Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wylies99]

Clearly the problems are ridiculously high prices, availability, and poor service. And you wonder why so many of us are waiting for the opening of Taco Bell in Itaewon to actually "raise the bar"?

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2920998

Good Mexican in Itaewon? Maybe

One of the most frustrating experiences I�ve had as an expat in Seoul doesn�t involve the language barrier, the aggressive bus drivers who seem to enjoy jostling passengers around or the fact that I�ve been clothes-lined by ajummas while walking about town.

None of those hold a candle to my exasperating search for anything that resembles good Mexican food, and specifically Tex-Mex.

After having tried six establishments across town - many recommended by fellow foreigners - I nearly gave up hope. So last fall I decided to pop in a place I�d passed numerous times: Los Amigos in Itaewon. I normally avoid restaurants in this area, as they�re often touristy, expensive and filled with obnoxious expats. But I was desperate.

Keeping in mind that this is Korea, which is thousands of miles removed from the epicenter of Tex-Mex, I was pleasantly surprised by my first experience at Los Amigos. I loved the decor: ornate sombreros, wagon wheel chandeliers and a giant mural complete with adobe homes. I savored the Baja burritos (19,000 won, $15.17), which consisted of two excellent flour tortillas stuffed with juicy shredded beef, smothered in a red chile sauce, baked in an oven and then topped - per my request - with guacamole and sour cream. I eagerly dived into the excellent refried black beans and the Mexican rice served on the side, using tortilla chips as a shovel. My group even made new friends over muchos margaritas (8,000 won), which were a bit weak yet helped complete the overall experience.

But perhaps my favorite part of the night revolved around the stage in the main dining room, which featured a singer dressed to the nines in traditional Mexican garb playing mariachi-inspired tunes - including the requisite �La Bamba� - on the guitar. All in all, I left one happy, slightly wobbly camper, convinced I had found my new go-to Mexican restaurant in Seoul.

But this is where it gets tricky. I�ve now been back several times, and I�ve had different experiences on each occasion - not all of them good. Consistency is the key to success in the restaurant world. But Los Amigos, which opened in 2008, hasn�t exactly figured this out yet. On subsequent visits, I encountered sloppy service, mixed-up orders and higher prices. The food seemed to have gone south of the border, but not in a good way. The beef-and-chicken fajitas (23,000 won) came with way too many soggy onions and not nearly enough meat to justify the cost, while the queso dip tasted as if it were made from a powder mix.

Sometimes it was virtually empty, which in a cavernous place such as Los Amigos is an awkward experience. On one weekend night, there was no music at all. On two others, the mariachi singer was replaced by a band playing covers of old-school rock hits. It�s nice to hear some live music at a restaurant from time to time, but the sounds of Dire Straits emanating from the stage on both occasions didn�t exactly conjure up images of Playa del Carmen.

Still, there were enough highlights to justify coming back. The burrito con queso (15,000 won) with beef and an ample layer of liquid-but-oh-so-good cheese was more than adequate. I particularly liked the light, flaky chimichanga (17,000 won), full of moist, seasoned shredded chicken and topped with ample amounts of salsa, sour cream and guacamole. The nachos fiesta (12,000) was noticeably better than similar dishes I�ve had in Korea.

On my most recent visit earlier this week, it was a mixed bag. My green chile burrito was so-so. I couldn�t really taste anything distinct about the sauce, and the beef concoction resembled Hormel chili. The hard-shell beef tacos are similar to something you could make at home from an Old El Paso kit, as fellow restaurant reviewer Andrew Siddons mentioned. But the ones with shredded chicken were tasty.

So here I am today, still not exactly sure how I feel about Los Amigos, which, interestingly, is run by an Indonesian-based company that has two locations in Jakarta. If the restaurant shaved about 5,000 won off most of its meat-based main courses, I would certainly recommend it. So perhaps it�s best to try the food here at lunch, where the same portions can be had at significantly lower prices.

In any case, if you visit don�t compare it with what you�ve had back home or apply any preconceived notions. Instead, take Los Amigos for what it is - an earnest but inconsistent attempt to offer Tex-Mex dishes and a real cantina feel. If a mariachi singer is on stage, the food is at its best and the service is superb, it�s worth the splurge. Just try to block out the �Sultans of Swing.�

Read the rest of the article at the above link.

[nukeday]

Never been. As much as I love/miss Mexican food, it's a real downer when dinner for two costs $50. The date's usually satisfied, but I'm always sitting there grumbling and thinking of how many better meals for two I've had for $12. Yeah, "this is Korea," so I guess I'll stick with galbi. I'll stick with On the Border for my overpriced Mexican family restaurant experience...at least they're fairly consistent if not anything to write home about.

[orosee]

[red_devil]

[greatunknown]

[Kissmykimchi]

[seoulsucker]

[trogdor]

I went to Taco Amigo on Saturday for the first time. It was pretty good. I'll be going back. Any other good places you can recommend?

[seoulsucker]

For Tex-Mex, you can't beat On the Border. It's expensive, but with coupons and/or a small group of people you can usually get out of there stuffed and buzzed on the best margaritas in Korea without breaking the bank. Locations in Sinchon (exit #4, walk towards Edae..on the left above the Coffee Bean) and COEX.

Taco "Chili Chili" will never get my business again, despite being so close to my place. I'm no culinary expert, but I believe a chicken burrito should have chicken in it. The last two times I ordered one I received cold rice, onions, beans, olives, cheese, and a sauce that tasted like gochu-jang mixed with ketchup wrapped in a stale, flaky tortilla that crumbled after the first bite. I found around THREE chunks of chicken about the size of a breath mint both times. Never again.

[Kissmykimchi]

For Tex Mex I would go with On the Border before Los Amigos. The portions are way larger. The food tastes better. The chips and salsa is a never ending supply.

I just want to add that I agree Taco Chili Chili was a nightmare!
http://kissmykimchi.com/2010/08/taco-chili-chili.html

[Kissmykimchi]

[redaxe]

You guys can't complain about tex-mex if you live in Seoul. You have On the Border. That place is fantastic. Huge portions and it tastes exactly like tex-mex food in America. The only thing is it's a little expensive and they don't serve pork.

Dos Tacos is pretty good too, their meat and shrimp burritos are awesome.

I thought Taco Chili Chili (if that's the one in Haebangchon) was pretty good too, they had good nachos.

But yeah I tried Los Amigos once and it was so-so. Didn't feel the need to go back again.

[Koreadays]

on the border for fantastic TEX MEX?
like MR T says. : I pity them fools"!

you guys have never had real Mexican food. guess we are spoiled where I am from.

there isn't an authentic Mexican place in Korea

then again, this is the site where people cue up for TACO BELL and chomp at the bit for their opening...
so yeah.. I can understand why you lot would praise On the border!

[DeMayonnaise]

[redaxe]