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Go Boogie Mexican Pub and Grill in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, offers a simple menu and cozy atmosphere.

Go Boogie Mexican Pub and Grill in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, offers a simple menu and cozy atmosphere. (Matt Keeler/Stars and Stripes)

Go Boogie Mexican Pub and Grill in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, offers a simple menu and cozy atmosphere.

Go Boogie Mexican Pub and Grill in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, offers a simple menu and cozy atmosphere. (Matt Keeler/Stars and Stripes)

One of the many cocktails available at the Go Boogie Mexican Pub and Grill in Pyeongtaek, South Korea.

One of the many cocktails available at the Go Boogie Mexican Pub and Grill in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. (Matt Keeler/Stars and Stripes)

The Hot Chicken Tacos from Go Boogie Mexican Pub and Grill in Pyeongtaek, South Korea.

The Hot Chicken Tacos from Go Boogie Mexican Pub and Grill in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. (Matt Keeler/Stars and Stripes)

A side order of seasoned french fries from Go Boogie Mexican Pub and Grill in Pyeongtaek, South Korea.

A side order of seasoned french fries from Go Boogie Mexican Pub and Grill in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. (Matt Keeler/Stars and Stripes)

The Cajun Shrimp Tacos from Go Boogie Mexican Pub and Grill in Pyeongtaek, South Korea.

The Cajun Shrimp Tacos from Go Boogie Mexican Pub and Grill in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. (Matt Keeler/Stars and Stripes)

The Red Chicken, Sweet Potato Quesadilla available at the Go Boogie Mexican Pub and Grill in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. 

Matthew Keeler/Stars and Stripes

The Red Chicken, Sweet Potato Quesadilla available at the Go Boogie Mexican Pub and Grill in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. Matthew Keeler/Stars and Stripes (Matt Keeler/Stars and Stripes)

In early March, after my family of five and I settled in for another two-year tour in Korea, I was invited out to a welcome dinner with coworkers. Since I was still unfamiliar with the area, I elected to ride with a colleague to the lively locale, something I hadn’t seen yet in my short time in Pyeongtaek.

The lights, sounds, mass amounts of people and pumping nightlife energy in this vibrant district instantly took me back to my early 20s, and I could only hope to return another day. Unfortunately, I had not a hint of a clue where I was or how to return.

Recently, I got a craving for a taste of Mexican food, so I asked Alexa to find me options within Pyeongtaek. The first English result — Go Boogie Mexican Pub and Grill — caught my attention, and why wouldn’t it?

Not knowing exactly where this pub was, I set the destination in my phone, loaded the family into the car and rolled out for a local 7-mile adventure. I got excited as we approached our destination. I had found it! Pyeongtaek’s newest, hippest, happening entertainment district, Sosabeol, is an Instagrammer’s dream.

Inside this bubble of entertainment is Go Boogie, a warm and cozy Mexican pub and grill that is well-suited to the taste of Koreans.

The menu couldn’t be any simpler. Three taco styles, four quesadillas and two fajitas cover your primary options with a few sides to fill any remaining void in your appetite. Sodas, cocktails and Korean beers are available, with the average mixed drink costing about 7,000 won (about $6).

My personal selection was the Cajun Shrimp Tacos (two tacos for 8,000 won) served with a soft tortilla, seasoned shrimp, lettuce, sour cream and shredded cheese on a hot stone plate. Even though this dish was not spicy, it was very balanced and a great option to start a fun evening.

My wife ordered the Hot Chicken Tacos (two for 7,000 won) and nearly burned a hole through her mouth. Served with a soft tortilla, seasoned chicken, sour cream, pico de gallo and shredded cheese, this dish is great for fans of the local spicy Korean chicken.

The kids each got a different quesadilla — Triple Mushroom (15,000 won), Red Chicken and Sweet Potato (16,000 won each).

Each order is served with a four-piece quesadilla, a small salad and salsa to top the main entree with.

The mushroom quesadilla was a cheesy pleasure to taste. The red chicken is not a description, it’s a warning. This spicy quesadilla nearly had my teenage daughter in tears. I had to try it for myself, and the thought of it while writing this review makes me want it again.

Each order is suitable for an individual, though we left with very few leftovers. Although we did not order any of the available fajitas (38,000 won), the couple next to us shared an order. Its portions were enough to serve 2-3 people.

A side order of french fries (6,000 won) is worth the price. They are perfectly seasoned and served in a large basket with ketchup. Place this in the center for everyone to share; there will be plenty to go around.

If your evening calls for it, be sure to enjoy one of the many cold cocktails available. There are no diet beverage options offered besides water.

The family and I really enjoyed this experience. The second-floor windows remained open while we ate, reminding us of how much was going on just outside. The street scene seeping into the restaurant, however, did not overpower the selection of American music being softly played in Go Boogie.

If you are looking for a place to have fun, Sosabeol is where you want to go. It has something for everyone in a very compact area. Families, friends, singles and couples can all find something brilliant to do together.

keeler.matthew@stripes.com

Location: Gyeonggi-do, Pyeongtaek-si, Bijeon-dong, 1107-1 KR or GPS 36.999857, 127.114339Hours: Open 5:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.; closed SundaysPrices: Tacos are about 7,000 won; quesadillas, 15,000 won; fajitas, 38,000 won for 2-3 servingsDress: CasualDirections: A 2  ¼-mile taxi ride from Pyeongtaek Train Station, or AK Plaza. Taxi is recommended since finding a parking spot can be complicated and costly.Information: 010-8802-3648

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