5 traditional Galician dishes
Galician cuisine is one of the most outstanding in all of Spain. You cannot travel here without trying the traditional Galician dishes. It is very varied food and that is where its popularity lies, as well as in the generous portions — nobody is left hungry! On your tour of this region you will know you are going to eat well in every town you visit.
The seafood is of unmatched quality, as are its excellent cheeses, which are perfect for an afternoon of tapas and wine while enjoying some of the beautiful landscapes of Galicia.
Food tourism is a great option because it is the best way to get to know Galicia, through the palate. Everything varies depending on the region you visit, but on the coast you should try delicious mussels or octopus. Inland, you will find many more traditional Galician dishes with centuries of history.
5 traditional Galician dishes
For everyone who wants to escape to Galicia, here is a list of 5 traditional Galician dishes you cannot miss. By tasting each of these dishes you can travel around the whole region with your palate. These are the most sought-after dishes you have to try.
Pulpo á feira
Seafood is one of the most popular things in Galicia. But octopus is one of the most prominent. There are different ways to prepare it, but this is one of the favourites among traditional Galician dishes because it is how it turns out best.
Tasting this dish involves cooking the octopus with plenty of bay leaf, oil and paprika. It is quite a process: it must be served on a wooden plate, and with toothpicks you pick up each slice of octopus and bread to dip in the oil and try this delicious dish.
The Galician empanada
One of the most popular traditional Galician dishes in the world. Who does not love a good Galician empanada? The most important thing is to try it in Galicia, straight from the most typical spots.
Galicians like to make it clear that not all the empanadas you see outside Galicia are the original ones. This dish stands out for being always large — the smallest are the size of a plate. The dough recipe and the filling can vary depending on personal taste.
This empanada takes any filling, but remember that everything must be well sautéed with its oil, onion and peppers. The bonito-and-peppers version is the most traditional of all; however, the meat, cod or octopus ones are quite popular in Galicia.
Galician stew (cocido gallego)
The Galician stew is one of the dishes you must not miss. It is a hearty and abundant dish that takes time to make. If you want to try a grandmother's dish, this is one — one of her specialties.
Pork belly, chorizo, pork and beef, hen, vegetables, chickpeas, cabbage, among others. This dish varies depending on the region of Galicia you find yourself in. Making it is quite a ritual — enjoy it.
Galician broth (caldo gallego)
On winter days, this dish must not be missing among traditional Galician dishes. The broth contains pork, chorizo, cabbage and a touch of unto, which is pork fat. The burst of calories is all you need in winter.
The Galician broth varies depending on how it is prepared, but it is ideal for cold days, as well as for the day after. It is a simple dish to make but provides all the calories you need, and is also quite complete.
Tripe (Callos)
Callos is one of the most popular traditional Galician dishes. It is one of the pampering dishes for winter days. Like most Galician dishes, it varies by area. It is a spoon dish, as it is known.
It is a combination of pulses with various kinds of meat, garlic and chickpeas. Callos are made from pork tripe. The dish is so popular that "festas dos callos" are held in different villages of Galicia.
That is why it is a dish you must include on your visit to Galicia when you take this food tour. There are many traditional Galician dishes, so you have to travel with an open mind — and an open palate too.
