Rice dishes are at the heart of Valencian cuisine.
From the famous traditional paella to lesser-known recipes like arroz con costra, Valencia’s rice dishes offer a rich variety of ways to enjoy this staple food.
Valencian paella isn’t just a dish; it’s a tradition. It brings people together around the table to share good company and great food. The best paellas use local vegetables and rice from the Albufera, which has a protected designation of origin. So special is this dish that it even has its own celebration. World Paella Day, when chefs worldwide come together in the Valencian Community to cook and enjoy paella.
Valencia’s rice dishes vary depending on the time of year
The type of rice dishes you’ll find depends on the time of year and where you are. In Benidorm, for example, anchovy and spinach rice is a must-try, while Castelló de la Plana’s coastal area is known for rice full of seafood flavours.
Alicante proudly calls itself the city of rice. You shouldn’t leave without tasting the senyoret rice or the a banda rice. In this area, arroz con costra (rice with a crust) is a popular festive dish.
Meat-rice dishes are common during Lent
In Valencia province, baked rice with chickpeas and cured meats is a hidden gem, especially around Xàtiva. In Vilafamés, they even cook rice inside a pumpkin for a unique twist.
During Lent, meat-free rice dishes are common, like rice with chard or cauliflower and cod. In winter, hearty dishes like arroç amb fesols i naps (rice with beans, turnips, and pork) are perfect for warming up. Depending on where you go, this dish might be called caldera or perol junt.
The variety doesn’t stop there. You might come across paella de bou, a traditional dish from the Horta Nord region made with liver and escarole.
