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Monday, February 2, 2015

A Different Kind of Market

I have visited a number of markets in Mexico City, but on Saturday, Alejandro took me to a market that I had not seen before.  The San Juan Market is located in a somewhat scruffy neighborhood a few blocks to the south of the more touristy area along Juárez Avenue.  At first glance, the market, with its colorful displays of fruits and vegetables looks like any other Mexican marketplace.


But upon closer inspection, one sees that this is not the typical market.  The San Juan Market specializes in exotic foods.  Gourmet chefs come here to find ingredients that they will not find elsewhere.

The pile of young goats in this stall is not extremely exotic for Mexico... but read the sign and see what else this stall has to offer.


They also have venison, wild boar, ostrich, pheasant and crocodile, among other things. Here you can also buy ant larvae,  maguey worms, and grasshoppers!  Yummy!



Want to make a really big omelet?  How about some ostrich eggs?



Other stalls sell Oriental vegetables, unusual herbs and spices, and edible flowers.



Imported cheeses, sausages and other foods are for sale.

There are parts of the San Juan Market which are not for the squeamish, but it is an interesting place to visit.
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4 comments:

  1. Gary DennessFebruary 3, 2015 at 8:06 AM

    Another place I have been, and another story I have enjoyed reading. And you're right, it's not for the squeamish! When I was last passing through that market, they had armadillo too.

    Have you ever been to Bar Chon? It's a pretty famous place but not really on the tourist map. They specialise in pre hispanic foods and serve up a lot of the more exotic creatures on sale in San Juan.

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    1. Retired TeacherFebruary 3, 2015 at 10:22 AM

      I've heard of Bar Chon, but I have never been there. I could probably muster up the courage to eat something like crocodile or armadillo, but the thought of ant larvae, maguey worms or grasshoppers takes me beyond squeamish. Oh, and I could never eat "chango" - monkey. Too close to being a human.

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  2. BabsFebruary 3, 2015 at 11:16 AM

    Gosh your post brings back the first time I went to the big market in Guadalajara almost 40 years ago. As I came around the corner, there was a tray of eyeballs. Whatever else that was there, I don't know because I turned around and made a hasty retreat back up the stairs. Have never forgotten it........

    I'm with you on the weird stuff to eat........I guess I'm not a true "foodie" and never will be. I've eaten alligator and snake, but that is it for me, thank you very much.

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    1. Retired TeacherFebruary 3, 2015 at 11:48 AM

      Oh my! I didn't see anything as disgusting as eyeballs at the market.
      So, do alligator and snake really taste like chicken???

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