Private Market Tour and Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Merida With Transfers

Discover the vibrant flavors of Yucatecan cuisine on this immersive culinary experience in Merida. Led by an expert host, you’ll explore the bustling Chuburna Market, selecting the freshest ingredients before heading to the kitchen. There, you’ll learn to prepare beloved regional dishes like the smoky, peanut-based sikil pak and the slow-roasted cochinita pibil. Finish with a sweet treat as you gain a deeper appreciation for the rich culinary traditions of this captivating region. With convenient hotel transfers included, all that’s left is to let your senses be delighted.

This experience made our list of the 3 Best Shopping Tours In Merida.

Contents hide

1 Overview and Experience

6 Inclusions and Logistics

7 Pickup and Timing

8 Reviews and Recommendations

9 Frequently Asked Questions

Key Points

Offers an immersive cultural experience with a guided market tour and hands-on cooking class in Merida, showcasing traditional Yucatecan cuisine.
Menu features authentic local dishes like sikil pak, cochinita pibil, and dulce de papaya, highlighting the region’s unique flavors.
Includes hotel pickup and drop-off, allowing for a seamless and convenient experience.
Private class setting provides personalized attention and the opportunity to learn directly from a local host.
Highly rated by previous guests for its hospitable instructor, educational content, and authentic culture.

Overview and Experience

This private 8-hour cooking class in Merida, Mexico allows guests to learn how to prepare traditional Yucatan dishes from scratch.

The experience includes a guided tour of the Chuburna Market to select fresh ingredients, followed by step-by-step cooking instructions at the host Sofia’s home.

Participants will learn to make a variety of dishes that may include sikil pak, cochinita pibil, and typical fried pastries.

Throughout the class, Sofia shares her expertise and passion for Yucatecan cuisine, providing an authentic cultural experience.

The hands-on cooking session offers a unique opportunity to take in the local culinary traditions of Merida.

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Menu Highlights

The menu for this private cooking class highlights a variety of traditional Yucatecan dishes, from starters to dessert. Theres some good a creamy pumpkin seed dip called sikil pak, served with crispy tortilla chips. The sopa de lima, a tangy chicken and lime soup, is the perfect light starter. For a taste of local flavors, the empanadas de chaya con queso de bola feature flaky pastries stuffed with the native green chaya and Edam cheese, served with a fiery habanero salsa. The main course offers a choice between the slow-cooked cochinita pibil (marinated pork) or pollo (chicken), both roasted in banana leaves. To end the meal on a sweet note, guests can savor the dulce de papaya con queso de bola, a delightful stewed papaya dish with creamy Edam cheese.

Starters	Main Course	Dessert
Sikil pak con tostadas	Cochinita Pibil or Pollo	Dulce de papaya con queso de bola
Sopa de lima
Empanadas de chaya con queso de bola

Starters

The cooking class kicks off with an array of appetizing starters that showcase the vibrant flavors of Yucatecan cuisine. Guests begin by savoring the creamy sikil pak, a pumpkin seed dip that pairs perfectly with crisp tortilla chips. Next, they’ll indulge in the tangy sopa de lima, a comforting chicken and lime soup that whets the appetite.

The experience is further elevated by:

Empanadas de chaya con queso de bola: Flaky pastries filled with local green chaya and Edam cheese, served with a zesty habanero salsa.
Freshly prepared habanero salsa, adding a fiery kick to the starters.
An introduction to traditional Yucatecan ingredients and cooking techniques.

Main Course

For the main course, guests typically savor either the slow-cooked marinated chicken or the pork roasted in banana leaves, known as cochinita pibil.

The chicken or pork is cooked to perfection, infused with the rich flavors of the Yucatecan marinade.

The cochinita pibil, a regional specialty, is particularly noteworthy, as the pork is slowly roasted in banana leaves, resulting in a tender, juicy, and subtly-sweet dish.

Diners can expect an authentic and satisfying main course that showcases the vibrant culinary traditions of the Yucatan peninsula.

The homecooked meal provides a truly immersive cultural experience, allowing guests to indulge in the flavors that have been passed down through generations.

Dessert

After savoring the hearty and flavorful main courses, guests can indulge in a sweet and creamy dessert – the dulce de papaya con queso de bola.

This traditional Yucatecan dish features stewed papaya delicately paired with the rich and creamy Edam cheese, creating a balanced and delightful conclusion to the meal.

The papaya is slowly cooked until it develops a soft, jammy texture, allowing the natural sweetness to shine.

The Edam cheese, with its mild and buttery flavor, complements the papaya perfectly, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.

Guests will be delighted by the unique and authentic taste of this Yucatecan specialty, a fitting end to their culinary adventure.

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Inclusions and Logistics

This private market tour and cooking class in Merida, Mexico includes a homecooked meal, hotel pick-up and drop-off, local beer, and gratuities.

Dietary accommodations are available upon request.

The experience starts with a pickup from your hotel’s concierge desk at 9:00 am, and you’ll receive confirmation within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

Free cancellation is offered up to 24 hours before the experience.

While this is a private class, other guests may be present in the host’s home.

It’s an authentic local experience, not a professional cooking class.

Please note that the class isn’t wheelchair accessible, and service animals aren’t allowed.

Pickup and Timing

The experience starts with a pickup from your hotel’s concierge desk at 9:00 am, and you’ll receive confirmation within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

This cooking class offers:

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience, so you can plan with confidence.
Convenient hotel pick-up and drop-off, allowing you to fully learn about the local culture.
Flexibility to accommodate dietary needs upon request, ensuring a personalized and enjoyable experience.

With these logistical details taken care of, you can focus on savoring the authentic flavors of Yucatan cuisine and learning from your knowledgeable host, Sofia, in the comfort of her home.

Reviews and Recommendations

Guests consistently praise Sofia’s hospitality and teaching style, with the experience earning a stellar 5.0 rating based on 8 reviews.

Travelers highlight the opportunity to learn about local products and traditional cooking techniques as a major highlight. One reviewer remarked, "Sofia’s passion for sharing the flavors of Yucatan cuisine was infectious. I came away with a deeper appreciation for the ingredients and preparation methods."

Others noted that the private, hands-on class provided an authentic cultural experience that couldn’t be found in a typical restaurant setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Own Alcoholic Beverages?

No, bringing your own alcoholic beverages is not permitted. The experience includes local beer as part of the meal, but guests are not allowed to bring their own alcohol. The host will provide all drinks for the cooking class.

Is the Cooking Class Suitable for Children?

The cooking class is generally suitable for children, as it includes hands-on cooking and learning about local ingredients. However, the class may not be suitable for very young children due to the length and complexity of the activities.

Do I Need to Bring Any Special Equipment?

No special equipment is needed for the cooking class. The host, Sofia, provides all the necessary tools and ingredients. Guests should just bring their enthusiasm for learning traditional Yucatecan recipes and techniques in a hands-on, interactive setting.

Can the Class Be Adapted for Vegetarian or Vegan Diets?

The class can be adapted for vegetarian or vegan diets. According to the details, the host, Sofia, can accommodate dietary needs upon request. Guests simply need to indicate their preferences when booking the experience.

Are There Any Photo Opportunities During the Market Tour?

Yes, the market tour offers plenty of photo opportunities. Guests can capture vibrant scenes of vendors, produce, and local culture. The guide encourages guests to take photos throughout the market visit to document the authentic experience.