A first-timer’s guide to mexican food: must-try dishes

Mexico is a country where every plate narrates history. Traditional family recipes passed down through the ages, locally sourced ingredients of Indigenous origin, and the culinary imprint of Spanish influences have combined to establish a food so great that UNESCO named it an Intangible Cultural Heritage. So, when asked, “What is traditional Mexican food?” the answer is probably not what you’re thinking… Because truly, traditional Mexican cuisine is local ingredients, regional variation, and centuries of practice.

What are some traditional Mexican food favorites?

If this is your first trip, here are the ones not to miss.

Street Tacos

Fresh, simple, and totally tasty, the real versions of the Mexican favorites are nothing like the monster Tex-Mex items we are used to. Soft corn tortillas are packed with grilled meat, onions, and cilantro, and topped with salsa. Just a few of these for lunch means a subtle and satisfying meal.

Mole

One of Mexico’s most celebrated sauces, mole comes in many variations that can be found throughout the country, made from up to dozens of ingredients, which typically include a combination of chiles, spices, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and sometimes Mexican chocolate. The result is a complex and deeply flavored, very thick, very dark sauce that is delicious with meat, especially poultry like turkey or chicken.

Tamales

Basic masa with a filling, cooked and then steamed in a corn husk, tamales are a Mexican comfort classic. Fill with braised pork, chicken, vegetables, cheese, or something sweet for dessert.

Chiles en Nogada

The colors in this beautiful dish stand out with the use of poblano peppers that are stuffed with any number of mixtures, then slathered with a creamy walnut sauce and sprinkled with pomegranate seeds. The patriotic shades of green, white and red in this labor-intensive beauty make the dish something to be desired, particularly around the time of the country’s Independence Day.

Traditional popular Mexican food changes by region

The great thrill of traveling around Mexico and eating in Mexico is the fact that this is such a destination-specific cuisine. You go to the coast for the marine life: sour, acidic ceviches, great grilling, and great preparations for shrimp and fish. You go to the Yucatán, and it’s all about cochinita pibil, or little pig, achiote paste, juice, tied up in banana leaves, and cooked until it falls apart. You go to the center of Mexico, and you have dozens of moles, you have dozens of stews. Then you go to the state of Oaxaca, with its lush and desolate mountains, small-batch cheesemaking, and seemingly infinite dances with chocolate.

No matter where you go on vacation, the easiest way to connect with local cuisine is to ask anyone, from hotel employees to shop owners to taxi drivers, for things to eat so you can’t miss traditional Mexican food dishes.

There is so much more to discovering Mexico than just beaches and historic landmarks. If you want to experience the traditional popular Mexican food in its best way, remember to discover the culinary experiences at FAVC and make every meal a part of your memories.