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Home » Destinations » Central America » Mexico

A Taste of Oaxacan Food at Casa Oaxaca

Modified: Apr 8, 2021 · Published: Aug 6, 2013 by Dave Lee |

Maracuya and habanero sorbet
Maracuya and Habanero sorbet

Lunch began with the spicy kick of habanero peppers in an otherwise sweet maracuya sorbet.

The icy sorbet at once began to cool me down, while the pepper flavor awakened my taste buds for the three-course Oaxacan food feast I was about to indulge in.

Casa Oaxaca El Restaurante (Constitución 104-4, Col. Centro) is one of the top-rated restaurants on TripAdvisor, and I'd sought it out for a decadent lunch our first day in the city.

While the rest of my G Adventures group was off visiting thermal springs in the surrounding mountains, I chose to spend a relaxing day in town.

Tableside salsa preparation
Tableside salsa preparation
Fresh salsa
Fresh salsa

Casa Oaxaca features both indoor and outdoor dining. I chose a table on the upstairs terrace, which faces one side of the Church of Santo Domingo.

I practically had the restaurant to myself, which ensured prompt and attentive service.

Once my taste buds were awake, fresh salsa was prepared tableside. The result was far beyond what I could eat by myself, but it was a nice touch.

Flatbread with crumbled Oaxacan cheese
Flatbread with crumbled Oaxacan cheese

In addition to the sorbet, chips and salsa, I was also presented with a flatbread topped with Oaxacan cheese. Mmm...cheese.

The menu featured a range of traditional cuisines, all given a modern twist to them.

When I encounter a menu with so many delicious options, I default to ordering a three-course meal to taste as much as possible.

Ricotta Stuffed Squash-Blossoms with honey and epazote
Ricotta-stuffed squash blossoms 

For my first course, I ordered the ricotta-stuffed squash blossoms with honey and epazote. It was my first time encountering these treats, but I immediately became a fan.

The soft, creamy ricotta practically oozes out of the flower blossoms, the whole thing melting in your mouth. Each was a little taste of heaven.

Green Mole with Suckling Pig served with organic vegetables
Green Mole with Suckling Pig served with organic vegetables

My first taste of mole in Mexico was at Pujol Restaurant in Mexico City, followed soon after by a black mole with chicken in Puebla's historic city center.

By the time I reached Oaxaca, I was willing to experiment a little. I opted for the green mole with suckling pig. Mmm....suckling pig.

The piece of pork that was produced glistened with fat and greasy goodness. As I pushed my fork down, layer upon layer of pork slipped apart.

It was the most decadent dish of lunch and my first foray into anything other than a black mole with chicken.

Oaxacan Chocolate Mousse with hibiscus and agave worm salt
Oaxacan Chocolate Mousse with hibiscus and agave worm salt

For dessert, sweet dessert, I chose Oaxacan chocolate mousse.

Normally mousse is a serious hit or miss dessert in Latin America, but Casa Oaxaca isn't playing around with this one. They got it right.

Three scoops of rich, creamy chocolate mousse were presented on a plate.

I could've done without the agave worm salt. I order mousse for the silky smooth texture, but the flavors more than made up for the garnish.

By the time I'd finished lunch, I had to waddle my way out of the restaurant to take a siesta back at the hotel.

______

My Mexico Ancient Civilizations tour was in partnership with G Adventures. Any opinions expressed are entirely my own. For more photos from my time in Oaxaca, check out this Visual Adventure on the G Adventures blog. 

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About Dave Lee

Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He's been to 68 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.

Comments

  1. Sofie @ Wonderful Wanderings says

    August 14, 2013 at 3:07 am

    That looks delicious!
    Well, especially the repcourse and the dessert. I'm not sure about the greasy pork...
    What did the flowers taste like?
    I've only ever eaten those tiny flowers they sometimes put on plates to make them more decorated.

    • Dave says

      August 14, 2013 at 10:56 am

      The squash blossoms mostly tasted like the ricotta cheese they were stuffed with.

  2. Jeff says

    August 15, 2013 at 5:07 pm

    I would love to taste ricotta stuffed squash blossoms with honey, looks yummy! This is the place to be for all my meals.

  3. Rebecca says

    September 04, 2013 at 1:40 am

    this food looks amazing! nothing like trying food from other cultures

Dave at Ahu Ko Te Riku on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile.

Hi, I'm Dave

Editor in Chief

I've been writing about adventure travel on Go Backpacking since 2007. I've visited 68 countries.

Read more about Dave.

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