Every good traveler has learned that knowing the local cuisine is essential to having a complete experience during a trip. So, when it comes to a country with such a remarkable gastronomy, trying the typical foods of Mexico is practically a must.
Admired and consumed in almost every corner of the world, Mexican cuisine is rich in flavor, color and spice. Therefore, it is an invitation to the senses and not just satiates hunger. Whether in the countless restaurants or bars and pubs, or on the streets or at markets, the offer of typical Mexican foods is abundant.
But what are the typical dishes of Mexico? To give you a first taste of this cuisine, below we present 5 examples of typical Mexican dishes that we consider to be enough to make your mouth water. They will also help you when ordering and enjoying them.
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1 – Pozole, one of the main typical foods of Mexico
Pozole should definitely top this list of typical Mexican dishes. After all, it can be found practically everywhere in the country, from street stalls to sophisticated restaurants. This soup with its unmistakable flavor deserves to start our selection.
The base of pozole is cacahuacintle, a type of corn whose main characteristic is the large size of its grains. After the corn has been cooked, which usually takes hours, the other ingredients are added, which vary according to the region and the cook's tradition.
Seasonings and accompaniments – radish, lettuce or whatever else your imagination suggests – give the final flavor and colorful appearance.
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2 – Mole
Mole is a Mexican delicacy, one of the most distinctively flavorful dishes among the typical Mexican foods. It is a type of sauce made with chili, strong aromatic herbs and ground seeds. It is usually prepared to accompany other meat-based dishes, especially poultry.
The poblana recipe (originating from Puebla) is internationally recognized as an example of Mexican cuisine. This is due to the addition of bitter cocoa to the composition. When tasting it, the palate enjoys an unusual explosion of flavors – from spicy to sweet, including bitter and sour.
3 – Enchiladas
The famous enchiladas are a feast for the eyes and a delight to the palate. We are familiar with them from the many Mexican restaurants spread throughout Brazil. However, the ones we find here do not have the characteristic flavor that can only be tasted directly in Mexican kitchens.
The presentation of enchiladas is well known: corn tortillas filled with a type of meat and sauce of your choice. The side dish can be fresh vegetables or even guacamole. But if you order them in different regions or cities, you will notice the differences in flavor.
4 – Chiles in Nogada
An excellent representation of Mexican cuisine, chiles en nogada has a delicate flavor. To the delight of those who don't like eating chili peppers, it is a mildly spicy dish. The delicate flavor is also evident in the presentation of the dish, which pays homage to the colors of the Mexican flag.
To prepare it, a meat stew is made (almost always pork or beef) accompanied by fruit. A walnut sauce is added to it, which gives it its characteristic flavor. It is certainly a dish worth ordering and the culinary experience would be poorer without it. It is worth remembering that this is a seasonal dish (from July to September).
5 – Cochinita Pibil
To conclude our list of traditional Mexican food, let's talk about cochinita pibil. And tradition is the identity of this dish that was inherited from the ancient Mayan people. The method of preparation has survived to this day and offers a tasty dish in a bucolic presentation.
The pork is wrapped in banana leaves with achiote and then slowly roasted in a clay oven. It is served with a peculiar sauce made of onion, sour orange and pepper.
Generally, the dish is decorated with the banana leaf itself, which gives a very special look to this great representative of typical Mexican food.
6 – Tacos al Pastor
This dish is definitely the star of Mexican cuisine. Tacos al pastor are part of the country’s culture and you can find them on every corner. Unforgettable!
The Taste Atlas website, considered the Google Maps of gastronomy, announced that Mexico's favorite dish, tacos al pastor, was voted the best dish in the world. This succulent dish received 4,4 stars out of 100, followed only by Italy's Neapolitan pizza and lasagna Bolognese.
We've all heard of them, whether before, during or after a party. Tacos al pastor are the quintessential Mexican street food. They all have their own way of defining the perfect preparation: with or without lime, with red or green sauce, with or without vegetables, but there's always one thing in common: marinated pork served with pineapple slices.
Did your mouth water? If you want to know more about typical Mexican foods or destinations, leave your comment here or write directly to Mexico Guide Instagram.
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