• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Mamá Maggie's Kitchen
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beef
    • Breakfast
    • Chicken
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Pork
    • Seafood
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
    • Vegetarian
    • Healthy
    • Mexican
    • Holiday Recipes
    • Learn
  • Cookbooks
  • Shop
  • Courses
    • Tamales
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • Courses
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • Cookbooks
    • Courses
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Travel » Mexico » My Culinary Adventures in Ensenada

    My Culinary Adventures in Ensenada

    Last Updated August 23, 2022. Originally Posted August 17, 2013 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    My friend and fellow blogger, Sugar Jones, moved to Ensenada for a year with her kids and husband. Her home is an amazing 3-level beach house steps away from the water. I mean, how awesome is that? Have you ever driven Highway 1 in California? Ensenada and its pristine coastline is just like that: truly breathtaking! Can’t blame me for heading south of the border and doing some taste testing in such a remarkable place.

    A hand holding a coctel de mariscos in a plastic cup.

    Mariscos El Guero
    This seafood stand has their own set up to prepare and order food. If you want a tostada, you have to stand behind a certain man. If you want a seafood cocktail, you stand behind another man. This seafood cocktail was made of shrimp, octopus, fish, clams, oysters, cucumbers, tomato sauce, onions, cilantro, lime juice. Add a few splashes of chili and YUM!

     

    The building for the fish market in Ensenada with a sign that reads "Mercado de Mariscos."
    Seafood Market
    If you get squeeeeemish seeing fish eyes, don’t go to this seafood market! The fish were still wiggling, caught just that morning, floor slippery, and the air was pungent and wonderfully fishy. Fresh fish tastes saltier and 3000 times better than frozen fish.

    Maggie Unzueta on the beach in Ensenada, Mexico.
    Ensenada Beach
    Sugar and I walked along this beach for a few miles, stopping only to enjoy the view or to grab a snack. Palapas for beach picnics and palm trees swaying in the ocean breeze. Sand dollars and mini shells on a long expansive, untampered beach. I’m really quite simple to please. Stick me on a beach and feed me, and I’m happy. 🙂

    Almejas gratinadas (Clams with melted cheese) opened and served next to saltine crackers.
    Almejas Gratinadas
    They open the clam and remove the meat. The clam meat is then chopped. Add shrimp, minced onions, lime juice, chili, cilantro and topped with cheese. They close the clam back up and wrap it in foil. It is placed in an old school wood oven. This was the BEST thing I had in Ensenada. I am salivating as I write, remembering this salty and cheese goodness.

    Two glass cups filled with ceviche next to tostadas.
    Shrimp Ceviche
    Shrimp, tomato sauce, chili, onions, cucumbers, cilantro, and lime juice. I don’t think I will ever be able to eat frozen seafood again. What a difference! The young boy who waited on us was incredibly delightful. He had no idea that I am a food writer and restaurant critic. He didn’t know who Sugar was, and he treated us and everyone with the same hospitality. That’s something I noticed everywhere we went: genuine kindness and warmth.

    A stack of jalapenos on display at a grocery store.
    Walmart
    Now you’re thinking: Walmart, really? That’s exactly my point! This Walmart has a Mexican bakery, Mexican products. Mexican fruits and veggies are more vibrant in Mexico than they are in the US because they are fresher.

    A collage of food pictures of restaurants and markets in Ensenada, Mexico.


    iGracias a la familia Jones! Espero verlos pronto.
    Thank you to the Jones family. I can’t wait to visit again!

    Filed Under: Mexico

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Maggie
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • PR/ Advertise
    • Email maggie @ mamamaggieskitchen.com