Hoi An Now

The Mexican cuisine at Hola Taco is in the top rung, value-wise, of any Mexican restaurant I’ve tried. Fully deserving its high rating on TripAdvisor and a favorite with expats, the freshness of the ingredients, along with some individual flair, is its key to success.

Hola Taco’s décor was unexceptional and looked like a work in progress.

Whatever the case, there’s always warmth and friendliness at Hola Taco – this Mexican cantina has a good heart and, when it comes to the food, there’s obvious care and attention to detail. Hours each day are spent hand-rolling fresh tortillas and sides, such as corn and red pepper salsa and avocado and shredded cabbage with chipotle aioli, provide piquant finishes.

Hola Taco is not a fast food joint, expect the kitchen to take time and care with your order. Nor is it a mindless clone of standard Mexican food. Here, Mexican ingredients provide the original inspiration but all the food groups are inspirationally balanced in each dish.

In the wrong hands Mexican food can be gluggy and heavy-handed, defying gravity with the viscosity of cement. But at Hola Taco that is never the case. Home-made tortillas, crisp same-day vegetables and your choice of spiced meat or seafood combine in wonderfully succulent and zesty balance.