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Carlos Mendoza

Staff Writer · Oaxaca, Mexico

Carlos Mendoza grew up in Puebla and has spent his adult life documenting the street food traditions of central Mexico. He works as a food guide and writer in Oaxaca City, where he lives with his wife and an unreasonable number of dried chiles. Carlos knows where to find the best mole negro in Oaxaca and is not telling you unless you ask nicely. He writes in Spanish and English, and his work has focused on preserving knowledge of regional Mexican cooking that is disappearing as older cooks pass on. He has interviewed over forty home cooks and street vendors for his articles.

Expertise

Mexican cuisine, street food, Oaxacan cooking

Years Writing

7 years

Favorite Tool

A molcajete he found at a market in 2018

Articles by Carlos Mendoza

Food Culture |

Gazpacho in Andalusia: The Cold Tomato Soup That Was Born Out of Necessity and Became a Summer Tradition

The origins and variations of gazpacho in southern Spain, from the classic tomato version to ajo blanco.

Food Culture |

Mint Tea in Morocco: The Pour That Goes Two Feet in the Air and Never Spills

The ritual of Moroccan mint tea, from the gunpowder green tea to the sugar cone and the high pour.

Food Culture |

Inside the Spice Market of Marrakech: The Colors, the Scams, and the Saffron That Was Not Saffron

A navigating-the-market account of buying spices in Marrakech, with tips on what to buy and what to avoid.

Recipes |

Pad Thai on a Street Cart in Bangkok: The High-Heat Wok Technique You Cannot Replicate Indoors

A pad Thai recipe learned from a street vendor in Bangkok, emphasizing wok hei and the balance of sweet, sour, and salty.

Food Culture |

The Seven Moles of Oaxaca: Why This Sauce Takes Three Days and a Village to Make

A deep look at the mole tradition in Oaxaca, from negro to coloradito, and the labor behind each version.

Restaurant Reviews |

Churrasco in Sao Paulo: The Brazilian Steakhouse Tradition Beyond the Tourist Trap

A look at three churrascarias in Sao Paulo, from a neighborhood spot to a high-end rodizio, with honest pricing.

Food Culture |

The Tagine Pot: How One Clay Dish Defines Moroccan Home Cooking

An exploration of the tagine as both cooking vessel and cultural symbol in Moroccan kitchens.

Restaurant Reviews |

Empanadas From a Buenos Aires Bakery: The Filling That Made Me Rethink the Whole Concept

A review of three empanada shops in Buenos Aires, from traditional salteñas to creative fillings.

Food Culture |

The Mexican Street Food Most Visitors Walk Right Past

Mexican street food dishes that travelers often overlook.

Recipes |

Paella on a Sunday Afternoon: The Valencia Rice Dish That Feeds a Crowd and Demands Patience

A traditional Valencian paella with rabbit, snails, and butter beans, cooked over an open fire.

Restaurant Reviews |

Taco Stands in Mexico City After Midnight: The Best Tacos Are Served When Most People Are Asleep

Four late-night taco stands in Mexico City, each specializing in a different style, from suadero to campechanos.

Food Culture |

Bangkok Night Markets After Dark: The Vendors Who Have Been Selling the Same Dish for Thirty Years

A walk through three Bangkok night markets, profiling vendors who have built loyal followings over decades.

Restaurant Reviews |

Coffee in Saigon: Ca Phe Sua Da, Egg Coffee, and the Cafes Where Time Slows Down

A guide to the coffee culture of Saigon, from street-side ca phe sua da to rooftop cafes with egg coffee.

Recipes |

Banh Mi From a Cart in Saigon: The Bread, the Pork, and the Pickles That Make It Work

A banh mi recipe with crispy pork belly, pickled daikon and carrot, cilantro, and jalapeno on a baguette.

Recipes |

Chicken Pho in Hanoi: What a Street Stall Taught Me About Patience in the Kitchen

A chicken pho recipe learned from a street vendor in Hanoi, with charred ginger, star anise, and a twelve-hour broth.

Food Culture |

Ceviche in Lima: The Dish That Peruvians Treat Like a Religion

An exploration of ceviche culture in Lima, from leche de tigre to the morning-only cevicherias that close by early afternoon.

Recipes |

Lamb Tagine With Apricots and Almonds: A Weekend Project Worth the Wait

A Moroccan lamb tagine with dried apricots and almonds, slow-braised on the stovetop for three hours.

Recipes |

Making Thai Green Curry Paste from Scratch Changes Everything About the Dish

Why homemade green curry paste tastes nothing like store-bought jars.

Restaurant Reviews |

Arepa Bars in Bogota: Where the Corn Cakes Are Crispy Outside and Soft Inside

Three arepa restaurants in Bogota that represent different regional styles, from plain corn to stuffed with shredded beef.