PozoleMust-try
Meat · Dinner
A hearty pre-Hispanic soup made with hominy corn and usually pork or chicken, garnished with radish, lettuce, onion, lime, and tostadas.
Meutia Chaerani / Indradi Soemardjan http://www.indrani.net (CC BY 2.5
Mexico Food: 20 Dishes to Try
Every dish ranked by how essential it is — must-try picks first, with photos and what’s actually in them.
ChilaquilesMust-try
Breakfast · Lunch
Fried corn tortilla pieces simmered in red or green salsa, topped with crema, cheese, onion, and often a fried egg or shredded chicken for a hearty breakfast.
Carlos t (CC BY-SA 3.0
Chiles en NogadaMust-try
Meat · Lunch · Dinner
This patriotic dish, typically seasonal (August-September), features poblano chiles stuffed with picadillo, covered in a creamy walnut sauce (nogada), and garnished with pomegranate and parsley, representing the colors of the Mexican flag.
Ahleli (CC BY-SA 4.0
Cochinita PibilMust-try
Meat · Lunch
This slow-roasted pork, marinated in achiote and sour orange, is a benchmark Yucatecan dish, traditionally cooked in a pib (earth oven) and served with pickled red onions.
Popo le Chien (CC BY-SA 3.0
Elote / EsquitesMust-try
Vegetarian · Snack
Roasted corn on the cob (elote) or kernels in a cup (esquites), slathered with mayonnaise, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime, a popular and satisfying street snack.
Cristina Zapata Pérez (CC BY-SA 4.0
Sopa de Tortilla (Sopa Azteca)Must-try
Vegetarian · Lunch · Dinner
A savory tomato-chile broth served with crispy fried tortilla strips, avocado, crema, and cheese.
Wikiwrimo (CC BY-SA 4.0
Agua FrescaMust-try
Vegan · Snack · Lunch · Dinner
Refreshing drinks made from fresh fruits like jamaica (hibiscus), horchata (rice milk), or tamarindo, perfect for cooling down.
ProtoplasmaKid (CC BY-SA 4.0
Huevos MotuleñosMust-try
Vegetarian · Breakfast
Fried eggs served on tortillas, topped with a rich tomato-habanero sauce, peas, and cheese, often with refried beans and plantains, a flavorful Yucatecan breakfast.
ProtoplasmaKid (CC BY-SA 4.0
Sopa de LimaMust-try
Meat · Lunch
A refreshing and savory chicken broth soup infused with local lime, often served with shredded chicken, tortilla strips, and habanero for a kick.
Erik Cleves Kristensen (CC BY 2.0
MarquesitasMust-try
Vegetarian · Snack
A popular crispy rolled crepe-like street snack, traditionally filled with Nutella and Dutch Edam cheese, offering a unique sweet and salty combination.
Sharon Hahn Darlin (CC BY 2.0
Elotes & EsquitesMust-try
Vegetarian · Snack
Grilled or boiled corn on the cob (elote) or in a cup (esquite), slathered with mayonnaise, cheese, chili powder, and lime.
Jonathunder (CC BY-SA 3.0
Enchiladas (Vegetarian)Must-try
Lunch · Dinner
Soft corn tortillas rolled around fillings like cheese or beans, smothered in a savory red or green chili sauce and topped with cream and cheese, a comforting national dish.
Joey Doll (CC BY 2.0
Mole (e.g., Poblano or Negro)Must-try
Meat · Dinner
A complex, rich sauce made from dozens of ingredients including chiles, spices, nuts, and chocolate, mole is a culinary masterpiece often served with chicken or turkey, representing Mexico's diverse regional cuisine.
AlejandroLinaresGarcia (CC BY-SA 4.0
Mole PoblanoMust-try
Meat · Dinner
A rich, complex sauce with dozens of ingredients, including chili and chocolate, often served over chicken or enchiladas.
AlejandroLinaresGarcia (CC BY-SA 4.0
PanuchosMust-try
Meat · Snack
A fried tortilla stuffed with refried beans, topped with meat (often cochinita pibil or pollo pibil), pickled red onion, and avocado, offering a delicious textural contrast.
Canibalazzo (CC BY-SA 4.0
Tamales (Vegetarian)Must-try
Lunch · Dinner
Savory or sweet masa dough steamed in corn husks or banana leaves, often filled with cheese and peppers (rajas con queso) or sweet fruit, a versatile and ancient Mexican staple.
Nsaum75 (CC BY-SA 3.0
TlayudasMust-try
Meat · Dinner
Oaxaca's "Mexican pizza," a large crispy tortilla topped with beans, cheese, meat (or just veggies), and fresh salsa.
Gomez.erick (CC BY-SA 4.0
Carne Asada TacoWorth a taste
Meat · Lunch · Dinner · Snack
Grilled marinated steak, finely chopped, served on a warm corn tortilla with cilantro and onion, often with a squeeze of lime and a dash of salsa. This is the bedrock of LA's street taco scene.
Popo le Chien (CC BY-SA 3.0
Caldo de PescadoWorth a taste
Lunch
Local snapper boiled into a clear, sharp broth with tomatoes, onion, and cilantro. It is the best hangover cure after a long night in Zicatela.
Olaf.herfurth (CC BY-SA 3.0)
TlayudaWorth a taste
Dinner
A toasted, giant tortilla smeared with lard and bean paste, then topped with salty quesillo cheese and cabbage. Skip the tourist spots; the best ones are prepared over charcoal at night in the market.
Gomez.erick (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under Creative Commons licenses. Individual credits shown on each photo where available.