Mexican food facts for kids
Mexican food or Mexican cuisine is the cuisine of the state of Mexico. Maize, different kinds of beans, chili peppers, fruit and certain other vegetables play an important role. Mexico was ruled by the Spanish for a long time, this also influenced cuisine. In the north, Spanish influence is bigger. In the south, pre-Columbian recipes play a bigger role.
Common dishes
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Guacamole with torilla chips.
Images for kids
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Mole sauce, which has dozens of varieties across the Republic, is seen as a symbol of Mexicanidad and is considered Mexico's national dish.
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Still-life with Fruit, Scorpion and Frog (1874) by Hermenegildo Bustos.
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Still-life, oil on canvas painting by José Agustín Arrieta (Mexican), c. 1870, San Diego Museum of Art
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Ancient mesoamerican engraving of maize, National Museum of Anthropology of Mexico.
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Chiles rellenos, stuffed chile peppers.
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Pan de muerto traditionally baked in Mexico during the weeks leading up to the Day of the Dead.
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Chiles en nogada, due to the dish's incorporation of red, white and green, is popularly consumed during the celebrations of the Grito de Dolores. Tied to the independence of the country since it is said they were prepared for the first time to entertain the future emperor Agustín de Iturbide when he came to signing of the Treaty of Córdoba.
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Barbacoa in Actopan, Hidalgo. The barbecue in a ground oven is a typical dish from the Mezquital Valley.
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Fruit punch is popular around Christmas time during Las Posadas.
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Mexican candy stand.
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Remnants of popcorn have been found in Mexico that date circa 3600 BC.
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A native American grinder stone tool or "metate" from Central Mexico.
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Las Tortilleras, an 1836 lithograph after a painting by Carl Nebel of women grinding corn and making tortillas.
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A reconstructed kitchen at the 16th century former monastery of San Miguel Arcángel, Huejotzingo, Puebla.
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Hot chocolate and pan dulce are the quintessential breakfast in Mexico. Many of Mexico's sweet breads were influenced by French immigrants.
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Pujol was named by Wall Street Journal as the best in Mexico City.
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Champurrado, Mexican chocolate-based drink
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Chocolate being poured at a market at Villa de Etla, Oaxaca
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Enchiladas with tasajo beef.
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Huachinango a la veracruzana, a dish based on red snapper.
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Churros were brought to Mexico by the Spanish. Churros are a popular dessert in Mexico.
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Chimichanga, a Tex-Mex dish, served in Melbourne.
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Tacos of Carnitas, Carne Asada and Al pastor.
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Mini bean gordita flavored with avocado leaf Veracruz style.
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Tamales wrapped in corn husks.
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Birria, a common dish in Guadalajara.
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Asado de boda (Wedding stew), typical dish of Zacatecas.
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Torta ahogada accompanied by light beer, Jalisco.
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The folklore belief that menudo will alleviate some of the symptoms of a hangover is widely held.
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Cochinita Pibil, a fire pit-smoked pork dish, seasoned with achiote, spices and Seville orange.
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Frijol con puerco (beans with pork) prepared with beans, pork, epazote, onion, cilantro, lemon, radishes and habanero chile.
See also
In Spanish: Gastronomía de México para niños