Confit mushrooms, surrounded by a mushroom cream, topped with crispy Spanish ham – all these over a slice of baguette. Pintxo de hongos con jamón is creamy, earthy, and savory. We tried this at Bar El Globo from Bilbao, one of the most famous places in town.
Quick facts about Pintxo de hongos con jamón
- Also known as: Mushrooms with ham
- Definition: Hongos con jamón is a Spanish Pintxo made with mushrooms and jamón, usually confit, served at room temperature and known for its creamy texture and earthy flavor.
- Where we ate it: Bar El Globo, Bilbao
- Context: Mushrooms are important for people in the Basque Country; not just mushrooms, but Boletus specifically, which is what Hongos refer to.
- Served: at room temperature
- Texture: creamy
- Flavour: earthy
- Pronunciation: peen-cho deh ohn-gohs kohn hah-MOHN
- One-line verdict: Pintxo de Hongos con jamón is a great pick if you want to try a small bite with savory, earthy flavor and a mix of creamy and crispy textures.
Why it’s worth ordering
Ordering Pintxo de Hongos con jamón is a great way to experience one of the typical Basque Country ingredients: Boletus mushrooms. Second, the fact that the mushrooms are made confit is a very interesting way to try them. And then there’s a mushroom cream added, which is not something you see in all restaurants; it’s a more modern presentation of the ingredient.
Finally, the mix of textures is a great reason to order the Pintxo de Hongos con jamón: the fluffy bread, the soft mushrooms, the silky cream, and then there’s the crispiness of the jamón – all round up into a great bite.
This was one of the best Pintxos we tried at Bar El Globo in Bilbao.
Taste and texture
As you bite into the Pintxo de Hongos con jamón, you first feel the softness of the bread, then of the mushrooms – almost meaty in their density, the added silky richness of the creaminess and last, the crispiness of the jamón. Textures mix and flavors develop: savory, earthy, nutty, sweet.
How to order it
Since pintxos are not ordered at the table, you’d go to the bar and ask, “Un Pintxo de Hongos con jamón, por favor.” You’ll probably pay on the spot, too. Then you take your plate to an available table and enjoy your Basque small bite.
Watch it
Quick decision guide
You’ll like it if: you like mushrooms, different classic dish presentations and a mix of textures.
If you want something similar: Txangurro gratinado
Frequently asked questions
Not quite: Setas refer to mushrooms in general, while Hongos refer to just Boletus mushrooms. These are very popular in the northern part of Spain, especially in the Basque Country.
You decide what makes up a meal for you: if you eat enough, you don’t need to get another big dish. You can get several pintxos at one bar, then move to another bar to try theirs.
