Prepare an Oaxacan Mole by a Traditional Cook

Name: Prepare an Oaxacan Mole by a Traditional Cook
Brand: Etnofood Experiencias
SKU: 185094P10
Price: 55.52 USD
Rating: 4.5 (84 reviews)

Oaxaca City, Mexico

Great choice

10+ bookings last month.

3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Sample Menu

Main

Traditional Oaxacan Mole

The moles of Oaxaca are diverse, varied and with different recipes, don't worry, we will send you the recipes.

Starter

Traditional Sauces

We will make various Oaxaca sauces.

Starter

Dough and dishes with Corn dough.

We will work with tortillas, memelas or tetelas, different expressions of the dough to cook.

What's Included

Alcoholic Beverages

(for travelers +18)
Bottled water
Lunch

Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

TeoLab
Xicoténcatl 609, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax., Mexico
We are five blocks from the Zócalo of the City, you can google Teolab as a place and you can get there easily.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travellers with back problems

Not for people with knee problems or with canes.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 4 travellers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Questions?

Visit the Viator Help Centre for any further questions.

Product code: 185094P10

Traveller Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveller's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveller's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveller's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveller's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveller's review)

Featured review

Evelyne_D

The staff was fantastic! Well organized. We first went to a market to get some ingredients with Liz. Then back at the commercial kitchen to chop, prepare and cook our dinner under the supervision of very nice señoritas. We even got to try and learn how to drink Mescal. A yummy “vegetarian” meal full of flavours! Not only did we learn about the food , but also about the culture. ¡Muchas gracias!

Reviews

4.6

based on 84 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Bring your appetite

Amy_W, Oct 2025

Chef Victor gave our group a wonderful experience. He shared both a personal and historical perspective on food.

Good but very disappointing

Victoriano_D, Feb 2025

It was greet learned a lot. HOWEVER, Victor asked for our WhatsApp phone number and that he would send us recipes, but after numerous attempts to text him, he never did. This was very disappointing. I would make sure people know that you’ll have a fantastic cooking class, but you will not be able to take anything away to use after the class.

Amazing experience!

Richard_W, Jan 2025

Covers much material and hands on group cooking experience. Our instructor, Victor, was excellent, skilled, warm and inviting. Good market tour, nice working space and kitchen. Incredible, abundant food. Fun. Do it!

Response from Host, Sept 2025

Thank you so much, Richard! We’re delighted you enjoyed the full mole experience, from market to kitchen. Víctor will be thrilled to hear your kind words, and we’re glad the flavours, fun, and abundance made it a memorable day. 🌿🍴

Excellent cultural experience

Amizadai_L, Jan 2025

Wonderful experience! The tour of the market and explanation of different Mexican ingredients was riveting, and our guide/ instructor was wonderfully instructional. Met some lovely people whom we really clicked with and had dinner with later on.

Response from Host, Sept 2025

Hi there, Thank you so much for your lovely review! 🌟 We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the market tour and learning all about the ingredients that go into making a delicious Oaxacan mole. Sounds like you also met some wonderful people along the way — nothing like cooking, sharing good food, and great company to make the experience even better! Xoxo, The Etnofood Crew

Fun day of cooking with international group and beautiful lunch at the end of the class.

Theresa_V, Dec 2024

Super fun cooking experience with a nice, international crowd. Our leader, Yara, took us to the market and showed us all the regional produce that we would be buying for the mole preparation. We also tried several types of regional cheese. Mole making is a complicated process with many many ingredients so it's fun to do with a group. We had all sorts of vegetables grilling and spices/fruits/dried peppers being ground up. We also learned how to make tortillas/quesadillas/agua fresca and the rice/veggies to go with the mole. Yara showed us how to plate the dish attractively and at the end of the class, we had a nice lunch with all the food we had prepared and a little bit of mezcal. I try to do a cooking class on every trip I take, especially when the destination is known for its food.

