Any foodie who loves vibrant, authentic, and rich taste in food knows that Mexico is one the countries where you can find the best street foods. With different specialties staple of Mexico’s various regions, you will surely get overwhelmed on which to try first. What makes Mexican food unique and so irresistible is that each food offers the blend of the country’s culture — with some of them featuring their pre-hispanic origins. Plus, you can find them almost everywhere! From fruit juices to tacos and tortas.
If you are planning to visit the country soon, you might like to equip yourself first with the foods that you should not miss when in Mexico. Below are the top 5 iconic street foods that will surely complete your Mexican getaway.
- Tacos
No Mexico visit would be complete without having the taste of authentic Mexican tacos. You cannot miss this delicacy as they are literally found everywhere. There are so many tacos-wannabes you could buy in any store in your country, but nothing beats the original Mexican tacos. Characterized by corn tortillas topped with meat and your favorite salsa. What makes the tacos you can buy in many Mexico streets is that it is so simple yet very adventurous. No cheese and no sour cream; instead, you can find your Mexican tacos filled with meat or other animal parts like the brains and tongue. You can also go vegetarian on your tacos and have it filled with mushroom, potato, beans and lots of spices like fresh onion, cilantro, guacamole, and salsa.
- Tortas
Tortas is another staple food in Mexico. It looks like any oversized sandwich you could buy in your locality, however, what makes torta one of a kind is its fillings. You can pretty much get anything you want for your torta; have your bolillo covered with mayonnaise and bean paste on each side then fill it with tender meat, chorizo, slices of tomato, pickled jalapenos, and others. Tortas are also a favorite go-to food by both locals and foreigners to cure their hangover. Torta ahogada which means “drowned sandwich” is a Mexican street food originated in Guadalajara which is a birote bread filled with meat, sliced onions, and radishes, and soaked with spicy tomato and chile de arbol sauce.
- Tamales
Another crowd favorite is the tamales. You can find this staple food on any occasion in Mexico and can be served any time of the day. Tamales came from the root word “tamal” which means “wrapped”, which explains how it is prepared. It is a dumpling made of corn dough filled with meat and salsa or rajas; then, wrapped in a corn husk or banana leaf. Other varieties of tamales include sweet tamales that are filled with cinnamon, pineapple bits, raisins, and sugar. There are also tamales served in bolillo bun, instead of its usual wrapping, and is called “torta de tamal” or “guajolota”.
- Quesadillas
Quesadillas is another delicacy that you should not miss out on in Mexico’s streets. Quesadilla literally means a “folded tortilla”, which explains how the food is prepared. It is a corn or wheat tortillas grilled or fried and then folded. Various fillings like cheese (lots of it, I tell you!), mostly Oaxaca cheese, mushrooms, guacamole, or bean paste, and other vegetables are then put inside the folded tortilla before it is served. Quesadillas can be your perfect snack after an afternoon stroll in the vibrant streets of Mexico or a late-night snack after beer-bonding with your Mexican friends.
- Elotes
If you are a foodie traveler and have been to Mexico at least once, then you might have noticed that most of the Mexican delicacies contain corn. Elotes is a Mexican street food made of plain corn but is bursting with flavor. The corn cob on a wooden stick and is usually covered with whatever flavor you like —- mayonnaise, chili powder, queso fresco, lime juice, and others; and is served along with corn soup topped with herbs.
