16.211 Baja Fish Tacos

Cycle 16 – Item 211

Post 5,690

4 (Mon) August 2025

Baja Fish Tacos

3.0

at Vatos Urban Tacos

(Lotte Department Store)

-Jamsil, Songpa, Seoul, Republic of Korea-

solo

In my on-going exploration of the eateries in Lotte Department Store (see most recently 16.197 King Hargow + Wantangmyeon), I was very pleasantly surprised to find that Vatos has set up shop.

Located in B1 – a standalone restaurant across from the Open Dining Pub food court.

When Vatos was launched in 2012, Korean-Mexican fusion was all the rage in the American street food scene – Mexican form (e.g., tacos, burritos) + Korean substance (e.g., bulgogi, dak galbi).  Looking back at the original menu, fusion items included Kimchi Carnitas Fries, Galbi Short Rib Tacos, Korean-Style Pork Belly Tacos, Spicy Chicken Tacos, Kimchi Veggie Quesadilla.

The current menu includes Kimchi Carnitas Fries, Korean Galbi Tacos, Korean Galbi Burrito, Beef Bulgogi Burrito.

The prices have gone up over the years.   For 3 fish tacos:

    • 2012 = 9,000
    • 2023 = 12,900
    • 2025 = 14,900
Magpie Brewing Co. Kölsch (draft) (2.5): crisp but sorta bland.
Someone at the next table: “These aren’t chips – they’re taco shells! Hahaha!”

At 6 different locations in 2 countries, Vatos is the restaurant chain (not including fastfood chains) that I have visited the 2nd most in GMTD history:

    1. Itaewon (original) (3.181 Kimchi Carnitas Fries)
    2. Apgujeong (Galleria Department Store) (3.328 Mexican Chili Lime Shrimp Tacos)
    3. Sinsa (7.358 Chili Lime Shrimp Tacos)
    4. BGC (Philippines) (9.260 Urban Tacos)
    5. Itaewon (flagship) (14.040 Baja Fish Tacos) (14.188 Cali Chicken Rolled Tacos)
    6. Jamsil (Lotte Department Store) (16.211 Baja Fish Tacos)

1st is Din Tai Fung with 8 locations in 5 countries (see most recently 16.200 Lobster, “Taiwanese Style”).

Prior to GMTD, who knows – e.g., I can’t recall how many Denny’s or TGI Friday’s locations that I’ve visited in my life.

Extra (half) wedge of lime + (minced) cilantro, upon request.
Proprietary hot sauce – proper.

The tacos were excellent.  In contrast to my prior experience with the same item a couple years ago, the fish fillets were light and crispy, compared to thick and crusty, while the slaw was light and tangy dressed, rather than thick and goopy (see for comparison 14.040 Baja Fish Tacos).  I could eat these every day.

Infinitely better with cilantro + lemon juice + hot sauce.

Yet another score for a restaurant based in Lotte Department Store, which is starting to look like a prime candidate for a Try Every series.  Stay tuned.

(See RESTAURANTS IN KOREA)

(See GLOBAL FOOD GLOSSARY)

(See HANSIK)

(See BOOZE)

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