Austin, Texas is world-famous for its street taco culture. From traditional Mexican-style tacos to Korean-inspired street tacos, there is something for everyone. Whether you are looking for a late-night snack or a full meal, we have put together a guide to the best global street tacos Austin has to offer.
- Korean-Style Tacos
- Japanese-Style Tacos
- Mexican-Style Tacos
- Cuban-Style Tacos
- Vietnamese-Style Tacos
- Thai-Style Tacos
- Vegan-Style Tacos
- Indian-Style Tacos
1. Korean-Style Tacos
Korean-style tacos offer a new and exciting flavor profile to the Austin street taco scene. If you’re looking to experience the fusion of Korean and Tex-Mex cuisine, you won’t want to miss out on these delicious treats. The traditional Korean-style taco features a marinated beef or pork filling, accompanied by a variety of fresh vegetables and spices. The flavors of the marinated meat are enhanced by the tangy Korean kimchi, which is a spicy, fermented cabbage. The tacos are then topped off with a Korean-style slaw and a drizzle of gochujang sauce, a spicy and savory red chili paste.
For an even more creative take on the Korean taco, you can try the BBQ pork taco. This taco is served with slow-roasted pork, a homemade Asian-style slaw, and a special Korean-style BBQ sauce. The combination of sweet and savory flavors is sure to tantalize your taste buds. If you’re looking for a lighter option, try the Korean veggie taco, which features a variety of fresh vegetables, kimchi, and a Korean-style slaw, all served in a warm, soft tortilla.
No matter which Korean-style taco you choose, you’re sure to be delighted by the flavor and freshness of these global street tacos. So, why not treat yourself to something different and give Korean-style tacos a try? You won’t regret it!
2. Japanese-Style Tacos
Japanese-style tacos are a delicious and unique way to experience the street taco culture of Austin, Texas. From the hearty and flavorful fillings, to the crispy and light shells, Japanese-style tacos offer something truly special for taco lovers.
At Ramen Tatsu-Ya, you can find the popular tsukemen tacos, which come with a flavorful dipping broth. The tacos come with a slow-cooked pork filling, along with a variety of toppings, such as crispy onions, seaweed, and a special tsukemen sauce.
If you’re looking for a unique twist on the traditional taco, head to Pueblo Viejo. Here, you can find tacos filled with Japanese-style fried chicken. The chicken is marinated overnight in a special blend of spices, and then fried to perfection. The tacos are served with crispy cabbage, slaw, and a tangy house sauce.
Sushi-A-Go-Go is another great spot to try out Japanese-style tacos. Their tacos feature a combination of spicy tuna tartare and cucumber kimchi, and are topped with Japanese mayo and a special sesame sauce.
For a unique experience, head to Musashino, where you can find tacos filled with tempura-battered shrimp. The tacos are served with a special spicy mayo sauce, and are topped with shredded cabbage and cilantro.
Whether you are looking for a unique twist on a classic, or a traditional Japanese-style taco, these restaurants will definitely satisfy your cravings. So grab a few tacos and experience the delicious flavors of Japanese-style tacos in Austin, Texas.
3. Mexican-Style Tacos
When it comes to classic Mexican-style tacos, Austin has it all. From authentic hole-in-the-wall taquerias to trendy fusion restaurants, there’s something for everyone! From the classic carne asada tacos to the traditional al pastor tacos, you will be sure to find the perfect combination of flavors and textures.
For the best Mexican-style tacos, head to Veracruz All Natural. Their tacos are made with fresh, local ingredients, and the family-owned restaurant has been serving up some of the best tacos in Austin for years. Make sure you get the tacos al carbon, which are marinated in their special house blend of spices and then grilled over an open flame.
If you’re looking for a more creative take on Mexican-style tacos, then head to El Chilito. Their tacos de pato are an Austin favorite, made with shredded duck and topped with pico de gallo and queso fresco. It’s a unique and flavorful twist on the classic Mexican street taco.
For a truly unique experience, try the tacos de la calle at El Naranjo. These tacos are made with freshly-grilled huitlacoche, a type of Mexican corn fungus, and topped with diced onions, queso cotija, and a savory house-made salsa. It’s a unique and delicious flavor combination that you won’t find anywhere else.
Whether you’re looking for traditional Mexican-style tacos or something more creative, Austin has something for everyone. With so many amazing taco spots to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect taco experience. So go ahead and explore Austin’s best global street taco experiences!
4. Cuban-Style Tacos
Cuban-style tacos have a unique flavor that is hard to find elsewhere. From the traditional flavors of roasted pork and garlic to the more modern flavors of citrus and plantains, Cuban-style tacos offer an exciting mix of flavors that can be found at some of the best restaurants in Austin. For a truly authentic Cuban-style taco experience, head over to Los Carnales for their classic Cuban tacos. The tacos feature slow-cooked pork with garlic and citrus, served with plantains and a generous helping of traditional Cuban-style accompaniments. For a more modern twist on traditional Cuban-style tacos, try La Sombra. They offer tacos filled with slow-roasted pork and plantains, topped with an array of fresh ingredients, all served with a side of homemade salsa. For a truly unique and creative Cuban-style taco experience, try Taco Margo. This restaurant offers tacos filled with pulled pork and plantains, topped with a generous helping of pineapple salsa. All of these tacos are served with a side of traditional Cuban accompaniments for a truly unique and memorable experience. No matter which restaurant you choose, you’re sure to enjoy a unique and delicious Cuban-style taco experience in Austin.
