A Walk Through the Markets of the World

Markets often say more about a city than many of its monuments. They are places where people shop, cook, eat, and talk. Places where ingredients set the rhythm of the day and where cuisine is understood as something everyday, alive, and constantly evolving.

At Vuelve Carolina, some dishes are born precisely from that spirit: unhurried walks through markets around the world that later inspire recipes served in the center of Valencia. The idea is not to reproduce them exactly, but to capture a flavor, a technique, or a moment—and reinterpret it in our own way.

This is a journey through some of those markets.

Surquillo Market — Lima (Perú)

Located in the Surquillo district, just a few blocks from Kennedy Park in Miraflores, this market is one of Lima’s great food supply centers. Spacious, lively, and deeply authentic, it serves both local residents and restaurants, and has also become a regular stop for those who want to understand Peruvian cuisine from the inside.

It is especially known for its remarkable variety of typical Peruvian products. You will find seafood, fish, fruits, vegetables native to the region (sweet potato, purple corn, rocoto, camu camu), small restaurants, and hundreds of stalls selling everything from ingredients to kitchen utensils.

Peru is one of our favorite, and recurring, destinations. At Vuelve Carolina you will find touches that echo the country, such as fried monkfish in adobo with Peruvian chupe, choclo corn, charred yuca, and huacatay. The dish includes chupe and huancaína sauce along with different types of ají peppers—ají amarillo, which brings a vibrant heat, and ají panca, which is deeper and smokier. A true explosion of flavor.

Jemaa el-Fnaa — Marrakech (Morocco)

More than a market, Jemaa el-Fnaa is a square that acts as the beating heart of Marrakech’s Medina. During the day it fills with stalls selling spices, nuts, herbs, meats, and local produce. As night falls, dozens of food stands appear, turning the square into an open-air dining room surrounded by musicians and small street performances.

When speaking of Morocco, our glazed venison shank with parmentier and Maghrebi-style tabbouleh takes the spotlight. The dish blends spices such as cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, star anise, and nutmeg, highlighting slow-cooked boneless venison served with tabbouleh. Without a doubt, one of the essentials on our menu.

Khlong Lat Mayom — Bangkok (Thailand)

Many Thai towns developed along rivers, and Khlong Lat Mayom, one of Bangkok’s best-known markets, is a perfect example. These waterways facilitate the transport of goods and also serve directly as trading spaces. Here, commerce takes place from boats that function as floating stalls filled with fruit, vegetables, fresh seafood, aromatic spices, and ready-to-eat dishes.

Classic dishes such as Pad Thai, Pla Pao, or Khao Tom Mud are easy to find, all reflecting the signature Thai balance of spicy, sour, sweet, and salty flavors.

At Vuelve Carolina, that inspiration becomes our green curry with charcoal-grilled aged-beef meatballs. The dish is made with green curry (kaeng khiao wan), prepared with green chilies and aromatic leaves such as kaffir lime and lemongrass. A clear nod to Thai cuisine, presented in a format that feels familiar.

Cheng Huang Miao — Shanghai (China)

In the heart of Shanghai lies Cheng Huang Miao, one of the city’s traditional commercial districts. With more than one hundred shops, it is an ideal place to wander among food stalls and discover some of the most popular bites in Chinese cuisine.

Chinese dumplings (jiaozi), soup dumplings (xiaolongbao), pan-fried buns (shengjian mantou), and many other small dishes fill its streets, always surrounded by a constant flow of people.

At Vuelve Carolina, this inspiration appears in our interpretation of classic Chinese dim sum. You can also find prawn dumplings with carabinero prawn bisque and squid noodles, inspired by the technique and texture of Shanghai-style dumplings. An Asian journey without leaving Valencia.

Toyosu Market — Tokyo (Japan)

One of the most iconic dishes at Vuelve Carolina is the red tuna loin carpaccio pizza with shiso vinaigrette. A fresh dish that transports you to Tokyo in an instant.

The original Tsukiji Market was once the largest seafood market in the world, trading around 400 species and handling nearly 2,000 tons of product every day. In 2018, the inner wholesale market moved to Toyosu, although the restaurants and outer shops remain in Tsukiji’s historic neighborhood.

Markets as a Starting Point

Rather than reproducing recipes, these markets act as starting points. Places to observe how people cook, eat, and experience food in different parts of the world.

At Vuelve Carolina, those ideas evolve into dishes that share the same menu, meant to be shared, tasted, and revisited. No passport required.