What is the national dish of Spain?
Paella is often called the national dish of Spain. This rice dish comes from Valencia on the east coast and is cooked in a wide, shallow pan, also called a paella.
Traditional Valencian paella is made with rice, chicken, rabbit, green beans, butter beans, olive oil and saffron, which gives it a golden color. It was originally a farmers' meal cooked over an open fire in the fields. Seafood paella and mixed paella with both meat and seafood are popular versions, especially in tourist areas.
A good paella has a thin layer of crispy, toasted rice at the bottom of the pan called socarrat, which many people consider the best part. Unlike risotto, paella is not stirred during cooking, which allows that crust to form. It is traditionally eaten for lunch, often on Sundays with family.
Other contenders
Many Spaniards would also suggest tortilla española, a thick omelet made with potatoes, eggs and often onion. Other famous Spanish foods include gazpacho, a cold tomato soup from Andalusia, jamón ibérico, a cured ham, and tapas, small plates shared with drinks in bars across the country.
Did You Know?
Valencia celebrates World Paella Day every September 20, and the city has hosted attempts to cook giant paellas that can feed thousands of people.