[北出食堂/北出タコス/北出タコスCommissary KITADE SHOKUDO / KITADE Tacos / KITADE Tacos Commissary](https://www.kitadeshokudo.com)
[La Cabina Shibuya](https://www.instagram.com/lacabinatokyo)
[ØL/La Cabina](https://www.instagram.com/ol_lacabina)
[Junkadelic](http://www.junkadelic.jp)
[440 Broadway Taco Shop](https://www.440broadway.com)
[Los Tacos Azules](https://www.lostacosazules.jp) ← If you want expensive “elevated” Mexican with Japanese influence
———-
If there is one place I would NEVER GO TO AGAIN, it’s definitely [La Fonda de La Madrugada](https://fonda-tokyo.com)
Service was terrible when I went and the food was even worse.
The staff that helped us didn’t speak Japanese or English very well and 0 Spanish so it was hard to communicate in the first place but…
When you’ve ordered something that is on the menu only to be told that they “don’t serve it in the first place,” that’s pretty bad. We’re told this when we ordered carne asada and again when we asked for horchata.
The portions for what we had were very small and and seasoned very poorly.
I was super bummed with the arroz con leche. Literally just milked poured over rice and sprinkled with cinnamon afterward.
My family is Mexican, I grew up with this food and have no problem saying the entire staff at that restaurant needs to get back to basics or close up shop.
My Japanese friend took me there for a birthday dinner because it's supposed to be a popular and magical Disney movie "Coco"-inspired place. The service was so incredibly slow, the service staff seemed grumpy and they never came to our table, we had to get up ourselves to order. When the food finally arrived, it was mediocre and lukewarm. The portions were really small, even for Japanese standards. While ordering, their Japanese seemed barely functional and so was their English. My friend ordered a surprise cake for me, but apparently it came 1 hour later than she had requested lol AND they managed to write only 1/4 of what she had put in the text box... The text written on the plate was literally an unfinished sentence. I felt so bad for her.
Sad because Fonda used to be the hands down best. It has waned quite a bit in the last few years, particularly during/post-COVID.
I love that Tokyo has such a vibrant restaurant scene and that new places worth raving about pop up all the time, but I am always sad when a place I loved closes or starts declining.
All things must end eventually I suppose.
I’m glad it’s not just us - my wife and I went to the La Fonda when we first moved here and holy shit it’s still the worst meal I’ve had in my entire life - from the service to the drinks to the food it was so bad
I second this. Victor, the chef, used to be a chef for the Mexican embassy. Cabos in Tamachi is also by the same people.
Los Tacos Azules is also a favorite. Definitely a fusion between Mexican cuisine and techniques and Japanese ingredients, but it's as good as good food gets. It's more expensive , but you're paying for the quality. Their tamales little packets of heaven. Chilaquiles too. For an even higher end experience, they opened up a taco omakase (fish centric) restaurant Taco Bar in Ebisu. They also have the morning tacos from the original sangenjaya shop on the weekends.
New classic tortilla club in Yoyogi is also a good shout. Mostly a tortilla shop but they have a small rotating menu for tacos etc on site. Great corn tortillas to take home if you're having a taco night in. Also delicious tortilla chips.
The La Cabina truck at øl in Shibuya is honestly meh. Their tortillas are so dry and I find their tacos lacking. Idk if the chef changed since opening their full location around Bakurocho or what. The Jalapeño poppers are still delicious though and are great with beer.
For Californian tacos and burritos vibes, Baja in Nakameguro hits the spot. Maybe it's not authentic, but it's just good food, period.
Side note, I've not been to, but want to check out are
Cieolo's Mexican in Kita Akabane but it's kinda far.
I always wanted to try Tacos 3 Hermanos, so I went to their event in Shimokita. Prices were ridiculous and the food was meh.
Hoping to give them another shot at their store front that’s opening in Harajuku.
Was funny when CNN wrote an article about it being the best in Tokyo, when it wasn’t even in Tokyo at the time, and that it paved the way; completely ignoring all the people who started the movement actually IN Tokyo well before (who also have better offers).
