Maya Traditional Mexican Cuisine has a warm, cozy atmosphere and friendly staff. The average price range is reasonable, and the decor is modern. Google gives the place a 4.1-star rating. You can find the full menu online and read reviews left by customers. Alternatively, you can call ahead and reserve a table.
Poc Chuc
The restaurant has been in business since 2007 and is owned and operated by the same family. Originally named the Popol Vuh, the name of a sacred book of the ancient Guatemalans, the restaurant changed its name to reflect the area’s signature dish.
Poc Chuc is a dish that originated from the Yucatan region of Mexico. Its name translates to “grill over burning embers.” This dish is prepared over a fire, and the pork is marinated in orange juice and achiote paste. It is thought that this dish was created in Yucatecan villages during the Hispanic period when Spanish immigrants brought pork, onions, and garlic.
This traditional Maya dish is delicious. It costs 70p per serving and comes with rice, grilled onions, soupy black beans, vinegary cabbage slaw, and hot sauce. The meat is tender and pleasantly salty. The meal is served in a tortilla.
Another traditional Yucatan dish is cochinita pibil. This dish is a must-try. Served with shredded pork, it is a delicious combination of pork and peppers. It is often topped with a spicy habanero sauce and wafer-thin slices of red onion.
Chaya
The use of chaya in Maya traditional Mexican cuisine dates back to pre-Hispanic times. This robust plant is a popular source of calcium, iron, magnesium, proteins, and antioxidants. People throughout Mexico have eaten it for its medicinal properties for centuries. Although it is toxic when eaten raw, the plant is often cooked to reduce its toxicity.
The Maya cuisine of the Yucatan Peninsula incorporates many traditional Mayan ingredients. They use wild turkey, quail, and deer, as well as the chaya (a type of Swiss chard). In Yucatan cuisine, chaya is often paired with hard-boiled eggs. The ingredients used are similar to those used in traditional Mexican dishes, including corn and tomatoes.
The Maya also incorporated leafy greens into their diet. Leafy greens are a powerful source of iron and potassium, and a quarter ounce contains as much protein as an egg. These dishes were served with fresh white corn tortillas grilled over a wood-burning fire.
The local food culture played a significant role in the Mayan religion. UNESCO designated this cuisine as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The most famous dish in Maya cuisine is Mole Poblano, which can contain up to 20 ingredients. If you’re looking for authentic Maya food, La Chaya Maya is the place to go.
The Mayan food has a spicy and fragrant flavor. It is traditionally served on Sunday mornings. Many meals are marinated in “achiote paste,” a mixture of dried annatto seeds and herbs. The achiote paste adds a distinct taste to the food.
ATOL
Atol is a traditional Mexican beverage that originated from the ancient Maya people. It is traditionally made by steeping brown sugar cane in water and cinnamon. This drink is then thickened by adding corn flour or milk. Sometimes, it is flavored with fruits, such as strawberries or blackberries. Atol is often served as an accompaniment to a meal, especially during the cold winter.
The Maya civilization was a significant influence on Mexican gastronomy. Not only is the Maya culture associated with tasty food, but their society also has a rich history. The ancient civilization was famous for its impressive calendar and writing systems. They also crafted stunning buildings and art.
The traditional Maya diet included several dishes. A conventional staple was atole. It’s served hot, along with fresh vegetables. It is trendy during the winter and is also commonly performed at weddings, festivals, and other celebrations. It’s also said to prevent hangovers and is the ultimate comfort food. There are different variations of ATOL, including those with chocolate or vanilla. There’s also a vegetarian version.
The Maya diet also included insects. Atol, Pozole, and Chaya are still prevalent in Mexico today. Although Mel Gibson’s film Apocalypto mixed pre-Hispanic cultures, Maya food traditions remain alive today. There’s a vegan version of the famous chicken tamale, an authentic Maya recipe for vegans.
Another unique Maya tradition is the cleaning of the bones of a loved one. This custom goes back thousands of years and is a way to pay homage to the departed. Traditionally, the dead keep their bones in a wooden box for three years before being cleaned. This ritual is performed yearly during Hanal Pixan, which celebrates the soul of the dead. Not cleaning the bones is thought to anger the spirits.
Pozole
Pozole is a traditional Mayan food. It was invented by the Maya, Zoque, and Chiapaneca Indians and was considered a sacred ritual. Through trade routes, the dish spread throughout the Yucatan Peninsula and Central America. Its preparation became more popular in Tabasco and Maya-Chontales communities. There are four varieties of Pozole, plain, sour, and cocoa.
Pozole is not to be confused with the pre-Columbian soup called Pozole. Pozole is made from fermented corn dough and is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It is often served with tacos and small snacks. Pozole is often filled with chili conserves and chilies, common in Mexican cuisine when constructed without cacao.
Pozole Maya is a staple of Tabasco and the Yucatan regions. Farmers in the Yucatan region used salt water to cure their meats. Then, they would add acidic flavors to cover up the saltiness. As the Spanish arrived, many ingredients were brought to the region and added to the traditional recipe.
Mexican cuisine is incredibly diverse. The traditional recipes differ depending on the region, climate, and traditions. Some areas are coastal and have an abundance of seafood, while the central highlands are more focused on other types of proteins. Moles and other traditional Mexican dishes are also influenced by region. In the case of mole, for example, each state has its version of it. In addition, Mexican cuisine originated from Maya culture, which was nomadic hunters and ate native animals. In addition to eating meat and fish, the Maya ate corn and tropical fruits.
Cochinita pibil
Cochinita pibil is a traditional meat dish made in the Maya region of Mexico. It is prepared by marinating the meat in citrus juice and achiote seeds. It is then roasted in an earth oven known as a Pib and wrapped in banana leaves. The recipe dates back to the ancient Maya, who mastered the art of cooking foods in underground fire pits.
This Mayan-influenced dish is commonly served on the weekend in many Mexican homes. It is often eaten as part of the family’s Sunday ritual. Its distinctive color comes from achiote, a spice added to the meat. Ground achiote and annatto seeds are used.
Cochinita pibil is often made with whole suckling pig, but pork shoulder and loin are also used. The dish has a distinctive flavor, enhanced by bitter oranges. Traditionally, Cochinita pibil is served with refried beans, pickled red onions, habaneros, and yellow corn tortillas.
Poc Chuc is another traditional dish from the Maya region. It is made from slow-roasted pork in sour orange juice. In Maya, POC means to toast over hot embers, and chuc means charcoal. The dish was initially invented as a way to preserve meat.