Food of Oaxaca: 8 Authentic Options

This is a list of some of the most popular and important foods from Oaxaca. You will also learn why the food from Oaxaca is special in Mexico and around the world. If you want to know more about Oaxaca’s food, keep reading! Are you ready? Check out what we have for you:

• Importance of the food of Oaxaca ❤️
• Mole 💛
• Oaxaca cheese 💚
• Chapulines 💜
• Coloradito 💙
• Tlayudas 🧡
• Buñuelos 🤎
• Tamales 🖤
• Mezcal ❤️
• Tejate 💙

So, if you are ready to taste the delicious food of Oaxaca, let’s get started. Buen provecho!

Importance of the food of Oaxaca

Mexico has a wide variety of places that will blow your mind just by exploring its gastronomy. This is why we have made some articles about the different Mexican dishes that can be found in Mexico. However, the food in Oaxaca is pretty special as it is excellent and very varied. We find pre-Hispanic mixtures with viceroyalty touches that will linger on our palate as history lingers in its streets.

Definitely, the food of Oaxaca is a way to know Mexico. Indeed, It is important to know and preserve each Oaxaca dish since they are part of the traditions, festivities, and culture of Oaxaca and Mexico. Oaxaca is cultural richness as well as gastronomical for Mexico.

Its ingredients show all the wonders that this state has, for example, it shows the unique flavor of the sea, the ancestral flavor of corn, and the seasoning of its land and its people. In fact, with this, we can see that Mexican food is worthy of being a world heritage since Mexican identity is formed through its traditions and customs. The food of Oaxaca will make you want to explore Mexico, especially the state of Oaxaca.

Top 8 food of Oaxaca

Below are some of the very best food of Oaxaca. Enjoy it!

Mole

The black mole is the most outstanding since it is the typical dish for the Day of the Dead and more than 30 ingredients are needed to cook it. From roasted chilies, plantains, and many seeds to avocado leaves. Most importantly, if you want to obtain more intense flavors, you have to fry all the ingredients. Since a mole is an intense-flavored food of Oaxaca, it is usually accompanied by simple red or white rice and beans. The ingredients of mole poblano include chocolate or cocoa, tomato, garlic, onion, almonds, walnuts, raisins, and spices such as cloves, pepper, and parsley, as well as different types of chilies.

🥙 Want to taste the delicious mole? Then, join one of our following tours:

• Oaxaca Food Tour: A Truly Feast From Monte Alban to Huatulco Dishes (10 Days).
• Puebla Food Tour: Taste the Irresistible Mexican Cuisine (12h).
• Food Tour Puebla: Taste Irresistible Flavors of Cholula and Atlixco (3 Days).

Oaxaca cheese

Queso Oaxaca is a very important food in Mexican culture and cuisine. It is also known by the name “Quesillo” and is loved by many people. This cheese is famous because it looks like string cheese. When you pull it apart, it comes apart in long, soft strands. It is made from fresh cow’s milk, and it has a soft and thick texture. People often use it in many dishes, like quesadillas or tacos, because it melts well and adds a lot of flavor.

Queso Oaxaca is a special type of Mexican soft cheese. It is not like other cheeses you might find in the world. In fact, there are over 2000 different types of cheese made all over the world, but Oaxaca cheese is known for being one of the most delicious. Its taste is mild, creamy, and a little stretchy when you pull it apart. This unique cheese is a favorite in many parts of Mexico and is becoming more popular in other countries too.

In 2019,

Oaxaca cheese won a very special award. It was given the World Cheese Award, which recognizes the best and most flavorful cheeses from around the world. This award showed that Oaxaca cheese is not just delicious, but also one of the highest quality cheeses. The rich taste and texture of Oaxaca cheese make it stand out from other types of cheese, which is why it has gained worldwide attention.

Making Oaxaca cheese is an important business in the state of Oaxaca. Every year, more than 24 thousand tons of this cheese are made in Mexico. To put that into perspective, that’s enough cheese to make about 300 million quesadillas! This shows just how popular and loved Oaxaca cheese is in Mexico. It’s not only an important part of local meals, but also a product that supports many people in the region.

Oaxaca cheese is much more than just a food; it represents the culture and traditions of the people who make it. From the way it’s made to the way it’s enjoyed, queso Oaxaca plays an important role in daily life. Whether it’s used in a home-cooked meal or served at a celebration, Oaxaca cheese brings people together and connects them to their heritage.

By the way, check out these statistics about the Oaxaca cheese (also known as quesillo):

☀️Want to discover and admire Oaxaca? Join us on one of our tours:

• Mexican Treasures: Explore UNESCO Site Monte Alban and Ceramic Town (Group / 9h).
• Tour Oaxaca: Discover Tule Ancient Tree and Amazing Teotitlan (Group / 8h).
• Puerto Escondido tour: Enjoy Mexican Wonders from Mazunte to Oaxaca (8 Days).
• Mexico Travel Experiences: Get The Most Off-The-Beaten-Path Tour (10 Days).
• Oaxaca Tour: Explore Ruins, Incredible Waterfalls, Charming Towns and Much More (15 Days).

Chapulines

This food of Oaxaca is an exotic dish, with a unique and delicious flavor. For some others, it is a strange dish with an unpleasant appearance. The truth is that these crunchy insects are food in Oaxaca’s cuisine with a high source of protein. They come in different presentations, with chili and lemon, salty, with garlic, or simply toasted. Moreover, they are even usually the perfect ingredient for “Antojitos” such as tlayudas, tacos, and memelas.

