Seolleung Mexican restaurant for a date night: taco plate at Chilango

It was one of those days when I wanted a good dinner in a slightly different atmosphere. My husband and I visited Chilango Seolleung Main Branch around 7pm on a weekday evening.

What Chilango Seolleung Main Branch looks like after dark

I'd been to Chilango before, around 5pm. Even then the exotic atmosphere was nice, but once the sun went down and it got dark out, the store's vibe really came alive.

Between the green awning and the plants decorating the exterior, the red lighting inside glowed softly. From the entrance it felt less like an ordinary restaurant and more like a little joint tucked in a Mexican back alley. I'd been searching for Seolleung taco restaurants hoping to find somewhere with atmosphere to match the food, and Chilango was exactly that.

Walking inside, the red neon lighting and colorful murals catch your eye first. Every light fixture and prop had that intense yet free-spirited feel unique to Mexico.

At the table next to us that night sat a cute couple, and we got to witness a little event — one of them handing over a prepared letter and bouquet. It made us smile too, haha. With this atmosphere, the place would suit a blind date or an anniversary date really well. In cooler weather, eating out on the terrace would be lovely too.

Since the store is pet-friendly, it also seems like a good option for anyone wanting to bring their dog and use the terrace.

What comes with the 54,000 won taco plate for two

Here's what we ordered.

• Taco plate for two ₩54,000
• Main choice: beef, shrimp
• 4 extra tortillas ₩2,000
• Cass Zero ₩6,000

The taco plate lets you choose your main and wrap it in tortillas yourself at the table. After some deliberation, we went with beef and shrimp.

First out were nachos, an assortment of sauces, guacamole, and pico de gallo.

The nachos weren't overly salty and had a clean, light flavor, so our hands kept reaching for them even before the main dishes arrived.

Should we order one more plate of nachos?

Just as we started seriously considering it, the main plate luckily showed up, haha.

Beef and shrimp piled on the Chilango taco plate

When the main plate landed on the table, the portion size was the first thing that struck me — it was seriously generous.

On one side was a heap of beef with melted cheese, and on the other, plump shrimp topped with avocado and vegetables. Grilled vegetables like mushrooms and mini bell peppers came along too, so every tortilla could be a different combination.

The beef was tender with a deep, rich flavor, savory from the melted cheese and mushrooms mixed in. The shrimp had a nice springy bite, mildly spicy, and paired well with the smooth chipotle cream sauce. Beef and shrimp tasted distinctly different, so it was fun switching between the two.

As a couple who genuinely love Mexican food, these were Seolleung tacos that earned our real approval.

How to wrap and eat Chilango's taco plate

The method isn't complicated. First, I squeezed a little lime juice over the tortilla. Then I added guacamole or chili con carne, followed by as much beef or shrimp as I wanted. On top of that went grilled vegetables and pico de gallo, finished off with whichever salsa or sour cream I liked. Even with the same plate, the flavor kept changing depending on which sauces and toppings went in.

When I wanted something bright and fresh, I loaded up on pico de gallo and lime; when I wanted something soft and savory, I added more guacamole and sour cream.

For a spicier taco, I topped it with salsa sauce and pickled chilies too. Get too greedy with fillings, though, and everything spills out the side the moment you fold it, haha.

Still, isn't that messy, drippy eating exactly what makes tacos taste so good? Definitely wash your hands before you start though~~

How Chilango's tacos compare to tacos in Mexico

We went to Mexico on our honeymoon.

There was a taco place called El Fogón that was so good we went back four separate times during our trip. Ever since, our standards for Mexican food and tacos have gotten pretty high. Whenever we eat tacos in Korea, I naturally end up comparing them to that memory.

But eating Chilango's tacos brought back the excitement of devouring tacos in Mexico. It's not exactly the same style as what we had there, but the fun of assembling fresh ingredients yourself and the rich layered flavor from all the different sauces actually felt more refined, and genuinely satisfying.

My husband kept saying it was delicious and kept building more tacos. By our standards as a couple, this was a full pass!

Are 4 extra tortillas enough for two people?

5 tortillas came included as the default. With how generous the beef and shrimp portions on the plate were, the default amount alone would have left a lot of filling unused.

So we added 4 extra tortillas, and split between the two of us, the amount ended up just right. One round of extra tortillas on top of the taco plate for two left us thoroughly full.

We didn't add the tortillas because there wasn't enough filling — we added them because the main ingredients were so generous, which made it even more satisfying. And the final result?

We finished every bit, scraping the plate clean, haha. Looking back at the photos, we really did eat it all up neatly.

Is Chilango a good Mexican date spot in Seolleung?

Chilango Seolleung Main Branch stuck with us for its atmosphere as much as its food. Once evening falls, the red lighting and exotic interior come alive, making it feel especially well-suited for a date.

The beef and shrimp portions were generous, and mixing and matching guacamole, pico de gallo, chili con carne, and various sauces however we liked was part of the fun.

If you love Mexican food like we do, or you're looking for a build-your-own taco plate, Chilango is worth remembering as a Seolleung taco spot. Next time, I'd love to sit out on the terrace on a cool evening with a world beer or some tequila.

Chilango Seolleung Main Branch hours, parking and address

• Address: 19 Yeoksam-ro 67-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 1st floor, South Korea
• Location: About 445m from Exit 1, Seolleung Station
• Hours: Mon–Sat 17:00–23:00
• Last order: 22:00
• Closed: Every Sunday
• Services: Reservations, groups, takeout, delivery, pet-friendly
• Parking: About 3 free spots in front of the store

Parking isn't very plentiful, so if you're driving, it's worth checking ahead before your visit.