Tokyo’s Best Mexican Food

Sep 27, 2023

Tokyo’s Best Mexican Food

Tokyo is the “World’s Greatest Food City,” and at last count, home to over 200 Michelin-starred restaurants. More than ramen, udon, and tonkatsu places, you can find whatever a human can consume if you search hard enough in the Metropolis. But just because you can find it doesn’t necessarily mean it will be mind-blowing. Take my addiction to burritos, tacos, salsa, and guacamole, for instance. I can’t get enough Mexican food.

It’s an ethnic cuisine that seems simple enough to make but is complicated to get just right for many. Still, lately, a few shops scattered around Kanto have made themselves worthy of my (not very authoritative) praise. These aren’t chains like Taco Bell, Frijoles, and Guzman Y Gomez(although I am grateful for them, too!); These are places that are one-offs where you’ll feel like Instagramming and Facebooking that enchilada when it comes to the table.

Cactus Burrito | Kawasaki, Musashi-Shinjo

You’ll find our first recommendation in this blue-collar neighborhood between Musashi-Kosugi and Mizonoguchi on the JR Nambu Line. There’s nothing particularly spectacular about the area besides cheap housing close to major rail lines. But situated a 10-minute walk from the south exit of the train station is a hidden gem, Cactus Burrito. Their slogan even states itself as being “an oasis in the desert.” One look at the menu awash in all manner of burritos, enchirios, carne asada fries, and a fridge full of craft beer, and you can easily see why it’s worth trekking to this hole-in-the-wall restaurant.

Cactus Burrito (A Cactus In The Desert)
http://cactus-burrito.com
Map: 1045 Chitose, Takatsu Ward, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 213-0022
Tel: 044-777-0555

Baja

Baja is a straight-up dive-bar “cantina” style outpost on the edge of the upscale Naka-Meguro neighborhood just south of the Meguro River. They are known for their affordable prices, tasty authentic tacos, and heavy pours of cocktails. The place can only seat maybe five people, but feel free to take your tacos on the run; there are a few outdoor benches, and that river stroll is very picturesque if you’ve never been over this way before.

バハ BAJA 中目黒店

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/6s9fEdzRUiuXX2vn8
Tel: 03-3715-2929

Avocado Mexican Dining

Avocado is located in the trendy Shimo-Kitazawa district and showcases the best of modern Mexican cuisine. Most dishes here are lighter variations of your favorites, with copious amounts of avocado, citrus juices, and cilantro tossed in for a flavorful experience. You’ll be hooked by a taste of their nachos with big chunks of avocado and fresh guac!

メキシカンダイニング アボカド 下北沢店

Web: https://www.mexican-avocado.com/
Map: 2-13-4 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tōkyō
Tel: 03-3414-0916

(There are also other locations in Shinjuku 3-chome as well.)

 

“Cactus Burrito” by Jason L Gatewood is licensed under CC BY 4.0