Curious Facts

5 traditional Guatemalan dishes similar to Mexican food

By Adriana sanchez - 2020-06-19T14:00:04Z
Guatemala and Mexico are countries with many similarities, as they not only share a border but also have very similar cultural expressions and customs such as music, the Maya Civilization, and of course, food. That is why we invite you to discover these 5 traditional dishes from Guatemala that resemble Mexican food. The Guatemalan cuisine has its origins in the Mayan culture, which is why it uses ingredients such as corn, chili, and beans in many of its dishes, and that is why it is often compared to its Mexican counterparts, as you will see below. Chuchitos In Guatemala, there are several types of tamales, among which chuchitos stand out, small tamales made of corn dough and filled with meat, served with tomato sauce and cheese. In Mexico, they could be equivalent to red tamales. Which ones do you crave more? Guatemalan Enchiladas Another typical dish from Guatemala is its delicious enchiladas, which consist of tostadas topped with minced meat, cheese, a touch of egg, sauce, and beet, giving them a vibrant characteristic color. Totally different from Mexican enchiladas, Guatemalan enchiladas could be more accurately compared to Morelian enchiladas or salpicón tostadas. Kaq’ik Kaq’ik is a traditional dish from Guatemala specific to the q'eqchi' region. It is a broth with chunto meat, better known as turkey; various vegetables, spices, and a lot of chili. If served with rice, it can be related to a delicious chicken soup, but if eaten alone, it could be compared to a Mexican pozole, don’t you think? Pepián One of the oldest traditional foods in Guatemala is pepián, a stew that comes from the fusion of Spanish and Mayan cultures. Pepián is a spiced broth full of flavor that is served with chicken, beef, or pork and vegetables. It is eaten with tortillas and is very similar to Mexican mole de olla. Hilachas Hilachas is a traditional dish from Guatemala whose main ingredient is beef; it is slow-cooked in tomato sauce and shredded. Additionally, it is accompanied by potatoes, carrots, rice, and corn tortillas. It is a stew very similar to what we know in Mexico as ropa vieja. What do you think of these 5 traditional Guatemalan dishes? Would you dare to try them or do you prefer the Mexican versions?