On the other hand, this Korean “burrito” was damn good

Earlier today, Andrew stuck his nose up at a Korean rendition of our official neighborhood dish. Fortunately, that burrito is not representative of all burrito offerings in Korea.

This is a burrito from the Taco Habanero truck in Hongdae, and it was one of my favorite things in Seoul (and there are a lot of good things in Seoul). This wonderful grilled tortilla pocket is filled with seasoned rice, kimchi, Korean BBQ, and the tastiest habanero salsa.

Yeah yeah, I know what you’re thinking. It’s not a burrito. It doesn’t look like a burrito, at least not in the cylindrical form we all know and love. And yeah, there’s no beans. And there’s all that Korean stuff. Fine. Geometry, semantics, and content aside though, this “burrito” was so freakin’ delicious.

Here’s the truck, in case you’re ever in Hongdae and happen to work up an appetite.

[Photos via Taco Habanero and just_a_cheeseburger]

20 Responses to “On the other hand, this Korean “burrito” was damn good”

  1. DomPara says:

    Nice wrap. I imagine habanero to work well with kimchi.

  2. EverythingSucks says:

    I see this truck is really popular with the locals. Regardless, I applaud the effort of this type of burrito. If you can’t recreate a good “traditional” burrito correctly (see Paris and the earlier Korean burrito), then don’t even try. I’d rather see Kimchi or beef bourguignon in a “burrito” than white rice, kidney beans and zucchini.

  3. D. Jon Moutarde says:

    Some people hate on rice in a burrito, but I’m not one of them. Kimchi is mother’s milk, and the browning on the tortilla looks good. I’d eat it.

    • Herr Doktor Professor Deth Vegetable says:

      How could someone hate on rice in a burrito? It’s one of the primary ingredients of any decent burrito.

  4. trixrforkids says:

    it looks disgusting to me, but if you like it, so be it. why persist in calling it a burrito, though? it could just be called “food” and all would be well. the same goes for anything sold at chipotle or any place that has a preponderance of grilled organic vegetables in a tortilla. not really a burrito, but good to eat.

    • D. Jon Moutarde says:

      The wrap actually looks more like what Puerto Alegre calls a “quesadilla suiza”, but I guess you probably wouldn’t like that name, either.

      You call it a “burrito” because you’re Korean, and you’re trying to sell something foreign and exotic to a combination of foreigners who are just looking for something vaguely familiar to remind them of home, and locals with a limited foreign vocabulary who might be interested in something a little different (but not TOO different). OK?

    • Bob Dole says:

      Messicans dont even eat burritos brah’.

    • karl says:

      why stop there? i say we set up a Burrito Board that trolls the city, measuring thickness and girth of so-called “burritos” making sure that rich white kids only get TRUE burritos.

  5. scum says:

    I have used tortillas to wrap many foodstuffs, never called them burritos.

  6. 111 Minna says:

    And before that was the kimchi burrito from HRD…

  7. Rudy says:

    ???: does anyone every ask a burrito joint that serves a burrito con steamed tortilla to toss it back on the grill? Crispy and golden is oh so yummier.

    • Herr Doktor Professor Deth Vegetable says:

      CanCun does something like that. One of the many things that make them the best burrito.

  8. SFKix says:

    (Transalation)

    Burrito = Small Donkey

  9. blank says:

    There are amazing Korean burritos at John’s Deli in the FiDi. Bulgogi burritos are the jam.

  10. justin says:

    looks good.. :o