It’s the question many travelers wonder about before heading out on an international vacation getaway – what is the food like where I am going?
Usually, to get the answer, they have the turn to friends, family and fellow travelers to find out what the food is like in the destination they are traveling to.
However, in country experimentation is also one of the fun things about traveling, especially in Spain. That’s how my wife and I recently stumbled on the pumpkin jam pie Pastel Cordobés in the old Spanish town of Córdoba.
One the other hand, it never fails that you try a local recommendation when traveling the world and find out the dish is really not what you like or were looking for.
With that, let’s take a look at the top five dishes tourists really dislike when visiting Spain, according to Taste Atlas. Hopefully, it will save you some heartburn as well.
No. 1 – Sardine Sandwich
Not surprisingly to me, the number one disliked plate for tourists in Spain is a Sardine Sandwich.
According to a local Spanish newspaper, it’s a dish that has saved a lot of time for many Spaniards looking for a quick dinner meal – bread, sardines and peppers or whatever else can be found to add some additional taste elements.
It honestly does not sound really great to me either.
No. 2 – Potato Broth
Potato Broth from the Canary Islands came in as the second least liked dish among tourists in Spain.
It is simply made with onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, saffron, eggs and yes, potatoes. Doesn’t sound all that bad, but it got a rating of 2.6 out of 5 on Taste Atlas.
No. 3 – Mango Gazpacho
The idea of a cold soup turns off most people. However, I have to admit I had some lick the bowl good regular Gazpacho on my same trip to Córdoba, but it did not have any mangoes in it.
The local newspaper reporters that ran this survey in Spain also scratched their head as Taste Atlas attributed the recipe to Andalucia. I know I did not see it on the menu when traveling there either.
No. 4 – Rosquillas de Santa Clara
Should a sweet dessert actually make the list of the most disliked foods in Spain by tourists? Rosquillas de Santa Clara are essentially sugar glazed doughnuts associated with Madrid and its patron saint, San Isidor.
Now, come on, who doesn’t like doughnuts? These are made with Star Anise, so maybe it’s the licorice style flavor travelers don’t like?
No. 5 – Porrusalda
Last one the top five most disliked dishes by travelers to Spain is Porrusalda. This is another soup, this time with potatoes and leeks. This is a pretty common soup around the world.
It is a naturally creamy soup, with no cream involved in the preparation. It’s a pretty standard all-natural soup that for some reason many visitors to Spain dislike.
Tips For Travelers
Traveling around the world, tourists get to try a number of different dishes that are representative of the local diet, traditions and culture. Some may hit the mark, others may disappoint.
Here’s five dishes that fellow travelers to the Iberian Peninsula have voted down for their personal taste pallets.
But, don’t take their word for it. Part of the joy of travel is getting to experience different countries and cultures for yourself. So, go ahead and give them a try when in Spain and decide if you agree. You may just disagree and enjoy a dish that will add to your travel memories.