rhouses For someone who prides himself in knowing the intricacies and variety of cuisine in the different regions of China, you know that statement was fuckall, Dave. No need to go into Wikipedia with the plebs to feel better about it.

Dispel the statement. With evidence.

      bosstrabs You’ve partly answered it yourself, flavour profile is vastly different because there is a major French influence. Might be the only country in the far east that has the European variable. I’ll start with the Bo Kho.

        rhouses brilliant, saying tapas is hardly filling! It’s like going to a restaurant and only eating a starter and complaining the portions are small

        Clearly whoever went to Spain doesn’t know what tapas is. Bellends

          Not one mention of a Spanish dish that is delicious or hearty, but everyone up in arms about my comments where I readily admit it’s hearsay. Does it go beyond paella, chorizo, shit loads of oil, and cold cuts of ham?

            I still stand strong on Spanish food being way down my list of nations with culinary bangers. not even close to top 10.

            rhouses you have named some great dishes already, but throw in croquettes, patas bravas, tortilla as some obvious ones

            And why does it need to be hearty? Is that what you look for in all food?

                RichM croquettes and deep fried potatoes, rich? I rest my case.

                  Yeah, not really the best example you could have gone with there really Rich.

                  That doesn’t even elevate Spanish above Finnish food.

                    Is there some kind of secret competition going on between Loopdick and rhouse that we don’t know about?

                    RichM I say hearty because not every meal is going to be a $150 per head at a Michelin star restaurant, which is what Dave seems to be referring to when he’s bigging up the food in Spain. I’m talking about the level of “street food” you can experience, or affordable restaurants that locals frequent for comfort that don’t burn a hole in your wallet.

                        rhouses Rhouses, hearty peasant food is absolutely a big part of Spanish cuisine.

                        As for street food - Empanadas? Churros?

                            bosstrabs Non-veg samosas with cheese, and doughnuts in finger size? More deep fried goodness? Culinary game changers.

                              bosstrabs to be fair I was just going for the well known dishes that are still very good if you go to a nice Spanish restaurant.

                              Not sure why I bothered as Rhouses is clearly thick as shit when it comes to Spanish food

                                rhouses The great thing about Spain is that the food can be quality at low prices. Even the wine is reasonable at low prices because they won’t drink plonk. Cheese and especially ham can be expensive though. No surprise there though with how the ham is treated.

                                    lol @ rich getting all testy and mean because he got called out for recommending potato wedges and ham & cheese potato patties.

                                      BlainSA There’s a brilliant iberian ham stall in the TimeOut market in Lisbon. Have to admit, everything was delicious and melt in your mouth. Loaded up our fridge with a stash and it was perfect for our stoner late night sessions when we got back from the bars.

                                        Having spent a fair bit of time in both Spain and Portugal, I can say that both are great cuisines, but Spanish has way more to offer than Portugal. The regional variation in Spain is staggering - adjacent regions have thoroughly different traditions and specialities ; Spain produces the best pork on the planet ; the seafood variations around the coast are incredibly numerous, and incredibly delicious ; the South West particularly features an exciting North African herb and spice influence from the Moorish occupation ; the mountain regions have a rich history of producing some of the best beef I’ve ever eaten, and my favourite blood sausage (Morcilla); many of the best and tastiest dishes have a rich history as peasant food, but use the most amazing and fresh ingredients to produce incredible flavour.

                                        In summary, shut up Rhouses.

                                          Tbf, that’s the kind of insight I’m looking for Vinny; with Dave and Rich banging on about croquettes empanadas and churros. Noobs.

                                          Might be a bit basic, but the dish where they cook prawn in boiling garlic oil on the table, that was pretty good too.

                                          vinnyt77 I can say that both are great cuisines, but Spanish has way more to offer than Portugal. The regional variation in Spain is staggering

                                          That’s almost exactly what I said Rhouses, you fucking clown.

                                          Rhouses, can I borrow your brain? I’m building an idiot.

                                              bosstrabs Can I get some baked beans with my bangers and mash, Dave? You charlatan.