The Basque country takes pride in the cuisine and has inspired many dishes. This cuisine has been established as unique amongst Spaniards and tourists. The Basque cuisine has not only been noted for its use of seafood, but also for incorporating many vegetables into their recipes. The Basque cuisine has a long history of fishing as a source of getting their food, which can be dated back to as far as the eleventh century. Historically, the Basque cuisine has been known for its traditional ingredients such as beans, chestnuts, fish, pork, and beef. They also used a variety of different fruits such as apples, grapes, and pears. In recent years, potatoes and corn were incorporated into their ingredients to replace chestnuts and millets. The Basque cuisine is most known for having some of the most diverse ingredients that are local to the country. Traditionally, the cuisine heavily focuses on using fresh local produce to make their dishes resonate with their culture. The Basque people take pride most in their ability to provide citizens and tourists with their fresh produce and seafood options.

The Basque cuisine is most known for its variety of dishes. The dishes range from seafood, such as bonito del norte (albacore white tuna) or gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp), to a variety of meats and stews. Their most known meat & stew dish is called patatas con chorizo, a potato that comes with the tasty chorizo stew. Another famously known Basque meat & stew dish is the pollo al chilindron. This dish features a chicken stew that includes vegetables, such as peppers and tomatoes with ham on the side. These dishes offer the people who try it, the chance to eat a variety of different foods and get a feel for the Basque culture when they come to visit.

First, we are going to look more closely at the popular Basque seafood dish, Gambas al Ajillo. This seafood dish is not only known for its taste but for how it was originally made. This dish is known for being served in local bars and for being a famous appetizer that is served not only in Bilbao, but throughout Spain. Gambas al Ajillo is shrimp that is marinated in garlic oil. The gambas, however, would be mainly marinated in the garlic oil and would be paired with chorizo to add more flavor to the dish. The meal is so large that it can serve up to four people in a family. A place in Bilbao where people can eat this delicious dish is called Restaurante Marisqueria Serantes. There is another famous dish that really captures the essence of Basque culture, which is pintxo. Pintxo is often served before a main meal. The dish includes different ingredients such as olives, peppers, alongside seafood and cheese. Pintxo is a dish that is not only praised in the Basque country, it also receives international praise. This type of cuisine is so unique that not only people in Bilbao love it, but so do people from across the world.

Restaurants are a good way to learn about the cultural history of Bilbao. These restaurants allow both students and professors on study abroad trips, for example, to explore the culture and cuisine of the Basque country. Bilbao offers a variety of dining options that students can choose from when they are done with classes for the day or where professors can decompress and enjoy the scenery while grading assignments. Overall, Bilbao cuisine is a great way to introduce them to the country and traditions of the Basque people.

Bibliography

Covadonga Aldamiz-Echevarría, M. Soledad Aguirre, and M. Gloria Aparicio. “Origins, Determinant Factors and Outcomes of a Successful Collaborative Process among Competitors and Other Actors: The Cluster of Basque Haute Cuisine.” Management Letters/Cuadernos de Gestión 14, no. 2 (2014): 51–72. https://doi.org/10.5295/cdg.120385ca. 

Sevilla, M. J. (1990). “Life and Food in the Basque Country.” Rowan & Littlefield.

“Cuisine of Basque Country – Google Arts & Culture.” Google, Google, artsandculture.google.com/story/cuisine-of-basque-country-real-academia-de-gastronomia-espa%C3%B1ola/CwVRqhHpxNB5KA?hl=en. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.