Santamonica.com: Tacos With A Twist
Tacos have become ubiquitous in LA. The iconic Mexican food has become so popular locally that they rival sandwiches for supremacy in many neighborhoods. Chefs use corn and flour tortillas as canvases for more than Mexican cuisine, resulting in the taco-ization of most culinary traditions imaginable. Santa Monica restaurants are no exception and have enthusiastically embraced the taco. Learn where to find several unique and unexpected takes on tacos throughout Santa Monica.
JINYA RAMEN BAR
JINYA Ramen Bar founder, Tomonori Takahashi, opened a branch of his emerging chain along Santa Monica’s Main Street in 2015. The glass-fronted outpost features wood booths and counter stools indoors, and a sunny patio with cream-colored umbrellas and a communal table with central a fire pit. Their “mini tacos” consist of crispy wonton taco shells filled with a choice of salmon poke folded with crunchy raw onion; subtly sweet slow-braised pork chashu topped with punchy kimchi; and spicy tuna, crowned with cilantro and jalapeño. Each taco benefits from a squeeze of lime.