The dietary habits of Chinese people differ significantly from those in Spain. Before choosing immigration to Spain, in addition to understanding local customs, social landscape, and etiquette, it is essential to understand the local dietary habits of the Spanish people.
Choosing to immigrate to Spain means accepting the customs and eating and living habits of the country. The dietary habits of the Spanish people are similar to those in the East, as they also have three meals a day, but the dietary structure and timing are vastly different.
Breakfast is typically at 8:00 or even 9:00 AM, generally consisting of milk, bread, butter, cheese, fruit juice, or coffee. Lunch is usually served after 2:00 PM; since Chinese people are accustomed to eating at 12:00 PM, many newcomers to Spain find this difficult to adjust to. The Spanish are less formal regarding lunch, which usually consists of one main dish plus a drink or beer; a more formal meal might include a salad, some fruit, or an additional meat dish. Dinner is generally served after 9:00 PM. The Spanish place more importance on dinner, which they typically cook at home, preparing their favorite local dishes.
The staple food in Spain is wheat-based, though they also eat rice. They prefer tangy and spicy flavors and do not care for food that is too greasy or salty. Apart from the differences in dietary structure and timing, it is quite easy for Chinese immigrants to adapt to the Spanish diet.
Spain's food culture is well-developed. As it is a coastal nation, there is a rich variety of delicious seafood dishes. Famous dishes include: Paella, Sopa Castellana, Cochinillo (roast suckling pig) and Cordero (roast suckling lamb) from the central region, Sopa de Marisco (seafood soup) from the northwest, Sangria, and Jamón.
In addition to seafood, the Spanish also enjoy pork. They believe the pig is a treasure, and its meat can be processed into a variety of delicacies. The most famous is air-dried Jamón, which holds a high status in Spain and can be found in many Spanish restaurants at varying price points.
In Spanish dining, tapas have become a distinct culinary habit. Tapas refers to small snacks, which come in a wide variety, including both meat and vegetable options. The most common varieties include patatas bravas (fried potato chunks), fried pork loin, fried calamari rings, garlic shrimp, and mixed mushrooms, with different regions offering their own specialty varieties.
