In Seoul there’s always a surprise just waiting around the next corner. Ian and I ventured out to Hongdae intending on stopping by Goulash and Bread but instead became sidetracked. Bella Tortilla on the edge of Hongdae may be a teeny tiny hole in the wall, but it serves up the most delicious tortilla wraps.
Don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say this place is small. Inside only two people can sit at the counter and outside there’s only a table for two as well. During these cold times that means most likely you’ll be getting your food to go, but trust me, it’s more than worth it.
Chef Jong Min Kan runs a one man operation with only his cheery smile and deft cooking skills to keep the customers happy. It’s more than enough. He’s put together a killer menu which includes chili beef soup, seasoned potato wedges, nachos, chili con carne, peppered chicken, mixed mushrooms, chili marinated prawns, grilled rump steak, and a surf and turf. No worries, you won’t even miss the usual taco and enchilada combo especially when the specialty, tortilla wraps, are so damn tasty.
Prices are between 2,000 KRW and 6,000 KRW.
As an added bonus chef Jong also whips up his own sauces. He has several flavors of salsa as well as a balsamic ketchup that tantalizes the taste buds.
If you do manage to snag those two stools inside then you’re in for a treat. The interior is a hodge podge of Mexican and Korean kitsch that makes dining inside a treat. Not to mention the shelves of jarred homemade salsa for sale. You can take a little of Bella Tortilla home, and I’l bet you’ll be glad you did.
The Good:
The Tortilla wraps are filling, flavorful and delicious. Homemade salsa can’t be beat.
The Bad:
Tiny doesn’t even begin to describe it.
The Weird:
How one man does all this in such a small space, weird, but nice.
Directions:
Sangsu station Exit 1. Walk straight for about 150 meters. It will be on your right.
Address: 315-8, Sangsu-dong, Mapo-gu Seoul
Phone: 070.8779.6675 or 010.7119.6675
No oven, no gas flame grill, no tables inside, no wait staff–but plenty of taste. Bella Tortilla is a one man show, run on the cusp of Hong Dae by Chef Jong Min Kan. Like its namesake, the Tortilla Wraps, the interior is tight and tidy, with adventurous music ranging from Korean reggae, to Korean hardcore death rock to Spanish and Mexican-influenced salsa.
Try the grilled tortilla wrap with pepper chicken, packed with cheese, lettuce, tomato, jalapenos, home-made salsa and sour cream. The menu also features wraps with chili con carne, black tiger prawns, grilled rump steak, “surf n turf” and two types of vegetarian offerings. (Make sure you ask for veggies on the outside if you don’t like warm tomatoes and lettuce).
Prices range from 4,000 to 6,500 won, and Coronas are 5,000, making this the perfect pit stop for two before a night out in Hong Dae. The set menu includes fries and a drink for an extra 500 won.