A Taste of NYC in Seoul: The Taco Booth in COEX Mall
After a long-awaited outing with friends at the Samsung COEX Mall, we headed to The Taco Booth in COEX for dinner.
I love this place because you can taste tacos crafted with the know-how of a taco master, who has even been featured on "Life's Master" (a popular TV show). What makes the COEX branch even more special is its exotic interior and limited-edition menu. Let me introduce you to this hot spot, loved by both locals and foreigners!
Location and Information
The Taco Booth NYC COEX is located in the COEX Mall, connected to Samsung Station and Bongeunsa Station, on the B1 floor in the Gourmet Street area.
Free parking is available depending on the amount you spend. Its connection to subway stations makes it easily accessible by both car and public transportation.
The restaurant is open daily from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with no break time. This makes it perfect to enjoy a meal comfortably anytime, even after the lunch or dinner peak hours.
As one of Seoul's top 4 taco hotspots, made with the taco master's recipes, there can be a wait during peak hours. It's recommended to register on the CatchTable app and explore the nearby area while you wait!
This New York casual dining restaurant, created by the famous taco master, is popular among celebrities like Psy, Hwang Jung-min, and Henry.
Interior & Ambiance
I've visited several branches, including the ones in Yongsan, Euljiro, and Seongsu, because I love the trendy interior and delicious Mexican food. The COEX branch stands out with its New York subway-themed interior. The space is very large and spacious, and there's a diverse clientele, from families with children to foreign tourists.
It's also a popular spot for company dinners among nearby office workers. If you're looking for a place for a gathering or company dinner near COEX, I recommend making a reservation through the CatchTable app.
Not only the interior but also the energetic staff contributed to the authentic, hip, and energetic vibe of New York.
Menu
This is the menu at The Taco Booth in COEX.
From Birria tacos made with the taco master's recipe (featured on SBS's "Life's Master" and "Live Today") to burritos and quesadillas, they have a variety of Mexican dishes.
On weekdays, you can enjoy a Healthy Poke 1-person set or a "Life's Master" 2-person set at reasonable prices. Everything is guaranteed to be delicious, so I had a hard time choosing. However, the Empire Fajita Tower, exclusively available at the NYC COEX branch, caught my eye, so I decided to try the tower set and the Poyo Poke.
They also sell house wine by the glass, making it perfect to enjoy with a light meal.
The extensive selection of alcoholic beverages, including wine, beer, and tequila, makes it an ideal place for company dinners and gatherings.
For a comfortable and clean dining experience, the self-service bar is equipped with sinks, disposable gloves, tissues, plates, and cutlery.
Empire Fajita Tower & Poyo Poke
The Empire Fajita Tower, inspired by the Empire State Building, one of New York's iconic landmarks, features a 3-tiered tray with steak, grilled shrimp, chipotle chicken, pork ragu, birria meat, romaine lettuce, grilled onions, bell peppers, green beans, cilantro, and sauces like guacamole, ranch, and salsa. You can wrap it all up in beet tortillas.
The generous portions, well-rounded selection, and majestic presentation of the tray are perfect for Instagram-worthy photos.
Since it's a limited-edition menu only available at the Samsung Station COEX location, I highly recommend trying it!
The portion size is perfect for 3-4 people, making it ideal for family outings, gatherings with friends or colleagues, or company dinners. Consider adding the poke or another dish to enjoy a variety of flavors.
From the freshly prepared vegetables, the long-simmered birria meat, to the beautiful pink beet tortillas, everything looked incredibly delicious.
Taste Test
I started by tasting the meats separately.
The birria meat, made with high-quality meat sourced and prepared with care and simmered for a long time, was tender and had no unpleasant smell. The spicy chipotle chicken and the flavorful pork ragu were equally tempting.
The ability to create your own tacos by adding meat, vegetables, and sauces to the tortilla is another appealing aspect. There was a great variety and generous portions, allowing me to try many different combinations!
My favorite combination was a mix of bell peppers, green beans, and onions, topped with birria meat, steak, spicy salsa, and creamy guacamole.
Even my friend, who is sensitive to fishy flavors, enjoyed it, proving the freshness of the ingredients and the excellence of the recipe!
Enjoying the food in the New York subway-themed atmosphere made the taste and experience even more special.
Another highlight at The Taco Booth in COEX is the Poyo Poke.
This Mexican-style poke features chipotle chicken, green beans, onions, chickpeas, tomatoes, and other vegetables and meat on top of multigrain rice.
It's a healthy and satisfying option that dieters and health-conscious individuals can enjoy without any guilt!
Overall
This was my review of The Taco Booth in COEX, one of Seoul's top 4 taco restaurants.
Located in the underground dining area connected to Samsung Station and COEX Mall, it's the perfect place to visit for a date, family outing, or group gathering, regardless of the weather.
The Mexican food, enjoyed in a New York subway-themed interior and prepared with a special recipe featured on "Life's Master", is sure to satisfy Korean palates.
If you're looking for a date spot or gathering place in COEX, I highly recommend visiting this New York-inspired taco restaurant!
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