This outer market grew up around the Tsukiji Fish Market. It supported the local and tourist populations gathering in this part of Tokyo. The narrow streets and alleys around the market housed some of the best casual restaurants and tiny street food vendors that served fish straight from the market. It also was (and is) where you could find great shopping for kitchen and household goods! Contrary to popular thought, this part of town did not disappear along with the fish market’s move to Koto City. The Tsukiji Outer Market is still a bustling area of Tokyo, even without the fish market nearby. So don’t miss this amazing foodie paradise, and make sure you follow our guide to the best of the Tsukiji Outer Market.

Table Of Contents

1. What is the Tsukiji Outer Market?
2. Access
3. Everything You Need to Eat!
   • Fresh Sushi
   • Tsukiji Itadori Bekkan
   • Maguro / Tuna 
   • Kaisendon
   • Grilled Scallops & Fresh Oysters
   • Tamagoyaki 
   • Fresh Fruit
   • Uni
   • Waygu
   • Unagi
   • Ice Cream
   • Daifuku Mochi
4. Shopping
   • Knife Shops
   • Ceramics
   • Spices & Dried Goods
5. Namiyoke Inari Shrine
   • Happy Travels, Adventurers!

What is the Tsukiji Outer Market?

The outer market is where you’ll find over 400 shops, grocers and small restaurants, crowded into only a few narrow alleys around what was once the largest fish market in Tokyo. The streets of the outer market explode with colour and excitement. Vendors yell at each other and passers-by 24/7, making the place feel full of life even in the very early hours of the morning.

Access

The Tsukiji Outer Market can be easily reached by foot from either Tsukiji Shijo Station on the Oedo Line or Tsukiji Station on the Hibiya Line. Shimbashi Station is the closest option for those using JR trains, with a 20-minute walk to the market.

Everything You Need to Eat!

Fresh Sushi

The outer market is the perfect spot to grab a bit of breakfast. Find a sushi bar with a bunch of old locals eating inside. Those with a line out of the door are always a surefire way to spot a good spot. While they might not have door-to-door access to fresh fish as before, they still bring in the same selection, just from a little further afield.

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Tsukiji Itadori Bekkan

Tsukiji Itadori Bekkan is one of the most popular spots in the outer market to find the best sushi and sashimi. It’s made to order, so you know it’s super fresh. It’s definitely on the more expensive side but well worth the price. The seasonal selection by the chef with 10 pieces of sushi and a roll will run you 5100 yen. They also have a Nagomi plate with seven pieces of shish and a roll for 3600. 

Maguro / Tuna 

Tuna is one of the most important fish sold at the fish market. One of the most popular tourist attractions at the new market is the Tuna auction. Early morning risers head to the market at the crack of dawn to witness the bidding wars that break out over the best pieces of fish caught that day. To see what all the fuss is about, you should make a point to seek out some fresh Maguro (tuna) served up on sushi or as sashimi. There are often variety plates that feature different varieties such as bluefin, fatty, medium fatty and regular tuna. A great way to see which is your favourite, so you know what to order next time. These can be expensive as tuna isn’t cheap, so expect to pay upwards of 3000 yen for a multi-piece tray.

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Kaisendon

A traditional breakfast dish eaten in Japan is Kaisendon. Kaisendon is a traditional Japanese dish consisting of a bowl of rice (“donburi”) topped with a variety of raw, fresh seafood (“kaizen”) known as sashimi. These can be found throughout the market, and every shop has its own unique take on the dish. You’ll always be served a variety of fish, everything from fatty tuna, shrimp, egg and other fresh daily fish selections. Bowls range from 1500 to 3000 yen.

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Grilled Scallops & Fresh Oysters

If you’re a seafood connoisseur and want the best of the best, plenty of shops here will be right up your alley. One of the most popular street foods in the Outer Market is fresh grilled scallops cooked over a charcoal flame. Thanks to the grilling, they have the most delicious flavour, which balances the sweetness of the scallop perfectly. These will run you about 1000 yen.

