Introduction to Oaxaca

Oaxaca is a beautiful blend of classic and modern. As you walk through the city you will find crumbling colonial architecture, vibrant street art, and mystical hanging creatures.

We have many recommendations and know you will discover Oaxaca’s magic on your own. But for starters, here are a few: eat mole, speak Spanish, eat quesillo, drink mezcal, visit a museum (or 2 or 3), drink hot chocolate, eat a grasshopper (chapulines), walk everywhere…

Oaxaca’s Culinary Delights

Oaxaca is considered a culinary mecca. Chefs from all around the world visit and study in Oaxaca because of its unique culinary delights. Key ingredients of Oaxacan cuisine include avocado, epazote (Mexican herb), quesillo (Oaxacan cheese), chapulines (grasshoppers), peppers, squash blossoms, and chocolate.

Oaxaca is most famous for its mole (a complex, deliciously rich sauce made from a base of toasted chilies, nuts, spices, and sesame seeds.) There are seven Oaxacan moles. Oaxaca’s most famous mole is mole negro (a black sauce usually served over chicken and rice). Also, you will not be disappointed with Oaxaca’s mole Verde (green mole) and mole Amarillo (yellow mole).

You will likely see something called tlayudas on the menu, something Americans would consider as “Mexican pizza.” It is a famous street food dish, a tortilla smothered with delicious toppings like chorizo, cheese, spices, and more.

More must-tries! Huitlacoche corn fungus tacos, enfrijoladas, delicious fried tortillas served with beans and sauce and tamales hoja, banana leaf-wrapped tamales.