Chica Bonita Mexican Restaurant Publika

Chica Bonita Mexican Kitchen & Bar, Publika

Chica Bonita Mexican Kitchen & Bar

Words: Monica Tindall
Photos: Rich Callahan

Mirroring the vibrant culture of Mexico, Chica Bonita Mexican Kitchen & Bar is a sight to behold. Loud patterned tiles, a wall of sugar skulls and florescent-lit murals make for a striking scene. Coupled with lively Latin tunes, it’s an upbeat vibe and we feel energized and ready for fun the moment we walk in.

Chica Bonita Mexican Restaurant Publika
Chica Bonita, Mexican Kitchen & Bar, Publika
Latin Food KL
Chica Bonita, Mexican Kitchen & Bar, Publika

There are no claims of authenticity here. Chica Bonita’s menu is definitely more Cali-Mex style than what you find further south of the border. It reminds me of fun times in The Mission (San Francisco), where giant-sized margaritas and mountains of nachos are the standard entradas.

Chica Bonita Menu

Atojitas (little cravings – snacks)

A quick and easy Mexican street food snack is found in the Elote (RM 12). Charred corn on the cob with mayo, crushed cheese, chilli tajin (salt, chilli, lime) and fresh lime is given a punch of spice with an add-on of crushed Hot Cheetos (RM 4). It’s not too spicy though, so don’t worry if you’re sensitive to heat. A huge, serving you’ll need two hands to pick this one up. It’s fresh and tasty but I think it could be better if charred a little on the grill just before serving.

Latin Food KL
Elote

La Bomba Nachos (RM 22), corn chips topped with a “carpet of gooey grilled cheese,” come highly recommended and are made into a complete meal with either chicken or beef chilli. We go with the pollo (chicken) option and can’t resist an addition of Guacamole (add RM12) to crown the stack. There’s a little tableside drama as the plate is presented with the melted cheese-covered chilli strung directly from its hot cast-iron pan over the crisps.

Chica Bonita Mexican Restaurant Publika
La Bomba Nachos

Tacos

Tacos come as a choice of soft or crispy corn tortillas and we’re happy to note several vegetarian options (mushroom, pumpkin and beans.) Hongos Asada (RM 10) sees chewy marinated oyster mushrooms accompanied by corn salsa and guacamole, given crunch with toasted tortilla crumbs. The Pescado (RM 13), a popular pick, features crispy battered fish seasoned with pico de gallo, sriracha mayo and pickled red cabbage.

Latin Food KL
Tacos

Burritos Chingones

Again, delighted by the range of meat-free recipes, the Garbanzo y Maiz Burrito Chingon (RM 25) is packed with the veg proteins of chickpeas and corn. They’re wrapped in a soft 12-inch flour tortilla with guacamole, pico de gallo and lettuce.

Latin Food KL
Garbanzo y Maiz Burrito Chingon

Quesadillas La Diva

Quesadillas are probably one of the most comforting Tex-Mex recipes around. Here, at Chica Bonita, Quesadillas La Diva with Pollo (RM 23) see 10-inch flour-tortilla envelopes filled with shredded chicken, grilled until golden and the cheese all melty. Pico de gallo and salsa roja increase the temptation.

Chica Bonita Mexican Restaurant Publika
Quesadillas La Diva

Enchiladas Ta Loca

Enchiladas Ta Loca come as a trio of corn tortillas rolled with your choice of filling. We’re excited by another vegetarian option, Calabaza (RM 22). The pumpkin and its mates of salsa and cheese are baked together in the roll and the whole thing is spiced up with pico de gallo. It’s warm and comforting and the cheese is melty and stringy. There’s a soft sweetness from the pumpkin; might be my favourite dish.

Chica Bonita Mexican Restaurant Publika
Enchiladas Ta Loca

Ensaladas

Bringing regional influence to the table, the Mex Bim Bap Salad (RM 24) is a tasty Mexican version of Korean bibimpap. Don’t worry; there are no Korean flavours here, it’s just the style of presentation with all of the ingredients separated making a pretty pic before you mix them in. Guacamole, frijoles, pumpkin, corn and pineapple salsas, pico de gallo and pickled red cabbage create divided mounds above a bed of shredded lettuce. It’s both healthy and an excellent vegan option.

Latin Food KL
Mex Bim Bap Salad

Postre

To conclude, Tres Leches (RM 20) provides a sweet portion big enough to be shared. The sponge cake is soaked in three kinds of milk (evaporated, condensed and cream) and topped with charred pineapple. It’s not as wet as what I’m accustomed to but the charred pineapple top and cream make up for the moisture that’s missing.

Latin Food KL
Tres Leches

Drinks Menu & Happy Hours at Chica Bonita

The menu suggests, “chica bonita, have a margarita,” and who am I to resist a rhyme? I’m a fan of a classic and so the original Margarita (RM26 or RM 23 during happy hours, which are a very generous 10 am to 10 pm) with lime, a choice of Mezcal or Tequila, and Cointreau is my first bebida. Mezcal would give a slightly deeper, smokier flavour but this is my first visit, and I’m a believer of trying classics unadulterated first round.

Chica Bonita Mexican Restaurant Publika
Margarita

The Paloma Loca (RM 38) sure has a crazy appearance with its terracotta cup and fruit salad top. The generous sprinkling of tajin (chilli, salt and lime powder) dominates the tequila, grapefruit soda and lime juice. I might ask for it with the rim on the side next visit to appreciate the flavours of the drink before the garnish.

Chica Bonita Mexican Restaurant Publika
Paloma Loca

Lastly, and possibly the most interesting drink on the menu is the Desperados craft beer (RM 28 per bottle, RM 120 bucket of 5). Chica Bonita Mexican Kitchen & Bar is the only restaurant to stock this tequila-flavoured pale lager in KL. Made in the Netherlands, the producers claim it to be one-of-a-kind. The kick of Tequila arrives toward the end of this full-bodied lager, along with some spice, a whisper of lemon and lingering sweetness. It’s light and refreshing; great for a hot afternoon.

Latin Food KL
Desperados Beer

Reasons to visit Chica Bonita Mexican Kitchen & Bar Publika: 12 hours of happy (!) from 10 am until 10 pm; try the Desperados tequila-flavoured beer; lots of meat-free options; must-order Enchiladas Ta Loca Calabaza and Rich liked the “chips” – La Bomba Nachos.


book now

Chica Bonita Mexican Kitchen & Bar
Lot 34, Level G2, Block C5 Publika Shopping Gallery
Solaris Dutamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
www.facebook.com/chicabonita.publika
+6 017 405 2279
[email protected]

Chica Bonita Opening Hours
Daily: 10:30 am – 10 pm

Find more Latin American restaurants in KL here and stay up-to-date on the latest happenings in KL’s food and beverage scene here and here.

7 Comments

  1. Wow! What a psychedelic and colorful interior that leaves me mesmerized! The food will get cold on my plate as I take in all that there is to see.

  2. Love the decor, so bright and cheerful.
    Stay Safe and Coffee is on

  3. I love Mexican! The decor makes me think of the movie, COCO!

  4. I love Mexican food but that cheese poured over the corn chips I find very off-putting as much as I like cheese. Keep safe, Cheers, Diane

  5. How colorful! Magic place!

  6. Bim bap salad is Mexciting.

  7. OMG I can’t wait to try out the authentic food here (desperados craft beer for sure) with my boyfriend ! He would absolutely love this place … we both love Latin songs and we’ve never had Mexican food before. The place is so incredibly beautiful that the food will get cold just waiting for us to finish taking hundreds of selfies and not forgetting pics of the food too!

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