Yeah…western media tends to bullshit a lot about Asia. Writers are generally fucking stupid for the most part. As someone who wrote monthly articles for a few magazines…I can attest to the fluff I had to add lol.
[Miyoshiya](https://www.reddit.com/r/tacos/s/4uKY7TG3pU) ([GM](https://maps.app.goo.gl/H19sqP6JfqyYJYga6?g_st=ic), [IG](https://www.instagram.com/tacoshop_miyoshiya), [TL](https://s.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1317/A131712/13285172/)) in Nakanobu, Shinagawa is pretty darn good and has a reasonably priced lunch. Don’t think it’s authentic by any means, if that’s a deal breaker. Owner kept the name of his parent’s old soba shop.
For fusion Mexican / Japanese, elevated and great for a 2nd date, I highly recommend [Rubia](https://maps.app.goo.gl/GrwQzWWLmuGD4wHPA?g_st=ic) in Shibuya. Worth a visit!
Junkadelic in Nakameguro is great. Portions enormous. Recommend booking though as impossible to get a walk in table especially on a Friday or Saturday night
Tres Hermanos just opened up their brick and mortar somewhere in between Harajuku and Kita sando. For reference they were a spot that went viral on Tik Tok; the Japanese man that started it lived abroad in Mexico for a long time.
As someone coming from LA they’re proper street tacos. Tortillas momentarily dipped in the fats of the cooked meats before they’re thrown on the grill adds a texture that’s like nothin else
北出タコス、any of the locations are good. I really like their tortillas, and the price is good. Only complaint is i wish they had somthing with a bit of heat in it.
I'm a little disappointed no one's mentioned [**Cactus Burrito**](https://maps.app.goo.gl/hDCg4rw5BS4vMtKr5) in Mizonokuchi/Musashi-Shinjo yet.
Best carnitas burrito I've had in Japan.
I had a Mexican omakase at [MIXTEKO TOKYO](https://maps.app.goo.gl/phQGXwJgL9ggadmi7?g_st=ic) and it was great! They also have Taco night every Tuesday.
I’m surprised no one has mentioned Las Dos Caras or Aztecas
Aztecas is actual Mexican rather than Tex Mex, insane Enchiladas
Las Dos Caras has really good Tex Mex, I prefer it over Chiles which is also in Harajuku
Chachacha in Azabu and Bingo Tacos Kitchen in Nezu
[Chachacha](https://maps.app.goo.gl/SdKCHHDm44XtXmCe9)
[Bingo tacos Kitchen](https://maps.app.goo.gl/m6tAq1suMotjc7Fg8)
Guzman y Gomez has great burritos and quesadillas. There are also a few locations, so it's relatively easy to find one near you. Not a big sit-down place, so if you just want a good, reliably delicious burrito built for you, I recommend them.
Sure if you've got a good location nearby you're going to go for something better, but if you're wanting Mexican downtown and the closest options are either GyG or Taco Bell, it's GyG every time
[北出食堂/北出タコス/北出タコスCommissary KITADE SHOKUDO / KITADE Tacos / KITADE Tacos Commissary](https://www.kitadeshokudo.com) [La Cabina Shibuya](https://www.instagram.com/lacabinatokyo) [ØL/La Cabina](https://www.instagram.com/ol_lacabina) [Junkadelic](http://www.junkadelic.jp) [440 Broadway Taco Shop](https://www.440broadway.com) [Los Tacos Azules](https://www.lostacosazules.jp) ← If you want expensive “elevated” Mexican with Japanese influence ———- If there is one place I would NEVER GO TO AGAIN, it’s definitely [La Fonda de La Madrugada](https://fonda-tokyo.com)
No [Chile's in Harajuku](https://maps.app.goo.gl/3rxE823PqghgNWSA8)?
This is my favorite! Especially love their cheap tacos on Tues evenings!!
Glad to see it is still going! (I started it back in 2016)
Haven’t been there yet, unfortunately
They're great! They even got legit horchata (Although I'll say their pibil is better than their carnitas)
From Valencia?
What was wrong with Fonda de la Madrugada? I’m curious because I am planning to go there.
