How soy sauce became a staple in Mexican kitchens

[Judi Lynn]

The Chinese once were the second-largest immigrant group in Mexico and brought with them rich culinary traditions, traces of which can still be found in the country’s kitchens today

BY JANICE LEUNG HAYES
6 OCT 2017

Walk up to a taco stand in Baja California, Mexico, and in the tray of condiments, you will likely find a bottle labelled “salsa de soya” – soy sauce.

Soy sauce has become so common in Mexican kitchens that most recipes for carne asada (“grilled meat”), a dish considered traditionally Mexican, call for it.

It’s likely that soy sauce came to the country in the luggage of the Chinese, who arrived on Mexican shores en masse in the 1800s, to work on irrigation and railroad projects.

. . .

There was a steady flow of Chinese immi­grants to Mexico in the mid-19th century, says Robert Chao Romero, author of the 2010 book The Chinese in Mexico, 1882-1940. According to his research, the number of arrivals increased dramatically after 1882, the year the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed in the United States, which banned the immi­gration of male Chinese workers.

More:
http://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/food-drink/article/2114085/how-soy-sauce-became-staple-mexican-kitchens

[democratisphere]

1. Salt flavor. Universal flavor enhancer.

[JoeOtterbein]

2. Yuuuuummm, Chinese and Mexican Food.....yummmmmmmmy!

[Exultant Democracy]

5. Head to Peru if you ever get a chance

They have a unique style of cuisine called chifa which is a blend of Chinese and Peruvian food. It’s just about the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.

[Lisa0825]

3. I noticed that when I was in Mexico City, and wondered about

how that came to be!

They also use Maggi seasoning sauce which is also an Asian seasoning, though I don't know if it is Chinese or from elsewhere.

My friends in Mexico use Maggi or soy sauce when they make fajitas, and here I was in the US looking for an "authentic" fajita recipe without soy sauce. I have given in to la soya!

[TexasTowelie]

4. I recall that about 20 years ago I ate some beef fajitas at a restaurant in Austin

and the meat was marinaded in soy sauce. The meat was horrible and I never ate at that restaurant again. As someone who grew up in South Texas it disgusted me that there wasn't some type of warning on the menu.