Valencia Is More Than Just Paella

The Valencianos are proud of their paella especially as it is known the world over as the quintessential food from their beloved city.  Every other chef has his/her own version of the paella Valenciana but the original paella will always rule the roost, so to speak.  So, if you want the original paella, you must spend time in Valencia. 

The paella of Valencia is served on both ordinary days and special occasions with little variations except maybe for a few more quantities on the basic ingredients.  Said ingredients include fragrant rice, meat from chickens and rabbits as well as vegetables like peas and peppers.  Depending on the chef, other ingredients like seafood in the form of mussels and clams may also be added to the mix, thus, resulting in mixed paella.  Another version of paella is known as the arroz a banda where the fish and rice are cooked individually and then served with a garlic sauce. 

Lest you think that Valencia is all about paella, the city's cuisine reflects the influences from its neighbors while still retaining its unique flavor.  Tourists and locals alike love the wide array of baked goodies and sweetmeats - panquemados, almond rosegons, Valencian doughnuts, coconut cakes, turnovers and anisette rolls for everyday treats as well as egg-rings for Easter and the so-called Epiphany rings for special occasions. 

Wash all of these breads down with orgea made from natural orange juice and cava as well as the famed agua de Valencia. Also, the traditional drink introduced by the Moors and made from mashed tiger nuts - horchata de chufas - is definitely worth a try. Indeed, when the Valencianos say "drink", they mean it and you will enjoy doing their bidding, too. 

Other rice-based dishes include the arroz negra (seasoned squid in rice), arroz al horno (baked rice dish with sausages, beans, potatoes and other vegetables) and arroz con costra (rice with a baked egg crust).  If you are on a no-rice diet, Valencia is a wily temptress that will not take "no" for an answer while you willingly come under her spell.

There are other dishes, of course, to fill the stomach and the soul.  Just be invited into a typical home in Valencia, even the most modest, and you will be fed plenty of Valencia foods and drinks.  It is Spanish hospitality at its best. 

Just to name a few more of these delicious dishes, there are fideau (similar to paella except with noodles), all i pebre (eels with oils, garlic and paprika), suquet de peix (stew from eels and fish with potatoes and garlic), salmueros and salazones (salted fish and roe) as well as the olleta (pork stew). With so many dishes to choose from, feeling deprived of good food is not a possibility in Valencia. 

However, you may encounter difficulty in booking rooms in Valencia especially during the peak season.  We suggest booking your Valencia lodging in advance through an online reservation site before the expected arrival in the city.  You want to enjoy the gastronomic feast as soon as possible.

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