The first time I tried El Quim de la Boqueria was in the Mercat i Mercat Barcelona food fair, where the tapas bar set up a booth and sold solely Soft Shell Crab Burger. As there was so many cuisines serving soft shell crab in Hong Kong, I did not expect to get a decent Soft Shell Crab Burger in Europe. Nonetheless it really did surprise me as the burger was seriously SO GOOD! The beetroot bun had a tiny hint of sweetness. It was airy and soft, while the soft shell crab was beautifully crunchy on the shell but the interior was JUST COOKED! It was so juicy and flavourful inside... it was not seasoned but tasted natually sweet (OMG this is what I call Heaven...). The only thing worth critising was that the bun was not toasted. But still! It was so good !!!!!

Afterthat I have always wanted to pay a visit to its Tapas Bar in Mercat de la Boqueria. For 95% of the time it is super crowded.. I did some research on the web, and realise that El Quim de la Boqueria is so famous with its egg dishes. And you know what's lucky being a girl from Hong Kong? El Quim has opened its first restaurant - QUEMO in Wan Chai!!!!!! I am so going soon!!!

(Anyway back to Spain.)

So one day I went with my friend to its tapas kiosk in Boqueria and we ordered a Grilled Baby Squid with Two Fried Eggs, and a portion of Bull Trail to share.

The fresh bread to start with airy and crunchy on the exterior. We tried to save it for wiping of all the sauces of our dishes, but almost half ended up gone before the food arrived.

The Fried Eggs with Baby Squid was serious stuff! The eggs had the edges all nice and extremely crispy, while the yolk stayed runny and rich in that yolky flavour. The squid was sweet, really tender and delectable. They were lightly seasoned with pepper and garlic, and OMG saving the bread was the wisest decision we have made as it was so delicious to eat it with the runny egg!

The bull tail was nothing disappointing neither. The meat was super tender but it didnt fall off the bones like it should. Why is that? Because there was so much gelatine/cologen gluing the meat to the bones! It was gooey and moist, and the potato soaked all the lovely flavour too. How gorgeous!

Can't wait to pay a visit to QUEMO in Wan Chai. Tell me if anyone is going soon I am sticking with you!

Address: Mercado de la Boqueria, La Rambla, 91, 08002 Barcelona