Another delight of the market is these larger-than-life oysters. They are absolutely oversized but nevertheless delicious. They taste clean and fresh and cost you about 700-800 yen.

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Tamagoyaki 

Plenty is more on offer if you’re not in the mood for fresh fish. Tamagoyaki is rolled-up, freshly made Japanese-style omelettes. They are super cheap at only 100 yen and a delicious way to start the day or just as a mid-afternoon snack. An entire slab of tamagoyaki runs about 500 – 800 yen, depending on if there are any additional ingredients. Great to share with friends.

Fresh Fruit

Tsukiji has always had a wide selection of fresh fruit vendors selling some of the best produce in the city. Is there anything more precious than the delicately wrapped fruits of Japan? I think not. Highly recommend, especially when in season, the strawberries. Japan is well known for its perfectly grown strawberries. And while they might seem pricey, they are spectacular. They even sell white strawberries which are super unique and even more delicious. A bowl of fresh strawberries generally costs about 500 yen for a selection.

Uni

One of the most uniquely Japanese delicacies has got to be fresh uni. Uni, or sea urchin, is the edible portion of the inside of spiny sea urchins. The taste is unrivalled. It’s almost buttery, with a sea-like flavour. I love it, and getting it fresh from the market is one of the best places to try it. They serve it on its own in various spots in Tsukiji and on sushi rice if you prefer to try it with a little bit of rice. Uni is a little pricey, a bowl of pure uni will run you about 1500 yen, but a single piece of uni sushi will be much less expensive.

Waygu

Another food item that many people coming to Japan might be looking for is Waygu beef. Wagyu is the classification given to four different Japanese breeds of beef cattle. It is widely known for being the most tender, delicious beef you can eat. In the Tsukiji market, you’ll see lots of stands selling sticks of Wagyu beef. Some shops sell thinner slices of beef you can pick out, and they cook it right before you. Overall, I prefer to have my Waygu in a restaurant. But if this is your only opportunity to try it, you can always pick out a small slice to ensure you try this pedigree cut of beef at least once!

Unagi

Another traditional dish served in the market is Unagi. Unagi is freshly grilled eel, slathered in a thick, sweet and savoury sauce which is carmelized over the fish as it cooks over a hot grill. You can find sticks of Unagi for around 300 yen. If you’ve never had Unagi, this is a great opportunity to try it out!

Ice Cream

If you’re in the mood for desserts, soft-serve ice cream will always be on offer all over the outer market. Dozens of different flavours to choose from spill out along the streets. Vendors are ready to give a sweet treat to anyone walking by, even on colder days.

Daifuku Mochi

Mochi is one of my favourite Japanese sweets. Mochi is made from pounding sweet rice flour into a gummy texture wrapped around different fillings like macha or sweet red bean paste. In the Tsukiji Market, you can find mochi topped with a fresh red or white strawberry that amps the flavour up to 100!

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Shopping

Knife Shops

The Tsukiji Outer market is home to many stores selling specialty chef and kitchen utensils. Most of these were opened to be geared toward sushi chefs preparing their fish. But today, they are a little more broad and open to everyone. Inside you’ll find professional-grade knives. Japanese knives are known as some of the best in the world, and if you’re looking for an upgrade to your kitchen collection, this is such a wonderful souvenir to treat yourself to. Something you will use for the rest of your life.

Ceramics

The ceramics in the market were my favourite thing to pursue. They were so inexpensive, but the designs were incredible. The vibrant colours and intricate paintings were handmade, each a little different from the next. I would pick out my favourite patterns from each shop and, at the end of the day, have a little collection of four perfectly mismatched, but that’s what makes it so charming.

