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1. Tacos
When it comes to the culinary essence of Mexico, tacos are a must-mention. Tacos are a type of meat sandwich with a corn tortilla shell and a filling made from any cooked meat such as pork, beef, chicken, or fish. They are incomplete without salsa and are often served with onions and cilantro.
Tacos come in two types: hard tortillas and soft tortillas. Thanks to the diverse preparation methods and fillings, many different types of tacos have emerged. The most popular taco in Mexico is Taco al Pastor. The main ingredient of Taco al Pastor is marinated pork, skewered and grilled over an open fire.
2. Quesadillas
Simply sandwiching cheese between corn tortillas and grilling them over a fire makes a quesadilla. However, truly delicious quesadillas require more than that. In restaurants and street stalls, besides cheese, quesadillas are often topped with a variety of fillings and seasonings such as pork sausage, mushrooms, garlic, beans, fried pork rind, stewed chicken, or other meats... then fried or grilled over charcoal.
Besides the usual corn-based crust, some places also vary the crust ingredients by using corn flour mixed with other ingredients to create more colorful quesadillas.
3. Enchiladas
Enchiladas are a dish made from corn tortillas filled with various ingredients and served with a spicy chili sauce. Depending on preference or region, the filling can include chicken, beef, and other meats. They can also be served with onions, sour cream, and cheese.
Alternatively, enchiladas can also be prepared by grilling them on a stovetop. This is considered one of Mexico's energy-rich dishes.
4. Tostadas
The origin of tostadas stems from repurposing stale corn tortillas that are no longer soft enough to roll into tacos, but are still edible. The stale tortillas are deep-fried until golden brown, firm, and crispy. To make the tortilla shell more appealing, Mexicans came up with the idea of topping it with a mixture of beans, chicken, cream, chopped lettuce, onions, avocado, and fresh cheese. Thus, the delicious and appealing tostadas were born.
Today you can enjoy many different types of tostadas. The most common are those filled with cooked chicken or pork, but there are also seafood tostadas such as tuna, shrimp, crab, octopus, and even vegetarian tostadas.
5. Sopes
Sopes are hand-shaped, baked corn tortillas about 3 or 4.5 cm in diameter. They are often served as an appetizer. Typical sopes are filled with beans, cheese, onions, and vegetables, often topped with salsa.
6. Gorditas
Gorditas are made from round, baked corn tortillas that puff up slightly before being filled with various vegetables and meats. The fillings typically include minced beef or pork, along with colorful and appealing vegetables such as potatoes, beans, and peppers. In some regions of Mexico, the tortillas are also oval-shaped.
Gordisa bread is often eaten as a lunch item and is typically served with salsa. When you eat it, you'll experience the crispy texture of the bread combined with the fragrant, soft filling, creating a truly irresistible combination.
7. Chilaquiles
Similar to gorditas, chilaquiles is another way for Mexicans to utilize leftover corn tortillas. The tortillas are cut into triangles and fried until golden brown and crispy. They are then cooked in a red or green chilaquiles sauce until tender. The red chilaquiles sauce is made from tomatoes and red peppers, while the green comes from herbs and tomato leaves.
Chilaquiles is a popular breakfast dish in Mexico. This type of tortilla is usually topped with shredded cheese, sliced onions, and sour cream. For a more substantial breakfast, you can add shredded chicken or fried eggs.
8. Tamales
Tamales are a Mexican dish quite similar to Vietnamese bánh tét and bánh ít, made from cornmeal mixed with lard, meat, fish, and vegetables. All these ingredients are wrapped in banana or corn leaves and steamed.
Each region of Mexico has different types of tamales, but the most famous are the Oaxacan tamales, which are filled with chocolate sauce and wrapped in banana leaves, and the Mexico City tamales, which are made with chicken and a green sauce and wrapped in corn husks.
