Ordering Mexican Food? Here Are the Mexican Terms You Must Know!

 A foodie at heart who loves trying out different cuisines. The consistencies, colours, flavours, fragrances, and Mexican food taste are irresistible! 

We all cherish Mexican fast food, from tacos and burritos to quesadillas and nachos, from occasionally making salsa at home and eating it with pretty much everything to enjoying a burrito. 

Mexican Food 

Mexican cuisine is all about fresh & bright ingredients, tangy kicks, hints of citrus, the deepness of flavour, and comfort food!  

Beans and corn are two main ingredients found in nearly all dishes, and Mexican food is also renowned for its spiciness, making chili peppers one of their most-used ingredients. The popular types include jalapeno, poblano, serrano and chipotle. They're used in many forms and ways – fresh, dried, smoked and pickled. And Cilantro, lime and oregano are embellishing favorites for Mexican dishes! 

We are sharing a Mexican food Glossary with you to understand the ingredients before ordering a dish.  

• 
  

• MAIN MEALS 

Desayuno (de say UN a) – Breakfast. Morning meal. 

Almuerzo (al moo ER zoe) – Lunch. Midday meal. 

Cena (SAY na) – Dinner. Evening meal. 

Sopa (SO pa) – Soup. Chunky soup. (Compare to "Caldo" below) 

Caldo (KAL do) – Broth (soup broth). Soup stock. Soup broth. 

Tacos/Taquitos (TAH koes)

A tortilla is usually softshell loaded with meat, vegetables, cheese, and dressing. Probably the most famous, everyday food in Mexico. Contrary to popular belief, most Mexican tacos are not generally served with cheese. 

Tamal/Tamales

Tamal is a classic Mexican dish made with some stuffing (meat, cheese, beans, chilis, etc.) covered by a layer of masa/cornmeal and a leaf wrapper dragged before eating. 

Alambre (a LAHM bray) is a beef dish usually made from beef, including meat, onions, peppers, and lots of cheese. It is filled with a stack of tortillas in the meat mixture is put inside the tortilla and consumed. Identical to the fajita but usually served without rice. Commonly street food or food is served at small, genuine Mexican restaurants. 

Birria (BEER ee a)

Goat/Sheep/Beef Stew. A soft spicy meat-based stew that was initially made from goat, then sheep, but is now generally made from beef. It is plated with limes, chilli sauce, onions, and tortillas. It has a special flavour and is very appetizing. 

Ceviche (sa VEE chay)

Seasoned Seafood Salad. A seafood salad-style dish made from raw fish or shrimp mended and cooked in lemon or lime juice. It commonly includes tomatoes, onions, chillies, etc. It is usually served with crackers or chips used to scoop it up and eat it. There are many types of ceviche, and most of them are very famous with tourists. If you like seafood, you'll probably like this famous dish. 

Mole (MOE lay)

Chicken With a unique Sauce. Technically, mole is the sauce of the meat, and usually, chicken is cooked in. However, Mexicans typically don't say "mole chicken" but instead call this food a mole. The most common mole is brown and has a chocolate-like, non-tangy taste. However, there are several different types of moles as well. 

Burrito (bur EE toe)

A tortilla that is stuffed and wrapped then folded into a cylinder-like shape. Burritos are not classic Mexican food, and in fact, they are a Mexican-American vision. 

Chilaquiles (chil a KILL ees)

Chop Tortillas; add eggs or Meat with a generous amount of Cheese. Tortillas are sliced into portions with red/green sauce, eggs, topped with fresh cheese, Mexican sour cream, and occasionally meat. They were usually decorated with Onion, Cilantro, and avocado slices. 

Enchilada (en cha LAHD a)

Corn Tortilla Loaded and Covered with Sauce. A tortilla wrapped roughly with some filling and covered with chilli sauce and frequently cheese. Enchiladas are usually served with rice, beans, and vegetable salsa. 

Hamburguesa (ham ber GUES a)

Mexicans are not burger specialists. Honestly, Mexican burgers are paper-thin and not very tasty. Also, they are not traditionally fitted with pickles. 

Bolillo (boe LEE oh)

Baguette or French bread. A dense, rough French bread-style baguette about 6 inches long and made in a stone oven. 

• 
  

• DRINKS 

Reference (ree FRES ka)

Refreshment/Cool Drink. This simple word, clearly related to "refreshment," is a general term that defines a cool or rejuvenating drink. 

Tomar (to mar)

In an authentic Mexican restaurant, you will be asked right away, "Tomar?" ASAP after seating at the table.  

Agua (AH gua) – Water. This word represents water but often is linked to an adjective. 

Leche (LEH chay) – Got some Milk? or Tienes Leche? 

Leche Chocolate (LEH chay chaw ka LAH day) – Chocolate Milk. This word means "chocolate milk." 

Cafe (Kah FAY) – Coffee. When you would like a coffee, use this word. 

Be sure to peek at the sugar, hot, cold, etc. 