Spices & Dried Goods

Tsukiji is also a wonderful place to shop for spices and dried goods. One of the best things to look for is homemade Furikake. Furikake is a dry Japanese condiment made from green and nori seaweed flakes. In addition to the seaweed, there are a variety of additional ingredients added for the various flavours, from sesame seeds, fish flakes, spices and more. Furikake is used to sprinkle on top of rice, veggies, and anything you like. But the ones made fresh from the market are even more special and a great gift to bring home.

Namiyoke Inari Shrine

While in the market, you should definitely make a visit to the small Namiyoke Inari Shrine. This shrine was the guardian of the marketplace and its traders when the old fish market was here. The name means “protection from waves,” which is very suitable for all the fishermen who pass by daily. Although the fisherman has moved, the shrine remains. The courtyard is dotted with various memorial plaques and carvings donated by trade groups in the marketplace. An excellent way to bring happiness and prosperity to the traders.

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One of the greatest things to do while walking around the Tsukiji Outer Market is exploring. Get lost, and you’ll always discover something fantastic. The smells from each alleyway changes from street to street. Sweet, sour, fishy, spicy and pungent. A feast for the senses. 

The greatest thing about this place is that after the exodus of the Fish market, the area became a little more local. Sure, it’s still immensely popular with tourists, but it’s equally just a spot for locals to grab something to eat on their way to work. You’ll pass hundreds of people on their way to grab a snack before they get on the train or mothers pushing prams trying to do their morning shopping.

I love watching locals doing their thing, living in their city, and experiencing the environments the way they were supposed to be experienced. Not as guests, as settlers.

The outer market is busy, loud and unmissable. Make sure you carve out time in your next trip to Tokyo to explore and eat all there is on offer!

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post Ultimate Guide to Tsukiji Outer Market’s Must-Try Foods [UPDATED 2023] first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Stroopwaffels

Stroopwaffels are my top Dutch treat! There is no competition. Stroopwaffels are wafer-thin cookies with a layer of ooey-gooey caramel syrup layered in between. The dish was invented in nearby Gouda, but the Amsterdam chefs perfected the recipe. The best way to eat then is to hot off the griddle. You can find Stroopwaffel stands all over the place but especially in marketplaces. When they are free the waffle is still slightly bendy, and the caramel in the center is almost runny. Sounds messy but its honestly the best way to eat them! Just grab some napkins.

Although stroopwafels are inarguably delicious, my affinity for the cookie is also very personal and hilarious. When I left Amsterdam I bought a large package of Stroopwaffels to bring home to my family. After travelling for hours, I arrived on the Danish island of Aero, only to find every single restaurant was closed. And I hadn’t eaten all day! Thankfully I had my Stroopwaffels to keep me satiated until the next morning. Even now, when I eat them, I get a warm and fuzzy feeling remember that night in Aero. These prepackaged cookies are great for souvenirs too, not just to scarf down in the middle of the night! Dip them in your coffee in the morning to keep memories of your trip alive long after you get home.

Pickled Herring

Pickled Herring is one of the most famous items people will tell you “you must eat,” while in Amsterdam. Before you turn your nose up at it, try thinking of it simply as the “sushi” of the Netherlands. The shallow coastlines around Amsterdam are the preferred breeding ground for schools of tiny herring. Fishermen for hundreds of years have been throwing their nets offshore to bring in piles of delicious fish. Dutch fishermen learned early on that they could salt the fish to preserve it. Not only did this allow the fish to keep in the pantry for longer, but it also meant they could transport it for sale across Europe in the middle ages. A huge financial boom for the Dutch economy.

The best way for newbies to try the dish is as Broodje Haring (or a Herring Sandwich.) The pickled herring is sliced thinly and served on a soft bun covered in pickles and onions. The fish pairs perfectly with the onions and pickles and make for a delicious cold summer sandwich. Of course, some people eat the herring without the bun, but they never forget the pickles and onion!

Bittenballen

Bitterballen are small fried balls of beef ragu. Biting into them releases the oily sweet and salty meat hidden inside a lightly breaded crispy exterior. It is one of the countries favourite snacks and perfectly paired with a pint of beer and a huge side of mustard. The word “bitter” means beer, and “ballen,” well, of course, means balls. So they are, in fact, beer balls. Be careful eating them hot from the kitchen as the molten hot center can burn your mouth if you try to down them too quickly.

