Ultimate Guide to Tacos: How to Eat Carnitas, Taquitos, and Quesadillas Like a Local
“Eating tacos without spilling the fillings is pretty tough, isn’t it…?” With that thought in mind, I visited the ethical restaurant ETHICA in Ginza, and discovered a world of tacos beyond my imagination! But what exactly are tacos? What kinds are there? The more you learn, the more fascinating it becomes—welcome to the fun of eating tacos!
share:
【Advised by】ETHICA
Table of Contents
What is a Taco?
Tacos are the national food of Mexico. They are like rice balls (onigiri) for Japanese people. Just as anything can become an onigiri by placing fillings inside shaped rice, anything can become a taco by placing ingredients on the staple tortilla. For that reason, the types of tacos are infinite depending on who makes them and where they are made.
The top recommendation at “ETHICA” is to eat them freshly made when the tortilla is still soft and hot. Adding a small amount of salsa sauce and lime is the ideal way. This time, we’ll introduce three basic ways to eat tacos that can be applied to any variety.
Carnitas
Carnitas are tacos made by finely chopping tender simmered pork and placing it on a tortilla. They are often eaten in the state of Michoacán, Mexico. Locals enjoy them as a hearty weekend breakfast or paired with beer.
When eating, top with onion and cilantro, and squeeze key lime over it.
Once the toppings are added, try holding the taco with one hand. Place your thumb and pinky finger at the front, and the other three fingers on the opposite side to grip the taco.
This way, the filling is held firmly, and even when held upright, the ingredients won’t spill! When eating, hold the taco parallel to the table and tilt your face toward it to take a bite.
For the next bite, fold in your pinky and bring your ring finger forward. Keep your thumb fixed in place, and adjust the forward fingers according to how much taco is left.
Taquitos
“Taquitos” means “small tacos.” Their crispy fried tortilla texture is the highlight, and in Mexico, they are often eaten at home as a quick snack when you feel a little hungry.
Move the vegetables placed on top to your plate, and with a fork in one hand and taquitos in the other, mix them with the seasonings.
Once mixed, place your desired amount on top of the taquitos. Then take a bite from the top. The crispy texture of the tortilla is addictive, making taquitos a casual taco style.
Quesadilla
The quesadilla, made by folding tortillas with cheese and grilling them, is a representative Mexican fast food. Start eating while the cheese is still hot and melty.
The first thing to do when the quesadilla arrives is to open up the folded tortilla wide.
Then add your favorite toppings. This time, we chose guacamole made by mashing avocado and some salsa sauce. Placing them in the center of the tortilla is recommended.
Once the toppings are added, fold it back again and take a bite as is. Warm cheese combined with avocado flavor—there’s no way this combination can go wrong! Together with the chewy tortilla, it’s gone before you know it.
The tacos introduced here are just a small fraction. There are still countless varieties, and choosing the most popular taco in Mexico is almost impossible. Use these eating methods as a base to try many different tacos and find your personal favorite!
A restaurant with the concept of “Ethical × Traditional Mexican.” It serves authentic Mexican cuisine using ethical ingredients such as retired dairy cows and pigs, organic products, and irregularly shaped vegetables that would normally be discarded. Its seasonal wine pairings are also a hot topic.
*The information is based on the time of reporting or creation, and may differ from the current situation.
tags:
share:
Related Articles
Popular Articles
