Mucbipollo is a large Yucatecan tamale of chicken and pork in achiote, wrapped in banana leaves and traditionally buried-baked in an earth oven on Hanal Pixán (Day of the Dead) for the souls of the departed.
Mucbipollo is the central food of Hanal Pixán, the Yucatán Day of the Dead (October 31 to November 2). The Maya word 'muc' means to bury; 'bil' is the verb to cook in the ground. Communities buried the pib oven on the day, fed it from above, and revealed the tamal as a feast for both living and dead. The tradition continues every Hanal Pixán in Mérida.
3 editor picks for Mucbipollo (Pib de pollo) in Mérida, ranked by editorial score. All Mérida signature dishes · Mucbipollo (Pib de pollo) across every city.
Pancho Maíz ★ 4.6
La Mejorada · Calle 59 437a, Parque de la Mejorada, Centro, 97000 Mérida, Yucatán
Pancho Maíz on Parque de la Mejorada in Mérida is chef Xóchitl Valdés's native-corn antojería, Bib Gourmand and 2026 Michelin Young Chef Award winner.
Manjar Blanco ★ 4.4
Paseo de Montejo · Calle 47 496, Zona Paseo Montejo, Centro, 97000 Mérida, Yucatán
Manjar Blanco on Mérida's Calle 47 corridor near Paseo de Montejo runs cochinita pibil and queso relleno (Netflix Taco Chronicles featured) lunch-only.
La Chaya Maya ★ 4.4
Santa Lucía · Calle 55 459 esq. Calle 60, Centro, 97000 Mérida, Yucatán
La Chaya Maya on Santa Lucía in Mérida pours tortillas on a clay comal in the dining room and runs sopa de lima, poc chuc and panuchos seven days.