In this Europe, where Catholicism is practiced and bread is a staple, each country maintains its own characteristics, and Spain is no exception. The lunch of Spaniards can be simple or complex; for busy workers, a BOCADILLO suffices (this is a long bread filled with meat, ham, omelet, or vegetables, similar to a hamburger); if not busy, one can order a set meal at a restaurant. After immigrating to Spain, you will find that locals prefer dining out rather than eating at home. In life in Spain, the restaurants here have fixed menus with limited dish varieties, but the daily menu changes, unlike Chinese cuisine where you can order whatever you want.
Set meals generally consist of three courses. The first course usually includes a soup with diced meat or ham (not the kind of ham sausage we have in our country, but a type of cured ham called JAMON), vegetable salad (which is just vegetables mixed with vinegar and olive oil), and bean dishes, typically served with small pieces of long bread (similar to baguette).
The second course is the main dish, which is primarily fish and various meats. Spaniards generally enjoy pork, beef, lamb, and rabbit meat, but they usually do not add salt or seasoning; you need to add it yourself using a small salt shaker according to your taste. The cooking methods are mainly boiling, stewing, or roasting, and the portions are quite generous.
The third course is dessert, which may include seasonal fruits, fruit cups (a platter of various canned fruits), yogurt (real solid yogurt without sweetness), ice cream, etc., and after finishing these, a cup of coffee is served.
Evenings are the golden hours for Spaniards, as they generally enjoy going out. Here, I will specifically mention bars, as they are indeed part of the dining experience. Spaniards like to go to bars with family and friends, where they can also meet others, such as neighbors. Unlike people in our country who prefer to entertain guests at home, they enjoy socializing at bars. They love to talk, and conversations between strangers can feel like old friends meeting after a long time. At the bar, everyone orders some beer, red wine, or high-proof spirits similar to vodka, and then some TAPAS (snacks similar to appetizers, including olives and beans, with a unique flavor), enjoying food and drinks while chatting happily. Bars usually stay open until around midnight, after which everyone heads home. There are many bars here, with countless establishments on a single street, and they thrive due to the vibrant bar culture in Spain.