A traditional Baja California dish — Langosta a la Mantequilla is the butter-drenched lobster of Puerto Nuevo, the tiny fishing village south of Rosarito that turned a humble crustacean into a pilgrimage meal. Split tails are seared in garlic butter until sweet and succulent, then served with rice, beans, and warm tortillas. Eating it with your hands, wrapped in a tortilla with a squeeze of lime, is the authentic Puerto Nuevo way.
Langosta a la Mantequilla
A traditional Baja California dish — Langosta a la Mantequilla is the butter-drenched lobster of Puerto Nuevo, the tiny fishing village south of Rosarito that turned a humble crustacean into a pilgrimage meal.

Step by stepInstructions
- Use kitchen shears to split each lobster tail lengthwise through the shell; snip the underside membrane so the meat can lift free.
- Season the exposed meat with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the garlic; cook until fragrant, about one minute.
- Place the tails meat-side down in the foaming butter and sear until golden, about three minutes.
- Flip, add the lime juice, and cook shell-side down until the meat is opaque and just cooked through, about four to five minutes more.
- Spoon the garlic butter over the tails, scatter with cilantro, and serve at once with tortillas and lime wedges.
💡 Chef tips & storage
Do not overcook — lobster turns rubbery in seconds; the meat should be just opaque at the center. Serve the extra butter in a small bowl for dipping, Puerto Nuevo style.

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