5. Vietnamese-Style Tacos
Vietnamese-style tacos are a unique, flavorful twist on the traditional street taco. In Austin, you can find these flavorful tacos at some of the city’s most popular restaurants. The tacos are made with a base of marinated pork, chicken, or beef that is grilled and served with a variety of toppings. Traditional toppings include pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber, jalapeno, cilantro, and a house-made garlic chili sauce. The flavors are fresh, vibrant, and pair perfectly with the savory grilled meat.
If you’re looking for a truly unique experience, you can find some great Vietnamese-style tacos at the popular Thai-Kun and Komé restaurants. Each of these restaurants serves their own twist on the street taco, adding their own unique flavors and ingredients that make them stand out. At Thai-Kun, you can find tacos filled with shredded pork, vermicelli noodles, and a variety of herbs and spices. At Komé, you can find tacos filled with marinated pork, crispy shallots, and a spicy sauce.
No matter which of these restaurants you visit, you’re sure to be delighted by the flavors of the Vietnamese-style tacos. The combination of fresh, bright flavors and savory grilled meats make these tacos a must-try for any taco-lover visiting Austin. So grab a few friends and head to one of these establishments to experience the exotic flavors of Vietnamese-style tacos.
6. Thai-Style Tacos
Thai-style tacos are an exciting fusion of traditional Thai flavors and the classic taco experience. You can find these delicious creations at some of Austin’s most popular restaurants. For a truly unique experience, try the Thai-style tacos at Thai Fresh. This restaurant serves up a variety of curries, noodles, and other traditional Thai dishes to go along with their delicious tacos. The tacos are filled with traditional Thai ingredients like lemongrass, ginger, and peanuts, and are served with a spicy peanut sauce that is sure to tantalize your taste buds.
Another great spot for Thai-style tacos is East Side King. Here, you can find a variety of unique tacos such as the Peanut Butter Curry Taco, which is filled with a curry-spiced peanut butter, crispy onions, and pickled cabbage. The tacos are served with a spicy Sriracha mayo and are sure to be a hit.
For a truly unique experience, try the Thai-style tacos at Pinthouse Pizza. Their tacos are filled with Thai-style pork, pickled carrots, cucumbers, and cilantro, and are served with a sweet and spicy sauce. The tacos are also topped with crispy wonton strips, providing an extra crunchy texture.
No matter where you go, you are sure to find some of the best Thai-style tacos in Austin. So grab a few friends, plan a night out, and explore some of the unique restaurants that bring Thai-style tacos to the city. With so many delicious options to choose from, you are sure to find something that will tantalize your taste buds. From traditional Thai flavors to modern creations, Austin has some of the best Thai-style tacos around.
7. Vegan-Style Tacos
Vegan-style tacos are a great way to experience Austin’s street taco culture without sacrificing flavor or creativity. There are many vegan-friendly restaurants in Austin that specialize in amazing vegan tacos, and some of the best include Casa de Luz, V-Eats, and Bouldin Creek Cafe.
At Casa de Luz, you can indulge in vegan tacos made from fresh, local, and organic ingredients. The vegan tacos are served with your choice of either black beans or pinto beans, and a variety of unique toppings. V-Eats offers an array of vegan options, including tacos made with Beyond Meat crumbles and vegan cheese. And Bouldin Creek Cafe serves up delicious vegan tacos that feature tempeh, black beans, kale, and a variety of zesty sauces.
No matter which vegan taco experience you choose, you’ll be sure to enjoy a delicious and unique meal. All of these vegan restaurants offer creative and flavorful vegan tacos that are sure to satisfy your taste buds. So if you’re looking for a delicious vegan taco experience, be sure to check out these great restaurants in Austin.
8. Indian-Style Tacos
Indian-style tacos are a delicious way to experience the flavors of India in a unique and unexpected way. Austin has some of the best restaurants in the country when it comes to Indian-style tacos. From classic vegetarian samosa tacos to spicy lamb kebab tacos, these Indian-style tacos are sure to tantalize your taste buds.
If you’re looking for a unique experience, try the creative fusion tacos from Tikka Shack. The vegan chana masala tacos are a popular favorite, featuring a delectable combination of chickpeas, potatoes, and spices. For a more traditional experience, head to the South Indian Cafe for their delicious dosa tacos. These tacos are made with fermented crepes filled with spiced potatoes.
If you’re looking for something spicier, you can’t go wrong with the lamb kebab tacos from Simla Indian Cuisine. This flavorful dish combines perfectly spiced lamb with a variety of vegetables and sauces. Not to be outdone, the chicken tikka tacos from Balaji Indian Cuisine are sure to please with their bold flavors.
For something truly unique, try the samosa tacos from India’s House. These tacos are made from crisp samosas filled with potatoes and spices and served with an array of sauces. These tacos are sure to be a hit with both vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.
Indian-style tacos are a truly unique way to experience the delicious flavors of India. With a variety of flavors and fillings, there is something for everyone in Austin’s best global street taco experiences.
