Spain is known for its delicious and unique cuisine. Spanish culture revolves around eating because food brings people together. Lunch is usually around 2 P.M. and dinner is around 9 P.M. Restaurants and grocery stores are very crowded during those times. Because eating is so important, sit down meals usually take two to three hours and consist of several courses. Madrid is filled with some of the most delicious restaurants as well as several food markets.
I have tried a lot of yummy foods since arriving in Spain, including tortilla de patatas (Spanish potato tortilla), cochinita pibil (a type pork), Jamón Ibérico (Iberian ham), croquettas (fried cheese balls), and gazpacho (chilled tomato soup), patatas bravas (potato wedges), juevos rotos (fried eggs and potatoes) and paella (a fish rice dish). All of these traditional foods are usually served as tapas. Tapas are appetizer size portions of traditional Spanish foods. They can be hot or cold and are usually combined to make up a full meal. Spaniards usually go "tapa bar hopping," meaning that they go to about 2-3 different places that serve tapas and get 1-2 tapas from each place.
