The gastronomy of Oviedo

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Tapeo, kitchen of guisanderas, typical dishes, renovators, environment of cider houses, vinacotecas and delicatessens, everything is united in the capital for greater glory of the good Asturian food.

Some city festivals include parallel gastronomic festivals such as the Ascension or Disarmament festivals , which are at the forefront of numerous other days where gastronomy is the undisputed protagonist.

Disarmament Festival in Oviedo

The dates are approximate: every October 18th, 19th, 20th, or 21st, the celebration of El Desarme (The Disarmament ) is a tradition in Oviedo . This historical event commemorates the victory of the Isabeline troops over those of General Sanz during the Carlist War. It is believed that, as a celebration of the victory, the soldiers were rewarded with a lavish meal. After this feast, they were disarmed while taking a siesta. The analogy with the present day is clear. For the people of Oviedo today, "disarming" means stuffing themselves with a menu also called "disarmament." Disarmed after the grand feast, as if they were soldiers, the people of Oviedo take a siesta, too exhausted for anything else. The celebration dates back a century and has a specific, rather heavy menu, which is mandatory for all restaurants. The diners (who book tables well in advance) only want to eat the three dishes set for this date: chickpeas with cod and spinach, tripe, and rice pudding . That's about it.

Disarmament Festival in Oviedo

The menu always consists of: chickpeas with spinach and cod, tripe, and for dessert, rice pudding. … Read more

Days of «The Ascension»

Another typical dish in Oviedo is carne gobernada . This meat, which can be from a young mutton, is seasoned with onions and wine, then carefully cooked until golden brown and tender, and served with fried potatoes and bell peppers. This recipe has an ancient tradition: it was sold already cooked in the market; the cooks prepared it on stoves in full view of passersby. The dish is part of another of Oviedo's gastronomic events: the Ascension Festival , held without a fixed date in May or June, 40 days after Easter. It's a large gathering and a tribute to the farmers and products of Asturias. In addition to a craft fair and traditional market, a livestock fair, and a folk festival, the Ascension Festival includes a gastronomic section where carne gobernada is prominently featured. Spring and its springtime offerings are also celebrated with seasonal vegetable stew and a cherry cheesecake.

The Ascension Fair

The Ascension is a deeply rooted celebration in the Asturian capital. Its origins date back to… Read more

Products Denomination of Origin

Oviedo is the ideal place to sample the exceptional quality of products with protected designation of origin in the Principality of Asturias , such as Asturian beef (carne roxa) and artisanal cheeses from its diverse regions: Cabrales, Gamonéu, Afuera'l Pitu, Ahumado de Pría, Quesu de los Beyos, Quesu de Porrúa, and many more from the vast cheese-producing area that is Asturias. Other high-quality products include the fish and seafood auctioned at Asturian fish markets, as well as the colorful produce from the region's abundant gardens.

Asturian products with denomination

Asturias' vast food supply is becoming increasingly attractive to consumers. Read more

The king dish in Oviedo, as in the rest of Asturias, continues to be fabada , with its farm beans and its compangu, made up of black pudding, ham hock, bacon and chorizo.

Of course, to wash down all these delicacies, and to "settle the meal," cider remains the number one drink: invigorating, diuretic, and digestive . Following an ancient custom, cider makers in Oviedo and the surrounding municipalities used to hold occasional cider tastings at their facilities to showcase the season's production. Today, many of these cider houses specialize in offering cider tastings year-round . At these gatherings, we enjoy cider accompanied by empanadas, hard-boiled eggs, chorizo ​​cooked in cider, boiled ham hock, sausages, cheeses, and grilled meats. A lively and bustling atmosphere is guaranteed at these cider houses.

Cider, which is everywhere, is also a key ingredient in many Oviedo recipes. Perhaps the most famous is hake in cider sauce.

Typical desserts of Oviedo

Sweets are a highlight of the city, especially the renowned carbayones , delicious pastries made with puff pastry and a dough of almonds, eggs, and sugar, prepared with a small glass of sweet sherry and a few drops of lemon. Other noteworthy sweets include picatostes (fritters) , frixuelos (a type of crepe), casadielles (puff pastry pastries filled with walnuts), and arroz con leche ( rice pudding), topped with a layer of caramelized sugar. The confectionery scene culminates in the refined chocolates of Peñalba and the popular Moscovitas , exquisite shortbread cookies coated in chocolate.

In 2024, the "Oviedo Llambión" initiative was launched so that locals and visitors alike could enjoy a local "llambionada" (a traditional Oviedo dessert). You can find all the details in our report.