Response from Host, Sept 2025

Hi Theresa, Thank you so much for sharing your experience! 🌟 It sounds like a full-on, fun cooking adventure with lots to learn and taste. We’re thrilled you enjoyed exploring the market, trying the regional cheeses, and putting together your mole and all the other delicious dishes. Finishing with a beautiful lunch (and a little mezcal!) sounds like the perfect reward for all that hard work. We’d love to welcome you back for more hands-on adventures in Oaxaca! 😉 Xoxo, The Etnofood Crew

Etnofoods Tour Operator is NOT Solution- nor Customer-Oriented

Sharnell_V, Dec 2024

In advance, I booked this tour for 3:30pm on December 18, 2024 for two adults. I also communicated with the tour operator via the Viator app ahead of time a concern about possibly being a little late arriving at the designated meeting point located near the Zócalo, the heart of downtown Oaxaca due to possibly a tight timeline between our Aeromexico flight arrival to Oaxaca (OAX), taking a 25-35 minute taxi ride to check-in and drop off our luggage at Casa Bonita Boutique Hotel located atop a hill outside the city, then taking a 30-35 minute taxi ride from the hotel to the meeting point which was near the Zócalo. Responses from the tour operator via the Viator app were SLOW; and when the tour operator responded, the responses were curt and not solution- nor customer-oriented. That should’ve been a sign to cancel this tour. But we held out hoping our timeline on December 18th would pan out in our favor. Communication barrier with taxi drivers and navigating downtown Oaxaca City was not easy. In hindsight, we should’ve canceled before the 24-hour grace period to get a full refund. This tour is no bueno.

A memory to cherish!

Leslie_W, Oct 2024

Most memorable was how Armando made the whole process flow so efficiently while teaching us about the various ingredients and their origins and Spanish names. The seven of us, strangers to each other, worked together like a well oiled machine and had great conversations and laughs together. The finale of a beautiful and delicious meal shared was pure joy and contentment. I left feeling fulfilled on so many levels, and will always remember Armando and the exceptional experience of making an authentic Oaxaca mole meal.

Response from Host, Sept 2025

Hi Leslie, Thanks so much for your wonderful review! 🌿 We’re so glad you had such a memorable time in the class and that Armando made the whole experience flow so smoothly. It’s fantastic that everyone worked together, shared laughs, and ended the day with a delicious meal, you really captured the spirit of creating an authentic Oaxacan mole! We’d love to welcome you back for more unforgettable and flavour, packed adventures with Etnofood. Best regards, The Etnofood Team

Beat Cooking Class Ever

laura_l, Oct 2024

One of the best cooking classes I’ve had! Started with a trip to the market to buy fresh produce and learn about local vegetables. The Chef was great and we had lots of opportunities to participate In the class. The final product was delicious! Wonderful food and the classmates were international and very congenial!!

Response from Host, Sept 2025

Hi Laura, Thanks so much for your review! 🌿 We’re so happy you had such a fun time in the cooking class, from exploring the market to discovering local veggies and creating delicious dishes. It sounds like the whole experience was really enjoyable, and we’re glad you got to share it with such a friendly international group! We’d love to welcome you back for more tasty and memorable adventures with Etnofood. Best regards, The Etnofood Team

Amazing cooking experience

Kristen_E, Oct 2024

Fun afternoon / evening going to a market, learning about Oaxacan food and cooking a delicious meal.

Response from Host, Sept 2025

Hi Kristen, Thank you so much for your lovely review! 🌿 We’re so glad you had a fun time exploring the market and diving into Oaxacan cuisine. It’s wonderful to hear that you enjoyed cooking a delicious meal and experiencing the local flavours firsthand. We’d love to welcome you back for more tasty adventures with Etnofood! Best regards, The Etnofood Team

After the rain comes Mole!

