Review: Bored Tacos delivers on ambience, with mixed results on the plate

Whenever I’m out of ideas on where to dine, hunting down Singapore’s next best fish taco tends to pop up in my mind. Granted, there’s been no shortage of spots serving the trending beef birria tacos, but it’s the taco places that balance both surf and turf with finesse that I have a soft spot for.

So, when I happened to walk by Bored Tacos, a quaint, Muslim-owned taqueria (a Mexican restaurant specialising in tacos and burritos) on a particularly uninspired day, it felt like a sign.

The backstory

Though it was my first brush with Bored Tacos, the unassuming joint had already been quietly making waves in the scene and on socials. 

Bored Tacos opened on September 23, by the folks behind Wooly’s Bagels, a Muslim-owned bagel cafe with three outlets: Arab Street, Joo Chiat Road and Rangoon Road. It occupies the space where cafe Petit Pain once stood.

Some sharp-eyed fans might have also noticed some posts from the now-shuttered Egg Stop among Bored Tacos’ earlier Instagram posts — yes, it’s run by the same folks who were behind Egg Stop. 

For the uninitiated, the shop selling Korean-style sandwiches opened in 2018 and had several outlets around Singapore at its peak. It closed its doors in September this year.

Our verdict

Bored Tacos keeps it simple with a straightforward menu of burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and burrito bowls. There’s a good range of protein choices, from  chicken, fish and prawns, to beef and lamb, although veggie lovers will have to look elsewhere.

Ordering is generally quick and fuss-free through a QR code system. With about seven tables and only indoor seating, Bored Tacos is clearly more geared towards the delivery and pick-up crowds.

That said, you can tell effort’s been put into the interior, which veers towards bright, bold and cheeky — there are also “Vibes Guide” posters plastered on the walls offering tips on ordering and ensuring you’ve got everything for your meal. 

If there’s anything that also stood out to us, it’s the thoughtful touch of plastic gloves for those who’d rather keep their hands clean while diving into their tacos. 

There’s even a sink right by the pick-up window for those who prefer digging in barehanded (like I usually do) — and with the level of preparedness, you can tell these folks are taco people indeed. 

The tacos here come in sets of two or four, making it easy to sample. You can also add S$6.90 for a mini beef chilli nacho and drink combo, but honestly, I’d skip this upsell and save the funds for more mains instead.

Price-wise, Bored Tacos is on par with other Mexican spots in Singapore.

What it’s good for

I had my heart set on fish tacos but alas, I had to pivot to lamb when I found they were out of stock that evening. The lamb tacos (S$14.50 for two) didn’t disappoint, though — bold, gamey, and full of flavour, they were a decent stand-in while I silently mourned the missing fish option.

They did turn a tad greasy toward the end as the lamb fat soaked up the taco, but a few extra napkins (and the ready sink nearby) handled that just fine.

While I didn’t get to have my fish, thankfully the other pescatarian option, the garlic prawn tacos (S$15 for two) fared well. 

The prawns were brightened by mango bits and minced garlic, which added a touch of sweetness. Fresh and aromatic, the tacos were so satisfying that I’d happily go for the four-piece option and call it a night.

What it could improve on

The birria quesadilla (S$14), which has become the defining mark of any taco spot in Singapore recently, unfortunately, wasn’t quite there. Despite being paired with a beef consomme, the shredded beef filling lacked the rich depth of flavour you might expect of a birria (a meat stew or soup, mainly made with goat or beef).

Multiple dips in the consomme to make up for the lack of flavour just made it soggier and greasier. While we get that birrias are typically enjoyed with a dip, the quesadilla ideally should still be able to stand on its own in terms of flavour, and in this case, it didn’t quite. 

Since it was our first time there, we thought we’d try the add-ons of the mini beef chilli nachos and drink, but unfortunately, it tasted as underwhelming as it looked. 

The beef chilli also seemed to lack seasoning, so I found myself reaching for hot sauce to spice things up. (Perhaps it was an opening teething kink, but sauce bottles placed near the pick-up counter were unlabelled, so it was really anybody’s guess as to what each bottle contained.)

I was looking forward to enjoying tacos that were unforgettable, but sadly, they’re still a tad short of hitting that mark. However, in spite of the shortcomings we faced, if you’re in Joo Chiat craving a quick, flavourful meal, Bored Tacos is still worth a go.

Our quick takes

Is it conducive to conversation? Yes, the music isn’t too loud. However, while the space is intimate, only high tables are available, so it might not be the most comfortable eating spot to linger around too long.

Is a reservation necessary? Reservations aren’t allowed as seating is limited, but if you wish to secure yourself a table, we’d recommend swinging by during off-peak dining hours, such as weekday afternoons.

How to get there? Bored Tacos is a 14-minute walk from Marine Parade MRT station’s exit 3.

HungryGoWhere paid for its meal at this restaurant for this review.

For the latest eats, read our story on The White Labels’ weekend buffet, rolling up to your table on trolleys. Alternatively, check out our guide on these 25 food gems to visit in Katong.

Do explore the GrabFood Dine Out service for awesome deals.

You can also book a ride to Bored Tacos at Joo Chiat Road.