Mexico City: Authentic Mexican Cooking Class & Market Tour

Enjoy a 4.5-hour experience in the heart of Mexico City’s lively Roma neighborhood with Aura Cocina Mexicana. This tour combines a market visit to Mercado de Medellín with a fully hands-on cooking class that results in a delicious 4-course lunch paired with craft beer, mezcal, and wine. Priced at $180 per person, it’s an engaging way to learn about Mexico’s gastronomy, culture, and ingredients, guided by an expert chef in an intimate, beautifully designed studio.

While the tour is ideal for foodies and those eager to explore Mexican flavors deeply, keep in mind that children under 12, individuals with nut allergies, or mobility impairments may find certain aspects less accessible. The small group size, limited to 7 participants, ensures personalized attention and a warm, friendly atmosphere.

Key Points

• Fully hands-on cooking class with a professional chef in a contemporary studio
• Market tour of Mercado de Medellín, showcasing local ingredients and vibrant stalls
• Four-course Mexican lunch, with paired craft beer, mezcal, and premium wines
• Authentic Mexican dishes like sopes, Mextlapiques, white mole, and cornbread with chocolate
• Small group experience limited to 7 people for a personalized atmosphere
• Includes all ingredients, printed recipes, and beverages; does not include hotel transfers

You can check availability for your dates here:

Discovering Mexico City’s Mercado de Medellín

The tour begins in a beautifully designed, contemporary cooking studio located in Roma Norte, a neighborhood known for its eclectic vibe. Upon arrival, you’re welcomed with agua fresca, coffee, or a traditional infusion while learning about the history of Mexican cuisine.

Next, the guided walk to Mercado de Medellín offers a colorful introduction to one of the main markets in the area. This lively spot features stalls full of native corn tortillas, chili varieties, and seasonal fruits like mamey, chicozapote, and tuna. The market’s history and organization are explained, giving insight into local food traditions.

Tasting opportunities include quesadillas at an organic tortillería, where the traditional nixtamalization process is visible, and sampling various chili peppers at a dedicated chili stand. The market also features handmade chocolates from Oaxaca and exotic insects like crickets and chinicuil worms, providing a unique flavor experience.

The market tour offers a glimpse of local life, filled with vibrant colors, aromas, and authentic street food. It’s an essential part of understanding the ingredients and flavors that shape Mexican cuisine, though it can be bustling and requires walking on uneven surfaces.

The Private Cooking Studio and Its Atmosphere

Returning to the gorgeously designed cooking studio, you find a cozy, intimate space perfect for learning. The studio’s modern design creates a warm environment where the friendly staff and professional chef guide you through each step of the cooking process.

The class is designed to be both fun and educational, with a focus on building confidence in preparing traditional Mexican dishes. The apron provided ensures cleanliness, and all ingredients and recipes are included, making it easier to try recreating the dishes at home later.

This setting offers a personalized experience, making it accessible whether you’re a beginner or more experienced in the kitchen. The group’s small size ensures plenty of attention from the guide and space for questions.

Making Authentic Mexican Sopes and Salsas

The first course involves preparing antojitos mexicanos, including sopes served with red and green salsas. The guide explains the nuances of Mexican salsas—from the molcajete red sauce to the fresh green salsa—and demonstrates proper technique.

Sopes are a common street food, and learning to make them from scratch with native corn masa offers a true taste of Mexican street culinary traditions. The process is straightforward but requires attention to detail, such as shaping and frying.

Crafting Mextlapiques and White Mole

Next, the class tackles Mextlapiques, a pre-Hispanic dish, where a tamal without masa is prepared, topped with hierbabuena sauce. This recipe highlights Mexico’s prehispanic roots and provides insight into regional variations.

The highlight is the white mole, a celebratory dish rich in light-colored ingredients like pine nuts, almonds, peanuts, and blonde raisins with chile guero. The chef demonstrates how to balance flavors and textures, and how to serve it with chicken, mushrooms, or panela cheese.

Creating this complex sauce offers a deep appreciation for Mexico’s culinary history and the skill involved in its preparation.

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Cornbread Paired with Water-Based Chocolate

For the final savory course, the class bakes pastel de elote, a sweet cornbread paired with water-based chocolate. This combination ties together the flavors of corn and chocolate, ingredients deeply embedded in Mexican cuisine.

The pairing is served during the lunch, which allows you to enjoy the fruits of your labor alongside agua fresca, craft beer, or mezcal.

Enjoying the 4-Course Mexican Lunch with Pairings

Once all dishes are prepared, they are served together in the studio, creating a communal feel. Each course is paired with locally selected beverages: Mexican craft beer, Oaxacan mezcal, and white or red wine from Valle de Parras.

This meal showcases the variety and richness of Mexican flavors, from tangy salsas to savory mole and sweet cornbread, highlighting the diverse ingredients used across regions.

Practical Details and Logistics

The tour departs from Medellín 191a in Roma Nte., with directions provided for ease of access. The small group size—limited to 7 participants—ensures personalized attention and a relaxed atmosphere.

Inclusions are comprehensive: all ingredients, printed recipes, professional guidance, and beverages. The tour does not include hotel transfers, so participants should arrange their own transportation.

The duration is 4.5 hours, usually held in the morning, making it an ideal activity for a morning adventure or culture. The program is available in English and Spanish, with a flexible cancellation policy—full refunds are available if canceled 24 hours in advance.

The Experience with a Friendly, Knowledgeable Guide

The guides are praised for their warm, engaging personalities and deep knowledge of both Mexican cuisine and culture. Their explanations add context to each ingredient and dish, making the cooking experience more meaningful.

Participants appreciate the small group setting, which fosters interaction and allows ample time for questions. The chef’s passion and friendliness help create a welcoming environment, making even complex recipes approachable.

Who Will Appreciate This Tour Most

This experience suits food lovers eager to learn authentic recipes directly from a professional chef. It’s ideal for those interested in Mexican ingredients, culinary traditions, and local market culture.

Travelers who enjoy interactive, hands-on activities will find the class especially rewarding. However, individuals with mobility issues or nut allergies should consider the physical aspects and ingredient specifics before booking.

Mexico City: Authentic Mexican Cooking Class & Market Tour – Final Thoughts

This tour offers a comprehensive taste of Mexico’s culinary scene through a combination of market exploration and hands-on cooking. The guides’ expertise and the beautifully designed studio create a conducive environment for learning and fun.

The market visit to Mercado de Medellín introduces participants to native ingredients and local flavors, while the cooking class covers traditional dishes like sopes, Mextlapiques, white mole, and cornbread. The meal and beverage pairings cap off the experience with an authentic touch.

While the price of $180 includes all ingredients, recipes, and drinks, some may find the physical aspects of the market tour challenging. Still, this experience is well-suited for those interested in Mexican food culture and seeking a personalized, memorable activity in Mexico City.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is transportation included in this tour?
No, the tour does not include hotel pickup or drop-off; participants need to arrange their own transportation to the meeting point.

What is the group size?
The experience is limited to 7 participants, ensuring a small group atmosphere with personalized guidance.

Are there any physical restrictions?
People with mobility impairments may find certain aspects, such as walking in the market, more difficult. The tour includes walking within the market and navigating narrow spaces.

Can I participate if I have nut allergies?
No, the tour is not suitable for people with nut allergies due to the ingredients used in some dishes, like white mole and chocolates.

What languages are available for the tour?
The tour is offered in English and Spanish, with guides able to accommodate speakers of both languages.

Is the cooking experience suitable for children?
The experience is not suitable for children under 12 years due to the nature of the activities and physical requirements.

You can check availability for your dates here: More Great Tours Nearby