Paella. The rice dish made famous by Spain, by Valencia specifically. You heard me right, Barcelona and Madrid, the unique bomba rice is grown and hand-picked only in this part of the world, adding a unique grainy texture, yet full of flavour.
The Valencianos take great pride in making this labour intensive culinary delight over a slow-burning fire and nothing will upset them more than seeing slices of chorizo in the mix or you squeezing lemon on to it. But what makes a paella a quintessential paella?
Conspiracy theories are rife on this and have torn many a friendship apart, ranging from the type of rice you use to the stock (and the water in the stock) to the sacred trilogy of ingredients always being snails, rabbit, and vegetables.
It’s best to enter Valencia with a clean palate with a splash adventure as you will soon discover each place adds a twist. So you really simply need to eat more, to know more. Here are my top finds to date, hopefully, you will find them as tasty as I do!
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Where the hell am I?
This place is my secret spot for paella as you are in Valencia city but kind of not. Tucked behind La Ciencias across a few fields with roaming chickens stands this unimpressive, if not an abandoned-looking, hut. Step inside and wait for the flavours of their traditional Paella Valenciana to knock you off your feet.
This place gets packed so book ahead. Choose from dining inside or in their secret garden. Oh, the name of the place is Alqueria del Pou. Owners, please don’t take offence, this place is full of unexpected magic.
2. The OG of Paella
One must pay homage to the land of rice and visit the vast wetlands of Albufera that feed the many mouths of the region and Spain. Only a 25min bus ride out of Valencia centre and you are worlds away. Hop on the small boat for a tour of the wetlands, be at peace with nature, and work up an appetite.
Allegedly the secret behind the yum factor is not only the rice but the fact that many of the waterfront restaurants use the freshwater from the lake in their stocks. At Restaurante Ca Terasa you must try the red rice and lobster paella. The squid ink paella was also very popular here.
3. Impress your date here
Aqua sea views. Tick. White linen. Ticket. Outstanding table service. Tick. Alright, Agua de Coco (Gandia) isn’t exactly in Valencia city, but it serves a mention. Especially after a run of rather blah tasting paellas in El Carmen, my taste buds jumped with joy after trying their senyoret paella (seafood, crab, and mussels with shells removed) washed down with a local, buttery white wine. Plus, after dinner, you can choose to continue the fiesta by their pool cabanas or join in the chiringuito fun across the road on the beach.
In the next blog, let’s explore the region of Valencia together?