In Mexico, panaderías and mercados are everyday staples. It’s where people can find the freshest, most flavourful, and delicious meals, desserts, and drinks. Growing up in Mexico, we all grew accustomed to visiting panaderías to get fresh bread and pan dulce, and going to mercados to purchase tortas, tamales, tacos, and more. That’s why I was pleasantly surprised to hear a Mexican restaurant and panadería was opening in the neighbourhood, especially since panaderías are such a staple in Mexico, yet I had never come across one in Vancouver. Mexican Mercado Market & Panadería is now East Village’s newest spot for Mexican food and drinks.
As I walked over to Mercado, the first thing that caught my eye was the classic panadería-style window display, showcasing conchas – a type of pan dulce (sweet bread) and teleras, the classic Mexican bread used for tortas. Walking in, I was surprised by how small the space was, with no more than five tables and a small bar facing the kitchen, but it adds to the cozy, welcoming feel of the place. The maroon and burgundy colour palette and dim lights paired with music in Spanish, not the kind you’d hear at a club, but the songs many of us in the Mexican and Latin community grew up with, adds even more to the authentic Mexican atmosphere of the space. As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted by a display of sweet treats, desserts, and pan dulce (like conchas and cookies) that are sure to make your mouth water. Just past that, you’ll find a standout selection of Mexican candy, not the kind you’d find at just any store, but the kind that’s spicy as it gets. And if you arrive early enough, you might catch the smell of fresh bread and tamales being made for the day’s first batch.
The first thing that caught my eye from their display were their conchas, a sweet and fluffy bun topped with cookie topping, accompanied by café de olla, a Mexican infused coffee, with cinnamon, cloves and piloncillo. I had never come across a Mexican restaurant in Vancouver that served café de olla, so I had to try it and safe to say, it did not disappoint. While it’s hard to replicate the exact flavour from back home, Mercado came incredibly close; it felt just right. Weeks later I came back and tried some items from their food menu, such as their tamal verde, torta de pastor and torta norteña.
Starting with their tamal verde, which is masa (corn dough) filled with chicken and a mild salsa verde (or various toppings), then steamed. It also came with a salsa roja that took me by surprise with how spicy it was. Still, it tasted amazing, and even though my eyes started to water, I couldn’t stop adding more. The combination of the masa, salsa, and chicken was rich and flavorful, especially when paired with their vibrant salsa roja made with red tomatoes. Next came their torta de pastor and torta norteña—both made with the same ingredients and the same care you’d expect in Mexico. Every ingredient tasted fresh, and you could tell the amount of preparation and love put into each one. What surprised me most was their use of teleras. Crispy on the outside and perfectly baked, the telera was what truly made the torta taste just like it does in Mexico and made it truly authentic. Every bite from both tortas was rich, flavourful, and true to what you’d find back home.
After every meal I’ve had at Mercado Panadería, I’ve left full and already thinking about my next visit—just like we say in Mexico: “Barriga llena, corazón contento,” which means full belly, happy heart.
By: Lorena Vidal Carranza