Summary

The author describes their experience with Caldo de Gallina, a traditional hen soup in Mexico, which evokes nostalgic memories of their mother's cooking.

Abstract

The author recounts their visit to a small, popular eatery in Roma Norte, CDMX, known for its Caldo de Gallina. The place is characterized by its lively ambiance, complete with a kitchen in full view, outdoor seating, and iconic Mexican decor. The author is captivated by the sensory experience—the sounds of cooking, the sight of fresh tortillas being made, and the tantalizing aroma of the soup. Upon ordering, they are served a bowl of rich, flavorful soup with rice, chickpeas, and shredded chicken, garnished with cilantro, onions, and chile seco. The taste of the soup reminds the author of their mother's homemade Sop Ayam Kampung, noting the tenderness of the meat and the depth of the broth's flavor. The experience is a delightful surprise, finding a taste of home in a place so far from their origins.

Opinions

The author has a strong emotional connection to the food, as it reminds them of home.
The authenticity and traditional preparation of the soup are highly praised.
The atmosphere of the eatery, with its open kitchen and bustling activity, adds significantly to the dining experience.
The author recommends the soup highly, emphasizing its deliciousness and the quality of the ingredients used.
The experience is seen as a hidden gem in the city, offering a genuine taste of Mexican cuisine.

Food — Mexico

Caldo de Gallina, a Hen Soup That Reminded Me Of Home

Nostalgia in a bowl of soup

Read while listening to this to feel the ambiance:

The place is not far from where I live, just a few blocks away. Located next to the parking lot in Calle Puebla 188, Roma Norte CDMX.

I found this spot while my husband and I walked to a friend’s house.

That piqued our intrigue to give it a shot, as this place is always packed with people, especially at meal times. Sometimes, you have to wait in a long line to get a table.

Last week, my husband and I had dinner here.

A small white and blue building has a kitchen and a dining space. Also, on the sidewalk, tables, and stools are set up under a blue plastic canopy and walls, with sombreros hanging from the ceiling — an iconic touch.

Adorning the plastic is a big logo featuring the owner, a man in his forties donning a sombrero, surrounded by hens, and the phrase Caldos de Gallina y Enchiladas Luis Desde 2007.

I choose the table that faces their kitchen — I am surrounded by the smells, the sounds of the clatter of utensils, and the chatter of customers.

As a señora presses the masa into perfect tortillas, another guy stirs a large pot full of hen meat, the fragrant aroma of herbs and spices wafting the air.

Meanwhile, the man appears to flip the tortilla over the comal, shred the chicken, and pour the soup into the bowl. I cannot stop smiling over the ambiance I have felt since I sat.

“Su orden, chicos?” says the waiter, holding the pen and the small notebook in his hand. What’s your order, guys?

“Me da un cuarto de pechuga, y para él, medio de pechuga, por favor,” I reply. Give me a quarter of a breast, and for him, half a breast, please.

When the order arrives, the man in the kitchen quickly pours the soup into a bowl that is already filled with rice, chickpeas, and shredded chicken.

Soon, my order is placed before me. The smoke rises from it. The aroma is delectable.

Then I add a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, diced onions, Chile seco, and a dollop of salsa.

I savor every spoonful. “Muy delicioso!” I exclaim happily to them. I take the warm tortillas out of the cloth, fold them, and dip them into my soup.

I suddenly recall. When I first tasted this soup without the tortilla, cilantro, and others, I was surprised at how much it reminded me of my mother’s cooking. As we call it Sop Ayam Kampung.

The broth was rich in flavor, and the meat was tender and juicy. It was clear that the hen had been cooked for several hours, allowing it to infuse the deep flavor of the broth and the hen itself. I did not expect to find the same taste even in a world so different from my own.

Thank you for reading.

Food and Drinks

Edit description

roamingwithcindy.medium.com