Spicy & Colorful – Tortuga Mexican Kitchen

Mexican fare takes on a traditionally authentic path at the colorful, lively and absolutely fascinating Tortuga.
Specializing in dishes that are designed around a unique story and originate from a different part of Mexico, Tortuga brings about a feeling of celebration, with their live music, fiesta styled interiors, chilli display, sombrero hats highlighting the decor, the amazing array of ingredients (some of which come directly from the heart of Mexico), and the warm and friendly hospitality by Chef Oscar and his supremely talented team.

Let’s start on the Mexican festivity with Tortuga.

Pictured here: welcome nachos with red chilli and tomatino sauce along with a spici-licious Dearbol chili margarita.

The very spicy, although not the spiciest, De Arbol chilli Margarita at Tortuga Mexican Kitchen.
One of their specialities, their chilli Margarita is served frozen or on the rocks at one of five different spice levels.
Guajillo🌶
Serrano🌶🌶
Jalapeno🌶🌶🌶
De Arbol🌶🌶🌶🌶
Habanero🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶
After being able to tackle the 4th spiciest drink, we did eventually end up trying the Habanero Margarita too, and wow, was it spicy or what?!
Check out the rim of the glass covered in a spicy tangy mixture. Such a lipsmacking surprise!

How guaca-licious is this freshly made guacamole at Tortuga Mexican Kitchen!
Made using the finest avocados sourced exclusively from Mexico, watching this guac prepared live at the table is deliciously comfortable and gratifying in many ways. It’s amazing to see how the creamy avocados are mashed up and mixed with fresh Mexican salsa containing chopped tomatoes and onions, followed by chopped green chillies, cilantro, lime juice and salt. Once everything is put together, the guacamole is garnished with dried Mexican chili, cilantro and a sliced radish. It is served alongside colorful nacho chips making this guac the perfect creamilicious dip.

Watch the video of the making of guacamole on my insta-blog here!

Who doesn’t like a good and crunchy corn on the cob? But no one loads it up like Tortuga Mexican Kitchen does.
Known as Elote Asado Pikin Chili, the sweet and tender steamed corn kernels are loaded with fresco cheese, sour cream, chipotle dressing and pikin chili.
This Mexican street styled cob is one of the heaviest I’ve had. And the variety of toppings, all with their unique flavors, just add up to it’s wholesome appeal.

So tender, the Beef Carnitas Michoacan tacos at Tortuga Mexican Kitchen are made using braised beef short ribs marinated with oregano, clove and cinnamon spices. Along with the meat, the soft taco is filled with a mix of avocado cream, cucumber, onions and cilantro, and served alongside Serrano chilies lime wedges.
Tortuga offers an amazing selection of authentic Mexican street styled tacos and tostada from bone marrow, beef, chicken, fish and shrimps – all delectably spicy in their own way.

Can you see the crunch in these Cancun shrimp tacos at Tortuga Mexican Kitchen?
This popular street favorite originates from Cancun in South Mexico and features a soft taco shell that rings in crispy batter fried shrimp, topped with tamarind sauce, pickled red cabbage and chipotle dressing.

This was served with a side of the extremely hot and happening Habanero chili sauce.
The spiciest chili pepper on their menu, it is said that one Habanero is enough to cook an entire goat.
Now that’s something, isn’t it?
Scared, I tried a pinch of the sauce and the heat definitely matched up to all that spicy fame of this little yellow-orange Mexican chili.
Beware, if you really love spicy food, try just a little of this sauce to see if it fits your palate. If yes, then go for it!

The hot and simmering Molcajete Tlajomulco combines the most tender beef with cheddar cheese, roasted onions and pasilla sauce in a spicy mix. Served with corn tortillas, it’s a brilliant Mexican one pot dish.

Chef Oscar and his assistant start the preparation of the simmering hot Molcajete Tlajomulco by adding hot pasilla sauce over jalapeno chillies, roasted onions, cheddar cheese and those deliciously tender beef cubes. This is followed by a mix up of all ingredients with all that melted cheesy goodness.
The fact that it’s all done in a Molcajete is what makes this Mexican main all the more authentic.

Watch the video of the making of the dish on my insta-blog here!

After experimenting with the spicy ones, it was time to try out something sweet. The mango margarita at Tortuga Mexican Kitchen offers the same tajin rim with a sweeter concoction. This one definitely impresses!

The only thing better than this deliciously sweet Cacao Mole cake is if it was shaped to recreate the map of Mexico. But who cares, as far as its deliciously sweet, no?
The combination of everything chocolatey, this delightful dessert starts with chocolate cake, chocolate mousse and cocoa ganache. This is served alongside a sweet mole ice cream and topped with tons of sesame seeds, to add that Mexican touch.

Here’s another shot of the sweet Cacao Mole cake. Look at all those wonderful textures!

Don’t forget to try out the absolutely crunchy and sweet churros at Tortuga Mexican Kitchen.
Made with deep fried choux pastry, these sweet sticks are coated with cinnamon sugar and served in beautiful bottle layered with caramel and chocolate sauce.
These were too tempting for the taste buds, so the camera didn’t get to eat them first!