Finding Real Mexican Food in Singapore (It Actually Exists Now)

I’ve been searching for decent Mexican food in Singapore for three years. Not fusion. Not whatever creative interpretation some chef dreamed up. Just proper Mexican food that tastes like it would in Mexico City or Guadalajara.

Also Read: Discover the Elegance: A Guide to Japanese Travel Tea Sets

Last month, someone told me about a new place at Esplanade. I was skeptical because I’d been disappointed too many times before. But curiosity won, so I went.

Turns out, we finally have somewhere serving authentic Mexican cuisine.

The Tortilla Test Never Lies

Walk into any Mexican restaurant, and the first thing you should check is the tortillas. Are they making them fresh? Can you see a tortilla press? Do they smell like actual corn masa?

Most places use factory tortillas because it’s easier and cheaper. Problem is, they taste like cardboard and fall apart when you try to eat your taco.

At Tomatillo (that’s the name, by the way), they make tortillas in house. You can watch them do it. The corn ones have this subtle sweetness that only comes from fresh masa. The flour tortillas are soft and pliable without being gummy.

This matters more than you’d think. Everything else builds on that foundation. Bad tortillas mean bad tacos, no matter how good your filling is.

Those Power Tacos Actually Deliver

So they call their tacos “Power Tacos” on the menu, which sounds like marketing speak. But after trying them, I get it.

Started with the Al Pastor. Two tacos for $18. The pork’s been marinating in this traditional Mexican adobo sauce (dried chillies, spices, takes forever to make properly). They serve it with pineapple salad and this salsa de árbol that has actual heat to it.

The pineapple isn’t decoration. It’s traditional with Al Pastor. The sweetness cuts through the rich, spiced meat. The char on the pork is perfect. Not dried out, not raw. Just right.

Next visit, I tried the Carne Asada tacos. $20 for two. Grilled beef with beans, guacamole, smoky mayo, and onion salsa. The beef had proper char marks from high heat grilling. The beans weren’t that canned refried paste most places serve. These had texture. They tasted like beans.

My friend ordered the De Jaiba tacos (soft shell crab, $20). Crispy crab in flour tortillas with cabbage, tomato salsa, habanero mayo, and mango. The crab stayed crispy even with all the sauces on it. That requires technique. The habanero mayo packs serious heat. If you think sriracha is spicy, maybe ease into this one.

For vegetarians, there’s the Super Veggie tacos at $16. Grilled asparagus and baby corn with bean purée, mushroom mayo, and tomato onion salsa. The bean purée adds creaminess and protein, so you’re not just eating grilled vegetables.

The Ceviche Situation

Here’s where you separate real Mexican restaurants from pretenders. Ceviche is unforgiving. Marinate the fish too long, it turns mushy. Not long enough, you’re eating raw fish salad. Get the citrus wrong, and it’s too sour or too bland.

I ordered the Ceviche Tomatillo. Fresh tuna marinated in green tomatillo tiger’s milk with jalapeños and coriander. $24. The tuna still had bite to it. The tiger’s milk (that’s the citrus marinade) was tangy without making your face pucker. The jalapeños added heat without killing the delicate fish flavour.

They’ve also got this Aguachile Negro that looks insane on the plate. Baby scallops in squid ink tiger’s milk with habanero oil. Jet black liquid, pure white scallops, bright green herbs. $24. It tastes as good as it looks. The habanero oil means business though. Serious heat.

The Vuelve a la Vida ($22) mixes calamari, octopus, and fish in tomato tiger’s milk. It’s Mexico’s version of a seafood cocktail, and it’s substantial enough to be a proper meal.

Starters Worth Ordering

The Jalapeño Poppers aren’t your frozen supermarket version. These are properly stuffed with creamy cheese, lightly breaded, served with pico de gallo and salsa roja. $14 gets you two pieces, which sounds small until they arrive and you realize they’re huge.

Calamares Chipotles (crunchy calamari, $18) comes with sumac spice and smoked Mexican chilli mayo. They throw pomegranate seeds on top, which sounds weird but works. Little bursts of sweetness against the smoky mayo.

