Palenque and Its Pre-Hispanic Flavors

 The combination of pre-Hispanic ingredients such as chili, corn, and cacao gives rise to a wide variety of authentic delicacies fit for the gods. The natural grandeur of Palenque is complemented by the most delicious dishes that abound in its cuisine. The vast culinary legacy of this region of Chiapas is made up of flavors of Indigenous tradition such as Shote with momo, prepared with river snail, hoja santa leaf, and nixtamal dough; the traditional Chiapan tamales; duck in chilmol, a sauce made from tomato, chili, and cilantro; steamed fish; and venison salpicón. For dessert, the delicious honey sweets simply cannot be missing. These and other delights can be found in the market or in the typical restaurants, which also offer international dishes or exquisite Mexican appetizers.

Mexicans consider Chiapan cuisine a cultural heritage. Therefore, you cannot say you know Chiapas if you have not tasted its traditional dishes. Almost all restaurants in Palenque offer Mexican food in general, from chilaquiles and sopecitos to Aztec soup or carne a la tampiqueña. Some ranchers in the region make their own cheeses, which they sell at small stands along the roadside.

To quench your thirst, there are typical drinks such as the aromatic café de olla, frothy chocolate whipped with a molinillo, white or cacao pozol, chicha and balché made from corn and other grains, and tascalate, a typical local drink prepared with water, corn dough, chocolate, and achiote.