I finally went to Gusto Taco in Sangsu, a well-known Mexican restaurant in Seoul. I had seen it show up with strong ratings and a lot of reviews on Google Maps and Tripadvisor, so I had been curious about it for a while.
I went in with pretty high expectations and wanted to see what the place was actually like: the neighborhood, the atmosphere, and the food.
Right by Sangsu Station
Gusto Taco is near Sangsu Station (상수역), close enough that it feels more like a Sangsu stop than a Hongdae stop. If you are coming from Hongdae Station (홍대입구역), it is still walkable, but I would give it roughly a quarter-hour.
I actually like this area for eating because Sangsu is quieter than the main Hongdae streets. You still get plenty of cafes, bars, and small restaurants, but the mood is less frantic. Small relief.
If Hongdae feels too packed and you want to eat somewhere nearby without staying in the loudest part of the neighborhood, Sangsu is usually a good move.
Calm Inside, Easy to Order
Inside, the restaurant felt calm rather than busy and chaotic. There were regular tables, terrace seats by the window, and that nice in-between atmosphere where you can actually talk while eating. I liked that.
Gusto Taco is already pretty well known among foreign visitors, and it showed. When I visited, there were quite a few foreign tourists, and the staff I met were all non-Korean as well. English felt easy here, so for travelers who feel nervous about ordering in Korean, this is one of those places where ordering should feel comfortable.
The Couple Set Looked Like the Best Deal
Once we sat down, the staff brought the menu to the table. There were a lot of individual options, but the set looked like the easiest way to try a few things, so we ordered the couple set. Good call.
The set came with tacos, a quesadilla, a burrito, and two drinks. For two people, that sounded like enough food without having to do menu math, which is honestly half the reason I like ordering sets in Korea.
The nice part is that you can choose the types for the tacos, quesadilla, burrito, and drinks. Even if you choose a more expensive option from the regular menu, the set did not add an extra charge, which made it feel like a better deal.
There were also plenty of other choices on the menu, including side dishes, beer, cocktails, Jarritos, lemonade, and fountain soda. If you are coming hungry with one other person, I would look at the set first before ordering everything separately.
The Lemonade Was the Right Choice
For drinks, we chose Zero Coke and lemonade. The lemonade was better than I expected: bright, fresh, and exactly the kind of drink that makes sense with heavier Mexican food. Simple, but it worked.
I would not skip a fizzy or refreshing drink here, especially if you order something cheesy. The food gets rich quickly, and the lemonade helped reset my mouth between bites.
More Food Than I Expected
The food came out without a long wait, and when everything landed on the table, the set looked much more generous than I had pictured. Technically it is a couple set, but it did not feel small at all. It was a lot.
This is probably why I would recommend the set if it is your first visit. You get tacos, something cheesy, something heavier, and drinks, so it feels like a good way to try a few different things. No tiny portions here.
Chicken Quesadilla: Delicious, Then Very Rich
First was the chicken quesadilla. They do not hold back on the cheese here. There was plenty inside, but the outside also had that grilled cheese-meets-tortilla thing going on, so the whole bite was very cheesy from the start.
The first few bites were genuinely good. Warm tortilla, melted cheese, chicken, a little crispness from the grilled edges. But after a while, it did get heavy. Not in a bad way, just in a “please pass me the soda” way.
If you love cheesy food, you will probably enjoy this. If you get tired of rich flavors quickly, share it and keep a cold drink nearby.
The Pork Tacos Were the Best Part
The pork tacos were easily my favorite. I was hoping the tacos would be the strongest dish, and they were.
The pork, vegetables, and sauce felt balanced, so it did not taste like just meat in a tortilla. I also liked the texture of the tortilla. It was not a crunchy hard shell, but it was not a completely soft, floppy shell either. Somewhere in the middle. That texture made the tacos more satisfying to eat.
Cilantro usually comes in the tacos by default, but I asked them to leave it out before ordering, so there was no cilantro in mine. If you are not a cilantro person, definitely mention it when you order.
The Burrito Was Not Really My Style
The chicken burrito was the only part I felt mixed about. Usually, I like burritos more than tacos, so I was expecting this to be my favorite. But here, the tacos won.
The burritos I usually like have drier fillings, where you can taste the separate textures more clearly. This one was much wetter inside, almost like a risotto-style filling. Maybe that is closer to Gusto Taco’s style, or maybe it is just different from the burritos I normally go for. Not totally my thing.
That said, the meal overall was still satisfying. I would go back for the pork tacos, and I would probably order the set again if I were with someone who wanted to try a few things.
The burrito was a small disappointment for me, not a reason to avoid the place.
If you are hanging around busy Hongdae and want a quieter place to sit down for Mexican food, Gusto Taco in Sangsu makes sense. Just come for the tacos first.
Where to find it
Gusto Taco
41 Wausan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Closest station: Sangsu Station (상수역). Hongdae Station (홍대입구역) is also walkable, but it is farther — roughly a quarter-hour on foot.
Good for: tacos, casual Mexican food, an easier meal near Hongdae when you want somewhere calmer than the main streets.
Hours can change, so I would check the latest map listing before you go.
Open Gusto Taco in Google Maps →
Restaurant details checked June 5, 2026. Menu prices and opening hours can change.
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