Discover La Boqueria food market in the heart of Barcelona

(NLDO) - "When you come to Barcelona, ​​remember to go to the food market!" That was the message from a friend before my family took a flight from Germany to the beautiful land of Catalonia.

After two days of sightseeing, I was captivated by the unique works of architect Gaudi, such as the Sagrada Familia cathedral, the fantastical Casa Batllo, the enchanting Park Güell... or strolling through medieval streets, admiring a series of famous Gothic architecture such as the Barcelona cathedral, the Monestir de Pedralbes monastery...

Author based in Barcelona, ​​Spain

Finally, we followed the bustling crowds along the tree-lined La Rambla boulevard. The boulevard stretches 1.2 km from north Catalunya (the central square) to the southern coast of Port Vell.

A colorful culinary landscape

We stepped into another world , where the alluring aroma of food, the vibrant colors of fruits, and the friendly calls of vendors blended together to create a colorful culinary tapestry.

That's La Boqueria market, dating back to the 13th century, a place not only for buying and selling, but also where Catalans preserve and spread the unique culinary traditions of their nation.

La Boqueria Market dates back to the 13th century.

I was immediately drawn to La Boqueria the moment I stepped through the gate. The light shining through the stained-glass panels, arranged in the Art Nouveau style on the vaulted ceiling, created beautiful, shimmering streaks of sunlight. The market was quite clean, divided into stalls and sections similar to traditional Vietnamese markets. We arrived just as tourists were looking for lunch, so the atmosphere inside the market was noticeably warmer.

My first impression was the colorful array of smoothies and fruits. Most abundant were Mediterranean fruits such as strawberries, citrus fruits, grapes, pears, peaches, plums, and cherries, followed by tropical fruits like pineapples, mangoes, avocados, papayas, dragon fruit, guavas, longans, mangosteens, and rambutan.

Looking at the plump, golden fruits piled on top of each other, or the bright red slices of watermelon floating on ice, none of us could resist stopping to treat ourselves to a refreshing smoothie or a chilled fruit platter in the midday heat. I was quite surprised that it only cost 3 euros a glass. Much cheaper than the previous afternoon, when the whole family strolled on the beach and had smoothies for 7 euros.

Colorful spice stalls, stalls displaying fresh, crisp vegetables, and eye-catching displays of dried fruits.

Further into the market, smoked ham legs hung neatly in front of each sausage and cheese stall, making me suddenly think I had to try the country's famous ham. The dark-skinned Spaniard quickly asked me which kind I wanted to try.

All of them are cured hams, naturally air-dried for a long time, sometimes up to several years. The longer they are aged, the more fragrant and rich the flavor becomes. The finest ones can cost up to several hundred euros per kilogram. I picked up a thin slice of the meat I had just bought and put it in my mouth. The aroma of the dry curing rose up, a moderate saltiness lingered, followed by the sweetness of the meat and the richness of the fat blending together and melting in my mouth. The seller smiled broadly and told me I should eat it with cheese and pickled olives, and a glass of fresh beer for the perfect combination.

Fish and squid still have clear eyes, shrimp and crabs are snapping and crackling, oysters, snails, and clams are vibrant with color.

Enjoy freshly prepared seafood.

While I was busy admiring the colorful spice stalls, the rows of fresh vegetables, and the eye-catching dried fruit displays, my son suddenly pulled me quickly towards the stalls selling crispy fried seafood further inside, a favorite snack of young people.

It was so crowded, people were lining up in circles. I didn't even need to know the name of the dish; just looking at the golden batter coating each tiny shrimp, squid, and anchovy was enough to make me crave it.

We bought a mixed platter for 10 euros. As we walked along, we skewered each hot piece of seafood, dipping it lightly into the chili sauce the vendor offered. We could clearly feel the crispy texture mixed with the salty taste of the sea. It was simple, yet so memorable.

Right next to it were rows of fragrant baked goods. The vendor, with a green headscarf, enthusiastically showed me which were the mushroom and chicken or beef dumplings, or the spinach and cheese tapas that were being pan-fried. After much deliberation, we decided to buy some churros. She wrapped them in thin wax paper, and I could clearly feel the warmth spreading through the paper. When I took a bite, the rich, crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside flavor was completely different from the hot churros back home.

Stepping into the fresh fish section on the right side of the market, I didn't smell anything fishy because each stall had a convenient water tap and drainage ditch. Here, seafood was neatly arranged on the stalls, covered with gleaming white ice under the lights. The fish and squid still had clear eyes, the shrimp and crabs were snapping and crackling, and the oysters, snails, and clams were vibrant in color. Just looking at them made me feel regretful. If only my hotel had a separate kitchen, I would have bought enough to take home and cook for the whole family.

But never mind, even though we were already a little hungry, we still wanted to enjoy a seafood meal at a live food stall, where they cook and serve the seafood right there with raised stools around, and fresh ingredients displayed in refrigerated cabinets in front of you. You can choose lobster, octopus, abalone, crab, snails... or anything else you like for the chef to prepare. The prices are reasonable, much cheaper than in the city center or on the beach.

Here, there are many stalls selling golden-yellow seafood paella, topped with bright red prawns, for only 6 euros per serving. This is a famous Barcelona dish that many people enjoy. The saleswoman suggested I try the "night paella," saying it was very special. Her smile and slightly mysterious, squinting eyes convinced me.

Nighttime paella

A plate of rice, glossy black like charcoal, was brought out. Oh, it was cooked with squid ink to give it color and flavor. I was surprised when she revealed the ingredients. The rice grains were slightly firm, like Mediterranean rice, combined with sauce, vegetables, and plenty of chopped seafood. It was quite flavorful and definitely worth a try.

From her story, I learned that she is the third generation to take over this stall, and her son and daughter, who are helping out, will inherit it in the future. Perhaps not only her family, but also many other small traders here, share a love and passion for preserving the traditional values ​​of the market, preventing them from fading away with the passage of time.

We left the market with full stomachs, but our hands were still full of small packages: a bag of pastries, a few slices of pre-packaged ham, a bag of tropical fruit for the evening. But perhaps what lingered in my mind most was the vibrant atmosphere of this place. A place where people live by their taste buds, their sense of smell, and their hearts.

The "Hola, guapa!" sounds aren't meant to attract customers, but rather a genuine and friendly greeting from La Boqueria. Here, each vendor, each dish, tells you a story full of aromas and colors. It makes you fall in love with Barcelona in your own unique way.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/kham-pha-cho-am-thuc-la-boqueria-giua-long-barcelona-196250822163309333.htm