I remember when Japan’s first Taco Bell opened in Shibuya in 2015. I went with a few friends on a night out, don’t remember what I ordered but I recall not really thinking much of the stuff. Besides that night—my friends and I never went back—I never had much of an opportunity to eat Mexican food growing up in Tokyo. Even so, the allure of Mexican food never escaped me. Food travel shows like ones by Bourdain always helped in painting a picture of Mexico and its dishes as something I would love, and I think it’s safe to go as far as saying Mexican cuisine is one of the most beloved in the world. Though I was surprised when I first arrived, it’s no wonder why then that there are tons of Mexican food options in Saigon. Out of them all, it’s hard to really beat MixTape’s $1 taco nights on Friday.
By no means am I a connoisseur of Mexican food. Having said that, since being in Saigon I’ve been to several Mexican restaurants like District Federal, Monito’s Taqueria, Taco Del Sol, Tacos Fuego, and The Taco King. To me, they’re all good. Gimme some meat on a taco, pico de gallo, guac, a squeeze of lime, a sprinkle of cilantro, and a sauce that’ll have me saying hot, hot, hot with equal parts pain and pleasure and I’m sold, you’ve got me. While MixTape’s menu is relatively simple, you can’t complain when on Fridays they’re selling six different kinds of tacos for a dollar—twenty five thousand dong—a piece. You’ve got the Mozzarella Taco (even cheaper at eighteen thousand dong!), Ground Beef Cheese Taco, Carne Asada Taco, Chorizo Taco, Smoked Brisket Taco, and the Smoked Pork Belly Taco. These six are all I need and when you wash them down with one of MixTape’s very own craft beers, you’re getting a burst of flavours that simultaneously leaves you satiated as it has you wanting more.
I visited again one Friday in July with several friends. It’d been a few months since I’d been to their $1 taco night and heading over I wondered how many I’d eat that night. My record up until then was eight, which I suppose to professional eaters is a rookie attempt but I’m no glutton and besides, who’s counting? We walked in, grabbed a seat and were shown the menu. I started with one round of all six tacos and a pale ale called California Sun which sounded like just what I needed given how grey and gloomy Saigon was at the time. One sip and there I was, I’d never been to California but we’ve all got our Hollywood image of the place: palm trees swaying to a slight breeze as rich laughter comes from a group lounging beneath its leafy roof. Three guys, three girls, each with beach blonde hair and skin so bronze they looked like they’d just emerged from a bathing session in vats of melted gold. They’ve got nowhere to be, nothing better to see besides the pink sun setting on the horizon and the realisation that tomorrow they’ll do it all over again. This was life. Cool. Easy. Sexy. Like some forgotten Bossa Nova track that no one knows who wrote.
So I figured. No matter what, at least I know I’d do it all over again. I’d be back to MixTape for the $1 taco deals on Friday. How could I not? Something fun always ends up happening, besides the obvious delight of getting to chow down on as many bites of Mexi-Saigonese goodness as I can. That evening I had eleven tacos. A new personal best, nothing spectacular but then again, I’m no glutton and who’s counting? All I cared for were the sweet, succulent meat juices that dribbled down my fingers every time I had another mouthful, giving new meaning to that age-old slogan, finger lickin’ good. After a California Sun I sampled a Peaches & Cream and it wasn’t long before the beers and tacos had my stomach bulging way out past my gut—I sat back, let out a satisfied sigh, licked my lips which singed with a slight burn from the delightful chilli sauce that had been dripped over each taco. What more could you ask for on a Friday night in Saigon? Who knows what tomorrow will bring but with a belly full of good food, good drinks, and a spirit nourished by good company, at least you can rest assured you made good on today.
- Follow MixTape Drinks
- Follow MixTape Distribution
