[RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK] Palma showcases traditional tacos, experimental flamboyance

The origins of the taco are lost in the mists of history. Beyond its clear birth in Central America, there’s very little agreement even on the etymology of the word. The small folded tortillas, stuffed with anything from fish to cheese, may date back to pre-Columbian foodways, but along the way they’ve picked up influences from 18th-century European miners and Lebanese immigrants fleeing the fall of the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century. There’s debate over everything from the kind of tortilla that should be used to the allowable fillings, and the arguments have only grown more interesting as the mighty taco has become an entrenched part of global cuisine. In Seoul, tacos have more than arrived — they’ve become a fingerpost of the city’s international food scene. At some places, they’re localized concoctions barely beholden to the idea of Tex-Mex. At others, authenticity reigns supreme. Palma, located in the trendy Seochon area, plays with Korean ingredients and draws influence from around the world in a deliberate way. There are no hasty attempts at slapping someWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times