Where to Try Chapulines (Grasshoppers) in Mexico City: Best Guacamole Spots

Chapulines (grasshoppers) taste nutty, crispy, and slightly earthy with lime and chili seasoning - most people are pleasantly surprised. The best places to try them in Mexico City are Mercado San Juan for gourmet varieties, La Merced for authentic local experience, and Pujol for upscale presentation. They're traditionally served in guacamole, on tacos, or as a crunchy snack.

What Are Chapulines?

Chapulines are grasshoppers that have been a staple of Mexican cuisine since pre-Hispanic times. They're typically:

• Toasted until crispy
• Seasoned with salt, lime, chili, and garlic
• High in protein and considered a sustainable food source
• Crunchy with a slightly nutty, tangy flavor

When combined with creamy guacamole, they add an incredible textural contrast and earthy depth that elevates the classic dip to something truly special.

Where to Find Guacamole de Chapulines

Markets

The most authentic experience is at Mexico City's traditional markets:

• Mercado de San Juan - Famous for exotic ingredients, they have excellent chapulines
• Mercado de la Merced - One of the largest markets with traditional vendors
• Mercado de Coyoacán - Great atmosphere with food stalls serving chapulines
• Mercado de Jamaica - Known for flowers but also has traditional food vendors

Restaurants Specializing in Pre-Hispanic Cuisine

• El Cardenal - Upscale traditional Mexican with seasonal chapulines dishes
• Azul Histórico - Beautiful setting with refined takes on traditional recipes
• Los Danzantes - Oaxacan cuisine featuring chapulines prominently
• Corazón de Maguey - Traditional Mexican with pre-Hispanic ingredients

Oaxacan Restaurants

Since chapulines are especially associated with Oaxaca, Oaxacan restaurants are your best bet:

• Oaxaqueña Triqui - Authentic home-style Oaxacan cooking
• Guzina Oaxaca - Modern Oaxacan cuisine
• Casa Oaxaca - Upscale Oaxacan dining experience

Making It at Home

If you want to try making your own guacamole de chapulines:

Where to Buy Chapulines

• Most traditional markets sell them by weight
• Specialty stores in Roma and Condesa
• Some supermarkets in the gourmet sections

Simple Recipe

1. Make your favorite guacamole (avocados, lime, cilantro, onion, salt, jalapeño)
2. Toast chapulines lightly in a dry pan if they need extra crispiness
3. Top the guacamole generously with chapulines
4. Serve immediately with fresh tortilla chips

Tips for First-Timers

• Start small - Ask for a small portion if you're unsure
• Check freshness - Good chapulines should be crispy, not soft
• Ask about seasoning - Some are spicier than others
• Embrace the experience - They taste much better than they look!

Seasonality

Chapulines are most abundant and freshest during the rainy season (June through September) when grasshoppers are harvested from alfalfa and corn fields. However, you can find them year-round in Mexico City - dried chapulines are available anytime.

Beyond Guacamole

Once you've tried chapulines in guacamole, explore other ways to enjoy them:

• Tacos de chapulines - Simple tacos with just chapulines, lime, and salsa
• Tlayudas - Large Oaxacan tortillas topped with chapulines
• As a snack - Eaten like chips with beer or mezcal
• In quesadillas - Mixed with cheese and other ingredients

Final Thoughts

Trying guacamole de chapulines is more than just eating an unusual ingredient - it's connecting with thousands of years of Mexican culinary tradition. The combination of creamy avocado with crunchy, tangy grasshoppers is genuinely delicious, and most people who try it become instant fans.

Don't let the idea of eating insects stop you from experiencing one of Mexico's most authentic and sustainable traditional foods. ¡Buen provecho!

Related Mexico City Food Guides

• Mexico City Expat Guide
• Food and Dining in CDMX
• More Mexico Guides