Mexico City: Street Taco Cooking Class & Market Tour

Explore the vibrant culinary scene of Mexico City with this immersive 4.5-hour guided experience. Explore the bustling Mercado de Medellin, uncover traditional flavors, and partake in a hands-on taco-making demonstration. Craft your own handmade tortillas and salsas, then savor a delectable 4-course lunch featuring an array of street tacos, refreshing agua frescas, and authentic Mexican desserts. This small-group tour, limited to 7 participants, promises a personalized and insightful exploration of Mexico’s rich gastronomic heritage. Discover why this experience is a must-add to any Mexico City itinerary.

Key Points

• Vibrant 4.5-hour guided culinary experience exploring the traditional Mexican cuisine of Mexico City in a small-group setting.
• Hands-on taco-making demonstration featuring preparation of classic taco varieties and homemade tortillas and salsas.
• Immersive exploration of the vibrant Mercado de Medellin market, showcasing diverse Mexican ingredients and flavors.
• Culminates in a 4-course lunch experience featuring the crafted street tacos, accompanied by refreshing drinks.
• Not accessible for wheelchair users or those with mobility impairments; participants must be at least 12 years old.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

This 4.5-hour guided experience takes visitors on a journey through the vibrant culinary scene of Mexico City, offering a small-group setting limited to 7 participants and available in both English and Spanish.

The tour begins with a visit to the Mercado de Medellin in the Roma neighborhood, where guests will have the opportunity to taste traditional Mexican dishes like quesadillas, raw cacao, exotic bugs, fruits, and ice cream.

The main event is a hands-on cooking class led by a professional chef, where you will learn to prepare street tacos, including tacos al pastor, tacos de barbacoa, and tacos campechanos, as well as three Mexican salsas and handmade tortillas.

The experience culminates in a 4-course lunch paired with refreshing agua fresca, Mexican craft beer, and mezcal.

Mercado De Medellin Exploration

The tour begins with a visit to the vibrant Mercado de Medellin in the Roma neighborhood, where guests can explore the rich tapestry of traditional Mexican cuisine.

Strolling through the bustling market, they’ll encounter a dazzling array of sights, smells, and flavors. From the sizzling quesadillas to the sweet, creamy ice cream, the market offers a tantalizing taste of local delicacies.

Guests can savor the bold, earthy notes of raw cacao, as well as the unexpected crunch of exotic bug dishes. The market’s bountiful produce, including an array of colorful, juicy fruits, provides a feast for the senses.

This immersive experience sets the stage for the cooking class to follow, where guests will learn to recreate these authentic Mexican flavors.

Traditional Mexican Flavors

Mexico’s rich culinary heritage is on full display as guests learn to prepare a variety of traditional street tacos, from the succulent pork of tacos al pastor to the robust flavors of tacos de barbacoa and the harmonious blend of beef and pork in tacos campechanos.

Under the guidance of a professional chef, you will craft these iconic Mexican dishes, exploring the intricate interplay of spices, herbs, and citrus that define authentic street taco recipes.

Beyond the tacos, guests will also learn to craft handmade tortillas and three distinct Mexican salsas, each one showcasing the vibrant, complex flavors that make Mexican cuisine so captivating.

Taco-Making Demonstration

Under the tutelage of a skilled culinary guide, participants embark on an immersive taco-making demonstration, unlocking the secrets behind crafting authentic Mexican street fare.

They’ll learn to prepare three classic taco varieties: al pastor (pork), de barbacoa (beef), and campechanos (beef and pork).

With hands-on guidance, they’ll master the art of handmaking tortillas and whipping up a trio of traditional Mexican salsas to complement the tacos.

From mincing the meat to finely chopping the garnishes, every step is meticulously explained, giving guests a deeper appreciation for the complexities of this quintessential Mexican dish.

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Preparing Handmade Tortillas

Participants then learn the intricate process of handmaking tortillas, a fundamental component of authentic Mexican street tacos.

With the guidance of their culinary expert, they carefully measure and mix the requisite ingredients – masa harina, water, and a pinch of salt – to create a supple dough.

