THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Turn an afternoon in Condesa into a hands-on culinary lesson: learn to make two authentic moles, press fresh tortillas, and dine on your own creations in Martaja’s Art Deco apartment. Small groups and bilingual instruction make this a practical, flavorful way to bring Mexican technique home.
Turn an afternoon in Condesa into a hands-on culinary lesson: learn to make two authentic moles, press fresh tortillas, and dine on your own creations in Martaja’s Art Deco apartment. Small groups and bilingual instruction make this a practical, flavorful way to bring Mexican technique home.
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Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Martaja · Ciudad de México, Ciudad de México
Martaja's Condesa apartment on Av. Nuevo León 4 in Colonia Condesa, Ciudad de México, is where a kitchen class becomes a practical, flavorful expedition. In this four-hour, hands-on workshop you’ll learn to make two distinct moles—manchamanteles, a sweet red mole studded with pineapple, apple and plantain, and a bright green mole built from tomatillos, spinach, cilantro, parsley and epazote—then press fresh corn tortillas and set a table with locally made dinnerware. The apartment’s original 1930s Art Deco details and colorful tiles give the lesson a lived-in authenticity; the space is also home to two friendly cats and a modest collection of folk crafts that anchor the experience in Mexico’s wider culinary culture. What makes this class special is its focus on technique and adaptability. Instructors explain how to dry, toast and rehydrate chiles, how to balance seeds, spices and sweet fruit, and what options exist to thicken sauces without losing nuance. The green mole demonstrates a lighter approach to the dish family, showing how acidity and fresh herbs can lift flavors often associated with heavy, chocolate-forward recipes. You’ll practice masa handling and tortilla pressing, then sit down together to taste the results—Mexican alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are included, and the menu can be adapted for vegetarian, vegan and common allergies with advance notice. Condesa itself, framed by two large parks, makes this urban culinary class a logical stop for travelers exploring Mexico City’s outdoor scenes: stroll in Parque México before class, then head to nearby bike paths or tree-lined avenues afterward. Martaja runs this session for small groups—up to 8 people—so instruction is personal and conversational, with bilingual guides in English and Spanish. Note that the building has no elevator and guests with allergies should notify Martaja in advance because of resident cats. Practical perks matter: the class runs about four hours, includes hands-on practice and a shared meal, and offers upgrades such as rooftop or private sessions, cocktail pairings, and locally sourced souvenirs. Whether you’re a home cook aiming to recreate authentic flavors or a traveler seeking a cultural food experience tied to a walkable neighborhood, this is a focused, doable way to bring Mexico City’s complex sauce heritage home. Exact meeting details and dietary accommodations are provided after booking; check the referral link for availability and booking options. Beyond technique, the class places mole in regional context: instructors reference Oaxaca and Puebla traditions, the role of corn in Mexican kitchens, and practical substitutions for home pantries. You’ll leave with recipes, tasting notes and confidence using chiles, toasted seeds and fresh herbs. Pair the class with a visit to a nearby market to see ingredients in situ and buy chiles and masa to take home for later use.
The class runs about 4 hours and includes hands-on instruction, tortilla-making, and a shared meal.
Yes—Martaja can adapt recipes for vegetarian, vegan, and many common allergies with advance notice.
Live guides speak English and Spanish.
Group size is limited to 8 persons for an intimate teaching environment.
The building has no elevator; attendees should be comfortable with stairs to reach the apartment.
Mexican alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are provided during the meal.
Martaja is a Mexico City cooking studio and experiential host based in Ciudad de México. The business specializes in hands-on Mexican cooking classes and guided market tours that focus on traditional techniques and regional recipes. Martaja offers multiple venues—including a scenic rooftop, an Art Deco home filled with Mexican treasures, and a historic Agave location—where guests learn to prepare authentic moles, tamales, salsas, tortillas, and accompanying dishes. Each experience emphasizes practical skills and cultural context. Classes guide participants from market selection through ingredient preparation to the finished plate, teaching how to balance spices, prepare and toast chiles, craft masa for tamales, and form fresh tortillas. Signature offerings include rooftop mole workshops where guests create two moles from scratch and dine on locally-made dinnerware; tamales classes that cover green and fresh-corn varieties paired with smoky salsas; and combined market tour and cooking classes that pair a lively market visit with a communal feast. Martaja highlights regional specialties such as manchamanteles with pineapple, fruity red and sweet pineapple moles, and vibrant green moles with spinach and herbs. Sessions typically conclude with a shared meal, drinks, storytelling, and hands-on plating or table setting. Located in Ciudad de México and operating across rooftop, home, and historic settings, Martaja provides activity-driven culinary experiences for visitors seeking authentic technique-driven classes. The business’s focus on market-sourced ingredients, hands-on instruction, and clearly described class formats offers reliable options for travelers wanting to learn traditional mole and tamal recipes in Mexico City.
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