Tacos & Burritos

* I first started writing this post on 16 May 2004 but only managed to complete it today *

Prompted by a recent article in the Korea Herald, we're off to Chili Chili in Itaewon for some mexican food.



This is the entrance to Chili Chili. The yellow signboard will be hard to miss even from a distance, particularly from the Noksapyeong Subway Station where you get off.



The set up is simple. Which is fine by me since I don't want to be subsidising for the interior decor through the price of my food. The 2 guys behind the counter (let's pause and play the "spot the other guy" game) are the proprietors. Click on the link at the end of this post for some background info on these guys and how Chili Chili came to be.

It's a small somewhat cramp place. There's 3 small tables beside the kitchen counter and another bar-style counter facing the street outside. When we arrived, it was pretty packed with customers and was very hot inside.



This is the beef taco. KRW3,000. The soft taco shell is loaded with minced beef, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, onions, bell pepper, black olives, grated cheese, salsa sauce and sour cream.

It's pretty authentic and I especially like the freshness of the ingredients and the veges. I also like the bottled tobasco-like chili sauce that's on the table. Dash some on your taco for added zing. An ideal light snack. I'd need at least 3 of these to fill me up though. Me hungry. Need more.



I ordered the burrito next. This is the burrito. KRW4,000. This tortilla shell holds a generous portion of well seasoned minced beef cooked in enchilada sauce, mexican rice, refried beans and topped with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, bell pepper, grated cheese, pickled jalapenos, salsa sauce and sour cream.

Now we're talking. The burrito is fresh, hot and oozing with goodness. Thoroughly filling and satisfying. Thumbs up.



These are their nachos. KRW5,000 (if I remember correctly). For that, you get half a bag of nacho chips, melted cheese, salsa sauce and pickled green chilis.



I wish they gave more sauce as I like to drench my nachos in cheese and salsa. Then again, I never did ask them for seconds. I wonder now if they would have given it to me for free. I also like mine with guacamole and sour cream, but that's another story. Here it's kept pretty basic.

Overall, Chili Chili is a great place to get your Mexican food fix. The place is simple, prices reasonable and food is fresh and delicious.

Here are some links relating to Chili Chili:

JoongAng Daily's article

Enjoy Itaewon

Map to Chili Chili found at www.enjoyitaewon.com

Korea Herald's article (requires free registration to access the archives)