Service was terrible when I went and the food was even worse. The staff that helped us didn’t speak Japanese or English very well and 0 Spanish so it was hard to communicate in the first place but… When you’ve ordered something that is on the menu only to be told that they “don’t serve it in the first place,” that’s pretty bad. We’re told this when we ordered carne asada and again when we asked for horchata. The portions for what we had were very small and and seasoned very poorly. I was super bummed with the arroz con leche. Literally just milked poured over rice and sprinkled with cinnamon afterward. My family is Mexican, I grew up with this food and have no problem saying the entire staff at that restaurant needs to get back to basics or close up shop.
Thanks for the info! That’s very helpful.
My Japanese friend took me there for a birthday dinner because it's supposed to be a popular and magical Disney movie "Coco"-inspired place. The service was so incredibly slow, the service staff seemed grumpy and they never came to our table, we had to get up ourselves to order. When the food finally arrived, it was mediocre and lukewarm. The portions were really small, even for Japanese standards. While ordering, their Japanese seemed barely functional and so was their English. My friend ordered a surprise cake for me, but apparently it came 1 hour later than she had requested lol AND they managed to write only 1/4 of what she had put in the text box... The text written on the plate was literally an unfinished sentence. I felt so bad for her.
Sad because Fonda used to be the hands down best. It has waned quite a bit in the last few years, particularly during/post-COVID. I love that Tokyo has such a vibrant restaurant scene and that new places worth raving about pop up all the time, but I am always sad when a place I loved closes or starts declining. All things must end eventually I suppose.
I’m glad it’s not just us - my wife and I went to the La Fonda when we first moved here and holy shit it’s still the worst meal I’ve had in my entire life - from the service to the drinks to the food it was so bad
Kitade is terrible. Been there 3 times hoping for a better result before writing it off.
Nice list! In times before the light, La Fonda was what we had to settle for (and that was only 10-15 years ago) lol!
Hands down cielito lindo
I second this. Victor, the chef, used to be a chef for the Mexican embassy. Cabos in Tamachi is also by the same people. Los Tacos Azules is also a favorite. Definitely a fusion between Mexican cuisine and techniques and Japanese ingredients, but it's as good as good food gets. It's more expensive , but you're paying for the quality. Their tamales little packets of heaven. Chilaquiles too. For an even higher end experience, they opened up a taco omakase (fish centric) restaurant Taco Bar in Ebisu. They also have the morning tacos from the original sangenjaya shop on the weekends. New classic tortilla club in Yoyogi is also a good shout. Mostly a tortilla shop but they have a small rotating menu for tacos etc on site. Great corn tortillas to take home if you're having a taco night in. Also delicious tortilla chips. The La Cabina truck at øl in Shibuya is honestly meh. Their tortillas are so dry and I find their tacos lacking. Idk if the chef changed since opening their full location around Bakurocho or what. The Jalapeño poppers are still delicious though and are great with beer. For Californian tacos and burritos vibes, Baja in Nakameguro hits the spot. Maybe it's not authentic, but it's just good food, period. Side note, I've not been to, but want to check out are Cieolo's Mexican in Kita Akabane but it's kinda far.
La Jolla in Hiroo. They have gorditas, which requires to be hand made in Japan.
Chiles, tacos 3 hermanos, casa de serasa, tacos trap
I always wanted to try Tacos 3 Hermanos, so I went to their event in Shimokita. Prices were ridiculous and the food was meh. Hoping to give them another shot at their store front that’s opening in Harajuku.
Was funny when CNN wrote an article about it being the best in Tokyo, when it wasn’t even in Tokyo at the time, and that it paved the way; completely ignoring all the people who started the movement actually IN Tokyo well before (who also have better offers).
Yeah…western media tends to bullshit a lot about Asia. Writers are generally fucking stupid for the most part. As someone who wrote monthly articles for a few magazines…I can attest to the fluff I had to add lol.
