Regions of Mexico Food: Everything You Need To Know

Regions of Mexico food: the diverse and rich cuisine is divided into several gastronomic regions. Here, we show you which are them!
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12 septiembre, 2024

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Introduction

Since 2010 Mexico’s food has been protected by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity for preserving its pre-Hispanic gastronomic traditions and a wide variety of regional dishes. Accordingly, it is considered a cultural heritage due to its antiquity, biodiversity, history, and ceremonial character. The mixture of ingredients and the difference in their preparations has divided into several gastronomic regions in México. Mexico’s food is more than just something you eat — it tells stories, shows identity, and brings people together. Each bite can show you something about the land, the people, and the culture behind it. From mountain towns to coastal villages, every area in Mexico has its own flavors that make it special.

This variety happens because of many things: the land, the weather, the history, and the people who live there.

Some places grow lots of corn, others have easy access to fresh seafood. Some areas use strong spices, while others prefer sweet or sour tastes. These changes make every region’s food different and interesting. Food in Mexico also changes with the seasons and local festivals. During celebrations, many communities prepare dishes that are only made once a year. These recipes are often passed down from grandparents to children, helping people stay connected to their roots. In this way, food keeps traditions alive.

Hands pressing a corn tortilla using wax paper, showcasing traditional Mexican cooking techniques.
Honoring tradition through the art of handmade Mexican tortilla making.

Travelers and foodies who travel across Mexico can see this food diversity up close. You might eat spicy mole in one town and then taste fresh ceviche in another just a few hours away. Traveling for food is one of the best ways to learn about the country, and many tourists now visit Mexico not just for the beaches, but for the food experiences too. In this guide, we’ll show you how Mexico is divided into different food regions. Each one has its own style, ingredients, and dishes. By the end, you’ll see how rich, exciting, and delicious the food in Mexico really is — and maybe even feel inspired to taste it for yourself.

This article will introduce you to each of them and will let you know how popular each meal is in those regions. Enjoy it!

1. Northeast region

Throughout the northeast, three elements are characteristic of its gastronomy: laurel, oregano… and the famous cumin. From the Northeastern cortadillo, to ribs in sauce, roast pork, and more, cumin brings a lot to this wonderful meat-loving region.

One curious fact is that meat consumption among the upper middle and upper class in Nuevo León can reach up to 95 kilos per capita per year. However, when there is a Rayados or Tigres (Mexican teams from the North of Mexico) soccer game, or in the Clasico (Barcelona vs Real Madrid), the general population buys all types of cuts, and the large butcher shops sell out of all meat products. ⛰️Want to visit Chihuahua? Check out our tour: Copper Canyon Tour by train (Los Mochis, Mirador del Cerro, Chihuahua / Group / 9 days)

regions of mexico food (northeast graphic)

2. Northwest region

This gastronomic region offers fish- and seafood-based dishes as well as chili and wine. Those influences are mainly found in Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, and Sinaloa. 🏖️ Check out our tour: Los Cabos Arch Tour (& Playa del Amor by Glass Bottom Kayak / Group / 3h)

Chihuahua and Durango, in turn, add fine cuts of beef, pork, and dried meat. The shrimp and fish tacos, as well as the clams and lobster, represent this region. Pork stews made with pasilla chili, garlic, cumin, oregano, and salt are also classics. The gastronomy of the Northwest offers a great variety of meat, especially grilled.

Likewise, we can find a great consumption of wheat and corn. If we are talking about gastronomic regions in Mexico, the North foodie experience is a must-try for every meat lover in the world. Check out our post about spicy food! 🌶️

Northwest graphic

3. Northcentral region

This gastronomic region of Mexico includes Zacatecas, San Luis Potosi, Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, and Queretaro. These entities combine indigenous and Spanish influence, so many dishes are based on corn, beef, pork, chicken, and goat meat.

The strawberries from Irapuato, Guanajuato, and the antojitos ( Mexican snacks) from Aguascalientes are worth mentioning. Among the groups of vegetables in this area are coffee, mango, papaya, tamarind, nopal, potato, green tomato, agave, avocado, barley, and vine.

In terms of fauna and edible species, this region has many fish, such as mojarra (a type of fish), oysters, and snappers, and animals, such as cows, pigs, deer, and rabbits.

🗺️ Experience the colonial charm of the Northcentral region with us:

regions of mexico food
Wine experience in Queretaro

4. Western region

This is a great example of an amazing gastronomic region in Mexico. The cuisine of western Mexico varies a lot due to its huge geographical area, which includes Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima, and Michoacan. As you can see, the regions of Mexico food is a perfect example of the local culture of each place you visit in Mexico.