Anthony_M, Oct 2024

We had some bad weather going to the market but it added to the experience! It was an incredible opportunity to immerse ourselves in what it takes to make traditional Oaxacan mole. Would definitely do this again

Response from Host, Sept 2025

Hi Anthony, Thank you so much for your review! 🌿 We’re glad the weather didn’t dampen your spirits and even added a bit of adventure to your day. It’s wonderful to hear that you enjoyed diving into the process of making traditional Oaxacan mole. We’d be delighted to welcome you back for another delicious and memorable experience with Etnofood, hopefully with sunnier skies next time! ☀️ Best regards, The Etnofood Team

Local Market and Cooking

Rhea_A, June 2024

The cooks were very accommodating and let me try new foods at a local market. The food was delicious and abundant!! They taught me lots of new things about the cooking and food!

Response from Host, Aug 2024

Dear Rhea, We are so delighted to hear that you enjoyed your experience at the local market and learning how to prepare an Oaxacan mole with our chef! It fills us with joy to know that you felt so warmly welcomed and that you were able to try new flavors at the market. Mole is such a special dish, rich in history, and it’s wonderful to know that you’re taking away new knowledge and tastes with you. The chef and his assistant will be thrilled to know that their passion for cooking inspired and delighted you. 😄 We look forward to the pleasure of welcoming you back to continue exploring the essence of Oaxaca together! With all our love,

Average

Maren_U, May 2024

Although the guides were nice, it all seemed a bit superficial. Also, we did not see how the mole was prepared, because everyone has to cut/prepared stuff so you don't see what us added/combined in the end. After cooking and eating it was us doing the dishes, while the cook/assistants stood next to us talking

Fabulous Experience!

Shyrl_K, Apr 2024

Really enjoyed this experience. Etnofood was a great venue for this cooking class. We were early to the class and had fresh orange juice and warm Apple French Bread that was to die for while we waited! The market was quite small but had all the ingredients we needed. Victor was very knowledgeable and a great communicator and cook. Staff were responsive and attentive in assisting our small group of 7 participants. Everything was well timed. The dishes were delicious and we enjoyed having lunch with everyone. Especially loved making the tortillas. On reflection the only downside was that while we cut and prepared all the mole ingredients we did not actually see how it was put together and cooked. Loved the fact that Victor was able to share all the recipes with us. HIghly recommend and would participate again.

Cooking in Oaxaca

Lynda_K, Mar 2024

Victor was a splendid instructor and conversationalist. I never expected that we would be making not just mole, but a six course meal. I also didn't realize we were first going to the market to buy veggies! this was a treat. Victor explained a lot to us about the local herbs and veggies and we met some of the purveyors of special peppers, maiz (for tortillas), etc. Back at the kitchen, all ten of us donned aprons and started chopping the food stuffs. As we were ready to start cooking, Victor told us what to do, what we were making and the process. There were a lot of different things going on so you had to go from one thing to another or listen in on Victor's instructions. It was amazing how smoothly this all worked. It was as if we had been working with this team of people forever! Victor was ever patient and informative. I highly recommend this.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Dear Lynda, What a beautiful experience you've had in Oaxaca! I'm thrilled to read about your culinary adventure with Victor. It seems like you didn't just learn to make mole, but enjoyed a full meal! 🍲 How wonderful to visit the market for fresh vegetables. I can imagine how special it was to learn about the local herbs and vegetables directly from the vendors. 🌿🌽 The description of how everyone put on aprons and started cutting ingredients in the kitchen makes me feel like I'm there with you. It must have been exciting to follow Victor's instructions and see everything unfold smoothly. His patience and knowledge surely made the experience unforgettable. 🍴✨ Thank you for sharing this enriching experience.

Oaxacan culture at its finest

Aimee_B, Mar 2024

Such a great way to immerse yourself in Oaxacan culture. Mucho gracias to Victor foe sharing his Grandma's recipes with us. The tour is fantastic and is a really fun day. My son was well looked after and had a great day too!