The Nachos Chilangos ($26) features grilled prawns with cheese and jalapeños. They don’t skimp on the prawns like most places do. The portion is generous.

Quesadillas Done Right

Quesadillas should be simple. Tortilla, cheese, filling, grilled crispy. Most restaurants either overcomplicate them or undercook them so they’re gummy.

The Quesadilla Gringa ($18) keeps it straightforward. Crispy flour tortilla, mozzarella, Al Pastor pork, guacamole. The tortilla gets properly crispy on the outside while the cheese melts throughout. They use the same Al Pastor from the tacos, which shows consistency.

If you want beef, the Grilled Beef Intercostal quesadilla is $22. The beef is tender with good char, and the cheese ratio is right. You’re not just eating a melted dairy product.

Proper Mexican Drinks Matter

You can’t talk about authentic Mexican food without addressing drinks. Mexico has serious cocktail culture that most Singapore bars ignore completely.

The Margarita ($18) is always the test. This one uses premium tequila, fresh lime juice, triple sec. Salt rim that enhances the drink rather than overwhelming it. No sour mix shortcuts. Just a properly balanced margarita.

The Paloma ($18) deserves way more attention than it gets. Tequila with house made grapefruit cordial, lime, and soda. Refreshing, slightly bitter, cuts through rich food perfectly. The fact they make their own cordial instead of using bottled mixer shows attention to detail.

Then there’s the Michelada ($18). This is best Mexican food in Singapore territory right here. Beer with homemade spice mix, chamoy, lime, and salt. Sounds odd. Tastes incredible. It’s like a Bloody Mary decided to become a beer and succeeded.

They stock proper mezcal too. Different agave species, traditional production methods, varying smoke levels. Staff can actually explain the differences instead of just pointing at bottles.

The Pre Theatre Trick

Here’s something useful. They run this Pre Theatre Selection from 5pm to 7pm. Everything comes out within 15 minutes guaranteed.

This isn’t fast food quality. These are actual menu items they’ve streamlined for speed. Perfect if you’re seeing a show at Esplanade Theatres.

I tested it last week. Ordered Jalapeño Poppers and Quesadilla Gringa at 5:45pm. Food arrived in 12 minutes. Still hot. Still properly made. Made it to the theatre with 20 minutes to spare.

Most restaurants can’t pull this off. Either the speed kills the quality, or the quality means you’re late for your show.

What Vegetarians Get Here

Most Mexican places treat vegetarian options like afterthoughts. Remove the meat, charge the same, done.

Tomatillo has a whole separate vegetarian menu. These are dishes designed to be vegetarian from the start.

The 4 Cheeses of Mexican Love ($22) uses mozzarella, Oaxaca, Parmesan, and Monterrey cheese with avocado salad, corn, coriander, and garlic mayo. Rich and satisfying. Not a consolation prize.

Enchilada Asparagus & Baby Corn ($16) comes with green tomatillo salsa verde (those small green fruits in papery husks), sour cream, Oaxaca cheese, and onions. The salsa verde provides tanginess that balances the rich cream and cheese.

The Plato Mexicano ($20) works as a full meal. Black beans, sunny side up eggs, avocado, tomatillo salsa verde, crunchy tortillas. This is what Mexicans actually eat for breakfast, adapted for any time of day.

Location Tells You Everything

Being at Esplanade isn’t just convenient. It’s a statement.

For years, Mexican food in Singapore meant cheap and cheerful. Positioned way below Japanese, French, or Italian in the dining hierarchy.

Tomatillo sits on prime Marina Bay waterfront. Next to concert halls and theatres. The interior is sophisticated without stereotypical Mexican décor. Marina Bay views are stunning. The whole setup says Mexican food deserves respect.

Practically speaking, the location works. Multiple MRT stations nearby (City Hall, Raffles Place, Promenade). Central Business District close for lunch business. Tourist attractions bringing people who actually know what Mexican food should taste like.

