You cannot talk about Spain without mentioning the delicious foods of this country. These dishes are rooted in the rich culture of Spain and have unique flavors and aromas. While Spanish food may not be as famous as Italian or French cuisine, it is safe to say that Spanish recipes are the third most delicious in Europe. If you have booked a tour of Spain and want to have an enjoyable experience with the cuisine of this country during your trip, but your knowledge of Spanish cuisine is limited, do not worry! In this article, we share some of the most delicious Spanish dishes and provide explanations about the characteristics of each.
Spanish Food Names
The names of Spanish dishes often reflect the ingredients, origin, or preparation method, and you can easily figure out what the dish might contain or where it came from. Many names are simple. For example, “Patatas Bravas” translates to “brave potatoes,” referring to the spicy and bold flavors of this potato dish. Similarly, “Tortilla Española” is simply a “Spanish omelet,” highlighting both its origin and the egg ingredient.
In some cases, dishes are named after the region they come from, such as the “Paella Valenciana” from Valencia, which helps maintain the connection between the dish and its cultural roots.
Traditional cooking methods also influence names. For example, “Asado” refers to grilling or roasting, which is common in Spanish cuisine. These naming rules allow Spanish dishes to have a sense of place, history, and the simplicity or richness of their ingredients.
Street Spanish Dishes
Spanish street food mainly consists of finger foods, sandwiches, and pastries. These dishes can be found at food stalls, just like in other parts of the world, and they have loyal fans.
Some of the most famous street foods in Spain include Empanada, Tortilla Española, Jamon Iberico, Patatas Bravas, and Bocadillo. These dishes have successfully attracted the attention of European tourists.
What are Spain’s National Foods?
Spain’s national dishes showcase the country’s diverse culinary heritage and are staples on any Spanish food list. One of the most iconic dishes is Paella, a delicious rice dish from Valencia that combines ingredients such as seafood, chicken, or rabbit with spices such as saffron.
Another popular dish is the Tortilla Española, a Spanish omelet made with potatoes and eggs, often eaten as a tapas or as part of a larger meal.
Jamón Ibérico, a type of cured ham, is also a national treasure famous for its rich flavor and served as an appetizer or snack.
Other must-try items on the Spanish food list include Gazpacho, a cool and refreshing tomato soup from Andalusia, and Churros dipped in hot chocolate, which is especially popular for breakfast or dessert.
Each of these dishes reflects the unique flavors and traditions found throughout Spain.
Which Food is Famous in Spain?
Small dishes served with drinks in many bars in Spain are called tapas. Tapas can consist of a simple olive, sausage, or chips, or they can include creative flavors and appetizers that have complex cooking. In Spain, it is common to go out with friends to enjoy tapas and go from bar to bar.
Traditionally, tapas is a savory Spanish snack or appetizer. They may include bread and meat or a variety of foods such as ham, stuffed clams, fried squid, olives, fried mushrooms, and other vegetables. Basically, tapas are small plates or meals and are a great way to try new things.
For example, in Spain, dinner is usually eaten late, around 10 pm or later. Therefore, to avoid excessive hunger before eating, it is common to enjoy tapas. These little bites are perfect for sharing when you get together to chat and talk the day before the main meal.
What Are The 10 Best Spanish Foods to Try?
Spanish cuisine has always been one of the most popular attractions in this country. If you are looking for a unique experience with traditional and authentic flavors, a tour of Spain can bring you a world of original flavors. However, with so much variety, you may wonder which dishes you must try.
In fact, one of the challenges that every traveler faces is choosing among hundreds of local dishes.
In the following, we will introduce ten of the best dishes of Spain, each of which is a symbol of different regions of this country and tells its own story. By getting to know these foods, you can enhance your trip to Spain with more pleasures and more delicious experiences.
1. Gazpacho
Gazpacho is a cold soup made from raw vegetables and olive oil, which is a famous traditional Spanish food, usually served as an appetizer during the warmer months.
