Paella

At Socarrat Paella Bar, savor the quintessence of Valencian cuisine with traditional Spanish paella in New York. This iconic dish is known for its savory blend of flavors that will bring you right to the sun-soaked coasts of Spain.

What Is Paella?

Paella is a traditional Spanish dish that originated in the Valencian region. The name “paella” originates from the Spanish “paellera,” meaning “pan.” This refers to the shallow, large paella pan in which the dish is prepared. This flavorful rice-based cuisine is cooked with a variety of ingredients like:

Seafood
Chicken
Rabbit
Vegetables
Paella seasoning, such as saffron and rosemary

Savor the Different Styles of Paella

While paella originated in Valencia, its appeal has spread across Spain, with each region creating a variation that offers a taste of the country’s diverse landscape. Find the paella that makes your tastebuds sing:

Valenciana

The original paella combines chicken, rabbit, a medley of green beans, and garrofó (a large white bean native to Valencia).

Seafood Paella

This coastal favorite, brimming with shrimp, mussels, and squid, is perfect for seafood lovers.

Vegetarian Paella

Fresh seasonal vegetables take center stage in this flavorful, plant-based option.

Paella Mixta

This modern style blends the best of both worlds, featuring a mix of seafood, chicken, and seasonal vegetables for a hearty meal.

The Art of Socarrat

One secret to creating the perfect paella lies in mastering the socarrat—the irresistibly crispy rice layer at the bottom. This mouth-watering, caramelized layer forms as the rice absorbs the savory broth and sticks slightly to the pan during the final stage of cooking. This process captures flavors that enhance each bite.

Learn to Make the Best Socarrat

If you want to master that tasty, crispy layer of paella at home, we have a few steps you can follow:

Cook the Paella

Layer rice and other paella ingredients of your choice in a wide, shallow pan. Use a moderate amount of liquid so it cooks down by the end.

Simmer Slowly

Cook without stirring over medium heat until most of the liquid is absorbed and the rice is almost tender. This takes about 20-25 minutes.

Increase Heat

For the last 5 minutes, increase the heat to medium-high.

Listen for Crackling

This satisfying sound means the bottom is starting to crisp.

Key Tips:

Don’t stir the rice or move the pan at step 4
Smell for a toasty aroma but watch for burning
Crackling should take about 2-3 minutes
Test by softly scraping a small spot with a spoon to check for golden-brown color
If you’re not getting the desired crisp, a few drops of oil around the edges can help create even more caramelization.

At Socarrat, we elevate the art of paella-making by giving this layer extra attention. This ensures every Spanish paella we serve is the ideal mix of comfort and flavor, ready to meet any lunch, dinner, or paella catering needs.

Authentic Spanish Paella in NYC

Our expert chefs allow every paella ingredient to blend masterfully by inducing them with various seasonings, from mushroom sofrito to tomato sofrito. From succulent shrimp to tasty pork loin, our paella recipes enhance the tastes of Spain.

At Socarrat in NYC, you can complement your paella with a carefully selected Spanish wine or red sangria. Explore authentic Spanish food at our paella restaurant, where every bite tells a story.