We find ourselves in Mexico City again

Lasik surgery…I recommend it if you don’t like the hassle of wearing eyeglasses and want to upgrade your vision. If you’re in Mexico City, I recommend Sala Uno in Colonia Hamburgo. The price is reasonable for the procedure compared to the states if you’re uninsured. But, I digress, this post isn’t about how to get rid of your four eyes…

I want to share a little secret that isn’t well known about this city…deep, underground, where the creepy things crawl hither and thither is a place where no man…hmmp hmmp, animal is safe.

Well… It’s not so concealed… It’s not so underground… However, you’ll have to find your way from Salto de Agua metro station, which is underground, and pass a similar market with practically the same name (Mercado San Juan). Now that I think about it, it’s one of the cleanest markets that I’ve visited in the city during my many visits. This market not only specializes in exotic meats but also exotic fruits, vegetables, seafood, and….insects. You can even find Southeast Asia’s prized Durian – a fruit so pungent, that it’s banned on Singapore’s public transport.

Mercado de San Juan is where you can find a variety of exotic foods and delicacies (if that’s your thing). I’m talking about crocodile, ostrich, wild boar, elk, shark, rare seafood, and even lion meat if you fancy walking on the wild side of cuisine.

Taking a walk on the wild side! Lion meat is approved and gets a 10/10 rating!

If your appetite is less about adventure and more about savoring, ‘Las Tapas’ is where cheese dreams are made of. This place is a must-visit if you’re into cheese. You can even find a selection of aged cheeses and the proprietors here are more than happy to educate and share samples if you’re not necessarily a connoisseur like myself.

The history of this place…well, many years ago, it was where trading and bartering took place. Even slaves perhaps…

Wikipedia says…

In the past, merchants there were well-connected with traders from around the globe and they began trading for exotic meats, fruits, and vegetables. They were “connectors of worlds,” their stalls a testament to a network reaching many corners of the globe. For years they’ve brought the rare, the exotic, and the downright unexpected to the heart of Mexico City. I learned that they now procure a handful of their delicacies from farms in different states throughout Mexico.

But this market is more than a trading post; it reflects the city itself in my opinion. CDMX is a tapestry woven from the threads of countless heritages. On a stroll through its streets, you might cross paths with the French, the Chinese, the Koreans, and many more international friends, all of whom don’t just pass through but call this metropolis home. Generations have laid roots here, each adding their unique color and flavor to this urban mosaic. It’s this very diversity that I believe was and is the lifeblood of the market (along with the curious tourists who visit).

I suppose you can call it a global marketplace (I’m sure even more during its thriving past) in the heart of Mexico’s capital. When you visit, drop by ‘Las Tapas’ and enjoy your time there. Señor Roberto can offer you a slice of history with your cheese and can tell you all about one of the oldest markets in Mexico City.

After enjoying some new flavors and a new experience, take a stroll through Chinatown and see what you find there. It is just a block or so away walking toward Palacio Bellas Artes in the Historic Center.

I think every Tapa joint should have a welcoming, friendly, and knowledgeable proprietor like Señor Roberto

Can’t go wrong with fruit

The spread started with anchovies… but quickly turned into creepy crawlers

I don’t know who would want to eat these, but here they are…

Mezcal topped with a scorpion…grasshopper, orange, and ant salts as a side…

It’s not so bad…

Wild game section

Mijo caught a shark!

These kids loved nearby Chinatown

We picked up a Korean-style coffee