Gazpacho is considered one of the healthiest Spanish dishes, and Spanish people often drink it when they feel unwell or need a refreshing treat.
Traditionally, Gazpacho comes from Andalusia, a region rich in olive oil and garden produce, known for its hot summers. For centuries, Iberian farmers in the south enjoyed a simple gazpacho mixture of olive oil, vinegar, and soaked bread.
According to Spanish food critics, some of the best restaurants to enjoy delicious Gazpacho include Eslava and El Rinconcillo in Seville and Viridiana, Taberna Cazorla, and Sanlúcar in Madrid.
2. Tortilla Española
Tortilla Española, or Spanish omelet, is one of the most important Spanish dishes. Known in Spanish-speaking countries as “tortilla de patata,” “tortilla española,” or simply “Spanish tortilla,” it is a traditional dish that is very popular in homes, bars, and restaurants all over Spain.
The word “tortilla” here means “omelet,” and this Spanish tortilla has nothing to do with the Mexican tortilla. It can be served hot or cold, as a meal on its own, as a tapas, or even as a sandwich. The simple yet authentic Spanish tortilla is a cherished dish.
It is so popular that Spain has even dedicated a day to it called “Tortilla Day” in many cities in the south and west. Traditionally, residents go to nearby rural areas, spend the day with family and friends, and enjoy Spanish tortillas and other foods while playing and socializing.
3. Paella
Paella is a national dish and one of the most famous Spanish rice dishes, the ingredients of which vary depending on the type of paella. Originally from Valencia, this iconic dish is well-known throughout Spain and beyond.
While non-Spaniards often consider it the national dish of Spain, Spaniards themselves almost unanimously consider it a regional dish of Valencia.
The name “paella” comes from the wide, shallow pan used to cook it over a fire. In Valencian/Catalan, “paella” means “pan”.
Traditional paella is made with round rice, beans such as Bajoqueta and Tabella (green beans), rabbit, chicken, sometimes duck, and garrofón (a type of white bean), all cooked in olive oil and chicken stock and sometimes seasoned with rosemary sprigs.
The yellow color of this dish traditionally comes from saffron, although turmeric or marigold can be used as substitutes. Depending on the season, sometimes artichokes are also added. Most paella chefs use Bomba rice, while Valencians prefer Senia rice.
4. Gambas al Ajillo
Gambas al Ajillo, a favorite of shrimp lovers, is a popular Spanish tapas dish, especially in southern and central Spain, with a strong following in Andalusia and Madrid. The name “Gambas al Ajillo” means “garlic shrimp,” and this dish consists of peeled shrimp, garlic, and olive oil.
It is a quick and simple dish with just a few ingredients and is a staple of Spanish bar culture. Although it is served as a tapa, its delicious taste makes it a favorite main dish for many.
Gambas al Ajillo, usually prepared in a small clay pot, involves frying garlic and parsley in olive oil, with shrimp added at the last minute. Sometimes, dried red pepper slices are added, and a little sherry is used to enhance the taste.
5. Patatas Bravas
Patatas bravas, Spain’s most famous tapas, are a delight for those who love fried potatoes with a spicy and delicious sauce. Meaning spicy potato in Spanish, this popular street food is simple yet tasty and consists of 2cm cubes of potato fried in oil and served with a spicy sauce.
This is especially common in bars and restaurants throughout Madrid and throughout Spain.
The history of this beloved Spanish dish dates back to 1542, originally in Madrid or Toledo. It is called “bravas” because, as the name suggests, enjoying these potatoes with their fiery sauce takes a bit of courage – enduring the heat of one of Spain’s hottest condiments!
6. Bacalao
Bacalao, or dried salted cod, is a classic Spanish seafood dish that originates from the Basque region and is popular throughout Spanish-speaking countries, especially in the Iberian Peninsula.
This traditional Spanish fish is first cleaned, salted, and dried and then sold whole or filleted, with or without bones. Before cooking, bacalao must be soaked in fresh water to remove excess salt, and saltier varieties require a longer soaking time than milder varieties.
