Gastronomy in Spain is wide-ranging with countless ways of preparing the same ingredients. With new and exciting dishes at nearly every meal, my tastebuds were never bored.
The Spaniards are die-hard foodies, and to find one not knowing how to cook is a rarity. This culinary passion was what kept my stomach full and happy throughout my recent Spanish trip, and you should experience it for yourself.
To aid you in this journey, we’ve put together a list of 10 delicious foods you have to eat in Spain.
Torrijas are often topped with glazed honey and caramel, and served with generous dollops of fresh cream. Once I took my first bite, nothing could stop me from devouring the entire thing!
Address: Calle Cervantes, 7, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
Opening Hours: 12pm – 12am
Cochinillo is one of the best pork meals I’ve had in my life. The outer-layer is crispy and golden, the meat is so juicy and tender, and there is not much fatty meat.
Address: Plaza Azoguejo, 5, 40001 Segovia, Spain
Opening Hours: 1:00–4:30 pm | 8:00–11:00 pm
Spanish churros are amazing. The ones I had were fresh, golden and crispy, giving that perfect crunch.
The high-quality chocolate that usually comes with any order of churros was warm, velvety and rich, but not to the point where it was too much to take. It made for such a delectable tea-time snack!
Address: Calle Libreros, 14, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
Address: Pasadizo San Ginés, 5, 28013 Madrid, Spain
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Rabo de Toro is extremely savoury. Just look at how tender that meat is! Many chefs in Spain come up with their own unique oxtail creations. One of the restaurants I dined at served this dish up with tangy mango sauce and sweet potato crisps, making for a tasty combination.
Address: Calle Nueva, 7, 45001 Toledo, Spain
Opening Hours: 8am – 12.30am
It’s a traditional Spanish dish that was born due to a scarcity of meat among the poor. What used to be a scorned upon dish has now evolved into a Spanish favourite, as people start to appreciate its simplicity and tastiness.
Address: Calle Conde de Miranda, 1, 28005 Madrid, Spain
Opening Hours: 7.30pm – 12am
The croquettes I had were so good, with crispy batter on the outside and creamy mash and fillings on the inside. The creaminess is not overwhelming, and one will not be enough!
Address: Plaza Mayor, 23, 37002 Salamanca, Spain
Opening Hours: 9am – 2am
Address: Calle de Raimundo Fernández Villaverde, 79, 28003 Madrid, Spain
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm
Some restaurants served a whole tentacle, while others had the octopus chopped up into bite-sized pieces. Regardless of its method of preparation, the octopuses I had in Spain were thick, juicy, and delicious when accompanied with savoury sauces!
Address: Calle Nueva, 7, 45001 Toledo, Spain
Opening Hours: 8am – 12.30am
Address: Calle Cervantes, 7, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
Opening Hours: 12pm – 12am
Today, migas is a fashionable dish served as a main meal or as tapas. Many restaurants in Spain serve up their own unique versions of migas. The bread crumbs are fried till they’re a crispy, golden brown, and they are often served with meats, vegetables, and grapes to balance the savouriness.
Address: Junto Al Parking de la Paloma, 28801 Alcala De Henares, Spain
The Spaniards are very careful about their steaks and only choose meats of the highest quality from older animals. If you ever get the chance to feast on steak in Spain, it’s going to be a treat for your tastebuds!
Address: Calle de Raimundo Fernández Villaverde, 79, 28003 Madrid, Spain
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm
Address: Calle Marqués de Canales y Chozas, 2, 05001 Ávila, Spain
There are many different types of jamón, but my favourite is jamón ibérico which is ham from the black Iberian pig. It is fine, flavourful, and you won’t stop once you start.
Address: Calle de Raimundo Fernández Villaverde, 79, 28003 Madrid, Spain
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm
Address: Plaza Mayor, 23, 37002 Salamanca, Spain
Opening Hours: 9am – 2am
I’ve had Sangria in Singapore, but it had a pretty heavy flavour which didn’t appeal to me. I thought the Sangria in Spain would taste similar, but I was wrong.
The authentic Sangria I had was flavourful, citrusy, and sweet. It’s mixed so well that the flavours of the wine and brandy were still prominent, adding that much needed kick.
Sangria can be found anywhere in Spain, from busy markets to chilled-out bars to fancy restaurants.
Now it’s time to embark on your own Spanish gastronomical adventure! We hope that this article has given you a better understanding of Spanish cuisine, and inspired you to explore this beautiful country to have a taste of its scrumptious food and wine.
If you’ve been to Spain and are dying to share some of your favourite dishes we’ve missed, feel free to do so in the comments below!
This post was brought to you by the Spain Tourism Board.
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