Buzz
Diverse, flavorful, and vibrant—these are the adjectives travelers often use when describing the cuisine of Mexico. Keep in mind these 7 delectable dishes to ensure you're ready to savor them when you visit Mexico.
The must-try dishes when traveling through Mexico
1. Tacos
When it comes to Mexican cuisine, one cannot overlook the iconic dish that has captured the hearts of countless travelers – Tacos. This dish features a corn flour shell, filled with a variety of meats such as pork, beef, chicken, or fish, all cooked to perfection. To enhance the flavor, chefs often drizzle a bit of salsa and add finely chopped onions and cilantro as toppings.
Tacos come in two varieties: a crunchy shell and a soft shell. Due to regional cooking styles and the use of a wide range of fillings, numerous types of tacos have been created. However, the most popular one is Tacos al Pastor. The main ingredient in this taco is marinated pork, skewered and roasted over an open flame.
2. Quesadillas
This is a very popular dish, loved by both locals and international visitors. The preparation is simple: just place cheese inside a corn tortilla and cook it over an open flame to create a delicious quesadilla. However, when you enjoy this dish at a restaurant or eatery, it often comes with a variety of fillings such as pork sausage, mushrooms, garlic, beans, crispy pork skin, and stewed chicken, alongside the cheese.
In addition to the traditional corn flour shell, some regions in Mexico get creative with their taco shells, mixing different types of corn flour with other ingredients to create a variety of colorful quesadillas.
3. Tamales
If you're traveling to Mexico, you absolutely must try Tamales. This dish is quite similar to Vietnam's bánh tét or bánh ít, made from corn dough mixed with meat, fish, and vegetables. After being seasoned, all the ingredients are wrapped together in banana or corn leaves and steamed to perfection.
4. Menudo
This hot, savory soup is a point of pride for the people of Mexico. Made from boiled beef tripe, cow feet, and vertebrae bones, it is then mixed with chili, herbs, and spices to create an extraordinary dish. Not only is it highly nutritious, but it’s also an excellent remedy for hangovers. So, if you find yourself having a few too many drinks with friends while traveling through Mexico, stop by a roadside eatery to try this dish. You’ll get the chance to savor something amazing while easing your hangover, making it easier to wake up feeling refreshed the next day.
5. Enchiladas
This dish is made from corn tortillas smothered in a spicy chili sauce. Depending on your preferences, you can choose to have them filled with chicken, beef, or pork. You can also add some onions, sour cream, and cheese for extra flavor.
6. Sopes
Another dish with a corn flour shell, Sopes are small, hand-formed cakes about 3 to 4.5 cm in diameter, then cooked to perfection. Often served as an appetizer, they are topped with fillings like beans, cheese, onions, and herbs, accompanied by a flavorful salsa sauce.
7. Flan
This is a dessert you can find all over Vietnam, but it’s not as common when traveling abroad. However, in Mexico, you may be surprised to discover that this popular Vietnamese treat is widely available in small eateries and shops. The Mexican version of Flan is a soft, creamy, and smooth cake, typically flavored with vanilla and topped with caramelized sugar.
