Besting some of the most amazing meals we’ve had on our trip thus far, it is easy to see why Oaxaca, Mexico is considered the culinary capital of Mexico. However, of all the wonderful eats, nothing comes close to our lunch in the “Mercado de la comida”. A couple blocks south of the zocalo, all my carnivorous dreams came true. Travel to Mexico is not something that should be postponed or ignored, and here another example why.
We were aimlessly wandering the massive market when our nostrils were filled with the joyous scent of flame-searing meat. We soon added the sights to the smells. Smoke billowed from the tightly packed aisle, lined solely with meat stalls. At the end of the aisle was a collection of tables, vegetable stalls, and large painted archway stating “BIENVENIDOS A LAS CARNES ASADAS”.
After choosing our accompanying veggies, we set off to pick our meat. Even though the stalls are all independent of one another, they work together flawlessly. The onions were grilled directly on the coals, perfectly seasoned with lime juice. The peppers were seared and peeled (and ridiculously hot) before being added to our delicious meat platter. Together with a stack of corn tortillas and guacamole, the materials of seriously mind-blowingly-good carne asada tacos now sat before us.
We each tried to put our culinary thoughts into words, but the closest we could muster was “These are… mmmmMMMMMmm… oh my god… so f*cking good!”
With so many other appetizing distractions, don’t make the mistake of missing out on Oaxaca holidays in carne asada alley- your taste buds will never forgive you!
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I love markets! I always feel so close to the food and the people who grow it – we rely too much on supermarkets here! Yummy!
Oh, that looks and sounds soooo good. Guess what we’re having for dinner tonight, now that I’ve read this…although I’m sure it won’t be the same…
I dont eat meat anymore!! but your post is…….. daaamn i want a taco of cecina!!!!!!!
@ Rey – I could never give up meat for this reason. 🙂
@ Gillian – I couldn’t agree more! No matter how many markets we go to, I never get sick of them.
@ Dalene – It changed my life. Although I know I won’t be able to fully recreate it, I can’t wait to try. 😀
Wow, you made me hungry already before I opened the gallery… now I’m… more hungry!!!
Amazing, I want to be there.:)
This looks delicious, I love local markets, I never miss them anywhere I go!
Oh God. Between you guys with all this Mexican food and Duane from Reset, Live, Grow taunting me with southern food a week or so ago, I think I might actually die of food envy.
@ Giulia – Sounds like our work is done here. 🙂
@ Angela – Agreed! They are truly amazing.
@ Evan – We totally understand. Even just being away from Mexico for like 2 weeks we were going through withdrawals. So glad we’re back in the Yucatan now.
Love markets like this! Why does “flame-searing meat” smell so dang good?
God, girl! I love markets and especially market food. Yum!!! 🙂 Nice photography like usual.
Makes me wanna go back… it was so good!!!
I love the first photo, great shot! I didn’t eat here the last time we were in Oaxaca, but I remember wandering through. I never pass up an opportunity to visit a market in Mexico! 😉
@ Debbie – I’m not sure what it is, but it was almost mystical in there.
@ Jaime – Lets do it!!!
@ Laura – We were sucked in immediately and I’m so glad we were!
And now I’m craving Mexican. You should warn the hungry people at the beginning of the post that what they are about to read/see will make them even hungrier. 🙂
I’m sorry! I’m just starting to get used to taking pictures of food!
That looks amazing! I miss market food so much. Tacos are my favorite!
Food markets are so cool everywhere in the world…and I see this was no exception!
@Lindsay: Market food is sooooo goooooood. I’m all about tacos al pastor.
@Fede: I think this is one of my favorites. We could have wandered for hours!
drool. seriously just drool. I will not be able to stop thinking about grilled onions and lime juice for the rest of the day 😉
The GOOD kind of meat market… Sounds like the perfect place to wander and put together a good lunch.
I love meat, but I usually hate meat pictures. Only you could make one look so tasty! I love how you describe all of the stalls being independent yet coming together for one amazing meal.
@ Margo – You’re welcome! 😀
@ Travel Chica – Even if there was a ‘meat market’ within the meat market, all the promiscuous prowlers would be completely ignored by the hungry carnivores. 😛
@ Abby – Yeah, Erica is really getting into the food porn industry. 🙂
wow that pig head looks scary, but I still really enjoy the market photo tour. I’m all about market so love this post. I wish I was there with you guys.
I love markets, and I love your pictures. Eat on.
I am hungry and now require a HUGE plate of meat to save my inner soul!
FEED ME!!!!
@Mica: And BOY, do I LOVE to eat! More food porn incoming!
@Michael: NOMNOMNOMNOM
@Laura: You go to Mexico all the time!