Mexican Food Vocabulary: Dishes, Ingredients and How to Order
From tacos al pastor to chilaquiles and conchas: the Mexican food words you need to read menus, order like a local and talk food with family.
By Ayoub Farid · · 2 min read
Food is the heart of Mexican culture and of most family conversations. Knowing these words helps you order like a local and join the conversation at the table.
Tacos and street food
| Word | What it is |
|---|---|
| al pastor | marinated pork cooked on a vertical spit, often with pineapple |
| suadero | slow-cooked beef, a Mexico City favorite |
| carnitas | slow-cooked pork |
| barbacoa | slow-cooked beef or lamb |
| quesadilla | tortilla with filling (cheese not guaranteed in Mexico City!) |
| tlacoyo | thick oval masa cake |
| elote / esquites | corn on the cob / corn in a cup |
| torta | Mexican sandwich |
| gordita | stuffed thick tortilla |
Home-cooked classics
- mole — rich sauce with chiles and often chocolate
- pozole — hominy stew
- tamales — steamed masa with fillings
- enchiladas — rolled tortillas in sauce
- chilaquiles — tortilla chips in salsa, a breakfast favorite
- frijoles de la olla / refritos — whole / refried beans
- arroz rojo — Mexican red rice
Pan dulce (sweet breads)
concha, cuerno, oreja, polvorón, marranito, rosca de reyes (January), pan de muerto (around Día de Muertos).
Salsas and spice
- ¿Pica? — Is it spicy?
- Está bien picoso. — It's really spicy.
- salsa verde / roja — green / red salsa
- chile, jalapeño, chipotle, habanero
- sin chile, por favor — no chile, please
Drinks
agua de jamaica (hibiscus), horchata (rice drink), agua de tamarindo, café de olla, champurrado (thick chocolate atole).
Ordering phrases
- ¿Me da dos de pastor con todo?
- ¿De qué tiene? — What do you have? (fillings)
- ¿Cuánto le debo? — How much do I owe?
- Para llevar, por favor.
Talking food with family
- ¡Qué rico huele! — It smells so good!
- ¿Cómo lo preparas? — How do you make it?
- Me encanta tu pozole, tía. — I love your pozole, aunt.
- ¿Me enseñas a hacer tamales? — Will you teach me to make tamales?
See Spanish compliments and Spanish for family gatherings.
Practice
Lolo's café in Mexico City is the perfect place to practice food words, and Lolo's "say it like a native" tips teach the local names, like una concha instead of un pan dulce. See ordering food in Spanish and Mexico City travel Spanish.
Frequently asked questions
What does "con todo" mean when ordering tacos?
With everything, usually onion and cilantro, sometimes salsa.
What is the difference between "picante" and "picoso"?
Both mean spicy; picoso is very common in Mexico.
What is pan de muerto?
A sweet bread made around Día de Muertos, decorated with bone shapes.