Cheese Tasting

While Gouda is the most popular name in cheese in Amsterdam, it is certainly not the only variety. Gouda was first recorded as being manufactured in the Netherlands in 1184! This makes it Europe’s oldest cheese type. One of the reasons that the name “Gouda” is so well known is not just because of the taste. But also because of the town for which it is named after; Gouda. In the middle ages, the town of Gouda was given feudal rights on cheese markets. Feudal right meant that Gouda was the only place in the Netherlands where cheese was allowed to be sold. Essentially giving the city the monopoly on the market. As a result, every farmer would bring their cheese to the Gouda city market square. And once a week, buyers would meet here to haggle on the best prices for cheese from around the Netherlands.

To get some in-depth knowledge about cheeses from the Netherlands, you should try to book a cheese tasting. Skip the so-called “Cheese Museum” as this tourist trap is far from serving up the good stuff. Instead, head to the Fromagerie Abraham Kef. Abraham Kef was a pioneer of cheese in Amsterdam. He opened his shop here in 1953. Ever since he has been serving his customers only the best from local farmers and a smaller selection of international cheeses as well. You can book a cheese tasting to explore a variety of fantastic artisanal cheese served alongside cold cuts, exquisite wines and seasonal beers. All these parties make the taste of the cheese come alive in a different fashion and make for such a better experience.

FEBO

Long before I visited Amsterdam, I had read all about FEBO. While in school I was tasked to write an essay on the history and modern incarnations of vending machines. And while researching, the name “FEBO” came up again and again. So when I finally got the chance to travel to Amsterdam, I was so excited to finally visit this shop.

While FEBO looks like a modern, trendy innovation, it is over 50 years old! The shop opened in 1941 as the first “automat” restaurant in the Netherland. Automats had caught on around the rest of the world, starting in Germany in 1895. Originally named Quisisana, these fast food vending machines could operate 24 hours a day and didn’t need front counter staff. Instead, the food would be loaded into the warming machines from the back kitchen. Then customers only had to place a coin in the slot to open up the machine to access the food within.

To this day, FEBO serves up popular Dutch fried food like krokets, frikandellen, hamburgers, Kaassoufflés, french fries and more. The machines still work just as they did in 1941. The retro look, in addition to the addictive food, is what keeps people coming back! Don’t worry about the food not being fresh, each of the items are thrown away if they are not consumed within the hour.

Kroket

If you are visiting FEBO, make sure you try their Kroket. The kroket is a Dutch delicacy made from meat covered in breadcrumbs and then deep-fried. The most traditional type of meat would be beef or veal, but a popular variety is also shrimp or even chicken satay! Sometimes kroket are served with white bread or buns to sop up the greasy and are best paired with a dollops of mustard!

Kapsalon

Kapsalon was first invented in Rotterdam in 2003, but the cheap and highly filling fast food caught on like wildfire in Amsterdam. It is the perfect post-drinks food to prevent a whopping hangover. This isn’t item haute cuisine, but it’s more than worth checking out as locals swear by it! The dish consists of a layer of french fries covered in melted gouda, topped with gyro meat, green salad, garlic sauce, and sambal! Samal is a variety of hot sauces originally brought back from the former Dutch colony of Indonesia. Sambal is found in almost every fridge in Amsterdam so you need to make sure you get this topping. While Kapsalon is a hefty 1800 calories per dish, it makes for a great sharable meal!

