Sabores Oaxaqueños

Tucked away on 8th Street in the heart of Koreatown, Sabores Oaxaqueños brings the rich culinary traditions of southern Mexico’s Oaxaca region to Los Angeles. This unassuming spot has earned a devoted following since opening in 2011, thanks in large part to the kitchen expertise of a chef who once helmed one of LA’s most beloved Oaxacan restaurants. The vibe here is refreshingly casual and unpretentious—come as you are and prepare to eat very well without spending much.

The star of the menu has to be the tlayuda mixta, featuring those signature oversized tortillas that the restaurant imports directly from Oaxaca each week. Topped with a trio of traditional meats—chorizo, marinated pork, and grilled dried beef—along with stretchy quesillo cheese and a rich bean paste, it’s the kind of dish that demands your full attention. The seafood-focused molcajete brings together perfectly charred fish, octopus, and shrimp under a creamy chipotle sauce that you’ll want to drizzle on everything. Don’t overlook the goat birria tacos either, where impossibly tender meat arrives on handmade tortillas alongside a smoky consomme for dipping.

For the full experience, wash it all down with their horchata con tuna y nuez, a beautiful pink-hued drink that blends traditional rice milk with floral prickly pear juice and crunchy floating nuts. It’s as photogenic as it is refreshing. The portions are generous and the prices are gentle on your wallet, making this an ideal spot to gather with friends for an exploratory feast through the menu.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of Oaxacan cuisine or just discovering it for the first time, Sabores Oaxaqueños delivers an authentic taste of one of Mexico’s most celebrated food regions without requiring a plane ticket. It’s casual dining at its finest—delicious, affordable, and completely without pretense.