NYC Has A New Filipino And Mexican Taqueria Called Lumpia & Guacamole

Jo Koy, a comedian, famously made the humorous observation about Filipinos in a skit for his Comin' In Hot Netflix special, "We are the Mexicans of Asia!" The relationship between the two cultures goes much beyond the fact that they both share Spanish last names and a belief in Vicks Vapor Rub as a universal cure, so the man is not mistaken.

This link can now be made through food as well, as shown by the opening of the Mucho Sarap restaurant in the Chinatown neighborhood of New York City's Canal Street Market.



Mucho Sarap is the first physical outpost of the well-known So Sarap pop-up, which VJ Navarro and Sebastien Shan co-founded and which blends Mexican flavors with the excitement of Filipino street food. Taco de Longaniza (sweet Filipino sausage), Taco de Nilaga (beef short ribs, cheek, and tongue), lumpia Shanghai with guacamole, and even a veggie lumpia prepared like an enchilada are some of the delectable products of this union.

The fusion plays with various Filipino and Mexican culinary traditions, riffing and bouncing off one another to impress and attract guests with flavors, textures, and even presentations that are as delightful a surprise as finding extra money in your trousers.