There are several ways to capture these insects. In Oaxaca and the State of Mexico, they use nets or sacks; The hunters go into the cornfields making the insects enter the trap when they jump. Subsequently, they submerge them in salt water or sometimes they put them in a plastic bag to remove the air. Additionally, this food of Oaxaca has antibacterial properties, provides energy, and maintains the health of the nervous system.

Coloradito

Similar to mole, this food in Mexico contains over 20 ingredients. It is an intense red color paste made mainly from chili and spices, with a sweet and spicy flavor and a characteristic smell. It is traditionally served over previously cooked chicken or pork. In addition, the dish comes with white rice and corn tortillas.

Tlayudas

This is one of Mexican’s favorite food in Oaxaca and around the whole country. Tlayuda is a type of tortilla from the central region of Oaxaca. Traditionally, they are prepared with Oaxaca cheese, chopped cabbage or lettuce, jerky, and molcajete sauce.

This classic “Mexican antojito” is part of the food of Oaxaca dishes that was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Furthermore, it was recognized as the favorite dish in all of Latin America. This dish is made with thin corn tortillas that are four times larger than conventional tortillas. Currently, the consumption of tlayudas inside and outside of Oaxaca shows a reinterpretation of heritage. It is also a gastronomic variety in that region and throughout the country.

Buñuelos

Buñuelos are a tradition in the city of Oaxaca. This food of Oaxaca has a sweet tasty flavor due to the honey and sugar it has made in piloncillo. It is a recipe that has been passed from generation to generation. Certainly, these are an inheritance of Moorish cuisine that during the Christmas season, everyone adores. Buñuelos are a fundamental element in the traditional cuisine of the region. 🎄 Want to live a Christmas experience? Check out our tour: Mexico Monarch Butterfly: Visit Sierra Chincua Sanctuary and a Magic Town (14h).

Tamales

Last but certainly not least, here are the famous tamales oaxaqueños. This food is a typical Mexican dish, of Pre-Hispanic origin. Tamales are composed of corn dough,  filled with sauce, and usually some type of meat and/or vegetables. On the other hand, archaeological evidence shows them as part of the daily life of some cultures in Mexico in pre-Hispanic times. They were used for religious rituals, offerings, and tombs.

However, this evidence is very recent, for example, from the Classic Maya period. Tamales are a classic in Mexican cuisine that for many years continued to enchant everyone who tastes them. This Mexican food will surely continue to evolve and delight the palate of those who try it.

Mezcal

This is not food, but for sure, it is an essential part of their gastronomy. It is an alcoholic beverage from the distillation of juice fermentation of various species of agave. Santiago Matatlan is one of the municipalities of Oaxaca that promotes this drink not only in the entity but in different states and countries.

Families handcraft 90% of the mezcal produced in Mexico. They often use their own homes and farms to produce this distillate. In traditional medicine, mezcal is useful for sprinkling, rubbing, and cleaning. Something pretty curious is that cornfields, buildings, and crosses were blessed with mezcal instead of holy water.

Honorable Mention

Tejate

The tejate is a typical Oaxaca drink that shows the pre-Hispanic side in its delicious flavor. This is one of the gems of beverages in Mexico. This drink had a great ceremonial value, as it was only drunk when the planting or harvesting of corn began. It is made from corn, cocoa, mamey bone, and cocoa flower.

In fact, it has a white and lumpy foam that gives it a special flavor due to the cocoa flower. Its elaboration varies from generation to generation, however, women have always been the ones who made tejate a masterpiece. In fact, they were called “tejateras”.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the food of Oaxaca is a delicious journey into the heart of Mexican food traditions. With its rich and bold flavors, the variety of ingredients, and the ancient cooking methods, Oaxacan food shows the deep cultural history of the region. It is not just food; it is a way to experience the stories of the people who have lived there for generations.

From the famous mole to the tasty tlayudas, every dish has a special meaning. Each meal tells the story of the people, their land, and their history. When someone asks, “What is queso Oaxaca?” you can proudly say it is a famous and delicious cheese from the region, loved by many. The food of Oaxaca is like finding a hidden treasure of different tastes and experiences. The markets are full of colorful sights, strong smells, and delicious flavors. You’ll find many herbs, spices, and handmade foods that can only be found in this part of Mexico.

The food of Oaxaca also uses special ingredients that come from the land. Things like corn, chocolate, tlayudas, and even chapulines (which are roasted grasshoppers), are all part of Oaxacan cooking. These unique ingredients give the food a special taste that is hard to find anywhere else in the world. Mezcal, a strong drink made from agave, is another example of the many special things you can try when you visit Oaxaca. Each dish you taste in Oaxaca brings you closer to understanding the deep connection between food and the people of the region.

But the food in Oaxaca is not just about the flavors.

It’s also about community and tradition. In Oaxaca, food is something to be shared. It brings people together during celebrations, family gatherings, and local festivals. The pride Oaxacans feel about their food is clear in the way they welcome visitors to try their dishes. When you eat their food, you become a part of their story.

To truly experience Oaxacan food is to embark on an unforgettable adventure. It doesn’t matter if you are walking through the lively streets of Oaxaca City, visiting the small villages, or exploring the colorful markets, you will be amazed by the delicious surprises waiting for you. The food of Oaxaca is a celebration of history, culture, and the creativity of the people who make it. Each bite brings you closer to understanding the soul of this wonderful region.

Food of Oaxaca Informative Video