Let's Taco ‘Bout Tacos: Five Places in Bangkok to Get This Mexican Treat
Taco, the beloved traditional Mexican dish, is so ubiquitous it can be found almost anywhere. With a crispy or soft corn or wheat tortilla as its outer shell, a taco can either be rolled or folded and then filled with a mix of meat, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions.
According to history professor Jeffrey Pilcher in an interview with the Smithsonian Magazine on May 3, 2012, the taco's origins are unknown, although he theorises it dates from the 18th century and the Mexican silver mines. Taco, in those mines, pertained to the charges miners would use to dig up ore; the taco was a piece of paper enveloped around gunpower and stuffed into a hole carved in the rock face.
"When you think about it, a chicken taquito with a good hot sauce is really a lot like a stick of dynamite," he was quoted as saying.
Nowadays, the taco is one of the most popular Mexican dishes in the world, much loved because it is as simple as it is versatile. In Bangkok, there are many restaurants where you can find some of the best tacos. Here are five you should check out!
Sunrise Tacos Mexican Grill
This Mexican restaurant, founded by Greg Lange, takes pride in its 100% non-GMO corn products, one of which is its masa (corn dough) that's cooked fresh and the traditional way daily in its kitchen. Its other ingredients are sourced from sustainable businesses, such as its skirt steak from Australia, pork shoulder and Halal chicken from the GP Group in Bangkok, and cheese from the United Kingdom, Holland, and New Zealand, among others. Sunrise's own Mexican chefs Luis and Ezekiel prepare the same food they cook themselves for their own family.
We recommend you try out its Carne Asada Tacos (THB295), made of grilled steak, bell peppers, onions, and avocado salsa, as well as Barbacoa Tacos (THB295), made of shredded beef enveloped in three corn tortillas, onion, cilantro, and salsa. You may also build your own tacos in Sunrise for THB270 for three tacos or THB95 for a piece.
Location: Multiple
Cholos Thailand
This Mexican restaurant focuses on Los Angeles-style tacos and is known for serving the only birria tacos in Bangkok. What makes birria tacos different from regular tacos is that they come with a soup or stew where you can dip your taco in. Aside from Beef Birria Tacos (THB245), other tacos you can sample are the Vegetarian Tacos (THB215) and the Baja Fish Tacos (THB235). Cholos has locations in Bangkok and Phuket. You may order from the restaurant through LINE, Grab Food, and Foodpanda deliveries.
Location: Multiple
La Monita Taqueria
This restaurant is considered Bangkok's Mexican haven, which aims to introduce to the unfamiliar the delicious and mouthwatering world of Mexican cuisine. Its tacos come in either soft or corn tortillas, your choice of meat, salsa, cilantro, and onions, with add-ons like cheese, guacamole, and sour cream.
Don't miss its Tequila Cheese and Shrimp Tacos, priced at THB320 for two pieces, which come with shrimp filling flambeed in tequila and mixed with Monterey Jack cheese, onions, and salsa. You may order from La Monita online by placing your orders through this website.
Location: Multiple
The Missing Burro
This restaurant serves up perhaps the most authentic Mexican food you'll ever find in Thailand. It doesn't play around with "fancy names or showy ingredients" and fusion or Tex-Mex. This is the real deal, the exact same food you'll find on the streets and markets of Mexico. This taqueria has a wide range of taco offerings, such as the Lamb Barbacoa (THB390), Chicharron en Salsa Verde (THB380), and Carnitas (THB 330), among others. Don't forget to top your tacos off with the Pineapple Chimichanga or the Flan Napolitano, both at THB170.
The Missing Burro also has an extensive liquor menu, which includes house cocktails, margaritas, rum, whisky and bourbon, Mexican beers, and more. Order from this restaurant through LINE delivery, from 5 PM to 10 PM.
Location: The Missing Burro, 145 Soi Thong lo 7
Tacos & Salsa Mexican Bar and Restaurant
This bar-cum-restaurant is also home to authentic, home-style Mexican food! Located on Onnut Road, Tacos & Salsa boasts of a well-curated and scrumptious menu of appetizers, one of which is the Mini Prawn Tostadas (THB 220), soups and salads, tacos, desserts, and alcoholic and non-alcohol drinks. Feel free to try its Tacos Dorados (THB270), made of crispy tortilla with melted cheese, your filling of choice, and with pico de gallo and green salsa on the side. If you belong in the soft taco supremacy camp, it has the Soft Tacos (THB250), which come in four corn or two flour tortillas, with filling, onion, cilantro, and salsa.
Meat filling choices include pork al pastor, pork carnitas, chorizo, grilled chicken, prawns, and so much more. Fillings such as the spinach, garlic, and mushroom combination, as well as the bell pepper, garlic, and onion, are perfect for vegetarians and vegans, alike.
Location: Tacos & Salsa, 252, 3 On Nut Rd, Onnut, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon
Subscribe to The Beat's newsletter to receive compelling, curated content straight to your inbox! You can also create an account with us for free to start bookmarking articles for later reading.
