Courtesy of seriouseats.com

Trailer: Chi’lantro BBQ
Cuisine: Korean-Mexican Fusion
Address: Various – but seen around 5^th & Colorado, 2^nd and Congress, The Domain, UT Campus
Hours: Check website at www.chilantrobbq.com for weekly schedule or follow @ChilantroBBQ

I know for most Austinites, you’re aware of Chi’lantro. For those that aren’t, 1) where have you been hiding? and 2) stop hiding NOW. This trailer has been around for roughly one year, and it has since skyrocketed to being a hit Austin food attraction. As their website says, Chi’lantro is “two cultures, wrapped inside a tortilla,” and it is just that.

Chi’lantro dawned its name from taking two staple ingredients from both cultures. Kimchi ,a fermented cabbage, is tangy, spicy and crunchy. Cilantro is often found as a garnish adding character to many Mexican dishes. Together, Chi’lantro brings both flavors together introducing a new mix of cuisine to the Austin scene.

I interviewed Jae Kim, owner of Chi’lantro, sometime last year to dig in to his mind of the Chi’lantro concept and where he got his inspiration. Jae, hailing from Los Angeles, developed a love for both Korean and Mexican food being surrounded by both two cultures while growing up. Inspired by the iconic Kogi truck in L.A and a passion for food, Jae moved to Austin to introduce his menu of tasty bulbogi tacos, quesadillas, and other Seoul-flavored goodies. The beef burrito (similar to bibimbap, a classic Korean dish, but wrapped in a tortilla) and the kimchi fries make a great lunch that can double as the ideal after-6^th Street grub. Soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil marinated in the bulgogi makes the meat explode with flavor and assembled perfectly with the egg, salsa roja, and Korean soy vinaigrette salad all wrapped in a fluffy white flour tortilla.

Courtesy of Keep Austin Foodie

Chi’lantro is most well known for their tacos. The taco, as we all know it, usually contains of some meat or seafood wrapped in a corn or flour torilla. Tacos date back to the times of the indigenous people living by the lake region of the Valley of Mexico. The first documented taco feast was enjoyed by Europeans and the Spanish conquistador, Bernal Diaz de Castillo. It’s come a long way since then, and in a good way.

With their “recession-proof” prices, Chi’lantro attracts customers of all ages at any time of the day – broke college students, corporate employees on a lunch break, or drunkards from downtown. Nothing is over $6 and always served with a smile. Being Chinese, I crave my Asian food, and Chi’lantro takes it to the next level. Every so often, Chi’lantro will offer specials such as the Hawaiian Burger and California Quesadillas. Believe me, these are specials that you should NOT miss out on.

To see Chi’lantro’s most up to date location and hours, follow them on Twitter at @ChilantroBBQ or check their website at www.chilantrobbq.com.