Pannekoek

Pannekoek, or Dutch Pancakes, are one of the most customizable meals you can get in Amsterdam. No matter what you like, there is a pancake out there for you. Even Gluten-free and dairy-free diets are taken into account at places like Pancakes Amsterdam! Pannekoek is nothing like our North American pancakes. They are large, the size of a large dinner plate. The batter is spread thin but not quite as thin as a French crepe. Then you can add everything from apples, syrup, cheese, ham and more into the batter while your Pannenkoek cooks. They can be rolled up to be eaten on the go or served with a fork and knife while relaxing at the table. Although we might think of Pannekoek as breakfast food, these inexpensive and filling pastries hit the spot any time of day!

Dutch Fries

While it’s true that French Fries come from Belgium, the Dutch have perfected it. Dutch fries are thick-cut; short and stubby. They come served in a paper cone and topped with more than just ketchup. The Dutch are obsessed with condiments, and this is a country after my own heart. Half my fridge is just condiments so walking into a fry shop here and being met with a wall of condiments was music to my ears. Everything from mayo, peanut sauce, curry ketchup (my fave) and the previously mentioned sambal hot sauce can be added onto your pile of potatoes.

Appeltaart

Appeltaart is Dutch apple pie and is like American apple pie turned up to eleven! Pie is truly NOT an American invention, and the Dutch have been serving up slices for centuries. The Appeltaart is baked in a springform pan to allow the crust to climb up high up to contain the mountains of thick apple slices. The crust is crumbly and perhaps more like a cake batter than a pie crust. The filling is drier than the North American apple pies. Added to the recipe is lots of cinnamon and always accompanied by a shot of rum or brandy.

The recipe dates back to 1514, and the dessert was so popular it was even portrayed as early as 1626 in still life paintings. The dessert is often served with a large dollop of whipped cream and pairs perfectly with a warm cup of coffee. Be European and eat pie for breakfast!

Brown Cafes

Although this isn’t technically food, your foodie experience in Amsterdam is complete without visiting a Brown Cafes. Bruin cafés, aka brown cafes, are a staple in any Dutch city. The name comes from the fact that these old bars would have walls stained brown from the tobacco smoke. Layered after years and years of smoking patron drinking long into the evening. To hid the smoke-stained, many of these bars covered the walls in dark wood which would hide the smoke and they are always dimly lit. These days, thankfully most bars have banned smoking inside. But the idea of the brown cafes continues today with pubs filled with eclectic vintage furniture, ambient atmosphere and of course, great food and drinks! Brown Cafes are a great place to grab a local draft beer while enjoying the sound of locals chatting amongst themselves.

Jenever

If beer isn’t your thing, then you should ask the bartender for a Jenever. Jenever is a distilled spirit similar to gin, made from juniper berries but has a slightly different flavour as the original recipe included lots of medicinal herbs. Originally it was formulated in pharmacies as a curative drink that was thought to aid in digestion and inflammation. It is one of the country’s signature drinks and comes served inside a cute tulip-shaped glass. Many people love to enjoy a glass of jenever alongside a slide of herring.

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Rijsttafel

Indonesia was once a colony of the Netherlands back in the middle ages. One of the favourite imports Dutch travellers brought back with them was Indonesian spices and cuisine. More and more immigrants from Indonesia came to the Netherlands and over the years they began opening up restaurants. One of the most famous types of meals to eat is Rijsttafel. Rijsttafel means “the rice table.” A pretty good description as the meal consists of various meats, veggies, and fish dishes, all served atop beds of steamed rice. And when I say “a variety,” I mean a HUGE variety. Some restaurants serve over 40 different dishes with their rijsttafel meals. As someone who loves to try a little bit of everything off a menu, this is my dream kinda cuisine. And a nice break from all the fried Dutch food.

Spekkoek

Another dish originally from Indonesia is Spekkoek. Spekkoek has cemented itself into the heart of Dutch people and is one of the best bakery items to pick up and enjoy while picnicking in the park. The dessert is made of multiple layers of cake made with a mixture of Indonesian spices. Each thin layer of cake is separated with another thin layer of cream. The cake’s name comes from the words “spek,” which means fat and “koek” which means cake. So it translates to “fat cake.” This is because the different light and dark layers of cake and cream are thought to resemble a strip of fatty bacon!