Te (tay) – Tea. The pronunciation of "T" in Spanish is identical to the pronunciation of "tea" in English, so you shouldn't have any trouble with this one. 

Limonada (lee min AH da) – Lemonade. This is a convenient word to know if children will be on your trip.  

Michelada (mi sha LAH duh)

Cocktail made with beer. The michelada is one of those special drinks that you will never see worldwide, but it has a place there and in other parts of the world as well. If you like freezing soft drinks but don't particularly like the beer's flavour, you can still go ahead and try this. Micheladas are very famous and shared across most of Mexico. 

Tequila (ta KEE la) – Strong Mexican liquor. A refined, hard liquor produced from the agave plant. 

Mezcal (Mez CALL) – Robust Mexican liquor equal to tequila. A Mexican liquor, similar to tequila, is made using the maguey plant born in Mexico. 

• 
  

• VEGETABLES 

• 
  

c(peh PEE no) – Cucumbers are vital for the Mexican diet. Moreover, Mexicans make a stunning and rejuvenating cucumber drink from liquefied cucumbers and sugar. 

Zanahoria (zan ah OR ee a) – Carrots are standard and cheap in Mexico, so you will likely meet them here. 

Maize (mah EEZ) – Corn, in different forms, is the tack food of Mexico. You'll find lots of meals made from corn flour here. 

Repollo (ra POLE yo) – Cabbage is a typical ingredient for soups and the traditional soup "pozole." 

Cebolla (sa BOLE yuh) – Onion. Mexicans, like Americans, adore onions so you will find them in tons of salsas and dishes here. 

Cebolla verde (sa BOLE yuh Ver day) – Spring Onions. Green onions are used primarily as a presentation tool for chefs, although they sometimes serve as a side when you order tacos or quesadillas. 

Ajo (AH hoe) – Garlic is a usual Mexican ingredient, and it's wholesome, too.  

Apio (AH pee oh) – Celery is not as familiar as many other vegetables in Mexico. However, you will find it fitted with chicken wings just like in the US. 

Cilantro (see LAHN troe) – Coriander. 

Tomate (toe MAH tay) – Tomato. 

• MEATS 

Carne (CAR nay) – Meat (widespread). 

Res (race) – Beef. 

Puerco (PWEAR koe) – Pork. 

Jamon (ha Mon) – Ham. 

Pollo (POE yo) – Chicken. 

Pavo (PAH voe) – Turkey. 

• CHEESE 

Queso (KAY so) – Cheese. 

Queso añejo (KAY so a naihoe) – Old Cheese. 

Queso fresco (KAY so frs koi) – New and fresh Cheese. 

Queso crema (KAY so cra ma) – Famous Creme Cheese. 

Queso mozzarella (KAY so mat zuh ril a) – Good old Mozzarella Cheese. 

Queso Amarillo (KAY so ah ma ri oh) – Yellow Cheese Bits 

 Queso de Oaxaca (KAY so day oh AH ka) – Extended, wide string-like cheese. 

• SEAFOOD 

Mariscos (ma REE skoze) – Seafood. 

Atun (a TOON) – Tuna. 

Camarones (cam a ron ays) – Shrimp. 

Pescada (pes KOD a) – Fish. 

Ceviche (seh VEE chay) – Seasoned Seafood Salad. 

Calamar (ka la MAR) – Squid. 

• APPETIZERS 

Quesadilla (kiss a DEE a) – Tortilla with cheese. 

Campechana (kam pa ch na) – Seafood Cocktail. 

Nachos (NAH choes) – Nachos. 

Alitas (a LEE tahs) – Chicken Wings. 

Tostadas (toe STAH does) – Tostadas 

• SAUCES 

• 
  

Salsa (SEL sa) – Sauce. 

Salsa verde (SEL sa ber day) – Tangy Sauce. 

Salsa roja (SEL sa ro ho) – Chilli Sauce. 

Salsa Picante (SEL sa PEE KAHN day) – Hot Sauce. 

Salsa Chilena (SEL sa chi la na) – Green Sauce with Oil. 

Salsa Chimichurri (SEL sa the ma CHIR ee)  

Salsa Picosa (SEL sa pe ko sa) – Hot Sauce. 

Guacamole (gwah ka MOE lay)- Guacamole. 

• DESSERT 

Postre – Dessert. 

Pastel (pa STELL) – Cake. 

Chocolate (chalk an LAH tay) – Chocolate. 

Dulce (DULL say) – Sweet. 

Hielo (YEAH low; pronounced like “yellow,” the colour) – Ice. 

Arroz con Leche (a ROZE Kone LEH chay) – Rice with sweetened Milk and Cinnamon. 

All these dishes must be making you crave for a relishing Mexican Meal. 

La Vista, the best Mexican restaurant in Hong Kong, offers authentic Mexican food with traditional tastes and an atmosphere to enjoy every bite of it. 

Book your table now and ask for the Chef special of the day before ordering.