The Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico is known for its amazing white sand beaches, its colonial-style buildings and also for having some special dishes which can only be found in this part of the country.
Be sure to try out these local specialties if you visit Cancun, Valladolid, Merida, Tulum or Isla Holbox.
Fish Tacos
Although fish tacos can also be found on the west coast of Mexico, you will find plenty of fresh seafood along the coast in areas such as Cancun and Tulum. Luckily, you can also often find Baja-style breaded fish tacos, accompanied with salad and a spicy yet refreshing creamy sauce.
If you prefer your tacos un-breaded, these will often be served with diced white fish smothered in a tomato salsa and perhaps also topped with salad.
- Get your Baja-style fish taco fix at El Camello in Tulum
Salbutes
Salbutes, also sometimes known as Panuchos, as similar to tostadas although not quite as crispy.
They consist of a fried corn base which inflates when cooked on a griddle and they can sometimes be stuffed with meat and then topped. Alternatively, like tostadas, the chosen meat is piled on top of the fried base, along with salad or marinated onions.
- Sample chicken salbutes at the night market in Merida
Cohinita Pibil
Cochinitia pibil is slow-roasted pork which is marinated in citrus juices (usually a combination of orange, lemon, lime and vinegar) and annatto and cooked in banana leaves. This gives it a great soft texture and orange colour.
Cochinita pibil is often served in soft tacos and topped with onions and cabbage, although it can also be ordered as a plate on its own, where you will get a bigger portion of the meat served with rice.
- For authentic and juicy cochinita pibil tacos, head to El Amigo Casiano inside the green market building in Valladolid
Ceviche
Again, a dish that is popular in most coastal areas, ceviche is made from fresh raw fish or shrimp which has been marinated in either lemon or lime juice and spices to give it a tangy flavour.
The fish and juice mixture is then combined with chopped onion, tomato and coriander and often served with avocado or salad along with perhaps tortilla chips or crackers.
- For a tangy and refreshing ceviche, try Pepe’s bar in Tulum (one street behind the main drag in the bright red building). They also offer free snacks when you order drinks.
Joroches
Joroches (also known as joloches) looks like a soup, but is much thicker in consistency. It consists of small corn tamales stuffed with ground beef, placed into a a thick sauce of blended black beans, tomato and spices. The dish is then sprinkled with crumbled cheese and sometimes sour cream.
- Sample joroches at La Chaya Maya, a Yucatan speciality restaurant in Merida
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