Food enthusiasts say you haven’t properly enjoyed food until you have had some Mexican food and no they don’t mean tacos! Famous for its diverse use of flavors, Mexican food is rich and very savory to the palate. But in the myriad of flavors that surround you, how do you know which foods to try and which ones to avoid like the plague? Below is a comprehensive list of the top 5 foods to enjoy on your trip to Mexico.
Tips to enjoy your food experience in Mexico
- Hire a local foodie to take you around to the best eateries to try out the real Mexican foods. If you are looking for the whole experience then you will probably need someone to guide you on your journey.
- Mexicans like their food hot and spicy make sure you ask what is in it before you wolf down that tortilla!
- Take at least a full day to take in the sites and aromas of the place and give yourself time to savor all of it.
6. Guacamole
Sitting in our number six spot is the tasty zingy side dish that many people have come to love – guacamole. A popular side dish often served with tortilla chips, guacamole is a food with a rich historical background. It is a long standing belief that the Aztecs enjoyed this dish made up onions, avocadoes, lemon juice, tomatoes and some chili peppers.
5. Mole Sauce
Mexicans love their sauces and this sauce’s origins are greatly disputed by Mexicans. Regardless of which area exactly mole comes from is not really the point for you. You simply want to get your hands dirty and try you some mole (pronounced mol-eh). We are not joking about the richness of this sauce – try making a sauce with 20 or more ingredients! This sauce takes effort to prepare as it requires a constant eye and monitoring not forgetting the once in a while stir. Mole is best served with chicken or turkey.
4. Chilaquiles
Your night’s fast is broken in Mexico by the popular breakfast dish known as chilaquiles. Chilaquiles are made from lightly fried corn tortillas sliced into quarters and garnished with salsa of your choice (green or red). When the tortillas are done, place a scrambled or fried egg on top. Left over chicken also finds itself in this delicious food mix. Cheese and cream are sometimes added as well. Frijoles often accompany the chilaquiles.
3. Tamales
The food trail can be traced back to the time of the warrior Inca, Aztec and Mayan tribes. It’s a fascinating concept to imagine just how well the Mexicans have kept their food tradition alive until this day. According to local legend, tamales was a form of food consumed before warriors went to war. Pockets of corn dough were taken and filled with a variety of foods from meats, to fruits and veggies and of course chili was also added and some mole. You can choose to try the sweet tamales or the savory ones.
2. Enchiladas
How can you go to Mexico and not eat some enchiladas? You have simply got to get your hands on some traditional enchiladas to understand why we get excited when talking about them. The Mayans living in the Mexico Valley are said to have favored this dish and ate it regularly as part of their diet. Traditional enchiladas consisted of corn tortillas, however today you can find tortillas made of flour being eaten. These tortillas contain a rich filling of vegetables, meat, cheese and seafood. A chili sauce completes the dish and there you have it – some great tasting enchiladas!
1. Tacos al pastor
Tacos are probably the most common food associated with Mexican culture but believe it or not, tacos are not just a Mexican dish but have evolved to include and incorporate flavors brought over by Middle Eastern immigrants. Regardless, tacos are still very popular among Mexicans and are a well loved dish. Taking a corn tortilla and filling it with thin pork strips sliced from a spit and garnished with coriander, onions and pineapples is the way most tacos are made.
There you have it ladies and gentlemen, the top five foods to keep an eye out for when planning your tour of Mexico. Make this tour of Mexico one that you will never forget!
