Love Mexican cuisine? Brand new restaurant Hola Mexico serves authentic tacos, burritos, enchiladas – and margaritas, of course! Just opened by the guys behind beloved Indian eateries The Curry Culture and Dabbawalla, it’s all about fun, fresh food to be enjoyed by friends and family. Whether you dine indoors or al fresco, you’ll get to enjoy the restaurant’s vibrant and colourful setting. We suggest sitting outside by the bar, a lively spot that makes for great people watching!
Craving comfort food?
Since the team does Indian food so well, you might be wondering, “Why Mexican?” Well, it’s clear these guys know what they’re doing when it comes to every kind of comfort food, which is why their expansion into Mexican cuisine is a genius move. Trust me, I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and this is probably the closest you can get to Mexico here in Singapore!
Restaurateur SANDEEP SACHAR says, “Mexican cuisine, like Indian cuisine, has a rich history and heritage. The complexity of the ingredients, the use of various peppers and the cooking processes make it a very enjoyable cuisine to work with. The use of spices is often misunderstood in this venerable cuisine. Authentic Mexican food is actually comfort food, just like Indian food.”
Together with his team, Sandeep has put together a menu of authentic dishes, including traditional hand-me-down recipes and others that are representative of all regions of Mexico. Each region has its distinct cooking style and specialties; from Baja and Jalisco in the North to Oaxaca and the Yucatan in the south, and everywhere in between.
Must-try Mexican entradas
There’s a great mix of appetisers (entradas) here, from quesadillas and chili con queso to soups and salad. Whether you come with your partner or in a big group, we’d suggest ordering a bunch of starters to share. One must-try is the Little Devils (piqueño Diablo; $16) – jalapeño chillies stuffed with cream cheese and beans, served with sour cream and tomato sauce. As the name suggests, they’re deliciously spicy. Just make sure you’ve got a margarita nearby; one of Hola’s sweet fruit flavours (guava is a good choice!) will help cut through the spice!
The ceviche ($8/$12) is another great starter; tender seafood cooked with lemon, onions, coriander and other spices. It’s light and refreshing, and goes great on tortilla chips. (Wash it down with a Corona!)
Whatever you do, don’t leave without trying the Habanero buffalo wings ($16). These are divine – in fact, you’ll want to lick the plate after you’ve licked your fingers clean! Choose your level of spice from one to ten, but don’t go too crazy. We can certainly handle a bit of heat, but level two was ideal for our group of diners with mixed tastes! (Even level two is on the spicy side!) Even after I left, I couldn’t stop thinking about the wings; in fact, I went back for another serving just a week later!
More don’t-miss Mexican dishes
When it comes to mains, Hola Mexico has something to suit every palate and spice level. From burritos, enchiladas and prawns diablo (spicy prawns) to Veracruzano fish – a Mediterranean-style dish from the Mexican Gulf – and achiote chicken inspired by Southern Mexico’s Yucatan region, there are options galore.
Our pick? The fajitas! Choose from lamb ($27), prawns ($28), chicken ($24) or grilled veggies ($20). Served with guacamole, salsa and warm flour tortillas, you definitely can’t go wrong with this menu favourite.
The tacos are another highlight. One order comes with three tacos – choose lamb ($22), chicken ($20), or veggie ($18) – and three different sauces: verde, pickled ancho and achiote. They’re served with refried beans, Mexican rice, adobo sauce and sour cream. Yum!
Vegetarians are well catered for on the menu, with items including chile relleno ($18). This egg-battered, deep-fried pepper is filled with delicious melted cheese that will have you doing a happy dance (if you’re not too full…).
And, if you’ve managed to save space for a sweet treat, order the Kahlua tiramisu ($12) for a killer finish to your meal.
Margaritas and more
Need to quench your thirst after those spicy delights? You can’t go wrong with a classic lime margarita ($13), and Hola Mexico’s version is spot on. If you want something different, sip on a tamarind margarita ($14), which offers a saltier, spiced-up taste. Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy the shaken strawberry margarita ($14) or the frozen mango margarita ($14). There are tequilas, spirits and other cocktails, too, and plenty of wine and beer options.
On Fridays, you can look forward to two hours of free-flow drinks for just $25. And, señoritas, you’ll definitely want to check out Hola Mexico’s introductory ladies’ night on Wednesdays – free margaritas and beers for all women with every main course ordered!
Hola Mexico is located in the buzzing Cuppage Terrace strip (21 Cuppage Road) at Orchard.
Liked this? Check out more on our Wine & Dine page!
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