What to Order on Your First Visit

Start with Al Pastor tacos. This establishes the baseline. If they can’t do Al Pastor right, nothing else matters.

Add Ceviche Tomatillo if you like seafood. This tests their technique with raw preparations.

Get a Margarita. This tests their bar program.

These three items tell you everything about the restaurant’s capabilities.

Second visit, branch out. Try the Aguachile Negro if you handled the jalapeños. Order some Calamares Chipotles. Switch to a Paloma or Michelada.

For groups, get Nachos Chilangos for the table. Order multiple taco varieties to share. Mix in quesadillas. Add too many sides because the esquites and queso fundido are both excellent.

The Cost Reality

Figure $60 to 80 per person with drinks. Then add 10% service charge and 9% GST.

This positions it as upscale casual, not cheap eats. But you’re paying for quality ingredients, proper technique, prime location, and knowledgeable service.

Weekend bookings fill fast. Friday and Saturday evenings especially. Pre Theatre hours (5pm to 7pm) get busy before popular Esplanade shows. Book ahead.

The outdoor seating works beautifully during cooler months (November through February). Evening temperatures drop to comfortable levels. Sitting outside with Marina Bay views while eating proper tacos is genuinely pleasant.

Why This Actually Matters

Every cuisine evolves in Singapore. Japanese food elevated years ago. Korean food moved upmarket recently. Vietnamese is following.

Mexican food is having its moment now.

Tomatillo is betting Singaporeans want authentic Mexican cuisine done properly. At premium prices. In a prime location.

That bet seems to be working. The place stays busy. I’ve seen the same faces on different visits. International visitors who know Mexican food leave happy instead of disappointed.

This creates possibilities. If Mexican food works at this level, what other cuisines could follow?

The Honest Comparison

Singapore has other Mexican restaurants. Some have loyal followings. But let’s be real about differences.

Most places use factory tortillas. Tomatillo makes them fresh.

Most places have generic spice levels. Tomatillo uses specific chillies properly (jalapeños, habanero, árbol, chipotle).

Most places stock two tequilas. Tomatillo has a curated selection including proper mezcals.

Most places treat vegetarian as an afterthought. Tomatillo has a separate dedicated menu.

Most places position as casual cheap. Tomatillo occupies prime Marina Bay real estate.

The difference isn’t subtle. It’s the gap between someone who’s been to Mexico and understood it versus someone who looked at online recipes and guessed.

What You Actually Need to Know

Where: 8 Raffles Avenue, #01-11 Esplanade Mall
Getting there: City Hall MRT, Raffles Place MRT, or Promenade MRT
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday (closed Tuesday), check website for exact times
Pre Theatre: 5pm to 7pm daily, 15 minute guarantee
Booking: Highly recommended weekends, smart for Pre Theatre
Cost: $60 to 80 per person with drinks, plus charges
Dress: Smart casual works fine

Contact: +65 8029 1707 or info@tomatillo.sg
Website: tomatillo.sg for reservations

The Esplanade has parking, but MRT is easier given the location.

They accommodate dietary restrictions. Can adjust spice levels. Staff understands allergies and preferences.

My Actual Verdict

After three years searching for decent Mexican food in Singapore, I can finally point someone to a place and say “that’s proper” without caveating.

The fresh tortillas, the proper ceviches, the knowledgeable staff, the curated spirits, the Marina Bay location. It all adds up to something Singapore needed but didn’t have.

Is everything perfect? No restaurant is perfect. Are portions huge? No, this isn’t American super sizing. Is it cheap? Definitely not.

But is it authentic? Yes. Quality? Absolutely. Worth the price? If you’ve been frustrated by Singapore’s Mexican food scene, completely.

Book ahead. Order the Al Pastor tacos. Get a Paloma. See for yourself.

The answer to “where’s good Mexican food in Singapore” used to be “nowhere really.”

Now it’s “Esplanade, Marina Bay waterfront, book ahead, bring your wallet.”

That’s progress.