North America, Photography, Travel

The Magical Meat Market of Oaxaca, Mexico

Carne Asada in Oaxaca

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.

The Carne Asada HallWe 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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Grill at Oaxaca Market

Carne Asada Hall

Grill employee in Oaxaca Market

Oaxaca Carne Asada Hall

Grilled veggies in Oaxaca

Meat and tortillas from Oaxaca Market

Chicken feet in a market

Fish market in the Oaxaca Market

Market in Oaxaca Market

Woman at the Oaxaca Market

Pig head at Oaxaca Market

Woman with tripe at the Oaxaca Market

Juice in the Oaxaca Market

Chihuahua in Oaxaca, Mexico
This dog is NOT edible nor part of the meat market. Traded a picture of the dog for a picture of my tattoo.

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38 thoughts on “The Magical Meat Market of Oaxaca, Mexico”

  1. 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…

  2. @ Gillian – I couldn’t agree more! No matter how many markets we go to, I never get sick of them.

  3. @ Dalene – It changed my life. Although I know I won’t be able to fully recreate it, I can’t wait to try. 😀

  4. Wow, you made me hungry already before I opened the gallery… now I’m… more hungry!!!
    Amazing, I want to be there.:)

  5. @ 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.

  6. 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! 😉

  7. @ Debbie – I’m not sure what it is, but it was almost mystical in there.

  8. 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. 🙂

  9. drool. seriously just drool. I will not be able to stop thinking about grilled onions and lime juice for the rest of the day 😉

  10. 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.

  11. @ 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. 😛

  12. 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.

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