First Glance: Mexican-Korean Fusion at Palms LA Kitchen and Bar

If Korean-Mexican seems an unlikely a cuisine, what's even more unlikely is Korean-Mexican in the hutongs of Beijing. Luckily, both of these things exist. It's been just over five years since the trend rolled through Los Angeles, California (on a food truck no less), spread through the States, hopped over the Pacific, dropped in on Seoul, and has now set up house in Gulou.

There are a number of reasons to visit Palms LA Kitchen and Bar. Kimchi (in places you'd never think), yerba mate cocktails, and Korean barbecue with Tapatio sauce are probably the top three. The menu hits the classics of the Korean-Mexican canon – if you can have one in such a short period of time – with tacos ranging from RMB 38-45 (for three) and barbecued meat choices like kalbi (beef short rib) and Korean-style pork. Burritos are RMB 45-56 with similar choices of meat, as well as a vegetarian option.

Beyond the more off-beat Korean-Mexican options, Palms LA Kitchen also offers less fusion, like stuffed mushrooms (RMB 35) baked with ham, garlic, cheese and beef empanadas (RMB 30). The guacamole seemed a bargain at RMB 22, but unfortunately it was somewhat scant on avocado and had a slightly grainy texture.

It's hard to go wrong with melted cheese and carbs, so if you're already a fan of fermentation, then the kimchi quesadilla with sriracha sour cream is worth splitting amongst the table. "Loaded" fries are topped with refried sweet Korean-style pork, caramelized kimchi, tomatoes, onion, cheddar cheese and an avocado cream. It's a fabulous concept that could use more of everything to load down the fries – which were average.

If the copious amount of kimchi and barbecued meat hasn't convinced you, then the cocktails will. There's a choice of seven signature cocktails (all for RMB 50), and the few that we tried were each singularly excellent. The LA Water is a tie-dyed thing of a drink. It's their riff on a Long Island – sweet and powerful. The refreshing El Imigrante stole the show though. You should like grassy flavors as the bar has infused vodka with mate and topped with Sprite.

The greatest part about it all? For the rest of this month (until April), cocktails are offered for the whole day at the happy hour special of buy-one-get-one-free.

The new culinary tradition that Palms LA  has brought to Beijing is intriguing. What Korean-Mexican burritos I've had off food trucks in LA and New York have been outstanding. The kitchen at Palms LA has some room for growth – they are not of a formal culinary background, give them some time – but it's more than certainly worth a visit.

Palms LA Kitchen and Bar
Daily 11.30am-midnight. 14 Zhangwang Hutong, Dongcheng District (6405 4352)
东城区张旺胡同14号

Photos: courtesy of Palms LA Kitchen and Bar, Cat Nelson

Comments

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... The coffee is decent and the homeomade...

Writing it as I'm gnawing at my veggie burrito. Told the owner he made my day as I hadn't had a proper burrito for ages (in Beijing). It's not vegan but can be made (tell them to hold the cheese). The laoban is very competitive and ready to help you choose your fare. The coffee is decent bad the homemade walnut tart is phenomenal! I haven't had and cocktails (lunch time) but I'm definitely coming back to try a few! The place isn't big but it will easily fit two dozens of hungry hutongsters!

Went there this weekend after the craze of the Irish Ball, they unfortunately didn't have the tomato juice for Bloody Mary's but we asked a frind to buy some, so they still made us the drinks.

The Korean pork tacos were amazing, I dabaod some for my friends and they loved it.

Definitely will be coming back, although being directionaly challenged it's a bit hard to find:)

Checked it out last night, and greatly enjoyed the Mex-Kor fusion. I don't have much to add to the great review, so I have some points for those interested:

  • The name of the place is "Palms", and it is a "L.A. Kitchen and Bar".
  • You can make reservations, which you should totally make. This is a small place without many available dining positions.
  • I always associated "hutongs" as being out of the way, but this place is just minutes aways from Gulou Dajie Station (Exit G of Line 8)
  • The drink special only applies to the two of the same drink. Boo for variety, but then 2 LA Waters were enough to knock me (happily) on my ass.
  • If it isn't clear already, everyone there is from LA. 
  • If it also isn't clear, Palms offers very competitive prices for the outlandishly overpriced boutique Mexican cuisine in Beijing. (Wasn't this food first sold out out of a truck?)

You should totally check it out. Am expecting lots of good things from this place in the future.

 

Just had dinner there earlier tonight, only because we ran into some friends in the afternoon that had just been there. Overall, we found the food pretty good. We were four hungry souls and had the empanadas, fries with garlic, kimchi quesadillas, korean pork tacos, steak tacos (times 2, since they were out of carnitas), a burrito, and drinks. Lots of drinks, thanks to their buy one get one special. On the whole the drinks were alright, but I see room for imporvement there. Pretty good value, all things considered. I've been waiting a few years for the Korean Taco craze to come to Beijing, and this place should do nicely.

Currently, the three owners are working hard (seriously - waiting tables, bartending, and helping out in the kitchen) to make sure customers are satisfied with their meals and service, so I think now is a great time to give it a try.

It's pretty great, but there is of course still room to improve. I think better beer selection and having more than two choices of tequila will make some easily visible improvements. All I remember is that the only draft was Qingdao and they actually serve Heineken (why does anyone serve that beer?) when Dos Equis and Corona are the same price or within 5 rmb, so they need to pick up some tastier and more interesting options there. It's not like Beijing isn't producing it's own alternatives these days.

I'm definitely looking foward to going back soon!

Hi toby-bj,

I'm glad you were able to weigh in on the empanadas and the panqueques – thanks for that. I wasn't able to try them this time around, but they came highly recommended. I'm looking forward to going back and trying more of their menu. Definitely a fresh addition to the Beijing scene.

Cheers,
Cat

Friend and I went here last night and it was great! The empanadas were awesome. And the panqueques amazed me, too. Staff were attentive and spoke great English. Prices were average.

The atmosphere warm and friendly. Another table had a birthday celebrant and everyone inside started singing all together. Was fun! Like a real American diner.

The restroom is outside shared like public, but my friend who went twice claimed it was very clean (which the resto staff also claimed the same).

Only challenge here is the location. Those not familiar with Gulou hutong areas may find it challenging (like me!).

Otherwise, super recommended. Definitely coming back.