Leganitos Street and the area around Plaza España are home to a small number of restaurants that form a sort of Chinatown. Among the options, there is one spot that can boast of being one of the Madrid establishments where the menu reaches the highest levels of spiciness.
A controlled fiery challenge
Hammer (Leganitos, 41) requires a certain mental preparation before stepping through the door —just like other restaurants such as Kitchen 154. Although many traditional recipes tend to be overflowing with hot oil, chili peppers, and pepper, the waitress—originally from China—prefers to avoid that extreme approach. And perhaps as a result, the menu focuses on dishes with a different flavor profile, far removed from intense heat.
The first course is a whole sea bass coated in pork. The combination of fish and meat creates a brilliant contrast in textures. This is followed by garlic-infused pork belly with spicy sauce. The cut is so perfectly cooked that it practically melts in your mouth instantly, leaving a trail of powerful flavor for the most carnivorous diners.
The sweetness of eggplant versus chili
To balance the intensity of the first courses, we recommend ordering the eggplant. Unlike the rest of the menu, this dish is sweeter than spicy. It quickly becomes the highlight of the visit, to the point where you’re convinced you could live on this dish alone.
The cucumber, served in slices with a generous layer of chili peppers on top, looks intimidating at first glance. However, it isn’t as spicy as it appears and adds a fresh, crunchy touch that’s perfect for cleansing the palate.