Best kept (vegan) secret in Guadalajara - Lucuma
- thepeckishpea
- Apr 10, 2017
- 3 min read
Guadalajara is the second largest city in Mexico (after the capital) and has a lot to shout about. It's known for being a loud and proud pink city with its great university night life. But it has a little-known secret - Lucuma, a vegan restaurant. We ate there a couple of times during our stay in Guadalajara just because it was so tasty.
Lucuma is tucked away in one of the residential areas of Guadalajara - it's not somewhere you will easily stumble upon, but it's definitely worth seeking out. It has a gorgeous entrance with little tables outdoors, surrounded by plants and fairy lights so you can eat alfresco when the weather is beautiful (which seems to have been every time we have been in Mexico!). It opens up to several dining areas on a couple of levels, so it always feels quite intimate.
The menu was clearly labelled with plenty of choice, including raw dishes and twists on traditional Mexican dishes. We tried the cauliflower wings to start, with both "buffalo" and "BBQ" sauces as recommended by our waiter. I've never tried to make these at home but know that they are a favourite amongst vegan and vegetarian friends in the US, especially during Superbowl season. And now I know why! Soft cauliflower in a crispy batter and then smothered in sticky sweet and tangy sauces = yum!
"Botana" was a good-sized sharing plate of crisp and moreish vegan chicarron (Mexican pork scratchings), with smooth avocado dip. Lucuma's version of guacamole is fresh and creamy, but definitely less tasty and authentic than the usual guacamole we've been served throughout Mexico. This is served with most of the dishes on Lucuma's menu, so no need to order it as an extra side (unless you really love it).
I'd recommend trying the "Rollitos crudi" (raw spring rolls) - they were made with translucent Vietnamese-style wrappers, and packed with strips of crunchy beetroot, carrot and squash. They came with salty soy and sweet mango dipping sauces which are delicious, but I bet you won't be able to eat them without all the veg falling out!
For mains, definitely try "Chapulina" as this was one of the most creative and delicious dishes on the menu. It's a vegan interpretation of the traditional deep-fried grasshoppers (chapulinas) that Mexicans like to eat as a snack or as a crispy topping on other food. Look out for bowls piled high with this local delicacy at local markets. This dish was made up of a baked potato stuffed with mushrooms and asparagus, and topped with deep-fried hibiscus flowers to resemble the chapulinas.
The flautas were tasty but a bit oily, and definitely large enough to have as a main. The choriburger made from soya was too dry and not that exciting compared to other dishes we had, but the plantain fries that came with them were spot on. There's also wraps and pizzas to try as well. It took us ages to decide on drinks as there is such a long list of fresh juices to try, and sadly we didn't have room for dessert but the vegan cakes on offer looked good and change daily.
The staff are friendly and speak great English. It's a bit pricey and low-key compared to other places to eat in Guadalajara (there's no music and the decor is quite stark) but worth it for its varied menu and large portions.
Peckish Pea rating - 4/5!
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