Chef's Choice: Mauricio's Authentic Mexican Must-Eats
When you step into Papi's Tacos, you’re tasting the culmination of a lifelong passion for authentic Mexican cuisine, straight from the heart of Chef Mauricio Espinoza, affectionately known as Papi. His mission in Singapore is simple: to share the pure, unadulterated flavors he grew up with in Papalotla.
While the tacos at Papi’s are legendary, Chef Mauricio's palate encompasses the entire, diverse landscape of Mexican gastronomy. If you were to sit down with him and ask for his personal favorites—the true, soul-warming dishes that define "authentic" to him—you'd embark on a culinary journey that goes far beyond the familiar.
1. Birria: The Ultimate Comfort Stew
Chef Mauricio often points to Birria as his ultimate comfort food. This isn’t a dish you rush; it’s a meal of patience and profound flavor. Originating from Jalisco, birria is a savory, slow-cooked stew traditionally made with goat, though beef is often used today.
The magic is in the broth, or consomé. Meat is braised for hours in a rich blend of dried chilies (like guajillo and ancho), spices, and aromatics. The result is fall-apart-tender meat and a deep red, complex broth that is pure liquid gold.
"Birria isn't just about eating; it’s about dipping," says Mauricio. "When we serve it as Tacos de Birria, we pan-fry the tortilla with a little of that fat from the consomé until it's crispy, fill it with the meat, and then you dip the entire thing back into the hot broth. It’s heaven."
2. Mole Poblano: A Culinary Masterpiece
For the Chef, Mole Poblano represents the sophistication and history of Mexico. This isn't a quick sauce; it's a testament to patience and complex layering of flavors. Hailing from Puebla, a truly authentic mole can contain over twenty ingredients.
The key to its complexity lies in the careful balance of dried chilies, nuts, seeds, spices (like cinnamon and cloves), and a touch of unsweetened Mexican chocolate. The chocolate doesn't make it sweet; it deepens the color and provides a grounding bitterness that balances the heat and earthiness of the chilies.
"Mole is heritage on a plate," Mauricio explains. "It shows how diverse Mexican food is. It takes hours to toast and grind the ingredients right. When it’s done well, served over turkey or chicken, it’s smoky, spicy, and unforgettable. It's truly a labor of love."
3. Chiles en Nogada: A Taste of Patriotism
While not an everyday dish, Chiles en Nogada is a special favorite for its unique profile and visual beauty. It's a patriotic symbol, often served around Mexican Independence Day in September.
This dish features large Poblano chilies (which are mild) that are fire-roasted, peeled, and carefully stuffed with picadillo—a savory-sweet mixture of ground meat, dried fruits (like raisins), and spices. The chili is then topped with nogada, a creamy, cold sauce made from walnuts.
The final touch—fresh pomegranate seeds and parsley—gives the dish the vibrant red, white, and green colors of the Mexican flag. The contrast of the warm, savory filling with the cool, subtly sweet walnut sauce makes it a truly unique culinary experience.
The Papi Philosophy
These dishes—Birria, Mole, and Chiles en Nogada—highlight Mauricio's core belief: authentic Mexican cuisine is about depth, regionality, and respecting tradition. It's about taking the time to extract maximum flavor from every ingredient.
When he’s not behind the grill at Papi’s making the best Carnitas in Singapore, he’s thinking about these complex, layered dishes that represent the true culinary artistry of his homeland. It’s this same dedication to honest, authentic flavor that you taste in every single taco at Papi's.
About Us: At Papi's Tacos, we bring the vibrant, no-fuss flavors of authentic Mexican street food to the heart of Singapore. Founded by Chef Mauricio Espinoza, a native of Mexico, our mission is to share the true taste of home. We craft our tortillas in-house and use the freshest ingredients to deliver a culinary experience that’s a world away from the ordinary. Come join us and discover what real tacos are all about. ¡Buen provecho!