Mexican food has come a loooong way in Korea. Gone are the days when sad piles of shredded lettuce and questionable cheese on burnt tortilla wraps were passed off as a taco (I'm totally serious). I remember how excited I was when I took my first visit to On the Border, Korea's most popular Mexican chain joint. It was that feeling times 10 walking into here. 

Inspired by the Kogi BBQ, food truck craze of LA, Grill5 Taco has brought Korean-Mexican fusion cooking to Seoul. And correct me if I'm wrong, but I think they're the first to do so, too! Marry together flavors of Kimchi with spunky Mexican spices, and you get Kimchi quesadillas, Seoul fries (topped with 제육볶음 a.k.a. spicy stir-fried pork), and 파닭 Chicken tacos on the menu. Yuuuuum :)

From left to right: Seoul Fries, Kimchi Quesadillas, Potato & Bacon Quesadillas

If we're being totally honest, my time at Vatos Express at Gourmet 494 sits a little higher than Grill5. Don't get me wrong, everything was great! Food was yummy, and the service and location were ace. It's just that...it wasn't the flavorful Mexican food I was craving for. I think it's designed to cater to the Korean palate than anything else. But it fills a void, and does the job. 

If there is one thing I'd recommend, it's the Seoul Fries. Chili fries topped with spicy stir-fried pork 제육볶음, kimchi, sour cream, cheese sauce, and other deliciousness, making it it's most popular item on the menu! 

"Are you a Mexican? Or a Mexican't?"