Taco Amigo

Is it weird that the best Mexican food I've ever had is from a restaurant in Seoul? To be fair, my experience with Mexican cuisine comes from growing up in Milwaukee, WI, and I'm of Dutch/Irish heritage. We're not exactly known as taco connoisseurs. So maybe I'm not the most reliable source, but I don't care what anyone says. Taco Amigo is damn delicious.

Rumor says the Mexican Embassy goes here for take-out. It's a tiny little hole in the wall, barely two hundred square feet. There are only about eight tables, and it fills up fast. Go around seven or eight pm and the place will be packed, with a line outside waiting for service. And it isn't just foreigners. Koreans are frequent guests as well.

The restaurant staff is fluent in English and Korean (though I don't know about Spanish). They offer some traditional Mexican beers as well as margaritas and Mexican hot chocolate. And the decor is in the spirit of the food.

Last time we were there, Erin got the enchiladas in cream sauce, and I got a chimichanga.

Every meal comes with your choice of steak, chicken, or chorizo. They even have a breakfast-type blend that involves eggs. They specialize in a big, tasty burrito, though it's usually slathered in sauce so you wouldn't want to eat by hand.

And it's all delicious. Spicy, but delicious. My mouth burns by the end of a meal, but I'm deliriously happy. Prices run in the neighborhood of ₩12,000 to ₩14,000 per person. You can add refried beans, rice, and tortilla chips for an extra ₩3,500. I got the set with the chimichanga in the picture above.

Anyway, if you're looking for dinner in Seoul, and you're desperate for Mexican food with a little kick, you'd be hard pressed to do better than Taco Amigo. Take it from a cheese-fed Wisconsinite. Or don't, but try it anyway. You won't be disappointed.

-Sam

Taco Amigo is located in Itaewon, near the Itaewon subway stop. Get out at Exit 4 and head south, away from the Hamilton Hotel. The restaurant is smaller than you'd expect, but you'll find it on the right, about a block and a half down. Their address is 130-34 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.