Mexico City offers a remarkably low cost of living, especially regarding food. This makes it a fantastic place to explore culinary delights without breaking the bank. This challenge involved purchasing ingredients for under $10 (approximately 188 pesos at the current exchange rate) and creating a delicious meal.
Condesa and Roma, two vibrant neighborhoods near Chapultepec Park, are ideal for finding affordable and fresh ingredients. Mercado Medellín, located in Roma, is a bustling market offering a wide variety of produce, meats, and cheeses sourced from local growers. This market proved to be the perfect starting point for gathering the foundation of the meal.
The goal was to purchase ingredients for pickled onions, salsa, and perhaps refried beans. Focusing on fresh produce was key to maximizing the budget and creating flavorful dishes.
After leaving the bustling streets and vibrant stalls of Mercado Medellín, a bag full of fresh produce was secured for only 60 pesos (a little over $3). The haul included a red onion, a large avocado, poblano peppers, roma tomatoes, limes, and cilantro.
Next on the list were tortillas, a staple in Mexican cuisine. Small, unassuming tortillerias, often hole-in-the-wall establishments, offer freshly made tortillas at incredibly low prices. One such tortilleria was recommended, known for producing over 30,000 tortillas daily.
Fresh tortillas from a local tortilleria in Mexico City.
A kilo of tortillas, enough for 15-20, typically costs around 14 pesos (less than a dollar). This stop proved fruitful, yielding a warm stack of fresh tortillas for a mere 15 pesos.
With the tortillas and produce secured, the next destination was a nearby Superama grocery store to purchase protein. Along the way, Zamora street offered tempting glimpses of other culinary gems, including a quesadilla spot open late at night.
A variety of ingredients purchased at a local market and supermarket in Mexico City.
The Superama trip was a success, with chicken thighs, chorizo, and a few sweet treats acquired for the remaining budget. A surprising find was a delicious ham and sweet cheese pastry for only 8 pesos. The total cost came in under budget at 185 pesos, leaving a few pesos to spare.
Back at the Airbnb, the total cost breakdown revealed the incredible value: produce (60 pesos/$3.22), tortillas (15 pesos/$0.80), chicken thighs (52 pesos/$2.79), chorizo (32 pesos/$1.71), and pastries (18 pesos/$0.96). This amounted to a grand total of 177 pesos, or about $9.48.
The cooking process focused on simplicity and maximizing leftovers for the week. Rendering chicken fat from the skin provided a flavorful cooking oil, while the deboned chicken thighs were cut into chunks. Poblano peppers were sliced and sautéed with the chicken.
Preparing ingredients for a meal in a Mexico City Airbnb kitchen.
A simple guacamole was prepared with the avocado, roma tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. The crispy chicken skin, reminiscent of chicharrón, was chopped and reserved as a topping. Finally, the chorizo was fried until crispy and mixed with Oaxaca cheese.
The finished spread was a testament to the power of simple cooking and fresh ingredients. The chicken and poblanos, chorizo and queso, crispy chicken skin, guacamole, pickled onions, tortillas, and bakery treats offered a variety of options for tacos, tortas, or other creations.
A table spread of various Mexican dishes made with fresh ingredients.
This culinary adventure in Mexico City proved that a delicious and diverse meal can be created for under $10. Exploring local markets, tortillerias, and grocery stores offers a unique and budget-friendly way to experience the city’s vibrant food scene.
