My Honest Take on A Coruña’s 2025 Food Market and Cooking Adventure

I was really looking for something different in Galicia, you know? Of course, the cathedrals and beaches are stunning, but I sort of wanted to feel the city’s pulse in a different way. Honestly, food is pretty much how I connect with a place. So, I figured, what better way than a food market trip followed by a cooking session? That’s actually how I found myself signing up for the 2025 ‘Food Market Shopping and Cooking Workshop in A Coruña’. To be honest, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. In a way, these things can be a bit hit or miss, right? Anyway, I hoped for a genuine peek into Galician kitchens, not just, like, a polished show for sightseers. The idea of picking out ingredients and then learning how to cook with them felt, you know, just right.

A Morning at Praza de Lugo: More Than Just a Market

Okay, so our day began at the Praza de Lugo. I mean, wow. You can’t just call it a market; it’s practically a living, breathing aquarium but with people and chatter. Seemingly, the minute you step inside, the smell of salty air and fresh sea life just hits you. It’s absolutely a multi-story building with a ground floor that, quite frankly, is all about the ocean’s bounty. The person guiding our small group, a local food lover named Sofia, was, you know, incredibly down-to-earth. She wasn’t just pointing things out; she was, like, sharing stories about the fisherwomen, the ‘percebeiros’ who risk their lives for goose barnacles, and stuff like that. Actually, she had us chatting with a vendor who was, like, literally pulling a still-wriggling octopus from a bucket. For instance, you could see the incredible quality in everything, from shimmering sardines to lobsters that looked almost too pretty to eat. It was, in a way, a little overwhelming but in the best way possible.

Sofia didn’t just rush us through, by the way. Instead, she had a very specific plan. She’d already picked out some key things for our recipes, but she wanted us to be part of the final choices. For example, she’d say, “Alright, for our empanada, we could use tuna or these little scallops, what do you guys think?” It made the whole thing feel more like a team effort, you know? We spent a good bit of time at the seafood stalls, obviously, as that’s Galicia’s claim to fame. But, you know, we also went upstairs. Here, things were a little different. We saw these amazing local cheeses, like Tetilla, which is kind of shaped like a teardrop. And the bread, oh my goodness, the bread was just something else. Plus, all the fresh vegetables looked so colorful. Sofia helped us pick out some Padrón peppers – “uns pican e outros non,” she laughed, which basically means ‘some are hot and others are not.’ So, it’s a bit of a food lottery, right?

From Market Haul to Kitchen Magic: The Cooking Space

So, after we gathered all our supplies, we took a short walk from the market. The cooking spot itself was honestly a very pleasant surprise. It wasn’t some cold, steel-filled professional kitchen. Instead, it was sort of a cozy, apartment-style space that immediately made you feel at home. It had this big, rustic wooden table in the middle where we could all gather around, you know? Clearly, it was a space designed for conversation and sharing, not just for sterile cooking. You could just feel a very welcoming energy in there. The kitchen had these big windows that let in tons of natural light, and the walls had a few local art pieces. It just felt very thoughtfully put together, really.

Our chef for the day, a man named Miguel, came out to greet us. Now, he was basically the opposite of those intense chefs you see on TV. He was very calm, had a little bit of a smile on his face the whole time, and you know, he just had this air of quiet confidence. He introduced himself and basically told us his whole life story was in the kitchen, learning from his grandmother. He said, “I mean, we are not going to perform surgery today. We are going to cook. So, let’s have fun, right?” That really set the mood. Anyway, each person had their own station with a chopping board and an apron. Everything was extremely clean and organized, which is a good sign, obviously. Miguel explained that the whole point was to learn the spirit of Galician cooking: you know, fresh, simple ingredients treated with respect.

Getting Your Hands Dirty: Crafting Galician Dishes

Frankly, this was the part I was most excited about. First, Miguel showed us how to handle the octopus for our ‘Pulpo a la Gallega’. As a matter of fact, it’s a bit of a process. He explained the traditional method of ‘scaring’ the octopus by dipping it in boiling water three times to get the skin just right. We all sort of got to try it, which was a little intimidating but also super cool. Then, we moved on to making the dough for our ‘Empanada Gallega’. Honestly, I thought it would be really difficult, but Miguel broke it down into simple steps. We were all kneading our own little bit of dough, and you know, there was flour pretty much everywhere. It felt like we were actually making something from scratch, you know? The filling was a mix of tuna, peppers, and onions that we had picked out earlier. It smelled absolutely incredible while it was cooking down.

