The topic of Mexican cuisine is a complex one- often looked down upon by Europe-centric cooks. But Mexican food is truly one of the most complex and love-driven cuisines out there. With recipes passed down from generations before, you can taste the history and tradition in every bite. Here are my favorite things to eat in Mexico City!
Tacos: You probably have had some good tacos in your life. But after a visit to Mexico, you’ll never judge tacos elsewhere the same! Try tacos on the streets and make sure to add plenty of salsas, lime, and hot sauce. Make sure the corn tortillas are homemade- that’s usually a sign of excellent tacos!
Every type of salsa you can find: In Spanish, “salsa” means “sauce”- and Mexico has an incredible offering of different types (and colors!) of salsas. From nutty salsa macha to fresh salsa verde, you will always have a new salsa to try. The best place to get acquainted with salsas is at a taco shop- where you’ll always be offered a selection alongside fresh limes.
Churros: Every culture has some sort of delicious fried dough snack- and in Mexico, that’s churros. These cinnamon-coated sweets are perfect for any time of day. My favorite can be found at El Moro.
Agua Fresca: Translating to “fresh water,” agua frescas are the perfect beverage to cool down on a hot day. They are flavored with fruits, herbs, and spices. My favorite is horchata!
Horchata: My favorite drink in Mexico, horchata is a type of agua fresca made with rice milk, cinnamon, and sugar. It’s a must-try!
Conchas: These colorful breads are named after their shell-like shape. They’re perfect alongside a coffee! My favorite conchas in CDMX are at Café Ruta de la Seda, where you can find flavors like hibiscus and matcha.
Mango con Chamoy: An ideal street snack on a hot day, sweet Mexican mangos are topped with Chamoy- a sauce made of chili and pickled fruits- and lime.
Chilaquiles: A classic Mexican breakfast, this dish is composed of tortilla chips, topped with beans, cheese, fried eggs, and salsa verde or rojo. My favorite chilaquiles are at Malcriado.
Elotes / Esquites: Corn is key to Mexican cuisine- and it comes in the form of many beloved street snacks. Elotes are corn cobs on a stick, coated with mayonnaise, cheese, and chili. If you prefer less of a mess, esquites are the same thing but neatly sliced off of the cob.
Mamey: A quintessential Mexican fruit that you’ll find at any market, mamey is known for its creamy texture and flavor reminiscent of cinnamon and sweet potato. My favorite spot for mamey is at Tianguis Condesa on Tuesdays.
Star Fruit: Known as carambola in Spanish, star fruits are like nature’s candy. You can tell if they’re ready to eat if they are a deep yellow color with brown edges- there should be very little to no green on the fruits.
Mole: A classic sauce from Oaxaca, mole is an art in Mexico. Many recipes contain up to 30 ingredients, including chocolate and chilis, and are passed down over generations.
Quesillo: Known as “Oaxaca cheese,” quesillo is similar to a Mexican mozzarella. At local markets, you can find abuelas stretching out the cheese and forming it into balls. This cheese is best when paired with chapulines, or cooked into a gorgeous blue corn quesadilla alongside zucchini blossoms.
Chapulines: An unusual snack for most people outside of Mexico, chapulines are crispy grasshoppers, sometimes flavored with chili, lime, and garlic. They may be daunting by themselves so consider using them as a topping for guacamole!
Mexican Candy: Mexican candies are unlike in any other country- they love spicy and sour sweets! Many street stands have a varied selection, and my favorite type is Duvalines.
