarín a la Huancaína, a comforting pasta dish coated in the famous Huancaína sauce, a creamy blend traditionally prepared with fresh cheese, yellow peppers, milk, and seasonings. The dish illustrates another example of Peru’s remarkable fusion of European culinary traditions with native ingredients, creating rich flavors that remain uniquely Peruvian.
The dessert menu continues that celebration of tradition with house made Tres Leches cake, known for its exceptionally moist texture created through a blend of three different milks, alongside comforting arroz con leche, Peru’s beloved rice pudding that has become a staple throughout Latin America. To accompany the meal, guests can enjoy Chicha Morada, the traditional Peruvian beverage made from purple corn and infused with fruit and aromatic spices. Its naturally vibrant color and refreshing flavor have made it one of the country’s most iconic drinks.
The decision to expand into Hasbrouck Heights comes at a time when New Jersey diners continue seeking authentic international cuisine prepared by independent restaurateurs with deep cultural connections to their menus. Rather than relying on simplified interpretations of traditional dishes, Llama Sam presents an experience rooted in genuine culinary heritage while embracing the innovation that has made modern Peruvian cuisine one of the fastest growing culinary movements in the world.
For Bergen County residents, the new location represents another opportunity to explore one of South America’s most celebrated food cultures without leaving New Jersey. The restaurant’s combination of traditional recipes, contemporary presentation, premium ingredients, and attentive hospitality has already established it as one of Hackensack’s standout dining destinations. Bringing that same concept to Hasbrouck Heights will make its acclaimed menu more accessible while introducing new guests to the flavors that have fueled its continued success.
As construction and preparations continue for the new restaurant, diners can expect the same carefully curated menu, warm hospitality, and commitment to quality that transformed a small six table dining room into one of Bergen County’s most talked about culinary destinations. Every indication suggests that the Hasbrouck Heights location will remain true to the philosophy that first inspired the restaurant, honoring Peruvian tradition while embracing modern creativity through exceptional food and genuine hospitality.
With its expanding presence in Bergen County, Llama Sam continues to demonstrate that authentic cuisine, personal storytelling, and culinary excellence remain a winning combination. For anyone eager to experience the depth, sophistication, and remarkable diversity of modern Peruvian cooking, the arrival of Llama Sam in Hasbrouck Heights is one of New Jersey’s most exciting restaurant openings to watch in the months ahead.
