One of the first food trucks was the Kogi BBQ Korean taco truck in LA way back in the noughties. It intrigued me with it’s promise of Mexican styling with Korean flavours. Think corn tortillas filled with bulgogi beef and chilli sauce.
Nothing similar has made it to our fine Australian shores – that is until the Summer of 2014. Even better, it features hyper-local and wild foraged ingredients.
Those hip young winemakers at Alpha Box & Dice in McLaren Vale have partnered with the Happy Motel to present the “Neon Lobster” pop up taqueria, serving no less than “Kor-exican”. With guest chefs no less than the Advertiser’s 2013 Chef of the Year, Duncan Welgemoed, the chef and owner at the Bistro Dom, but be quick, I believe he will only be working the coals on Jan 3, 4 and 5th.
We visited on December 29th, a glorious summer day. The DJ was spinning cool South American beats and hip looking cool cats lounged under trees and umbrellas with Mason jar cocktails. We pulled up a barrel under a huge tree and peruse the Korexican menu, laden bbq and take in the brightly coloured taqueria.
The pop-up eatery was very popular, with a good crowd, but only an 8 min wait for food after ordering, and plenty to entertain the eyes, ears and taste buds while waiting. Ordering is done in a little window in ‘typico’ Taqueria style.
When your 8 minute wait is up, you are able to enter the taqueria, decorated in the same colourful style as the exterior, to collect your order in a colourful plastic basket or cute ice cream style cup. Bottles of both Mexican and Sriracha hot sauce line the bench.
We opted for a cute ice cream cup of snapper ceviche with Hido’s pickled daikon, wasabi, Vietnamese mint, avocado, cilantro (corriander), ginger and lime ($12), with two cute “wafers” of tortilla chips. The fish is very, very fresh and sweet, complimented by the spicy & tangy accompaniments.
Next open: January 24, 25 & 26th 2014
Menu – Food Menu images at https://www.facebook.com/alphaboxdice
Atmosphere / Ambience: Hip garden party with live DJ and sangria.
Standout Dish: Kim chi Kuesadilla, $12.
Service: Quick.
Online Booking: No – but not nescessary.
Restaurant Details and Location:
https://www.facebook.com/alphaboxdice
Lot 50 Olivers Rd, McLaren Vale (parking up the hill on the side of the road)
Opening Hours: Friday to Sunday: 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm