Page 68 iStudy Guide 2019/20
P. 68
68
iStudy
2019/20
Like all good Spanish cities, one of the most important
elements in Valencia is the food and drink culture. And
like many Spanish cities, Valencia has its own food
culture very much protected and loved by the people
who live there. Paella and rice dishes in general are
venerated in a religious way here, and any attempt to
go paint outside of the culinary lines will not be well
received. Eating in Valencia is really all about what
you are in the mood for. If it’s relaxed and cheap food
then the Cabanal or Benimaclet districts will be best,
and these areas are for gentle evenings with great
local food and a few drinks. If its traditional Valencian
food you are seeking then the north-central city area
of Carmen is best, with its more expensive but higher
quality and traditional food.
Partying in Valencia takes the same form, with different
areas giving a different experience. For those looking
for heavy and long nights then clubs like Aquarella and
Mya are the best. For bars and beer-pong and beer-
pitchers then the city centre has some great options.
Sport is also a vital part of Valencian community,
and almost everything is done outside (to match the
glorious weather). You can wander down to the beach
any day of the week (but especially on weekends) and
ask to join in any of the 20 games of beach volleyball
going on. There are two indoor climbing centres
as well as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gyms, yoga and pilates
everywhere and football and rugby clubs too.
Plenty of people come to the city to take in the
architectural and historical sights. If it’s history you are
after, then the Carmen and Cuitat Vella districts are the
best. These areas to the north of the city centre contain
the cathedral, medieval towers and walls, beautiful old
churches and more.
WHAT TO DO?
Of course, food is Spain – the two are difficult to separate.
In the same way that British people spend time over
drinks in a pub, Spaniards pass their quieter moments
in squares with beers and summer wine (wine and
lemonade mixed – tinto de verano), talking and enjoying
the community. Whether it’s local and traditional food
that you want, or any number of international options,
Valencia has you covered.
For traditional food, the first dish that everyone visiting
Valencia should try is paella. Although we have a concept
of what paella is, really there are a lot of different ways
to make it. The original paella comes from slightly farther
south, in Alicante, but has plenty of Valencian influence
as well. This paella is normally chicken and rabbit, with
vegetables and rice, with a crispy underside ‘skin’ on
the rice to give the dish some bite and crunch. You can
also find any combination of meat, seafood, fish and
vegetarian paellas, and even Asian inspired paellas too.
For local dishes outside of the paella arena (which can
be a frightening and intimidating one), there are some
favourites that you can find in any local bar/restaurant
(there’s not always much of a separation). Patatas Bravas
is one of the most common, which is boiled potatoes,
fried after to make them crispy then served with aioli and
tomato sauces. Another popular dish is Tortilla which is
basically omelette, but cooked in a much thicker pan, and
so the result is a sort of omelette cake that is normally
about five centimetres thick, served with mayonnaise,
tomatoes, peppers and onions all inside. Hot or cold it’s a
hearty, heavy and delicious combination of flavours.
Valencia also has an unusual love of Asian food for a
Spanish city. It’s not something that everyone knows, but
there is very little spice or kick in Spanish food, and they
tend to be fairly gentle with their herbs and spices. Garlic
is probably the heaviest flavour you’ll find in a traditional
dish. And yet the sheer number of Japanese, Chinese and
Thai restaurant in the city is very surprising.
FOOD
iStudy
2019/20
Like all good Spanish cities, one of the most important
elements in Valencia is the food and drink culture. And
like many Spanish cities, Valencia has its own food
culture very much protected and loved by the people
who live there. Paella and rice dishes in general are
venerated in a religious way here, and any attempt to
go paint outside of the culinary lines will not be well
received. Eating in Valencia is really all about what
you are in the mood for. If it’s relaxed and cheap food
then the Cabanal or Benimaclet districts will be best,
and these areas are for gentle evenings with great
local food and a few drinks. If its traditional Valencian
food you are seeking then the north-central city area
of Carmen is best, with its more expensive but higher
quality and traditional food.
Partying in Valencia takes the same form, with different
areas giving a different experience. For those looking
for heavy and long nights then clubs like Aquarella and
Mya are the best. For bars and beer-pong and beer-
pitchers then the city centre has some great options.
Sport is also a vital part of Valencian community,
and almost everything is done outside (to match the
glorious weather). You can wander down to the beach
any day of the week (but especially on weekends) and
ask to join in any of the 20 games of beach volleyball
going on. There are two indoor climbing centres
as well as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gyms, yoga and pilates
everywhere and football and rugby clubs too.
Plenty of people come to the city to take in the
architectural and historical sights. If it’s history you are
after, then the Carmen and Cuitat Vella districts are the
best. These areas to the north of the city centre contain
the cathedral, medieval towers and walls, beautiful old
churches and more.
WHAT TO DO?
Of course, food is Spain – the two are difficult to separate.
In the same way that British people spend time over
drinks in a pub, Spaniards pass their quieter moments
in squares with beers and summer wine (wine and
lemonade mixed – tinto de verano), talking and enjoying
the community. Whether it’s local and traditional food
that you want, or any number of international options,
Valencia has you covered.
For traditional food, the first dish that everyone visiting
Valencia should try is paella. Although we have a concept
of what paella is, really there are a lot of different ways
to make it. The original paella comes from slightly farther
south, in Alicante, but has plenty of Valencian influence
as well. This paella is normally chicken and rabbit, with
vegetables and rice, with a crispy underside ‘skin’ on
the rice to give the dish some bite and crunch. You can
also find any combination of meat, seafood, fish and
vegetarian paellas, and even Asian inspired paellas too.
For local dishes outside of the paella arena (which can
be a frightening and intimidating one), there are some
favourites that you can find in any local bar/restaurant
(there’s not always much of a separation). Patatas Bravas
is one of the most common, which is boiled potatoes,
fried after to make them crispy then served with aioli and
tomato sauces. Another popular dish is Tortilla which is
basically omelette, but cooked in a much thicker pan, and
so the result is a sort of omelette cake that is normally
about five centimetres thick, served with mayonnaise,
tomatoes, peppers and onions all inside. Hot or cold it’s a
hearty, heavy and delicious combination of flavours.
Valencia also has an unusual love of Asian food for a
Spanish city. It’s not something that everyone knows, but
there is very little spice or kick in Spanish food, and they
tend to be fairly gentle with their herbs and spices. Garlic
is probably the heaviest flavour you’ll find in a traditional
dish. And yet the sheer number of Japanese, Chinese and
Thai restaurant in the city is very surprising.
FOOD
