Chen Xiaochun
| Editor: Stephanie Yang | From:Discover authentic Mexican food in Shenzhen
When talking about food during the interview with the Shenzhen Daily, Carlos Giralt, the newly-arrived Consul General of Mexico in Guangzhou, excitedly recommended Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant & Bar, saying that it is the only Mexican restaurant in Shenzhen with Mexican owners and chefs, and the right place for authentic Mexican food in southern China.
Email of the writer: 654789759@qq.com Mexico, a far-off country sitting on the other side of the planet whose name is still somewhat unfamiliar to most Chinese, boasts not only clear blue seas and exotic culture but also the unique and tasty Mexican cuisine which is a favorite all around the world.
Mexican chef Guillermo Dias.
Mexican food is a rich, enchanting mix of flavor, color and texture, whose presentation is as important as its taste. Its style is very earthy, humble, and rich in flavor thanks to the use of a wide range of ingredients from all over the country. Among the ingredients and spices, one can easily spot garlic, onion, cilantro, oregano, cumin and chili.
When talking about food during the interview with the Shenzhen Daily, Carlos Giralt, the newly-arrived Consul General of Mexico in Guangzhou, excitedly recommended Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant & Bar, saying that it is the only Mexican restaurant in Shenzhen with Mexican owners and chefs, and the right place for authentic Mexican food in southern China.
The restaurant Pancho’s, named after Francisco (Pancho) Villa, a Mexican general, can be easily spotted with its colorful Mexican décor and the Mexico’s national flag on the façade. A big painting of Pedro Armendáriz, a well-known Mexican actor, is on the wall.
“There are several other Mexican restaurants in Shenzhen, but their owner is not Mexican and the food is mostly Americanized,” said Hector Hernandez, one of the four owners of Pancho’s.
“We considered opening the restaurant in Shenzhen because in Shekou and in Futian we have a really important Mexican community. We also want to present our culture, our tradition and our food to Chinese people,” said Fernando Sueldo, another owner of the restaurant.
Tacos al Pastor (Pastor Tacos)
It’s a typical food of Toluca, state capital of State of Mexico. There are 18 main ingredients which make the flavor a treat for your palate.
Pescado Zarandeado (Barbecue Fish)
Pescado Zarandeado originates from the State of Nayarit, whose seafood cuisine is unique in the world for its great coal based flavor and how the marinated creamy style combines with the spicy roast. This flavor is incomparable and unique among all seafood products.
Chamorro en Su Jugo (Pork Leg in Juice)
Chamorro of Jalisco State style pork is baked on a slow fire with its main ingredient based on marinaded chilies from the region combined with blue agave liquor. It was the perfect feast for the Aztec gods.
Cochinita Pibil
Cochinita Pibil is a dish from Yucatán State. Its great taste is due to a paste made by their ancestors that they named “achiote”. A combination of pork and a sour orange, its flavor is quite unique.
Fajitas Mixtas (Mixed Fajitas)
Fajitas Mixtas is a great combination of tex-mex taste based on beef, shrimp or chicken created with juice and a special touch of the house, making it the favorite dish of the countries neighboring Mexico.
Margarita
Margarita is a classic tequila-based cocktail, which is called the “soul and heart of Mexico.” It can be mixed with any fruit: strawberry, mango, pineapple, watermelon or raspberry.
“The atmosphere and decor at the restaurant was very pleasant. The pork leg was delicious and tender. The meat fell right off the bone. The flavoring was just right. I enjoyed the fajitas, but I think I'd prefer just one ingredient (shrimp or chicken or beef) rather than all three mixed together. The Margaritas were delicious! I'm used to having just salt on the rim of a margarita glass. At Pancho's they mix in a little chilli pepper with the salt which improves the taste,” commented Grunthal.
“The tortillas are perfect and the meat seasoned just right. I love the guacamole. The most authentic Mexican food in Shenzhen,” said Chiarello.
“Mexican food is usually served with tortillas, as rice is for Chinese. The reason is that in the old times when Mexican people did not have rice or wheat, the only staple food they had was corn. So, Mexican people made many different things out of corn, e.g. tortillas. When paired with the traditional flavor of the margarita, you’ll get a stronger taste of this food, which is offered nowhere else in Shenzhen,” said He.
