Vatos Urban Tacos is a Korean-Mexican restaurant founded by three Korean-Americans – Sid, Kenny, and Juweon. Vatos is the union of the food they grew up with – Korean food at home and Mexican food from the neighborhood. Originating from Korea, Vatos first expanded to Singapore, and then the Philippines.
How does Vatos fuse Mexican and Korean?
VATOS URBAN TACOS
Net Park Building, 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City
Operating Hours:
Sunday- Thursday 8 AM – 11 PM
Friday 8 AM – 1 AM
Saturday 8 AM – 12 MN
Telephone: +632 246-9069
Facebook: Vatos Urban Tacos Philippines
Instagram: @vatosphilippines
Website: www.vatosph.com
FIRST THINGS FIRST
Vatos is located at Net Park Building, right next to Souv.
The interiors are modern industrial, with touches of wood and exposed brick. Their menu is still mostly Mexican items with some bits of Korean ingredients thrown in.
Vatos Cowboy Queso (₱ 390)
They keep their queso strictly Mexican with just cheese, black beans, pico de gallo, cilantro lime crema, and tortilla chips. No Korean ingredients here, but still great nonetheless. Best eaten while the queso is still warm.
Honey Tequila Chicken Wings (₱ 490)
Perfect finger food. These wings had just the right amount of spice, and if you needed an even stronger kick, it’s also topped with fried jalapeños.
Taco Platter (₱ 550) • Carne Asada, Chili Lime Shrimp, Chimichurri Chicken, Baja Fish, Korean Pork Belly
The Korean influence is more apparent on their line of tacos. The Korean Pork Belly and Baja Fish were my favorites! The Korean Pork Belly Taco was kept simple with just regular and pickled onions as toppings that allowed the flavors of the pork to come through. Fish tacos are my go-to at any Mexican restaurant, and Vatos’ version works for me. I do wish they served it with double tortillas though.
Passionfruit Makgeolita (₱ 320)
Vatos also has this unique fusion drink called the Makgeolita; a mix of tequila and makgeolli which is a Korean rice alcohol. Makgeolitas come in seven different flavors, but we tried the Passionfruit according to their recommendation. Fun, low-alcohol drink!
Gold Digger Vatos Ritas (₱ 480)
Another line of their playful drinks is called the Vatos Ritas – it’s a combination of margarita and beer. The Gold Digger is a mix of Apple Margarita and Magners Apple Cider. It’s quite big, so I suggest to split it with a friend.
Nutella Nachos (₱ 225)
Great dessert choice especially if you have kids in tow. The warm fried nachos melts the ice cream ever so slightly, and the cinnamon dust goes well with the Nutella drizzle.
FINAL THOUGHTS
All in all, this is a place I would recommend for a casual night out with friends or even as a pregaming spot. I do think the prices are slightly on the higher end.
Order the Vatos Cowboy Queso, Korean Pork Belly Taco, Baja Fish Taco, and Nutella Nachos. Budget at Php 500/head.
VATOS URBAN TACOS
Net Park Building, 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City
Operating Hours:
Sunday- Thursday 8 AM – 11 PM
Friday 8 AM – 1 AM
Saturday 8 AM – 12 MN
Telephone: +632 246-9069
Facebook: Vatos Urban Tacos Philippines
Instagram: @vatosphilippines
Website: www.vatosph.com
Live an Awesome Life,
Monique of Team Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: Our visit was courtesy of Vatos Urban Tacos. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. They’ve adjusted their opening hours to accommodate breakfast diners. Try their Build-Your-Own-Rice Bowl (Php 395) for a filling start to your day.
