An Introduction To Huevos Rotos Madrids Delicious Egg And Potato Dish

For such a simple and inexpensive food, Spain’s huevos rotos can be surprisingly versatile, with varying methods used to perfect the dish. Though its exact origins are uncertain, it’s a meal that has evolved throughout centuries to become a favorite on menus in restaurants across Madrid. Here’s Culture Trip’s guide to this delectable dish.

Huevos rotos – also known as huevos estrellados – is a popular dish in Madrid, literally translating to “broken eggs.” The dish consists of a few lightly fried eggs delicately placed over fried potatoes. The dish often comes accompanied with bits of chorizo, slices of Iberian ham, seafood, or other types of meat or fish. The plate is served hot, and those consuming it are tasked with cutting up the eggs so the soft yolk spills out over the potatoes, which soak up the yolk and make for a savory, salty meal.

The dish, while common in Madrid, may actually originate from the Canary Islands. Its origins aren’t entirely known, but huevos rotosdate back to at least the early 1800s, where it was noted by American writer Richard Ford after spending time in Spain that this particular dish was often eaten in low-income families. This is most likely due to the fact that potatoes were – and still are – an inexpensive but filling food to eat. The fact that the dish can be accompanied by virtually any meat or seafood also allows a family to dig through the pantry or refrigerator to use up whatever meat or fish they have to hand and add it to the eggs.

When cooking this dish, it’s important that the eggs are fried in olive oil and not butter. Lucio Blázquez, owner of Casa Lucio, famous for its huevos rotos – the restaurant has attracted people like Bill Clinton, Julio Iglesias and Jane Fonda – explained to Spanish newspaper El País that, while cooking this simple dish isn’t complicated, “only the best quality olive oil and potatoes should be used.”

Although huevos rotos can be found at pretty much any Spanish restaurant in Madrid, Casa Lucio is known have some of the best in the city. So sample them there and everywhere if you can, and find your favorite style of this delectable Spanish dish.

Casa Lucio, Calle Cava Baja, 35, Madrid, Spain, +34 913 65 32 52

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.