Esdras Ochoa, an acclaimed Los Angeles chef, is coming to Hong Kong this summer to shake up the local Mexican food scene (which, let’s face it, is in dire need of shaking up).
So far the details (a.k.a. name, exact address, opening date) are scarce, but we like what we’ve seen. The Mexican chef told Eater he would be opening a lively and “casual taqueria” somewhere in Kennedy Town with “pool tables, room for standing an drinking, and platters of tacos coming from the kitchen”. Um, hi, where has this been all our lives?
Ochoa started serving up delicious handmade tacos from a food truck in 2009 — where he was credited with inventing the vampiro quesadilla, a meaty, garlicky concoction that sounds truly divine — before opening his first brick-and-mortar restaurant, Mexicali Taco, three years later. Most recently Ochoa served as the opening chef and partner of Salazar, a barbecue restaurant inspired by Sonora, Mexico, which has been named one of GQ’s 10 most exciting new restaurants in America for 2017.
Hungry Hongkongers set on experiencing the same taco truck vibe as Mexicali or arid Sonoran escapism of Salazar will have to fly to LA though, as Ochoa told Eater that his K-Town venture would be a fresh new concept, with a menu influenced by local produce. Hey, that’s fine by us.
Let’s hope it opens sooner rather than later, because we are craving some kickass carne asadas right about now.
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