Meanwhile, as some things were simmering, we worked on the other dishes. We had those Padrón peppers I mentioned. Miguel showed us the simple trick of frying them in hot olive oil and sprinkling them with coarse salt. That’s it. In some respects, the beauty of this food is its simplicity. You’ve got this great product, so you don’t need to do much to it, you know? The most surprising dish for me was probably the ‘Zamburiñas a la plancha’, which are basically grilled scallops. Miguel had us season them with just a little bit of garlic, parsley, and olive oil. He was like, “Okay, now you put them on the hot pan, but just for a minute. Seriously, don’t walk away.” And he was right. They cooked in almost no time and were just so sweet and tender. Throughout the whole thing, he was walking around, giving tips, and making sure everyone was having a good time. It wasn’t like a formal class at all; it was more like cooking with a friend, a really, really skilled friend, of course.

The Best Part: Tasting Our Creations

Finally, after all that chopping, stirring, and frying, it was time to eat. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? Miguel had set that big wooden table with plates and glasses. He opened a few bottles of chilled Albariño, a very crisp white wine from the region. He said it was basically the perfect partner for the seafood we’d cooked. The moment he sliced into the golden-brown empanada, and that steam came out… well, it was just picture-perfect. We all sat down together – me, the other people in the group, Sofia, and Miguel – and it just felt like a family meal. There was this really wonderful feeling of shared accomplishment. Like, hey, we actually made all this food!

And the taste? You know, it was just out of this world. The octopus was incredibly tender, with just the right amount of smoky paprika and olive oil. The empanada was flaky, and the filling was so savory and rich. I think I had three pieces, to be honest. Even the simple Padrón peppers were a treat, and yes, I did get one of the spicy ones, which made everyone laugh a little. The scallops were like little bites of the sea, just so delicate. We were all chatting, laughing, and sharing stories. It was a really long, leisurely meal. Miguel told us more about growing up in Galicia, and we talked about our own travels. It wasn’t just about eating; it was a full-on cultural exchange, more or less. I mean, it was one of those travel memories that you know will just stick with you.

Is This A Coruña Cooking Experience Right for You?

So, the big question is, should you do it? Frankly, I think if you are even a little bit interested in food and culture, then definitely. It’s pretty much perfect for solo travelers like me because you get to meet people in a really natural setting. It would also be great for couples or a small group of friends. Actually, I don’t think you need to be an amazing cook at all. As a matter of fact, it’s probably better if you’re a beginner because Miguel is such a patient teacher. He makes everything seem very achievable. He kind of takes the fear out of cooking things like octopus, you know?

You should probably block out a good half a day for this, at least five hours from start to finish. You start in the morning at the market and you’re pretty much eating lunch into the mid-afternoon. It’s not a rushed experience, so just relax into it, right? The group size was small, which was a huge plus. It meant everyone got individual attention. So, if you’re looking for an anonymous, large-group tour, this isn’t it. This is way more personal and hands-on. At the end of the day, it’s an investment in a memory, not just a meal. You walk away with not just a full stomach, but also with recipes you can actually make at home and a much deeper appreciation for Galician culture and its amazing food. It’s one of those things that really made my trip to A Coruña special.

Read our full review: Food Market Shopping and Cooking Workshop in A Coruña Full Review and Details

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Quick Takeaways

Basically, this whole experience was more than just a cooking class. It was a deep dive into the food heart of Galicia, guided by people who are seriously passionate about it. You get to see where the food comes from, get your hands messy making it, and then share it with new friends. What’s not to love, right?

• Hands-On From Start to Finish: You’re actually involved in picking ingredients at the lively Praza de Lugo and cooking a full meal, which is pretty awesome.
• Genuinely Local Vibe: The guides and chef are locals who, you know, share real stories and techniques, not just some script.
• Small Group Setting: This pretty much guarantees you get personal attention and can ask all the questions you want.
• Perfect for All Skill Levels: Seriously, whether you’re a kitchen pro or can barely boil water, you’ll feel comfortable and learn something.
• More Than a Meal: It’s a full cultural immersion that combines history, food, and community. Basically, a really memorable way to spend half a day in A Coruña.