From the day I first set foot in Korea, whenever friends asked what I missed most about America, I had only one response: Mexican food. During my last visit to the States, I came to find I was not alone in this sentiment, as my smug Chipotle status updates on FaceBook were met with the jealousy and idle threats of my Seoul-bound peers.
Thus it’s understandable that last year’s rumors of a Taco Bell opening in Itaewon put Seoul’s ex-pat community into a frenzy of excitement. A mere cheap commodity taken for granted in other countries, until now it has been a sacred privilege exclusive to those with access to the army base in Korea. But fear not, my burrito-craving comrades, for as of last weekend it’s official: Taco Bell has arrived in Seoul.
First off, the good news: this isn’t just a normal Taco Bell. This is an epic Taco Bell that spans three floors of greatness. However, the bad news is that they’re only open until 2am Friday and Saturday and 11pm Sunday through Thursday, so those of us who tend to party later than that won’t be able to rely on it as our new go-to place for after-party grub.
As for a review of the food, well, it’s Taco Bell. There’s really not much for me to say about it — it tastes just like any other Taco Bell you’d find in the States. So long as you’ve been outside of Seoul and didn’t spent the majority of that time living under a rock, I’m going to assume you already know what you’re in for. [Just know that I briefly considered writing this article from the perspective of a snobbish food critic.]
Anyway, let’s take a look at their menu:
Menu
The first thing I notice, fighting tears back from my eyes, is the absence of the sacred Chalupa. Surely they just forgot to put it on the menu, right?! Maybe if we start a petition now they’ll eventually have to cave.
Continuing on:
And life just wouldn’t be worth living without breakfast burritos:
So, there you have it: the hype we’ve all been waiting for. Now let’s just pray this starts the ball rolling toward what eventually results in a Chipotle; then life in Seoul will officially be perfect.
Hours:
Sun – Thu: 10:30am – 11:00pm
Fri – Sat: 10:30am – 2:00am
Contact:
02-749-6696
Address:
서울시 용산구 이태원동 127-27
Directions:
Come out Itaewon Station Exit 3, make a U-turn, and it’s right there on your left.
Article formatting: Mike Porto
