Delicacies that will make you travel around Asia without leaving Madrid
1.**PAD THAI (Thailand)**
It is one of the most famous dishes in Thai cuisine, especially for foreigners, as it is not one of the hottest dishes in the area . This is a stir fry rice noodle wok , fish sauce (used to salt dishes) , tamarind sauce, red pepper and a combination of bean sprouts (can be taken with chicken, eggs or shrimp or tofu) all seasoned with chopped peanuts, coriander and juice of lime. The Western version is heavier and oilier while the Thai street version is drier and lighter.
This dish is easy to find in any Thai restaurant but one of the most delicious versions can be tasted in the restaurant THAIDY _(C/ Jorge Juan 54) _. A simple and cozy restaurant a few meters from the Parque del Retiro specializing in traditional thai cuisine . This small restaurant offers an extensive and delicious menu with very good value for money . In addition, they have a lunch menu and a tasting menu.
2.**NASI GORENG (Indonesia)**
The fried rice It is the most representative dish of Indonesia and very common also in Malaysia. Almost every country in Southeast Asia has its own way of cooking fried rice, and this is one of the tastiest without a doubt. The main difference is that fried rice is cooked with sweet soy sauce ( kecap manis ) and is accompanied with additional ingredients such as fried egg, chicken, satay or shrimp bread.
In any of the four restaurants tuk tuk _(Barquillo, Cardenal Cisneros, General Perón, Alcalá) _ you can find this tasty Indonesian rice and other typical Asian dishes. It is the first place in Madrid specializing in authentic Asian street food. The letter has been designed by former Bollywod actor and businessman Ricardo Alexander , who lived long periods in Southeast Asia and took the opportunity to explore this succulent cuisine. His creations, based on Thai, Malay and Indonesian dishes, form an extensive menu at a reasonable price that you can also order to take away.
Nasi Goreng
3.**BULGOGI (Korea)**
As its name suggests, **Bulgogi (fire meat)** is a dish of beef cut into strips and previously marinated in soybeans, sugar, sesame oil and garlic that is cooked on the grill and accompanied by vegetables and rice. The korean cuisine it is quite different from Chinese and Japanese because of its ingredients, textures and flavors, in addition to its level of spiciness . There are very characteristic elaborations such as kimchi (fermented cabbage), and the dishes are served in small quantities to taste different flavors.
THE KOREA RESTAURANT _(C/ Cristobal Bordiú 59) _ presents traditional Korean cuisine in a small space where you can taste this delicious meat that they finish preparing at your table and other typical dishes such as: mandu (Korean dumplings) , yache tigim (similar to vegetable tempura) , keran sam (seafood and vegetable roll) , ochin oh jecal ( raw filleted squid) , galby (veal ribs with vegetables) and the original soup kimchi meun guk with a rather spicy touch. Singular dishes for daring palates.
bulgogi
4.**DUMPLINGS (China)**
the well-known dumplings They are thin-crust Asian dumplings filled with chopped vegetables and also meat or fish. They can be served fried or boiled and the filling mixtures vary according to tastes and origins. Its origin dates back to remote times when a great Han dynasty physician decided to create them to combat the cold in winter. Today they are very popular and can be found all over the world and in most asian restaurants.
In PINK MONKEY _(C/ Montesquinza 15) _ have some exceptional shrimp and prawn dumplings. A fusion street cuisine restaurant prepared by the chef Jaime Renedo with a casual, fun and very fashionable atmosphere. You can also order an Indonesian kebab, Balinese chicken satay, beef tenderloin tataki and other oriental delicacies. One of the latest openings in the city that you cannot miss.
5.**GREEN PAPAYA SALAD (Laos)**
This salad called Tom Yam It is native to Laos and northern Thailand and its protagonist is the green papaya (very difficult to find in Spain). It is characterized by fresh and crunchy texture of the papaya and the mixture of different flavors : the fish sauce that provides the point of salt, the acid part of the lime, the sweet touch of palm sugar, the spicy part of the chili, and the fresh tomato that provides the juice of the salad. It is usually accompanied by glutinous rice ( Khao Niaw or sticky rice , sticky rice) that is eaten with the hands and used to spread it in the sauce of the salad. A very healthy salad delight.
It is not easy to find in Spain, but in the restaurant PUI'S THAI TAPAS _(Calle José Antonio de Armona, 7) _ they have it. In this informal place, the chef Pui It shapes a menu based on Thai tapas and main dishes such as stir-fried rice with shrimp and vegetable paste. Noodles with minced beef and yellow curry or panang chicken . A simple menu loaded with spices and spices.
papaya salad
6.**RAMEN (Japan)**
Although it was a dish originally from China, the Japanese began adapting this noodle soup sometime in the last century when Chinese immigrants were integrated into Japanese culture, and now it is one of the star dishes of the country. It consists of a soup wheat noodles, seasoned with soy sauce, bamboo shoots, vegetables and fish paste . It can be seasoned with pork, beef or chicken and usually comes with a hard-boiled egg. There are many types of ramen such as shōyu (soy-based) , shiu (based on salt) , tonkutsu (based on boiled pork bones) or the miso (with miso paste) .
