Mexico offers a wide range of street foods. However, much like every other country, the street food served can vary greatly from one locality/city to another. Some of the more common Mexican street foods include tacos, quesadillas, chalupa, gorditas, empanada, and nachos. When it comes to food culture, it is without a doubt that Mexico does not fall back and simply sit on the bleachers. The flavors and spices blend well and entices consumers from around the world. With that in mind, here is a list of the top street food you must try in Mexico.
1. Tamales (dough wraps)
Tamale or tamal is a common dish that originates in Mesoamerica, which is the modern-day Mexico. Think of this as a complete meal in its most portable form. While there are variations in the process of making tamale, some of the basic ingredients include corn dough or “masa” that is wrapped in a banana leaf. Taste this delicious dish and expect to hunt for it when back in your own city.
2. Empalmes (stuffed corn tortillas)
Empalmes is another staple Mexican street food. This is a kind of sandwich that is commonly served in Valle de las Salinas. To make this, you’re going to need two corn tortillas, lard, beans, and salsa. This is heated over a charcoal grill before being served. On the streets of Mexico, empalmes are found in abundance. Try their version before you try making them at home.
3. Elote (grilled Mexican street corn)
Elote, which is basically grilled Mexican street corn, is one of the most basic street foods in Mexico. Not only is it easy to make, but it is also very delicious. The process of preparing elote is pretty straightforward. You take corn on a cob, smear it with Cotija cheese, mayonnaise, and Ancho chile powder.
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4. Tacos
Everyone is familiar with tacos and how tacos are prepared. However, to give you an idea as to how this delicious snack is served in Mexico, let’s try and look at some of its basic ingredients - tortillas and fillings, such as beef, chicken, pork, vegetables, cheese, seafood, lettuce, onion, chiles, and the use of garnishings such as sour cream, guacamole, or salsa.
5. Cemita (Mexican sandwich)
Cemita is referred to by many as torta. Some even would refer to this type of food as cemita poblana. This is a bread roll or a sandwich in which the bread is made from eggs. Thus, it somehow resembles that of brioche. Other ingredients included in preparing Cemita are sliced avocado, white cheese, meat, onions, red sauce or salsa roja, and the herb pápalo.
6. Tlayudas (fried tortilla with beans)
Tlayudas or clayuda is a traditional Oaxacan dish. Its main ingredient is a very crunchy, thin, large, but somewhat toasted or fried tortilla. If you’re preparing this, you start with the tortilla and you proceed to spread it with refried beans. Then, you add the other ingredients, such as pork lard, avocado, cabbage or lettuce, shredded meat, salsa, and of course, Oaxacan cheese.
7. Gorditas (cheese- and meat-stuffed pastry)
If you’ve ever been to Mexico, then there is a high chance that you know what a gordita is. This is a typical Mexican pastry dish made with corn dough that is stuffed with meat, cheese, and other delicious fillings. Gordita, in Spanish, means “chubby,” which resembles that of the actual shape of the final dish. Over the years, the preparation of gordita has varied. Some would like their gordita baked, while some prefer them fried.
8. Tostadas (tortilla)
The word “tostadas” basically means “toasted” in Spanish. In Mexico, as well as other areas in Latin America, this is already considered as the main base wherein they would only need to add fillings to make it much tasty. As you may have noticed, the previous dishes mentioned have tortillas on their list of ingredients. Tostadas are very versatile and can be used on almost any kind of Mexican food. Tostadas are either toasted or deep-fried, and it refers to its flat or bowl-like shape so that it’ll be easier to add in the other ingredients.
9. Quesadillas (tortillas with fillings)
Quesadillas are a common Mexican food that is both savory and extremely delicious. To make this, you’ll need tortillas, cheese, beans, meat, vegetables, and a variety of spices. Mexican quesadillas are typically cooked on a griddle, which is a cooking device that is heated by gas. A griddle is a broad and flat surface as this makes it easy for when you heat the corn tortilla. While the basic ingredients are mentioned above, there are those who tend to add some of their own ingredients as filling to their quesadillas.
10. Chalupa (thinck crispy dough with fillings)
You can never really say that you’ve tried Mexican street food if you haven’t tried Mexican chalupas. These are one of the specialty dishes of Mexican people, particularly those from Guerrero, Puebla, Hidalgo, and Oaxaca. Chalupas are cooked by pressing masa dough around the outer portion of a small mold. Be sure that your masa dough is very thin. This will result in the creation of a concave-like container, which are then fried. You’ll need to add several ingredients, such as chopped onions, minced garlic, chicken, pork, chipotle pepper, and red or green salsa, as its filling. Chalupas are best served hot.
11. Chilaquiles (fried tortilla pieces with drizzled cheese and toppings)
Chilaquiles comes from the Nahuatl language, which means “chiles and greens.” Much like every other dish on this list, one of the main ingredients used in making chilaquiles is corn tortilla. You’ll need to first cut your tortilla in quarters, then lightly fry them. This will be the base of your dish. Proceed to add green or red salsa, as well as pulled chicken, crema, fresh Mexican cheese, avocado slices, and onions.
Indulge in an array of Mexican street food
When it comes to Mexican street food, be sure to expect a lot of spices, peppers, and corn tortillas! Nevertheless, despite having somewhat similar dish bases, which is corn tortillas, each of the dishes mentioned on this list is worth the try. If ever you’re planning to visit Mexico, take note of the street food options listed here and we’ll guarantee that your taste buds will thank you!
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