One of the popular Spanish dishes containing this fish is croquetas de bacalao. These delicious croquettes are usually made with bechamel, but in this variation, you can combine salted cod with mashed potatoes instead. Each piece is coated in breadcrumbs and then fried to a golden crisp.
Bacalao croquettes are one of the most common types of croquettes found in Spain and are used as tasty tapas throughout the country.
7. Jamón Ibérico
Jamón Ibérico, one of Spain’s most precious culinary treasures, is renowned as one of the best and most expensive hams in the world. Made from black Iberian pigs native to Spain and Portugal, this special ham gets its unique flavor from the pigs’ oak-rich diet and the natural forest foods they graze on, which directly influence the meat’s quality and taste.
Ham is graded based on the pigs’ diet and the purity of their Iberian breed. Jamón Ibérico, with the black label, is the highest quality and most expensive, from pure oak-fed Iberian pigs.
After that, there are red, green, and white labels, respectively. Jamón Ibérico is rich in flavor, incredibly juicy, and significantly different from other hams. Its distinctive flavor comes from a heavy diet of oak, making it one of the richest and most flavorful pork products available.
8. Albondigas
Albondigas is the Spanish word for meatballs, traditionally found in the dish known as sopa de albondigas. These meatballs are made from minced meat and usually use rice as a binding ingredient, making them a delicious option in Spanish cuisine.
When preparing Albundiga soup, a combination of meatballs, vegetables, and Arabic spices are used, which contribute to their taste. The choice of spices can vary depending on the chef, allowing for unique variations on this popular dish.
9. Chorizo
Chorizo is a popular Spanish pork sausage originating from the Iberian Peninsula. Unlike the more expensive Jamón Ibérico, Chorizo is very common in Spanish households and widely used in everyday cooking.
Spanish chorizo has a smoky flavor and a characteristic red color from Spanish smoked paprika (pimentón), which often gives it a spicy flavor.
Most Spanish chorizos are made with pork, smoked paprika, and garlic, which create an aromatic and vibrant ingredient in Spanish cuisine. Adding chorizo to stews, rice dishes, salads, soups, and other Spanish meals adds a delightful Mediterranean flavor to any meal.
Popular recipes include chorizo pasta, chicken and chorizo paella, and even Spanish tortillas, which offer a unique twist to these traditional dishes. Chorizo bean soup is another popular Spanish soup that showcases the deep flavor of sausage.
10. Fideuà
Fideuà is a delicious Spanish seafood dish that is similar to paella but uses short pasta or noodles instead of rice. Originating in Valencia, this dish dates back to 1915 and is especially popular in Catalonia and Valencia.
Unlike traditional paella, Fideuà is not an ancient dish. Culinary sources often attribute its creation to a fishing boat chef. As the name suggests, the basis of this dish is a type of short noodle called “fideos,” which is thinner than spaghetti.
Catalan chefs usually roast the fideos in olive oil before adding the liquid, similar to making risotto, which deepens the flavor during the preparation process.
Fideuà can range from a simple seafood noodle dish to an extraordinary array of diverse seafood, including lobster, scallops, shrimp, and shellfish. While Fideuà is tasty when cooked, its success often lies in its sauce called “alioli” or “ajo.”
When served with this versatile sauce, it elevates the dish to a new level of deliciousness and makes it stand out in Spanish cuisine.
Final Word
Spain is one of the most important and touristic countries in Europe. This beautiful country attracts everyone’s attention with its rich culture and history. One of the key features of Spanish culture and tradition is its delicious yet simple cuisine. The delicious and memorable Spanish cuisine will provide you with a delightful experience during your foreign tour.
In this article, we introduced you to the most famous Spanish dishes that you must try on your trip to Spain, delicious dishes that you will not find anywhere else in the world. We hope this guide will help you choose the best Spanish dishes, like the local ones, and enjoy them to the fullest.
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