People say some memories live forever, not because of the places you go, also what you taste there.
My journey through Spain wasn’t just about travelling across beautiful cities, it was about discovering life, love, and stories through Spanish Traditional dishes. Every meal I had in Spain wasn’t simply a dish on a plate; it was a memory conversation and a lesson in culture.
Even today, when I close my eyes, I can still taste the saffron from a steaming plate of paella, the saltiness of jamon iberico, and the sweet warmth of leche frita. Each dish tells beautiful stories which are totally mine.
1. Paella
It was a golden afternoon in Valencia when I first met paella, Spain’s most iconic dish. The sun was bright, laughter filled the air, and the smell of saffron, olive oil, and roasted peppers danced all around me.
An elderly chef named Mateo cooked it slowly over an open fire. “Never rush paella,” he told me, stirring gently. “It listens to the flame.”
When I finally tasted it, the soft rice, the smoke, the perfectly cooked chicken and beans —Oh..Just wow!
2. Croquette
In Madrid, I discovered croquetas that felt like comfort itself. I found them in a small café near Plaza Mayor, served fresh and hot. The creamy filling of bechamel mixed with jamon iberico melted in my mouth like something so soft .
I still remember sitting there with a glass of wine, watching people pass by.
Croquettes reminded me of the rainy evenings back home in India and my mother frying snacks in the kitchen while we waited, hungry and happy. It’s amazing how food can travel through cultures and still speak the same language: love.
3. Jamon Iberico
In Seville, I visited a bodega where legs of jamon iberico. Spain’s famous cured ham — hung from the ceiling like art. The owner offered me a thin slice, carved with precision.
The first bite was unforgettable — rich, nutty, perfectly salty. “This,” he said, “is time turned into taste.”
I learned that the pigs are fed acorns and allowed to roam freely. That’s what gives the ham its deep, buttery flavour.
Every slice carried centuries of craftsmanship and pride.
4. Gazpacho
It was in Córdoba where I first tried gazpacho, Spain’s chilled tomato soup. The day was hot, the air thick, and I needed something refreshing. A local vendor handed me a bowl which is red, cold, fragrant.
One spoonful, and I was revived. The blend of ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, olive oil, and garlic was pure sunshine in a bowl.
He smiled and said, “This is our summer medicine”.
And he was right. It wasn’t just refreshing and alive. That simple soup taught me that great food doesn’t need complexity, just heart.
5. Polbo a Feira
In Galicia, I experienced polbo a feira — Galician-style octopus — for the first time. I watched a fisherman cook it fresh from the ocean, cutting the tentacles into pieces, sprinkling them with sea salt, olive oil, and paprika.
Served on a wooden plate, it was simple, rustic, and beautiful. The octopus was tender, smoky, and slightly sweet.
As I ate by the harbour, listening to the waves crash, I realised that Spanish food is deeply connected to nature — the sea, the land, the people. Every bite told a story of balance and respect.
6. Tortilla Espanola
There was a morning in Granada when I woke up to the aroma of eggs, onions, and potatoes sizzling together. The cafe owner, an elderly woman, brought me a slice of tortilla espanola which is Spain’s famous omelette.
“Made fresh every morning,” she said proudly.
It looked humble, but the taste was soft, warm, comforting and extraordinary. I took one bite and smiled. It reminded me of home again and the kind of food you eat when you need a hug more than a meal.
7. Patatas Bravas
Barcelona’s evenings are alive with music, laughter, and tapas. I remember sitting in a crowded bar with new friends, sharing plates of patatas bravas and crispy potatoes covered with spicy tomato sauce and creamy aioli.
Every bite felt like a spark with simple yet bold. The waiter laughed as we fought over the last piece.
“Patatas bravas are meant for sharing,” he said.
That night taught me that Spanish food isn’t meant to be eaten alone. It’s about people, stories, and the joy of being together — something deeply familiar to my Indian heart.
8. Fabada Asturiana
I had fabada on my last day in Asturias and this time at a family table. They insisted I eat with them, laughing as they poured wine and passed the bread.
The stew tasted even better. Maybe it was the company, maybe it was the laughter or maybe food really does taste better when shared with love.
That dinner reminded me that the best meals are not about Michelin stars, but about moments the kind you want to freeze in time.
9. Leche Frita
My Spanish food journey ended where it began in warmth. In Madrid, I tried leche frita, or “fried milk,” a traditional dessert made by thickening milk with sugar and flour, frying it, and dusting it with cinnamon.
It looked simple, but the first bite melted in my mouth, crisp outside, creamy inside, perfectly sweet.
As I savoured it, I realised that food, just like travel, is about emotion. It’s about finding home in places you’ve never been before.
The Connection Between Spanish and Indian food
After spending a few weeks in Spain, I came back home to India with my heart full of memorie, where food also tells stories, connects generations and brings people together.
Indian cuisine, much like Spain’s, is rooted in culture and love. From the creamy Butter Chicken masala of the north to the spicy Vindaloo of Goa, from fragrant Hyderabadi Biryani to soft Dosa and Idli of the south. Every region has its own magic.
There’s Rogan Josh from Kashmir, Paneer Tikka Masala, Dal Tadka, Pani Puri, and Samosa dishes that awaken memories and emotions just like paella or gazpacho do in Spain.
Both Spain and India understand something very few cultures truly do. Food is not just to be eaten; it’s to be experienced, shared, and remembered.
If you haven’t yet tried Indian food, you’re missing out on a world of spices, stories, and warmth. Give it a try and let the flavours surprise you, the aromas pull you in, and the culture wrap around you like a warm shawl. If you ever wish to experience the real taste of India right here in Spain, visit Tamasha Playa Blanca, best halal Indian restaurant on Playa Blanca known for its authentic flavours, rich curries, and warm hospitality.
Back to Sweet Memories
Now, when I think back to Spain the bustling streets of Madrid, the lazy afternoons in Valencia, the laughter-filled tapas nights in Barcelona. I don’t just remember the beautiful places and moments.I remember the tasty traditional foods as well.
The golden paella, the comforting croquettes, the soulful fabada, and that last bite of leche frita. Each one is a bookmark in my life, a chapter I can revisit anytime I close my eyes.
Spain taught me that food is more than food, memory, love, and connection. And India, my home, reminds me every day that those emotions live on in every spice, every meal, every smile shared at the table.
Because whether it’s paella or paneer, churros or chai. Food has a way of bringing us back to the sweetest memories of all.
