Save to Pinterest A vibrant, flavor-packed recipe blending inspirations from street food around the world—think Korean bulgogi tacos, Filipino ube crema, and zesty Mexican toppings. Perfect for a fun, customizable meal!
The first time I tried blending Korean, Filipino, and Mexican ingredients into build-your-own tacos, my friends couldn&t stop raving! Bringing together bulgogi-style protein, colorful ube crema, and crunchy toppings makes every bite a flavor adventure.
Ingredients
- Beef sirloin or chicken thighs (or firm tofu for vegetarian): 400 g (14 oz), thinly sliced
- Soy sauce: 1 tbsp
- Sesame oil: 1 tbsp
- Brown sugar: 1 tbsp
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Ginger: 1 tsp, grated
- Gochujang (Korean chili paste): 1 tsp
- Cooked ube or ube halaya (substitute sweet potato for color): 1/3 cup
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt (coconut yogurt for vegan): 1/2 cup
- Lime juice: 1 tbsp
- Honey or maple syrup: 1 tsp
- Salt: Pinch
- Kimchi: 1 cup, chopped
- Shredded cabbage (red or green): 1 cup
- Cucumber: 1 small, thinly sliced
- Jalapeno: 1, thinly sliced
- Fresh cilantro: 2 tbsp, chopped
- Toasted sesame seeds: 2 tbsp
- Pickled red onions: 1/4 cup
- Corn or flour tortillas (soft taco size): 8, or
- Cooked jasmine or sushi rice: 2 1/2 cups (for bowls)
Instructions
- Marinate the Protein:
- In a bowl, mix soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and gochujang. Add the sliced beef, chicken, or tofu, toss well, and marinate for 15–20 minutes.
- Prepare the Ube Crema:
- In a blender or food processor, combine ube, sour cream or yogurt, lime juice, honey, and salt. Blend until smooth and vibrant purple. Refrigerate until serving.
- Cook the Protein:
- Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook the marinated protein for 4–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Set aside.
- Warm the Base:
- Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until soft and pliable. For bowls, fluff the cooked rice.
- Assemble:
- To make tacos, spread ube crema on each tortilla, add protein, then top with kimchi, cabbage, cucumber, jalapeno, cilantro, sesame seeds, and pickled onions. For bowls, layer rice with toppings and drizzle with ube crema.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately, letting everyone build their own tacos or bowls as desired.
Save to Pinterest My kids love piling up their own tacos with ube crema smiley faces, and it&s become a favorite build-your-own family dinner night!
Recipe Variations
Switch beef for jackfruit or extra-firm tofu and swap sour cream for coconut yogurt to make the recipe vegan. Try roasted purple potatoes instead of ube in the crema if needed.
Pairing Suggestions
This fusion feast is delicious with crisp lager, chilled Riesling, or a sparkling water with lime. Serve with sriracha or extra kimchi for more zing.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving: 470 calories, 15 g fat, 60 g carbohydrate, 22 g protein. Nutritional values will vary depending on chosen base and substitutions.
Save to Pinterest These fusion tacos and bowls will make weeknight dinners anything but routine. Let everyone mix and match flavors for a meal to remember!
Recipe FAQs
- → Can the protein be made vegetarian or vegan?
Yes. Simply use tofu or jackfruit and swap dairy ingredients for coconut yogurt in the crema for a vegan-friendly option.
- → What is ube, and can I substitute it?
Ube is a purple yam popular in Filipino cuisine. You can use roasted sweet potato or purple potato for similar color and sweetness.
- → Are these tacos and bowls gluten-free?
For gluten-free meals, choose gluten-free tortillas and tamari instead of regular soy sauce. Check labels on all condiments.
- → How spicy is the dish?
Spiciness depends on gochujang, kimchi, and jalapeño amounts. Adjust each for your own heat preference or serve toppings on the side.
- → Can I prepare components ahead of time?
Yes. You can cook the protein, make the crema, and prepare most toppings in advance. Warm the base and assemble just before serving.
- → Which cuisine influences are featured?
This dish blends Korean, Filipino, Mexican, and Californian street-food inspirations for a vibrant, multicultural flavor experience.