Who Wants Japanese Tacos?

I never thought I was going to say this, but I had tacos at JINYA Ramen Bar. I love this place because it is one of those legitimately great restaurants in Houston. So who wants tacos at a Japanese restaurant?

Not me. I had never eaten tacos at JINYA Ramen Bar since the first time I went there four years ago. To me, tacos at a Japanese restaurant were just more evidence to prove my point about the lack of diversity on Houston menus. Everywhere you go, you always see tacos and Brussels sprouts.

JINYA has a special place in my heart. I always order from there when I feel like I’m dying. Honestly, a bowl of Spicy Chicken Ramen can bring me back to life. I’m not sure if it’s the broth, the chicken, or the spiciness, but my hollow afterlife starts fading away after I finish about 75% of the bowl.

Since I’m writing a weekly blog about tacos and tequila martinis, I had to give them a chance. Besides, sooner or later I’m going to run out of places to try new tacos, so this was bound to happen.

If they wanted to call this dish something else, they could have, because they’ve created something entirely different. Everything about these tacos is unique, from the tortilla to the filling.

The tortilla is a crispy wonton shell, which is basically a deep-fried wheat wrapper, much smaller than a traditional street taco. For that reason, this item is listed in the appetizer section. It comes with two tacos. You can eat each one in two bites. I personally ordered two different kinds. To help you with the math, I had four tacos and a drink.

I ordered the Salmon Poke Tacos, the Spicy Tuna Tacos, and, of course, a Tequila

Martini. Overall, they’re delicious. I will say the Salmon Poke Taco tastes more like a ceviche taco. The salmon is cured and mixed with onions and tomatoes, then topped with cilantro. It comes with a lime wedge on the side, and squeezing it over the taco makes it feel like you’re eating fresh fish by the sea. I believe their best “taco” is the Spicy Tuna Taco. This one, in particular, has the umami flavor that is so characteristic of Japanese cuisine. It’s also slightly spicy and topped with masago. Masago is a popular ingredient in Japanese cuisine: tiny orange roe from the capelin fish. The combination of freshness and spice paired perfectly with my classic Hornitos Reposado Tequila Martini.

I’m pretty excited talking about these tacos because they’re worth trying. Even though they didn’t make any sense to me at first, if you’re a taco enthusiast, I strongly recommend them. If you ever happen to be at a JINYA Ramen Bar and just want a quick bite and a drink, these tacos are perfect. They’re light, they disappear fast, and everything about them is different—from the crispy wonton shell to the filling itself.

Who wants tacos at a Japanese restaurant? Apparently, me.