As a result, it is possible to encounter dishes with shellfish as well as famous carnitas and birria, without leaving behind corn, wheat, and beans. Birria is a Mexican dish, in some regions it is prepared with goat meat, and in some northern parts, with beef, marinated with a base of some types of chili peppers, seasonings, and salt.

🌊Explore the Western region with us on our tours:

restaurants in mexico
Traditional birria dish

5. Southcentral region

Compared to other regions, the State of Mexico, Morelos, and Mexico City is more of a fusion. Due to its central location, it organically incorporated and adopted dishes from almost all over the country.

The main ingredients here are beef, pork, chicken, fish, seafood, fruits, and vegetables. The great variety of restaurants and flavors in Mexico City is because many people from the Mexican Republic move to the metropolitan capital and bring with them the best recipes from their homeland.

southcentral region graphic

This is a small graphic about the places where most of the people from different parts of the republic come to Mexico City. All of this is to have restaurants and places full of flavor and tradition all concentrated in one place. One curious fact is that Tacos al Pastor was invented by Lebanese immigrants. Nowadays, they are one of the most iconic dishes from Mexico City. Check out our tacos article.

🏕️ Visit the Southcentral region by joining our tours:

6. East region

The entities that make up this region have substantial mestizo, Spanish, and pre-Hispanic influences. Among the most typical dishes are mole poblano, chiles en nogada (nogada chili), barbacoa, pasta, and products of corn, and maguey. This region includes the states of Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, Puebla, and Veracruz. The latter stands out for its variety of fish and seafood dishes. Check out our Veracruz food article!

Many of the dishes in this ancient gastronomy retain their original names today, such as the case of the mixiote (a bag of steamed maguey skin stuffed with chicken, beef, or rabbit meat and seasoned with chili peppers and spices). The flavor of the aromatic herbs that exist in this region gives all the personality to simple dishes, turning into an explosion of the senses.

🍮 Check out our tours:

mexican seafood
Veracruz-style fish

7. Southeast region

Another incredible gastronomic region in Mexico. This region’s cuisine is a mixture of Mayan, Spanish, and European dishes and includes the states of Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo. All those states are famous for their seafood, pork soups, rice, tomatoes, achiote, sour orange, and chili.

Because this region is surrounded by water, the typical gastronomy in these states is seafood. Visitors to the southeast coasts cannot leave without trying a shrimp cocktail or a ceviche (a Latin American dish typically made from fresh raw fish cured in fresh citrus juices, most commonly lime or lemon) while they cool off from the heat on the beach.

Furthermore, stuffed cheese is one of the typical foods in Mexico that you can only enjoy in the southeast. Some believe that its origin was in Yucatan, and others in Quintana Roo. The truth is that this dish is recognized internationally and has caused a sensation around the world.

🌴 Admire the wonders of the Southeast regions with our tours:

8. Southwest region

This region consists of the states of Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas. We find mestizo, Spanish, French, pre-Hispanic, and colonial influences among its gastronomy. The tamales, beans, chili, seafood, corn, mole, and exotic meats such as iguana and armadillo stand out. Diversity is an essential characteristic of Mexican cuisine. Almost every state has its own recipes and culinary traditions, But these are certain gastronomic dishes that arose locally and you can not miss. 

😎 Check out our tours to the magnific Southwest region:

Conclusion

Mexico has many different food regions, and each one is special. From the north to the south, people cook in their own way. They use local ingredients, old recipes, and family traditions. This is what makes Mexican food so rich and full of flavor. Some regions love meat, others enjoy seafood. Some places are known for spicy dishes, while others like sweet or smoky flavors. No matter where you go, you will find something new and tasty to try. Every region has something to teach us about culture and history through its food.

Food is a big part of daily life in Mexico. People cook with love, and they enjoy sharing meals with family and friends. Many recipes are very old and have been passed down for many generations. When you eat Mexican food, you are also tasting tradition. Traveling through Mexico is also a food adventure. You can eat tacos in Mexico City, try mole in Oaxaca, taste cochinita pibil in Yucatan, and enjoy seafood in Baja California.

The best way to learn about the country is through its food. Now that you know more about the food regions of Mexico, maybe you want to explore them yourself. Whether you travel in person or cook at home, there is always more to discover. Mexican food is more than just delicious—it is full of life, color, and tradition.

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