I hope this guide gave you lots of ideas of food items to try on your next trip to the Northlands! Make a list and check each item off as you go to make a little game of it as you travel. Let me know in the comments if I missed any of your favourite foods.

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post 14 Amazing Dutch Foods you NEED to Try in Amsterdam first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Although some of these markets can be a bit touristy, their appeal to foreigners and locals alike is for a reason. They are incredible places to visit with some of the best food in the entire city. Along the famous tourist drag, Las Ramblas, you’ll find one of Europe’s largest and most fantastic food market: La Boqueria. La Boqueria Market is the perfect place to get the best sense of what Catalan cuisine and culture is made up of.

Table Of Contents

1. Hours and Access
2. History
3. Tips
4. El Pinotxo
5. Fruit
6. Olives
7. Seafood
8. Cheese
9. Meat
10. Nuts and Spices
11. Clams

Hours and Access

The easiest way to access the market is to take the Green Metro line to Liceu Station, and from there it’s a short one minute walk over to the market. The market is open from 8 am till 8:30 pm Monday to Saturday (closed on Sundays). While you can visit anytime during those hours, I highly recommend coming early in the morning or later in the evening. Hundreds of tourists pass through the gates every day, and your experience will be all the richer if you manage to arrive when it’s much less busy. Arriving the morning also means you can see the vendors coming and going, loading up their stalls with the catch or pick of the day.

History

Opened in 1217 as an open-air market, the first Boqueria was located right outside the old city walls. Since it was outside the official city of Barcelona, farmers saved on the taxes city dwellers had to pay on their goods. It was also more easily accessible for merchants travelling in and out of the countryside as they didn’t have to venture as far into the city. As the market grew, it was relocated in 1827 to Las Ramblas. La Boqueria is derived from the Catalan word “boc” meaning “goat” since goats were often popular meat sold at the market.

The marker is divided into sections based on what the vendors are selling which makes it easy to explore. With over 200 vendors, you’ll be thankful for this organization, especially if you’re looking for something in particular.

Tips

Before entering the market, remember to keep in mind that this is a pickpocket hotspot. Barcelona itself is very famous for being a city with a high percentage of theft and in the market where it can be wall to wall people, it’s easy to brush up against someone and carefully steal their wallet without anyone noticing. Keep your money out of public view when paying and always be sure to keep your purse or knapsack closed (or even better – locked). I never had an encounter with someone I thought was a pickpocket but I was also very aware of my surroundings at all times, and I think that helps you avoid being a target to start with.

Make sure you visit an ATM before arriving. Although some vendors take credit cards, it’s not worth the fuss and time it takes to process and most widely prefer cash. Speaking a bit of Spanish, or even better Catalan, will go far with winning you some favour with the vendors. They all speak a lot of English as they deal with tourists on a daily basis but since you’re visiting their country it’s always nice to end the conversation with “Moltes gràcies”.

The towering grand iron entrance, topped with the iconic stained glass in Gaudi style leads you into a world of heady scents and brilliant colours! Vendors walk by carrying sopping wet fish, barrels of brightly coloured exotic fruits, bushels of raw nuts and freshly baked pastries.

El Pinotxo

If you arrive early enough or just happen to see a free table, don’t miss El Pinotxo. This tapas bar at the front of the market is so popular with tourists and locals alike that there rarely is a table in sight. But if you don’t mind waiting or managed to snag a free stool at the bar, you’ll be in luck since this place as some of the most fantastic tapas in Barcelona. One of their famous breakfast options is a plate of garbanzo beans with fresh blood sausage. Don’t let the name “blood sausage” put you off; it is absolutely delicious.

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If El Pinotxo is full try a seat at El Quim, another fantastic cafe selling outstanding breakfast plates. A traditional Catalan dish to try is fried baby squid atop a freshly cooked egg. The combination of fresh seafood and the creamy, rich egg is a wonderful explosion of flavour.

