Here's a quick run down of popular food dishes in Mexico. Plus, keep in mind that eating street food in local markets is really an adventure. It is also one way of eating very well for a little money.
“Starter Foods”
For those who want to take it slow with the spices, here are some not too spicy food you can try:
- Quesadillas
- Tortillos with grilled cheese or other fillings
- Enchiladas Tortillas with a tomato and chili sauce coating and stuffings – chicken or pork, vegetables, and sauce. The tortilla is folded and then baked.
- Tostadas
- Soft tortillas filled with meat and green, red or mole sauce. Cheese may be an added ingredient.
- Tamales
- Meat or vegetables stuffed in a corn dough shell. Sometimes, fruits and nuts are used as fillings – these are called tamales dulces.
- Tortas: A sandwich with meat, lettuce, mayonnaise, tomatoes, onion, jalapeño and avocado.
Of course, it is best to check the ingredients if chili is included. For those who want their chilis on the mild side, here's the tip: the bigger the chili, the milder it gets. Large poblano chilies are stuffed and served as a main course, while the small habañero pepper is ferociously hot. To ask if a dish is spicy, say "es picante?" Hotel menus will often specify spicy dishes that might assault tourist palates.
Popular Mexican Food
ere are some dishes you must try when in Mexico
- Guacamole
A sauce made with crushed avocado, green chili, tomato, onion and lemon juice. Fried tortilla slices are also included.
- Tacos Tortillas
Served with various fillings – meat, chicken, shredded pork, tongue, meat from the cow skull (cabeza), or cow brains. Now that's not you standard issue taco, is it?
- Gorditas
Cornpatty with stuffing, such as chicken, cheese and chicharon. It is topped with cheese, cream and hot sauce.
- Pozole
Broth from chick or pork with corn, lettuce, oregano, onions, dried ground chili, lemon juice and radish.
- Carnitas
Pork that is deep fried
- Chilaquiles
Tortilla chips topped with a green sauce made from tomatoes.
- Sopes
Corn patty with chicken, cheese and hot sauce as toppings.
- Tostados
Tortilla that is fried and topped with chicken, beans, tomato, onion, lettuce, cream, cheese and hot sauce.
- Mole
A peanut sauce that is spicy is poured over meat. Surprisingly, chocolate may also be added to this rich sauce.
- Salsa
A sauce made of tomatoes (red or green), onion, chili, coriander. This is usually used as a dip or a relish.
- Chiles Renellos
Chilies that are large enough are stuffed with meat, cheese and a hot sauce.
- Huachinango
Red snapper cooked the way you want it (al gusto)
- Ceviche
The Mexican version of sushi – raw fish “cooked” in lime juice, then added to a salad.
- Pollo Pibil
This Yucatecan dish is made of chicken that is marinated in spices and orange. The chicken is then cooked wrapped in banana leaves and cooked over coals.
