Delicious Soups and Stews of Mexico City

Pozole

Arguably the most popular of all the Mexican soups, Pozole is an ancient slow-cooked dish reserved for special rituals and occasions like the Mexican Independence Day. Your standard Pozole has a clear or red broth cooked with corn, pork and vegetables like onions, coriander, cabbage and radish. Various ingredients are added to the basic corn mixture depending on the type of ceremony and geographic location and Crema-slathered tostadas are usually served to accompany this delicious stew.

You’ll find Pozole at restaurants and pozolerías across Mexico City however we like to head down to El Pozole de Moctezuma. This soup house first opened its doors in 1947 and has been serving their signature Guerrero Pozole for decades. This special type of Pozole contains a green broth made with tart tomatillos (small green tomato-like fruit). When the Pozole is brought to the table, the waiter will tell you how Pozole is eaten; you need to add a variety of ingredients in the following order: onion slices, ground chili powder, ground oregano, a squeeze of lime, sliced avocado and, finally, crunchy pieces of chicharrón (fried pork belly strips). Once these ingredients go in, the server makes one final, unexpected, addition: a spoonful of smoky mescal (tequila's smoky cousin).

Caldo Xóchitl

An ancient soup, Caldo Xochitl con flor de calabaza is named after the Aztec goddess of flowers (Xōchipilli) and made with squash-blossom. The modern Caldo Xóchitl is a light soup made with chicken broth, shredded poultry, onion, tomatoes, peppers and avocado. Many Mexicans add all sorts of other vegetables to their liking. This is the true chicken soup for the Mexican soul; it is traditional to give this soup to the sick. You should head to Los Panchos at Anzures for the best Xóchitl in Mexico City. If you do go there, don’t forget to try out their outstanding tacos as well!

Sopa de Fideo

Credit: Flickr / T.Tseng / CC-BY-2.0

One of Mexico’s most beloved soups is the Mexican-Italian Sopa de Fideo. Made of thin noodle-like pasta and ripe tomatoes, One of the country's most beloved soups, sopa de fideo, fine pasta noodles in a rich tomato broth. Treat yourself to the freshest salsa and handmade tacos at Chapulin inside Presidente InterContinental Hotel. Order the Lechón tacos crowned with chicharrón, rib eye tacos with chicatana sauce (an exotic ant from Oaxaca); you have no reason to worry, they are safe to consume. In fact that sauce was excellent, we’d go back just for that! If you’re looking for something a bit more affordable, head to Restaurante Tepatitlan at the San Camilito market for their great sopa de fideo. They specialize in pozole de birria and their enchiladas are delicious too.

If you have more time, check out these amazing restaurants in Mexico City for the best in Mexican grub.