CHUKA RAMEN _(C/ Echegaray 9) _ is the first “ramen bar” in Madrid. A cosmopolitan and original space in which to taste this delicious Japanese dish made over a slow fire with cooking times of more than 24 hours with pork, miso or chicken bone bases. It is the ultimate enjoyment of Japanese fast and street food.
Soup with matcha tea
7.**THAI GREEN CURRY (Thailand)**
In Thai cuisine there is a wide variety of curries and one of our favorites is the gaeng kiew wan : a very spicy variety of curry with a spicy touch that is prepared with green curry, coconut milk, aubergine and basil . It can be prepared with different types of meat or vegetables and is usually accompanied by rice or noodles. A culinary delight.
The restaurant KRACHAI _(Calle Fernando VII, 11) _ offers a more luxurious version of Thai cuisine in the center of Madrid; a kitchen with attention to detail in an intimate atmosphere. It has a very varied tasting menu for 35 euros and an irresistible menu with free-range chicken with green curry, sautéed prawns with vegetables and chilli, beef with creamy red curry sauce, wok-sautéed razor clams, crab tempura with cocochas, sea bream loin and other delicacies always cooked in pure Thai style .
green curry
8.**CHICKEN IN ADOBO (Philippines)**
Filipino gastronomy is one of the most unknown but at the same time closest as it is based on a fusion of Asian culinary customs influenced by Spanish cuisine . It shows in dishes like the suckling pig, Filipino chorizo, and preparation of dishes such as stews and stews . The dressing It is one of the most typical and is a stew that can be made with chicken, pork or fish. Stews are prepared like the one our grandmothers used to prepare, but instead of wine they are cooked in soybeans, vinegar, crushed garlic and calamanci (delicious limes typical of the country). This really is fusion cuisine.
NAMIT GASTRO BAR _(Calle Rafael Calvo, 38) _ is one of the few restaurants with Filipino cuisine in the heart of the Chamberí neighborhood that offers recipes of Filipino, Asian and international origin. Many of their dishes are brimming with spices brought directly from the Philippines, providing an authentic and sometimes spicy flavor. Corvina ceviche, pancit lang-lang (stir-fried rice noodles) , sig nasal (stone chicken marinated with special, pineapple and lime), and other Asian and Mediterranean dishes. Delicious! (Which is what it means namit in Tagalog).
Chicken in marinade
9.**SASHIMI (Japan)**
A well-known Japanese dish consisting of raw fish or shellfish cut into thin pieces. They are served with wasabi and soy sauce and a simple dressing of grated radish and ginger slices. It is similar to sushi but without rice and they are usually tuna, swordfish, salmon, among others. Currently, Japanese cuisine is the best known in our country and you can find them in restaurants from 10 euros to 100.
In KAPPO , restaurant of Mario Payan -one of the best shushimans in this country-, you can taste this delicacy with a raw material of the highest quality. Recently opened in the star area of the nipoaddicts (where the famous Soy and Izariya Japanese restaurants are located) offers a complete Japanese culinary experience. A sober place with a sushi bar where you can also see the hot kitchen. they only have tasting menu that varies continuously and you will only know what you have eaten at the end of dinner.
sashimi
10.**LACQUERED DUCK (China)**
It is one of the best known and tastiest dishes in Chinese cuisine and also one of the most popular in Western restaurants. Originally from Beijing, it is typical throughout the Northeast of the country. The history of this dish dates back to the Yuan dynasty (13th century) and in the early 15th century it was one of the favorite dishes of the Ming imperial family.
There are more glamorous options in the city but the authenticity is found in the restaurants where the Chinese themselves eat. In DON LAY _(Paseo de Extremadura 30) _ You can try one of the richest charcoal-lacquered ducks in Madrid. A Cantonese restaurant purely Chinese style but very rich and authentic . They also have delicious dim sums and a crispy roast suckling pig that must be ordered in advance.
roast duck
11.**TANDOORI CHICKEN (India)**
Is about grilled chicken previously marinated in yogurt and seasoned with tandoori masala. It has a reddish color that comes from the cayenne pepper or paprika. It is cooked at high temperatures in a type of Indian clay oven called a tandur. A staple of the many delicious dishes of India.
Where to try it? You can have it at any restaurant in Lavapiés at a bargain price or at TANDOORI STATION _(C/ Jose Ortega y Gasset 89) _, located in the Salamanca district: it is one of the best placed Indian restaurants and with a relatively average price. Decorated like a train station and with good service , you can taste all the traditional dishes of Indian food.
Tandoori Chicken
12.**BANHMI (Vietnam)**
It is the most historic sandwich in the world ; a French baguette spread with mayonnaise, marinated meats, pickled vegetables, herbs, and chilies if you like it spicy. The most explosive mix of East and West that originated when the French, after conquering Indochina in the 19th century, brought their irresistible Parisian bread to Vietnam. A set of sweet, salty, sour and spicy flavors famous in France, the United States and less known in Spain.
THE BIG BANH _(C/ Don Felipe 4) _, a small place in the heart of Malasaña offers these delicious vietnamese snacks (perhaps the only ones in the city). Freshly baked bread, marinated meats cooked in a low temperature charcoal oven, Vietnamese rolls, Asian beers and desserts. Vegetarian and vegan options are also included. You can't miss them if you like Southeast Asian food and impossible culinary mixes.
banh mi