For as long as I can remember, Mexican food in Australia has been decidedly, well, not-actually-Mexican.
![](https://cdn.statically.io/img/img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-11/30/5/asset/2af602779e63/sub-buzz-19991-1638249897-4.jpg?crop=1536%3A1393%3B0%2C655&downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto)
So, I've enlisted the help of my friend Moni, who works in the BuzzFeed Mexico office, to enlighten us once and for all on the cuisine.
In fact, I've realised I actually know nothing about Mexican cuisine!
Here's everything we discussed:
1. First and foremost, what filling should actually go into a taco?
![](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-11/26/23/asset/cc4980fa38d2/sub-buzz-14202-1637970515-13.jpg)
2. What would you say is the most popular taco filling?
![](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-11/27/0/asset/e1efffb63890/sub-buzz-14197-1637973686-1.jpg)
3. And I have to ask — hard shell or soft shell taco?
![](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-11/27/0/asset/e1efffb63890/sub-buzz-14166-1637972667-34.jpg)
4. We love nachos here in Australia — you'll find it on pub menus and it's a staple at most 'Mexican' eateries. Can you confirm or deny if it's at all authentic?
![](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-11/27/0/asset/2af602779e63/sub-buzz-13987-1637972523-18.jpg)
5. Is there anything else that other countries deem 'Mexican food' that you shake your head at? Anything that makes you go: "Absolutely not, completely inauthentic!"
![](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-11/30/0/asset/81ac94dfb2a5/sub-buzz-19682-1638233435-22.jpg)
6. What would a fancy three-course meal in Mexico look like?
![](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-11/30/0/asset/81ac94dfb2a5/sub-buzz-19689-1638233254-3.jpg)
7. You'll have to educate me! What's mole and enchiladas and why do they sound so delicious?
![](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-11/26/23/asset/2af602779e63/sub-buzz-13908-1637968853-29.jpg)
8. Okay, but onto the real deal: What's a typical breakfast in Mexico City?
![](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-11/27/0/asset/e8a9ec6e27cb/sub-buzz-14197-1637971662-6.jpg)
9. And how about lunch?
![](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-11/30/22/asset/a8cf40b40fc6/sub-buzz-1724-1638312042-31.jpg)
10. Wait, you don't have lunch?! So how are meal times organised in Mexico? When do you eat? How often do you eat?
![](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-11/30/22/asset/c923dfeb7cdd/sub-buzz-1784-1638312317-24.jpg)
11. What's a Mexican dish or food absolutely everyone has to try immediately?
![Two gorditas on a brown paper napkin on a red plate and two loveheart eye emojis.](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2021-11/27/0/asset/81ac94dfb2a5/sub-buzz-14095-1637972943-35.jpg)
12. And finally, Moni had just one burning question for me: What is Vegemite? She had read a lot of opinions on it and was super intrigued...
@tomhanks Dear Mr Hanks, Here's a helpful step-by-step guide for Vegemite toast.
Louise: This is a great question! The short answer is that it's a savoury spread that Australians absolutely love to put on toast.
The long answer is that it's a very intensely flavoured and naturally umami yeast extract made from leftover brewer's yeast. Because of how strong its flavour is (it's on the salty side!), only a tiny amount of it is needed. It's often paired with butter, which makes the spread milder and more palatable. I firmly believe that any negative opinion of Vegemite is just because the ratio of spread to carb (you definitely don't want to eat it by the spoonful, trust me).