I am addicted to kimchi. The spicy, smelly, gassy-all-to-hell fermented cabbage really does it for me – I’m sure much to Shaun’s dismay. You can imagine what a happy girl I was to find out that the guys over at Chi’Lantro combined two of my favorite loves in the world – Tacos and Korean BBQ. After a whirlwind night in downtown Austin at around 2am I stood in front of this truck just shouting, “HOW CAN THIS BE?!”. So Shaun and I were incredibly stoked to show you this place after finding it conveniently located on our AUSTIN FOOD TRUCK CHALLENGE page.
Owner Jae Kim is the quintessential Austin small business success story. His passion for food made up for the lack of formal culinary training in the sink or swim world of food trucks. It is ballsy decisions like these that lead to some of the best businesses. What started as a $7 first day sales total has turned into a fleet of 5 fully staffed food trucks that has been featured on the Food Network, The New York Times, GQ, and many, many more.
In true techy Austin style, these guys have an incredibly savvy clientele that have to use social media to find out where they are. Sure they may have a calendar posted but the best way to get in touch with them is just to tweet!
We ordered a few new things this time around and made sure to cover all meat varieties possible:
Chicken Tacos: Soft, double-layered corn tortillas filled with bulgogi, soy vinaigrette Korean salad, cilantro, onion, Chi’Lantro salsa.
Pork Quesadilla: Caramelized kimchi, Bulgogi, cilantro, onion, Chi’Lantro salsa, magic sauce and sesame seeds.
Beef Kimchi Fries: Caramelized Kimchi, a mound of sizzling Korean BBQ, chopped grilled onions, cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, cilantro, magic sauce, sriracha and sesame seeds. All set on top of a pile of crispy French fries.
BEWARE: The tacos are spicier than you think they are. Even as a seasoned Latina, I got a little red-faced as I chomped into one thinking they would be no big deal. They are super flavorful but make sure to ask for extra kimchi on these. They are good as is but everything is better with MORE KIMCHI.
The quesadillas were… meh. I think I’ve been on such a health kick lately (you wouldn’t be able to tell by the posts I’ve been doing lately) that I was missing a bit of veggies/greenery on it. For those of you super meat lovers, this may be the dish for you.
But the one thing you absolutely have to order are the kimchi fries. Fried potatoes, Sriracha, onions, and cilantro are some of my favorite ingredients and they made sweet, sweet love inside my mouth today. Drunk or sober they will rock your world. Remember to ask for MORE KIMCHI. Because, you know… (everything is better with MORE KIMCHI.)
Score: 3.5/5
Cost: <$20
Ordered: 1 Mexican Coke, 2 Chicken Tacos, 1 Order Kimchi Fries, 1 Quesadilla
Favorite thing: Kimchi Fries
Least favorite thing: Quesadilla
Type of food: Mexican, Korean, Fusion
The truck we visited could be found here:
I LOVE KIMCHI.
*poot*
I love when food trucks use social media for how to find them. They’re totally rocking it! Your Food Truck Friday posts make my Friday and this one is no exception. I have never had kimchi, but you’ve got me wanting to try it!
Hmmmm, that food looks great.
Greasy, but great:D
Great series guys and love that you’re including a map.
AWWWW! Amanda, your COMMENT made my day. <3 Sometimes I wonder if anyone really cares about some of these posts but I'm glad that you do. :)
Greasy = Good
Yeah, I started noticing that not many people do that and when you’re dealing with a smaller business, it drives me crazy when I can’t find things.
look like you had a great time eating the delights at that food truck 🙂
Korean food mixed with Mexican? That sounds amazing!
I know what I’ll be eating when I visit Austin!
OH YEAH! Seriously good stuff.
Korean BBQ tacos? Yes please!
Food truck has become trend nowadays.They provide so delicious food with fusion of different cultures.I will certainly try this food whenever i visit Austin food truck.
You’re killing me with this food. The one thing I can’t get in Thailand is good Mexican food. Although I wouldn’t consider the kimchi fries authentic Mexican, they look really good.