Meticulously dividing the dough into small balls, they use a traditional tortilla press to flatten each portion into thin, round discs, imbuing the tortillas with a homemade authenticity unmatched by store-bought varieties.

The participants discover that handcrafting tortillas requires:

• Precise dough consistency
• Gentle handling to avoid tearing
• Consistent flattening with the tortilla press
• Efficient cooking on a hot griddle
• Maintaining the tortillas’ pliability and warmth

Mexican Salsas Crafting

Next, the culinary experts guide participants in the art of crafting authentic Mexican salsas – a critical component of any well-rounded street taco experience. With an array of fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, they demonstrate the techniques for preparing three distinct salsa varieties: a zesty salsa verde made with roasted tomatillos, a smoky chipotle salsa, and a vibrant pico de gallo brimming with diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime.

Salsa Variety	Key Ingredients	Flavor Profile
Salsa Verde	Roasted tomatillos	Zesty, tangy
Chipotle Salsa	Smoked chipotle chiles	Smoky, spicy
Pico de Gallo	Tomatoes, onions, cilantro, lime	Fresh, bright

These three salsas not only add depth and complexity to the tacos but also provide a hands-on opportunity for participants to explore the vibrant flavors of authentic Mexican cuisine.

4-Course Lunch Experience

Following the hands-on culinary experience, participants savor a delectable 4-course lunch featuring the very street tacos they crafted alongside traditional accompaniments.

Complementing the robust flavors are refreshing agua frescas, Mexican craft beers, and smooth mezcal – a well-rounded gastronomic celebration of the vibrant flavors of Mexico City.

The 4-course menu includes:

• Appetizer of fresh seasonal fruit and raw cacao
• Main course of tacos al pastor, tacos de barbacoa, and tacos campechanos
• Side of handmade tortillas and three types of house-made salsas
• Dessert of traditional Mexican ice cream
• Beverages of agua fresca, Mexican craft beer, and mezcal

Important Considerations

This cooking class and market tour has a few important considerations to keep in mind. Participants must be at least 12 years old, as the class isn’t suitable for younger children.

The experience isn’t accessible for wheelchair users or those with mobility impairments, as the tour involves walking through the bustling market.

Hotel pickup and drop-off aren’t included, so travelers will need to arrange their own transportation to and from the meeting point.

While the exclusions may be limiting for some, the small group size and personalized attention from the professional chef guide ensure an immersive and authentic culinary experience in the heart of Mexico City.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Minimum Group Size for This Tour?

The minimum group size for this tour is 7 participants. The tour accommodates small groups, providing a more intimate and personalized experience for travelers.

Can the Cooking Class Accommodate Dietary Restrictions?

The cooking class can accommodate most dietary restrictions with advance notice. The chef will work to modify the menu and provide alternative ingredients to meet participants’ dietary needs, such as vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free requirements.

Is There a Vegetarian/Vegan Option for the 4-Course Lunch?

Yes, the tour offers a vegetarian/vegan option for the 4-course lunch. The chef can accommodate dietary restrictions with advance notice, providing plant-based alternatives to the traditional Mexican dishes served during the meal.

Do Participants Get to Keep the Recipes After the Class?

Participants receive printed copies of the recipes used during the cooking class, allowing them to recreate the dishes at home and continue their culinary exploration of Mexican cuisine.

Is There a Dress Code for the Tour and Cooking Class?

There is no formal dress code for the cooking class and market tour. However, participants are encouraged to wear comfortable, casual clothing and closed-toe shoes for walking and standing during the activities.

Recap

This immersive food tour in Mexico City offers a unique opportunity to dive into the vibrant culinary scene.

Guests will explore a bustling market, learn the art of taco-making, and savor a delectable 4-course lunch showcasing traditional Mexican flavors.

With a small-group setting and personalized attention, this experience provides an insightful exploration of the country’s rich gastronomic heritage, leaving participants with a deeper appreciation for the nuances of Mexican cuisine.

You can check availability for your dates here: