Oaxaca is the birthplace of mole. This traditional Mexican sauce has seven original varieties, each made with its own eclectic ingredients. It would be almost sacrilegious to visit the state without sampling as much as possible.
La Olla
La Olla is one of the most popular restaurants in Oaxaca and arguably the best place to sample mole. Chef Cabrera focuses on bringing the flavor to Mexico’s most traditional dishes, but isn’t afraid to play around with her sauces. The mole de negro fandango is a must-try for all travelers.
La Catedral
La Catedral is an Oaxaca City staple and one of the oldest restaurants in the city. The colonial building offers a beautiful atmosphere and a variety of mole, including mole chichilo made with corn. It’s the rarest of the traditional seven and often reserved for special occasions. Here, it’s served with a delicious plate of beef filets and dumplings.
Markets
While restaurants are always a great option for sampling food, when it comes to mole in Mexico your best bet is swinging by one of the many markets in Oaxaca. Here you can sample all varieties of mole at a fraction of the price, and in just about any manner you can imagine. The Mercado 20 de Noviembre offers numerous small shops peddling mole by the pint, including some unique varieties outside of the traditional seven. Or try Mercado de la Merced where you can sample an empanada con mole amarillo. If all else fails, make friends with the locals and they’ll certainly invite you in for a traditional mole meal.
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