Koh (right) chatting with customers at his food truck in Jalan Petaling.
WHEN visiting Petaling Street, one might expect to find Hokkien mee, roasted chestnuts, and curry mee.
Birria tacos might not come to mind for most people coming to Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown.
So it’s a pleasant surprise to find, among flashy bars and boutique restaurants in this area, a humble and unique food truck named Nacho Average Taco.
Owned and run by Kevin Koh, 38, it is located at a parking bay in front of Tunas Utama building in Jalan Petaling.
The food truck is said to be the only one selling birria tacos in Kuala Lumpur.
Chicken taco with all the trimmings.
Birria tacos differ from regular tacos as they are served with a thin stew made from slow-cooked meat.
Koh, who was in the nightlife business for 20 years, said he started the food truck business because of the lack of meal options outside local bars and clubs.
He also wanted to offer the street food scene something special that is filling at the same time.
He said the idea for birria tacos, a dish of Mexican origin, came from scrolling through TikTok.
Koh preparing his modified birria tacos in the heart of Chinatown.
After some trial and error, he crafted the perfect recipe for his version of birria tacos.
He said the original taco lacked punchy flavours, so he threw in more spices to appeal to the local palate.
“The broth initially tasted like watery curry, so we changed it up by adding ingredients such as coriander, chilli and garlic powder as well as cumin and fennel,” said Koh.
A serving of birria taco, with either chicken or beef, comes with a portion of tasty soup made from beef dripping and spices.
Birria beef tacos.
Each taco is stuffed with a filling of tender beef brisket or juicy chicken then topped with cheese.
And there are crispy nachos as a side dish.
The tacos have a rich, flavourful aroma and are appetising.
To get the most of this street delight, you have to dip the taco in the broth – which has a rich beefy aroma – as this completes the flavour profile.
The tacos are quick to prepare as it takes roughly four minutes, and best eaten fresh on the spot for the taste to shine through.
The tacos are proving popular among bar hoppers and club-goers. Customers can also chat with Koh while enjoying the nighttime treat.
All it takes is RM20 to fill you up. Free refillable drinks are included.
Koh also reaches out to feed the homeless the same flavourful meal he serves his customers.
The food truck is open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 8pm to midnight.
For more, check out the handle @nachoaveragetaco.my on Instagram.
