What is the best traditional Mexican dish of all time?

Ancient slow-cooked traditions alongside street-food royalty and regional icons, each one a testament to one of the world's most celebrated cuisines. Which dish is the undisputed champion?

Tacos al Pastor

Marinated pork cooked on a vertical spit, sliced thin and served in corn tortillas with pineapple, onion, and cilantro.

1/14

Mole Poblano

A rich, complex sauce from Puebla blending dried chilies, chocolate, nuts, and over 20 spices, served over turkey or chicken.

2/14

Tamales

Masa dough filled with meats, cheese, or chilies, wrapped in corn husks and steam-cooked — a centuries-old Mexican tradition.

3/14

Enchiladas

Corn tortillas rolled around meat or cheese and smothered in red or green chili sauce, a beloved comfort staple across Mexico.

4/14

Chiles en Nogada

Roasted poblano peppers stuffed with picadillo and topped with walnut cream sauce and pomegranate seeds, the unofficial Mexican national dish.

5/14

Pozole

A hearty hominy and pork soup slow-cooked in a rich red or green broth, garnished with shredded cabbage, lime, and radish.

6/14

Cochinita Pibil

Slow-roasted pork from Yucatán, marinated in achiote and bitter orange then wrapped in banana leaves and cooked underground.

7/14

Guacamole

A creamy avocado dip seasoned with lime, onion, jalapeño, and cilantro, originating with the Aztecs and beloved worldwide.

8/14

Carnitas

Tender, crispy braised pork from Michoacán, cooked slowly in lard until meltingly soft inside and golden on the outside.

9/14

Chilaquiles

Fried tortilla pieces simmered in salsa roja or verde, topped with crema, cheese, and eggs — the quintessential Mexican breakfast.

10/14

Chiles Rellenos

Poblano peppers stuffed with cheese or meat, dipped in egg batter, and pan-fried to golden, served in tomato sauce.

11/14

Birria

A bold, spiced consommé-based stew from Jalisco, traditionally made with goat or beef and now beloved as birria tacos worldwide.

12/14

Huevos Rancheros

Fried eggs served on crisp corn tortillas with a chunky tomato-chili salsa, one of Mexico's most iconic morning meals.

13/14

Barbacoa

Traditionally slow-cooked beef cheeks or lamb wrapped in maguey leaves and steamed in a pit, yielding extraordinarily tender meat.

14/14