Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
1. Pozole Veracruzano
A hearty hominy and pork stew seasoned with ancho chiles and sesame seeds, topped with shredded lettuce, radish slices, lime wedges, and shredded chicken. Solves the need for a filling meal.
- Unique Ingredients: Uses hominy, ancho chiles, and sesame seeds
- Regional Variation: Each region in Veracruz has its own twist on pozole
- Street Food Experience: Best enjoyed from street food vendors
2. Cemita Mole Poblana
A sandwich made with a sesame seed roll, filled with shredded chicken, avocado slices, queso de oaxaca cheese, and chipotle chiles in adobo sauce. The sandwich is covered in mole poblano, a rich chocolate-based sauce. Solves the need for a delicious and unique sandwich.
- Unique Sandwich: Combines ingredients in a unique way
- Authentic Mexican Cuisine: Authentic dish from the state of Puebla
- Iconic Bread: Sesame seed roll is a signature component
3. Tlacoyos de Papa
Corn masa oval-shaped cakes stuffed with refried beans and cheese. They are then topped with salsa, avocado slices, and minced onion. Solves the need for a satisfying snack or light meal.
- Corn Masa: Made from corn masa, a common ingredient in Mexican cuisine
- Versatile Toppings: Can be topped with various salsas and condiments
- Street Food: Best enjoyed from street food vendors
4. Memelas de Calabaza
Thick corn tortillas topped with refried beans, queso fresco cheese, and slices of calabaza (pumpkin). The dish is then garnished with salsa roja, avocado slices, and minced onion. Solves the need for a hearty breakfast or brunch.
- Unique Ingredient: Uses calabaza (pumpkin)
- Regional Variation: Each region in Veracruz has its own version of memelas
- Breakfast Staple: Popular breakfast dish in Veracruz
5. Barbacoa de Borrego
Slow-cooked lamb served on corn tortillas with cilantro, onions, and lime wedges. Solves the need for a flavorful and tender meat dish.
- Slow-Cooked: Lamb is slow-cooked to ensure tenderness
- Regional Specialty: A specialty from the Huasteca region of Veracruz
- Street Food Experience: Best enjoyed from street food vendors
6. Tamales de Xalapa
Steamed corn dough filled with pork, olives, and raisins, wrapped in banana leaves. Solves the need for a traditional and flavorful dish.
- Unique Ingredients: Includes olives and raisins
- Regional Variation: Each region in Veracruz has its own version of tamales
- Street Food Experience: Best enjoyed from street food vendors
7. Tlayudas de Xalapa
Large fried tortillas topped with refried beans, Oaxaca cheese, lettuce, avocado slices, tomato sauce, and meat (such as shredded chicken or carnitas). Solves the need for a filling and flavorful meal.
- Unique Size: Large size makes it a filling dish
- Regional Variation: Each region in Veracruz has its own version of tlayudas
- Street Food Experience: Best enjoyed from street food vendors
8. Quelites con Salsa Verde
Wild greens (quelites) cooked in a tomatillo and cilantro sauce. Solves the need for a healthy and flavorful side dish.
- Local Ingredients: Uses wild greens (quelites) grown locally
- Healthy Option: A nutritious and low-calorie dish
- Traditional Side Dish: Common side dish in Veracruz
9. Chiles en Nogada
Poblano peppers stuffed with picadillo (a mixture of meat, fruits, and spices) and covered in a walnut-based nogada sauce. The dish is garnished with pomegranate seeds, parsley, and pear slices. Solves the need for a visually striking and flavorful dish.
- Unique Ingredients: Includes walnut-based nogada sauce and pomegranate seeds
- Regional Specialty: A specialty from the city of Puebla
- Celebratory Dish: Traditionally served during Mexico's Independence Day celebration
10. Tostadas de Tinga de Pollo
Fried tortillas topped with shredded chicken in adobo sauce, avocado slices, and queso fresco cheese. Solves the need for a tasty and convenient snack.
- Unique Ingredients: Includes adobo sauce and queso fresco
- Regional Variation: Each region in Veracruz has its own version of tostadas
- Street Food Experience: Best enjoyed from street food vendors
11. Ceviche de Camarón
Fresh shrimp marinated in lime juice and chiles, served with sliced onions, cilantro, and avocado. Solves the need for a refreshing seafood dish.
- Fresh Seafood: Uses fresh shrimp
- Regional Variation: Each region in Veracruz has its own version of ceviche
- Refreshing Dish: Ideal for hot weather
12. Enfrijoladas
Corn tortillas dipped in refried beans and covered with salsa roja, queso fresco cheese, and sour cream. Solves the need for a comforting and flavorful meal.
- Unique Ingredients: Includes refried beans and salsa roja
- Regional Variation: Each region in Veracruz has its own version of enfrijoladas
- Comfort Food: A popular comfort food in Veracruz
13. Sopa de Tortilla
A soup made from shredded tortillas, chicken broth, and shredded chicken. Solves the need for a comforting and filling soup.
- Unique Ingredients: Includes shredded tortillas
- Regional Variation: Each region in Veracruz has its own version of sopa de tortilla
- Comfort Food: A popular comfort food in Veracruz
14. Papadzules
Corn tortillas filled with a pumpkin seed sauce and topped with boiled eggs, pickled onions, and sesame seeds. Solves the need for a unique and flavorful dish.
- Unique Ingredients: Includes pumpkin seed sauce and boiled eggs
- Regional Specialty: A specialty from the Yucatan Peninsula, but popular in Xalapa as well
- Versatile Toppings: Can be garnished with pickled onions and sesame seeds
15. Barbacoa de Res
Slow-cooked beef served on corn tortillas with cilantro, onions, and lime wedges. Solves the need for a flavorful and tender meat dish.
- Slow-Cooked: Beef is slow-cooked to ensure tenderness
- Regional Specialty: A specialty from the Huasteca region of Veracruz
- Street Food Experience: Best enjoyed from street food vendors