You travel to try new things and have new experiences, right? So why not stretch your palate a bit during your travels? Although here in Mexico City you can really experience the “exotic” in food, you don’t need to delve into the strange. Get a little off the beaten path with these suggestions. If you want to try something a little different while eating in Mexico City, try these.
Here are two Cevicherias or raw seafood specialty houses:
Seafood Pipiripau
Palm No. 31
Historical Center
Hosteria Las Palmas
Palm No. 30-A
Historical Center
Ceviche is raw fish or shellfish marinated in lime juice with vegetables and spices that is chemically “cooked” with acids. Usually served cold, it is a staple in many Latin countries, especially in seaports. Here seafood cocktails and Caldos de Mariscos are offered. The Las Palmas house specialty is “Vuelve a la Vida”, ($60 pesos) a combination of fish, octopus, crab, shrimp and oysters that will surely “revive” you. Other raw, but marinated, seafood cocktails served in a sundae glass are priced around $30 pesos for your choice. Another outstanding specialty is the stuffed crab, served in its shell for $35 pesos. It is a unique experience, check it out.
Do you want to try sushi?
Would it be Japanese or Mexican sushi? No, I’m just kidding about the Mexican, but you can sample a variety of delicacies made before your eyes at this restaurant duo. Later, you can learn how to make your own sushi rolls.
teriyaki-san
Republic of Uruguay No. 71 Local 2
Historical Center
5510 – 9971, 5510 – 9556
Sort of a “fast food” style Japanese restaurant, their selection is a bit limited, but ready to serve and cheaply priced. You can choose from a few prepackaged combos that aren’t bad for the money. The staff is Mexican, so you lose a bit in translation. The setting is typical of “fast food”, although the location is conveniently in the center of the commercial scene of the Republic of Uruguay.
sushi roll
May 5 no.
Historic Center Metro: Allende
An authentic Japanese sushi bar where you can combine slices of raw or pickled seafood, rice and vegetables that become aromatic and colorful treats before your dazzled eyes. Prices range from $10 pesos per piece to $60 or $70 for mixed dishes. Gets pretty crowded at lunchtime so come early or late afternoon and evening for less crowds. If you are really ready for the real thing and a unique experience at prices you can afford, this is the place I would recommend.
… Have Vegan Vittles for dinner?
(…and we’re not just talking about “rabbit food” here)
Filomeno Mata Vegetarian Restaurant
Filomeno Mata no.
Historical Center
5521 – 1895
If you haven’t tried vegetarian food, why not try it here, where the selection is wide and tasty with entrees like Stuffed Avocado and Tomato, Baked Potato with Aztec Onions and Corn Croquettes with Mashed Papaya? As an old fashioned “meat and potatoes” man, I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by the delicious entrees on the menu here. Open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Soft pop music plays in the background as you dine from a live keyboard player morning and evening most days. A truly lovely touch.
Two additional vegetarian locations are:
Vegetarian and Diet
Madero 56 Tall
Historical Center
5521 – 6880
vegetarian rome
Tuxpan 24
Cologne Rome
5564 – 7930
The Magueyes
Palma 10-A (between 5 de Mayo and Tacuba)
Historical Center
5518 – 4073, 5521 – 5191
The waitress placed a plate on the table in front of me. A generous slice of carne asada lay next to a puddle of salsa-colored refried beans. A large green salad of tomato, lettuce, shredded carrot, and cucumber filled one side of the plate, but it was the meat topping that was the center of attraction. Deep green thin strips with a slightly spicy aroma mixed with small whole bright red chilies. A small steaming stack of filled corn tortillas with a saucer to the side of the plate. So this was the “Steak with Nopales”. The Maguey is a type of succulent plant. If your Botanica is rusty, that means it’s some kind of cactus. Nopales are a staple here, and unsurprisingly, a number of dishes like Nopales Au Grautin and Costilla con Nopales feature them. The young, tender ears of the nopal are harvested, cleaned, and depinned and pitted before being grilled or deep-fried. Good value tickets here are priced from $21.50 to $42.50 pesos. Several restaurants and “TaquerÃas” prepare them in plates for their distinctive flavor. They can also be squeezed and mixed with other fruit and vegetable juices for a tasty and healthy drink. Bottom up!
Celaya candy store
May 5 No. 39
Historic Center Metro: Allende
5521 – 1787
If it’s sweet Bunky, they probably have it. (Well, not me, but candied fruits and vegetables, yes.) And if they don’t have it, you can ask for it and they will get it or make it for you. Boasting a history of being in business for 125 years, sneakers, specialty candies and candies of everything are found in this tiny glass-walled shop. The window displays alone are enough to pique your interest. Try some candied yuca or pumpkin, fantastic! Products are sold by weight, so you can order as much as you like. A definite “Must – Stop” on your “Offbeat Mexico City” tour. Your sweet tooth will thank you, and thank you, and thank you. Enjoy!
The Jarochos
room 21
San Camilito Food Market
The yelling and shouting started as soon as I walked through the entrance, “Here sir! We have the best”, “what would you like? We have it here!” “Do you like the best homemade food? Try ours, it’s ready. You won’t regret it!” “My mother cooks our ham herself. It is so tender that you will cry with pleasure when you taste it.” A dozen cooks and garroteros assaulted me at once. Each one trying to lure me into eating at their establishment. Everything looked good. Everything smelled good. They were insisting. They begged. They argued. They implored. When all that didn’t work, if there was time, they cajoled him. “You’re passing up the best food on the market!” “You should have eaten here, now you’re going to have heartburn!” Welcome to the San Camilito Food Market, located next to the bustling Plaza Garibaldi. I settled in at Norberto Uscanga Ortiz’s seafood stand and enjoyed Arroz con Pulpo (rice seasoned with generous chunks of octopus mixed together at 20 pesos), Fried Mojarra with a mixed salad of tomato, lettuce and avocado, a small loaf of freshly baked bread (38 pesos for the plate) and washed it all down with a couple of almost frozen Coronas (10 pesos).
I left there like a duck an hour and a half, 11 mariachi bands and three good Norberto stories later, a stuffed and happy man. When you leave, please give my regards. You will be delighted with some of the most select seafood dishes in the city.
Want more exotic food tips and stories?
See “Piranha: Deadly and Delicious” at: http://ezinearticles.com/?Piranha—Deadly-and-Delicious&id=72722
“Preparing Piranha: Four Delicious Recipes for Adventuresome Eating” online at: http://ezinearticles.com/?Preparing-Piranha:-Four-Delicious-Recipes-for-Adventuresome-Eating&id=82857
“Eating in Columbia: Healthy, Delicious but Weird”
online at: http://ezinearticles.com/?Eating-in-Colombia:-Healthy,-Delicious-But-Strange&id=72715
and “What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?”
at: http://ezinearticles.com/?What’s-the-Strange-Thing-You’ve-Ever-Eaten?&id=81349
Enjoy!
