Paella is always among the top three most beloved dishes in Spain. To truly experience it, I joined local chef Koka, who adds a creative twist to the traditional recipe. We began our day at the vibrant Mercat de la Boqueria, one of the most iconic markets in Barcelona, known for its colorful stalls and high-quality produce. We browsed through fresh seafood, vegetables, and spices especially focusing on ingredients for paella.

Koka’s kitchen, tucked near La Rambla, felt more like an artist’s studio than a classroom. Under his guidance, we learned how to prep vegetables with precision, clean seafood the right way, and use special ingredients like melsa (a type of seafood liver) and ñora peppers, which add deep, rich flavor to the dish. We also practiced one of the most essential skills in paella-making, controlling the heat to avoid burning the rice while achieving that perfect socarrat (the crispy layer at the bottom).

Did you know? In Spain, Thursday is traditionally considered “Paella Day”, especially in places like Valencia and Catalonia. Many restaurants serve fresh paella as a special on Thursdays, so if you’re in Spain on that day, don’t miss out, share it with someone you love.

Another memorable part of the day was exploring the market. As I strolled past the vibrant stalls, artichokes were everywhere. Inspired by the film Julie & Julia, I had always wanted to taste a properly cooked artichoke. A local taught me a simple recipe to prepare and eat artichoke, cut off the tough outer leaves and eat the heart only. Finally, I cooked and tasted artichoke for the first time. It was soft, earthy, and satisfying, especially because it came with a little story of inspiration.