Widely acclaimed as the most popular Spanish dish, paella is a one-pot specialty that is based on saffron-flavored rice, while the additional ingredients may include meat, seafood, or vegetables. Although paella originated in Valencia, where it was made with seasonal vegetables, poultry, rabbit, and snails, in modern-day Spain, the name is used for all rice dishes prepared in a paellera or paella - the traditional shallow pan that is used both for cooking and serving. Paella has humble origins—it most likely originated around Albufera lagoon, an area known for its rice fields and wildlife, where it was made with locally-sourced ingredients. The exact ingredients used in paella have long been a matter of dispute, but everyone agrees that each paella should have a subtle saffron flavor. Another crucial element is socorrat, the crispy bottom layer, and the mandatory finishing touch of each paella. Because paella is prepared in a wide, shallow pan, the rice is evenly cooked in a thin layer, allowing the grains to caramelize and become crispy. Socorrat is such an essential element that it is even one of the categories at the Valencian paella competition. Always served in the pan, this Spanish classic can be found everywhere in the country, in an endless number of combinations. It should be noted that modern-day restaurant interpretations are often mass-produced and can significantly diverge from the authentic versions that demand time and skill. Traditionally, paellas are cooked over an open fire, and the most common option is to use orange wood.
Arròs negre is a Spanish dish originating from Valencia and Catalonia, and it is the most popular in Castellon and Tarragona. It is made with white rice, squid or cuttlefish, and squid ink, which gives the dish its characteristical black color. The dish is often enriched with the addition of garlic, onions, fish stock, cubanelle peppers, olive oil, and sweet paprika, and many cooks like to add other types of seafood into the paella pan, such as shrimp and crab.
Rice and seafood are the key ingredients to making arroz marinero, a traditional specialty that originates from Spain. The main ingredients are usually combined with sautéed vegetables such as onions, peppers, tomatoes, and garlic, and the combination is typically simmered in water or stock (seafood or fish stock) with the addition of various spices and seasonings. Like many other Spanish dishes, this one has also entered the traditional cuisines of the Spanish colonies with the introduction of rice and is nowadays associated with South American countries such as Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. The variations on the dish abound throughout Spain and the Latin American countries, with each country having its own version of this rice specialty. In Spain, the dish is usually prepared with short-grain varieties of rice such as bomba or Arborio, while in South America, arroz marinero typically consists of long-grain rice. Another crucial difference between the Spanish and South American versions of the dish is the use of different spices, which are typical of the regions where the dish is being prepared.
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot,
nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable.
For the “3 Traditional Foods You Have To Try in Tarragona” list until May 22, 2026, 130 ratings were recorded, of which 110 were recognized by the system as legitimate.
TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods,
instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.