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Dear Aimee! What a beautiful message! We are filled with joy to know that you enjoyed our "Prepare an Oaxacan Mole by a Traditional Cook" tour so much. 💖 It is truly rewarding for us to be able to offer an experience that allows you to immerse yourselves in Oaxacan culture in an authentic way. We are pleased to hear that Victor was able to share his grandmother's recipes with you; those recipes passed down through generations are true treasures! 😊 We are delighted that you had a fantastic and fun day. And how wonderful to know that your son also enjoyed the tour! Thank you for allowing us to be part of your memories in Oaxaca. We hope to see you again to continue sharing moments filled with love, culture, and delicious flavors! With all our affection

More like a food prep session without a teacher

Judith_C, Feb 2024

We enjoyed an informative and enjoyable hour at the local market, sampling foods and purchasing items for the meal. My expectation was that I would leave class knowing how mole was prepared. I actually never saw it being prepared. Each student was given a different task from washing veggies to chopping them. We each prepped a different part of the meal and took turns washing dishes throughout the class. The chef knows his stuff, but is weak on teaching.

Making a Mole and More

Tom_K, Feb 2024

From shopping to chopping, rinsing and mincing, frying and steaming, we had a wonderful day in Oaxaca with Victor and the team at Etnofood. A visit to a local market first to buy ingredients and to chat with Victor’s favorite merchants, and then an elaborate preparation of mole, salsa, rice, salads, and tortillas. A real nice way to spend the day in Oaxaca. Thanks to Victor.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Dear Tom, What a joy to read about your day in Oaxaca! The warmth and passion in every word of your experience are palpable. It seems like more than just a cooking class; it was a day filled with colors, flavors, and special connections. The visit to the local market sounds enchanting, doesn't it? Imagining the hustle and bustle, tempting aromas, and the excitement of chatting with local merchants. And then, the detailed preparation of mole, salsa, rice, salads, and tortillas... what a delicious feast! We appreciate you sharing this precious day with Victor and the Etnofood team. It's heartening to know that there are experiences so authentic and full of heart. May each day be filled with moments as special and delicious as this one. Sending warmth and joy your way,🌟🍲

Make sure you're in the right class

Mark_W, Feb 2024

I did not take this class, I'll be upfront about it. I signed up for it, was apprised it was occurring and I showed up for it, only to learn it had been `blended' into a vegetarian cooking class. Since I didn't want to attend that class, I was told to return in two to three hours to talk to a manager. When I did, I was kept waiting for another hour before an assistant manager told me the vegetarian class would have covered moles, so theoretically I should have been happy to attend. Rather than listen, he lectured me on the value of the class and the cooking school, then refunded only 75 percent of my fee. I was very disappointed.

Deep dive I to the local food culture.

Charles_M, Feb 2024

We shopped in the Mercado for ingredients. Victor got us working preparing many foods for sumptuous meal. Learned about all that goes into. Preparing Oacan food.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Dear Charles, 🌟 What joy to learn that you enjoyed our culinary experience. It was a true pleasure to immerse ourselves together in the local food culture. Exploring the market to select ingredients and getting hands-on with Victor to prepare a delicious meal was a unique and special experience. We're pleased to know that you enjoyed the preparation of many foods for a sumptuous meal. 🛒👨‍🍳 It's exciting to hear that you learned about all the details involved in preparing Oaxacan food. The richness of Oaxaca's culinary tradition is truly fascinating! 🍲🌶️ We appreciate your kind words and are delighted that you enjoyed this deep dive into our local food culture. We look forward to having you again to explore more flavors and culinary traditions! With warmth

A wonderful evening full of flavours

Evelyne_D, Feb 2024

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Dear Evelyne, What joy to receive your message! We are delighted to know that you enjoyed a wonderful evening full of flavors. It fills us with satisfaction to learn that the experience of preparing an Oaxacan Mole with a traditional cook was to your liking. 🌮🌶️ We appreciate your kind words about our staff and the organization of the event. It was a pleasure to accompany you on the visit to the market to acquire the ingredients with Liz and then return to the commercial kitchen to chop, prepare, and cook an extraordinary dinner. 🍲🔪 We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the delicious "vegetarian" meal full of flavors and that you could also explore the culture, including the experience of trying and learning how to drink Mezcal! Thank you for highlighting not only the food but also the cultural aspect of the experience. 🌎🥂 We hope this experience has left you with cherished memories. Many thanks to you for choosing us and sharing this special experience! You are always welcome. 🌟💖 With love