When you first enter the market, it’s good to do a quick lap before settling in on what you want to buy. There are so many stalls, often with many selling similar items so doing an initial lap will help you gauge the prices and find the best deal.

The stalls at the very front of the market, closest to Las Ramblas, are decidedly marked up since they are the most visible to tourists who don’t want to explore the entire market and would rather just poke their head inside. The rest of the market might not be as cheap as smaller less popular locations, but it’s by no means exclusively for the rich and offers great deals if you know where to look. 

Fruit

A freshly squeezed fruit juice is the perfect travel companion for you as your wander around stall to stall. These juices are legendary, both in person and all over Instagram. These come in a variety of flavours, and their vibrant colours and taste help wake you up in the morning.  My favourite is the papaya mixed with whatever you fancy. The colour it makes is to die for.

One of the best tips for visiting the market is to plan a picnic after your visit. Find a spot in the city you wanted to experience for a more extended period and camp out on a bench with your treasure trove of goodies.

Olives

Olives are plentiful throughout the market. Sitting lazily in baths of rich olive oil. There are all sorts of different varieties, and you can mix and match in a small take away container to enjoy later. Olive trees have sustained the people of Catalonia for millennia and there are over 54 different kinds of olive trees across Catalonia. Olive oil is also something that Catalonia excels in and is the perfect gift to bring home.

Seafood

Seafood, caught seemingly moments before, sits atop piles and piles of melting ice. You can easily find your way to the seafood section – just follow your nose. Due to its close proximity the shores of the Mediterranean, Barcelona is a city which was shaped by seafood. Galician mussels, red Palamos prawns, oysters and juicy squid are just some of the incredible goodies you can find in the seafood section.

One of the most popular things in the seafood department is salted cod. Salted cod is used to make Esqueixada, a traditional Catalan salad of shredded salt cod, tomatoes, onions, olive oil and vinegar, salt, and sometimes a garnish of olives or hard-boiled eggs.

Cheese

If you’re looking to create a cheese tray of local specialties, keep an eye out for Manchego (a sheep’s milk cheese with a firm texture and rich, sharp, buttery taste), Mató (a sweet, unsalted, unfermented cheese perfect when combined with apples and honey) and Serrat
(an intense round cheese made from sheep’s milk with an exterior that is traditionally decorated with different designs and shapes).

Meat

Catalan’s most popular food item has to be its famous Jamón Ibérico or Iberian ham. This cured meat is made from black Iberian pigs, and the flavour is distinctly Spanish with a subtle nutty flavour. Hundreds of legs of ham hang from the stalls and ceilings. There are also other types of ham from Serrano to Lomo, as well as bright red salami and chorizo. If you want some meat to-go, vendors will cut you fresh slices of ham and put it into these darling paper ice-cream cone for you to eat as you walk.

Nuts and Spices

If you’re looking for something to keep your energy up all day as you walk your way around Modernista Barcelona, be sure to stop by the Fruita Seca Morilla stall. This stall sells hundreds of different nuts and dried fruits. There are over 12 different kinds of almonds alone! 

Spain is one of the major saffron producers in the world and this is the essential ingredient to making one of Spain’s most popular dishes; paella. Tiny vials of saffron, worth their weight in gold, are for sale throughout the market and while they might seem costly, it’s a fraction of what you’ll pay back home.

Clams

Before leaving the market, I stopped off at Kiosko Universal. They have an incredible selection of fresh fish, and I just had to try the famous razor clams which are a local delicacy in Barcelona. They were juicy, sweet and tasted of the ocean – perfect for a midday snack.

In addition to my clams, I ordered a plate of fried Padron peppers. You can get these all over Barcelona but nowhere are they fresher than right from the market.

No matter what you come to the Market to buy, you are bound to have an incredible experience just walking up and down the aisles. There are so many things for sale here, and it’s the perfect place to come for souvenirs for loved ones back home. Because nothing touches the heart like something for your stomach

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