Guided exploration of Oaxaca's Mercado Benito Juárez and 20 de Noviembre market tasting the seven moles, chapulines (grasshoppers), tlayudas, mezcal, and chocolate. Learn about the UNESCO-listed Oaxacan culinary tradition.
The Oaxaca Market Food Walk takes place in Oaxaca City, a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy and the capital of one of Mexico's most celebrated culinary regions. The three-hour experience is centred on two of the city's most important public markets: Mercado Benito Juárez, where daily commerce in produce, herbs, and household goods has continued for generations, and Mercado 20 de Noviembre, famous across Mexico for its dedicated corridor of charcoal grills where vendors prepare tasajo, chorizo, and cecina to order. A bilingual guide leads the group through both spaces, pausing at stalls selected for quality and regional authenticity. Tastings cover the full range of Oaxacan culinary identity: the seven traditional moles, each with distinct chile combinations and histories; chapulines — toasted grasshoppers seasoned with lime and chile, a protein source with pre-Hispanic roots still widely eaten in daily Oaxacan life; tlayudas, the large crisped tortillas spread with black bean paste and layered with local cheese; a mezcal sample drawn from the agave-rich valleys surrounding the city; and Oaxacan chocolate prepared in the colonial style. The guide explains the cultural and agricultural background of each tasting, covering ingredient origins, regional mole variations, and the role of the market in daily Oaxacan life. All tastings, the mezcal sample, and market access are included in the USD $55 price along with the bilingual guide. The three-hour pace is relaxed, with many stops and a slow-walking format accessible to a broad range of fitness levels. Oaxaca's culinary tradition has been inscribed on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the guide contextualises this recognition throughout the walk, making the experience as much a cultural orientation as a food tasting. Participants interested in deeper engagement with Oaxacan cooking can use the market visit as preparation for a subsequent cooking class or mezcal tasting session in the city.
What is included
- All tastings, mezcal sample, market entry, bilingual guide
Highlights
- Tasting stops at Mercado Benito Juárez and Mercado 20 de Noviembre, Oaxaca's two central public markets
- Sample all seven traditional Oaxacan moles, chapulines, tlayudas, and locally produced mezcal
- Bilingual guide contextualises Oaxaca's UNESCO-recognised gastronomic heritage at each stop
- Oaxacan chocolate tasting from cacao ground in colonial-style stone mills
Tips for visiting
- Arrive on a light stomach — the tasting sequence is generous and spread over three hours
- Chapulines (grasshoppers) are a core highlight; adventurous eaters are encouraged to try them without hesitation
- The mezcal sample is included; additional purchases at distillery stalls are optional so budget accordingly
- Wear comfortable footwear for uneven cobblestone market floors
- Morning departures catch markets at peak freshness and activity before the afternoon lull
Frequently asked questions
Are all seven moles sampled during the walk?
The tour includes tastings from Oaxaca's seven traditional moles, though the exact preparations presented may vary by season and market availability on the day.
Is the mezcal sample mandatory?
The mezcal sample is included in the tour but not obligatory. Participants who prefer to skip alcohol can do so without affecting the rest of the tasting sequence.
Is the tour suitable for those with an aversion to insects?
Chapulines (grasshoppers) are a core part of Oaxacan food culture and are presented as a tasting, though participants who prefer to decline can do so. The guide explains their cultural significance regardless.
How long is the walk in distance?
The route covers a short distance between the two adjacent markets in central Oaxaca City. The pace is slow with frequent stops, making it manageable for most participants.