Oaxaca, a magical and emblematic land. Here, all you can breathe is culture and tradition. Food is not just a daily necessity, it is an expression of identity that is rebuilt every day. The region’s festivities are a cultural celebration of Oaxacan traditions, a call to preserve diversity from generation to generation. I invite you to take a tour of local food with this culinary route in Oaxaca to enjoy the Guelaguetza.
Unique flavors can be tasted in the state, traditional Oaxacan food is one of the most representative cuisines of Mexico. You can see this in its maximum expression, every year during the Guelaguetza, which began on July 22 and ends on the 29th. Ingredients and preparation techniques reflect the cultural richness of the state.
A celebration that allows Oaxacans to immerse themselves in their own traditions and preserve them. Iconic dishes and traditional drinks can be tried at this time of year. The gastronomy of Oaxaca is a true reflection of its people and the geographical conditions of the region.
the 7 moles of Oaxaca
Discover the most relevant culinary traditions of Oaxaca on this tour with our weekend culinary route to enjoy the Guelaguetza festival.
When you arrive in the city you will notice that its streets give off constant aromas. The gastronomy of Oaxaca is experienced at home, but also in the streets. Start this adventure with a tlayuda, probably the most relevant part of this culinary route to enjoy the Guelaguetza.
On Friday night, dinner is served. The traditional tlayuda is a corn tortilla of almost 30 cm. This is usually browned on the griddle, which gives it an unconventional and brittle hardness. Then they cover it with pork belly, cheese, lettuce and beef jerky, accompanied by radish. A true delight that you cannot miss on your adventure.
If they don’t prepare it this way, you are not trying the true essence of Oaxacan food. The others are versions that have been invented to attract tourists, delicious but not traditional. You can try them at the Comedor María Alejandra (Mercado 20 de Noviembre) or at Sabor Antiguo, a family restaurant.
Saturday: Ready for the dance and the eating
The day begins, it will be a long one because Guelaguetza is lived to the fullest, so having a good breakfast will be necessary. A classic of the typical food of Oaxaca are tamales, dough wrapped and filled with various stews that are steamed. Look for one with chapulin, chepil or mole, those will leave you more than lively and with all the energy to continue dancing.
The Mercado de la Merced will be your indicated place, there are many typical food stands where you can enjoy a hot tamale. Accompany it with a café de olla, chocolate or even better, tejate. The drink is made from cocoa and corn, refreshing and with many health benefits. A pre-Hispanic drink that is a faithful representative of Oaxacan gastronomy. Ask for the pan de yema, then thank me.
For the meal, sitting will be necessary, La Guelaguetza is a festival with multiple events, so you will have to be constantly moving. After a long walk and cobblestone streets, your knees start to fail.
A restaurant will be your best option, Alfonsina, a restaurant with recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. Backyard cuisine that offers homemade and family-friendly food, with high-quality foods that enhance Mixtec cuisine.
Although it is seasonal food, you could enjoy the classics: black mole or some of the 7 moles of Oaxaca. After this necessary stop, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a typical dessert, nicuatole, a corn jelly, could be a great alternative.
For dinner, there is nothing better than going to a mezcalería, a perfect time to live a typical experience and enjoy the Oaxacan party. A drink made with cooked maguey, which is distilled and has a very artisanal process. Sabina Sabe and Los Danzantes are perfect options to taste it.
Sunday: To recompose the body after the party
For that damn hangover, after so much mezcal and dancing, nothing better than some delicious memelas, bathed in lots of sauce for breakfast. Fat and dough to make the hangover disappear. Memelas are a kind of sope, a small corn tortilla, oval and spread with butter, beans, cheese and lots of sauce. You can’t miss the Memelas de Doña Vale, one of the most iconic places in the city.
In the afternoon, to say goodbye to this great weekend trip, there is nothing better than going to the iconic Pasillo de Humo in the Mercado 20 de Noviembre. Here you can enjoy the classic beef jerky, a representative ingredient of Oaxacan food. Roasted at the moment, beef jerky is a very fine cut of beef that is left to dry in the sun.
It is accompanied by “chiles de agua”, onions and tortillas. In the market, the butchers have their braziers so that once you buy it, you can prepare it at the moment. A gastronomic ritual of the city that you must experience.
The gastronomy of Oaxaca is wide and very diverse, this is just a small sample of what you can do. Your culinary tour of this city could last days, weeks or even months. A city with an incomparable culinary richness.
To enjoy the Guelaguetza and all its pleasures you will have to start with the typical food of the state. This culinary route in Oaxaca is the opportunity to discover its culture through the palate. Its history and traditions are experienced in every dish and drink, a beautiful reflection of a powerful identity.
Source: animalgourmet