Top 5 Puebla City Food: A Delicious Guide

So, you’re thinking of heading down to Puebla, Mexico? Get ready for a treat, that’s for certain. This city, you know, isn’t just drop-dead beautiful with all its old buildings and Talavera pottery; it’s seriously popping with tasty food experiences, too. We, I’m pretty confident to say, can basically all agree Mexican food is just mind-blowingly amazing, yet Puebla? Puebla seriously cranks the delicious factor all the way up to eleven. That makes sense, because it’s the birthplace, you see, of some of Mexico’s most iconic dishes. Forget the usual tourist traps and dive deep, in some respects, into what makes Puebla a must-visit for any serious foodie.

1. Mole Poblano: The King of Sauces

Now, when it comes to food in Puebla, where can we even start without talking about Mole Poblano? We all know it; so iconic, right? It is that super intricate sauce that’s seemingly got like, a million different ingredients. That’s the first thing everyone should try. Seriously, I mean it, first. It tends to be more or less a combo of chilies, chocolate, spices, and nuts, which gives it this rich, dark, almost kind of complex flavor. Restaurants here usually guard their mole recipes like state secrets, so too it’s almost like every place you try it, it’ll taste at least a bit unique.

Try it served over turkey or chicken and get it with a side of warm tortillas, of course. It’s just perfect for scooping up every last bit of sauce. One popular spot? Head over to Fonda de Santa Clara; a classic place where they really have kind of nailed this whole Mole Poblano thing down perfectly. It really has earned its spot in the foodie hall of fame. Read our full review: Mole Poblano Full Review and Details

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2. Chiles en Nogada: A Feast for the Eyes and the Stomach

Okay, moving right along. Get ready, alright, for a dish that is just as much, you know, a visual masterpiece as it is downright scrumptious: Chiles en Nogada. This dish shows up especially, arguably, around late summer and early fall. The dish features these huge, poblano peppers stuffed with a savory, sweet blend of ground meat, dried fruits, and nuts. Right after, it’s, in effect, smothered in this crazy rich walnut sauce (that’s the “nogada” part) and sprinkled, that is, with pomegranate seeds and parsley.

The colors? They all represent the Mexican flag, yet at the end of the day the taste? Absolutely sublime, you know? The combination of spicy, sweet, and creamy is more or less really quite addictive. It seems as if everyone makes this, yet if you want to, I’d say, experience something just, you know, top-notch, you really want to hit El Mural de los Poblanos. Read our full review: Chiles en Nogada Full Review and Details

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3. Cemitas: The Puebla Sandwich Superstar

Let’s talk street food, you and me, because you cannot really visit Puebla and not grab a Cemita. So basically, it’s a serious sandwich piled high with, just, so many different things. You get your sesame seed roll, sliced avocado, meat (usually milanesa, which is breaded and fried), white cheese, onions, and of course, a key ingredient: pápalo. That papalo herb? Kind of looks like cilantro yet it has this, sort of, intense, distinctive flavor that seriously makes the cemita truly what it is, so I’d say, you better not skip it. It’s basically, almost like Puebla’s special touch.

You should pop on over to the Mercado El Carmen for some totally amazing cemitas, I believe, for sure. Plus, so too it’s almost fun wandering around the market too. And that fresh stuff makes a huge difference. I’m sure. Read our full review: Cemitas Puebla Full Review and Details

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4. Chalupas Poblanas: A Tasty Little Snack

Right, looking for just, like, a little snack? Get some chalupas. Actually, these little fried tortillas? They are completely topped with shredded meat, salsa, and onions and is, apparently, the supreme snacking food. These really aren’t that complicated yet oh my god they sure are so super satisfying.

They are really simple, and perfect when you only kind of feel a bit peckish yet they’re still pretty rich in that Pueblan taste. You’ll see these being peddled all over, yet a lot of people I know are like, the ones sold near the zócalo (the main square) actually tend to be more tasty, alright? You really have to eat them, too, while they’re super piping hot, to have that amazing flavor. Read our full review: Chalupas Poblanas Full Review and Details

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5. Pasita: Puebla’s Sweet and Strong Liqueur

I want to let everyone know what to wash all of that incredible grub down with? It has to be Pasita, actually. Right, it sounds innocent enough, kind of? Basically, it’s just a raisin liqueur served in this small glass. Yet, oh, I’m telling you. It comes with a skewered raisin and a small slice of cheese kind of soaking inside. People around Puebla absolutely adore the somewhat, very sweet taste with the little, bit of cheese, believe it or not.

You got to visit the place that Pasita, right, first got started: a very quirky tiny bar called La Pasita, oddly enough. Right by the historic center. The place seems to be covered head-to-toe in vintage decorations and that old-school vibe? Seriously, so cool. Pasita seems to be almost kind of an adventure of flavors to the extreme, yet don’t let those, you know, petite glasses trick you! Read our full review: Pasita Puebla Full Review and Details

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