Understanding the Soulful Mexican Cooking of Oaxaca

Too often Mexican cuisine is reduced solely to tacos and burritos. The country is full of rich culinary traditions, and nowhere is that more apparent than Oaxaca. In this episode of Food Skills, Guelaguetza—the legendary Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles' Koreatown—Oaxacan tlayudas and mole take centerstage. Topped with meat, cheese, and salty, chicharrón-like asiento, tlayudas have a role in Oaxacan cuisine that far exceeds their reputation as "Mexican pizza." Mole—the rich, spice-and-pepper-packed sauce of the region—is used to to drench the tlayudas, as well as chicken, enchiladas, and any other foodstuff within arm's reach. Helmed by second-generation owner Bricia Lopez, Guelaguetza is a bucket-list destination for anyone looking to experience the culture of Oaxaca and L.A. at the same time.