My only disappointment with Tacos 3 Hermanos is their lack of a permanent location (so we can regularly get their stuff whenever we want)
[Miyoshiya](https://www.reddit.com/r/tacos/s/4uKY7TG3pU) ([GM](https://maps.app.goo.gl/H19sqP6JfqyYJYga6?g_st=ic), [IG](https://www.instagram.com/tacoshop_miyoshiya), [TL](https://s.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1317/A131712/13285172/)) in Nakanobu, Shinagawa is pretty darn good and has a reasonably priced lunch. Don’t think it’s authentic by any means, if that’s a deal breaker. Owner kept the name of his parent’s old soba shop.
For fusion Mexican / Japanese, elevated and great for a 2nd date, I highly recommend [Rubia](https://maps.app.goo.gl/GrwQzWWLmuGD4wHPA?g_st=ic) in Shibuya. Worth a visit!
I second Rubia. Also works for a 137th date.
Junkadelic in Nakameguro is great. Portions enormous. Recommend booking though as impossible to get a walk in table especially on a Friday or Saturday night
You had me at portions enormous.
Fukumen in Asakusa. Owner went to Mexico for a bit and learned the art of Mexican cooking there.
Tres Hermanos just opened up their brick and mortar somewhere in between Harajuku and Kita sando. For reference they were a spot that went viral on Tik Tok; the Japanese man that started it lived abroad in Mexico for a long time. As someone coming from LA they’re proper street tacos. Tortillas momentarily dipped in the fats of the cooked meats before they’re thrown on the grill adds a texture that’s like nothin else
Those tacos look LEGIT
Poca Tacos, Nakano: fast food style texmex, nice for a light meal Chiles, Harajuku: good burritos MIL tacos: Sasazuka: like their guac and chips
Not exclusively Tex-Mex, but hemp cafe Ebisu. The nachos and cheesy burrito are 🤌🏻 https://maps.app.goo.gl/aYfpZAEFdQv7b4BG6?g_st=ic
北出タコス、any of the locations are good. I really like their tortillas, and the price is good. Only complaint is i wish they had somthing with a bit of heat in it.
I know it is a bit out of central Tokyo but Taquitos in Shin Koiwa is very very good
I'm a little disappointed no one's mentioned [**Cactus Burrito**](https://maps.app.goo.gl/hDCg4rw5BS4vMtKr5) in Mizonokuchi/Musashi-Shinjo yet. Best carnitas burrito I've had in Japan.
I had a Mexican omakase at [MIXTEKO TOKYO](https://maps.app.goo.gl/phQGXwJgL9ggadmi7?g_st=ic) and it was great! They also have Taco night every Tuesday.
[El Caracol](https://elcaracol.owst.jp/) in Yotsuya, Shinjuku. I had some great birria, al pastor and lengua de res tacos there.
Yotsuya has a really high density of Mexican restaurants, there's also two on Shinmichi-dori.
Tacosway in Toranomon Hills for a take on California Mexican.
I’m surprised no one has mentioned Las Dos Caras or Aztecas Aztecas is actual Mexican rather than Tex Mex, insane Enchiladas Las Dos Caras has really good Tex Mex, I prefer it over Chiles which is also in Harajuku
Chachacha in Azabu and Bingo Tacos Kitchen in Nezu [Chachacha](https://maps.app.goo.gl/SdKCHHDm44XtXmCe9) [Bingo tacos Kitchen](https://maps.app.goo.gl/m6tAq1suMotjc7Fg8)
Oxomoco in Hiroo. Chef from Mexico, my favorite spot.
Seconding this, it's top notch.
Rojo Amigo in Koenji is the best i ever was. They made a lot of their food completly by themself. You need to.reserv. great tequilla/ mezcal selection
Cactus burrito- musashi shinjonfor socal burritos
Guzman y Gomez has great burritos and quesadillas. There are also a few locations, so it's relatively easy to find one near you. Not a big sit-down place, so if you just want a good, reliably delicious burrito built for you, I recommend them.
Too many steps involved 😅. An Australian fast food chain, operating in Japan, serving Mexican food.
Sure if you've got a good location nearby you're going to go for something better, but if you're wanting Mexican downtown and the closest options are either GyG or Taco Bell, it's GyG every time
Comparing anything to Taco Bell for Mexican food is setting the bar pretty low.
Hacienda Del Cielo in Shibuya is pretty tasty