Oaxaca has a reputation as the food capital of Mexico, and it’s not hard to see why. The ingredients are local and deeply rooted, the techniques go back centuries, and the variety is genuinely unlike anywhere else in the country. Whether you’re eating at a market stall, a family restaurant, or off a street corner…
If you want to understand Oaxaca, spend a morning in its markets. Not a quick walk-through — actually stop, eat something, watch how people move through the stalls, listen to the noise. Markets here aren’t tourist attractions with a side of local color. They’re where the city does its daily business: buying breakfast, picking up…
If you’ve eaten a tlayuda, a quesadilla, or almost anything off a comal in Oaxaca, you’ve already met quesillo. That stretchy, creamy, slightly salty cheese that pulls apart in ribbons and melts into everything it touches. I’ve lived in Oaxaca City for over 10 years, and I still think it’s one of the best things…
Oaxaca is considered Mexico’s culinary capital — and a cooking class here is one of the best ways to actually understand why. It’s not about following a recipe. It’s about standing in a market with a local cook who knows every vendor by name, learning why this chili and not that one, understanding what makes…
Oaxaca has a serious claim to being Mexico’s best food city. That’s not a bold statement — it’s something food writers, chefs, and the Netflix Street Food: Latin America series have all arrived at independently. And the reason isn’t the fine dining. It’s what’s cooking on the street corners. Street food in Oaxaca isn’t a budget option…
Mole is everywhere in Oaxaca. You’ll spot it on restaurant menus, piled high in market stalls, and cooking in enormous clay pots at celebrations across the state. But here’s the thing — mole isn’t just a sauce. In Oaxaca, it carries real weight. It takes hours, sometimes days, to make properly. It shows up at…
Discover the treasures of Oaxaca that are nominated for the best of Mexico in 2025 and could take the crown. 2025 brought many surprises to Oaxaca, and its gastronomy and beautiful landscapes were clearly the stars once again, positioning the state to win prestigious awards. Specific destinations like Puerto Escondido and several restaurants received nominations…
If you’ve eaten anywhere in Oaxaca—say, a tlayuda at Mercado 20 de Noviembre or a taco on the street—you’ve probably heard it: “Provecho!” Everywhere in Mexico, strangers, vendors, even mates at the table toss it out before, during, or after a meal. After 11 years here, I can tell you it’s not just a word—it’s…