Portugal has always been a popular tourist destination, not only for its beautiful environment, suitable climate, and unique landscapes, but also for its diverse cuisine. Portuguese food is highly regional, with the north being meat-heavy and more rustic in style, while the south features Mediterranean influences. So, what are the must-try dishes after immigrating to Portugal? Instead of relying on trendy food recommendations from travel guides, it is better to follow the advice of those who have immigrated to Portugal. Below are the top 10 popular dishes that immigrants to Portugal should not miss; be sure to try them one by one after arriving in Portugal!
1. Salted Cod: Standing Out Among Countless Fish Dishes
In Europe, only Icelanders eat more fish than the Portuguese. Renowned Spanish chef Ferran has praised, "The Atlantic waters of Portugal produce the best seafood in the world." The variety of fish available in Portuguese markets is dazzling, and it is said that there are 365 ways to prepare salted cod in Portugal. Therefore, during your travels in Portugal, as long as you are willing, you can enjoy salted cod at every restaurant and every meal, and it can be said to be the dish closest to the soul of Portugal.
2. Stew: The National Dish of Portugal
Portuguese stew is a dish loved by people all over Portugal. This dish is essentially a one-pot stew, typically containing some beef, small pork, and sometimes chicken, along with cabbage, potatoes, carrots, and sausages, including spicy red sausages and blood pudding with fennel. Although the flavors vary by region, it is the stew that connects the dining tables of the Portuguese people.
3. Cheese: Not So Famous Yet Rated the Best in the World
Portuguese cheese is made from a blend of goat and sheep milk and has been rated the best in the world for several consecutive years by tastings organized by Wine Spectator and Vanity Fair. Despite this, Portuguese cheese is not as well-known as one might expect, but true connoisseurs appreciate its flavor. The cheese produced on the steep slopes of São Jorge Island is hard and spicy, while cheese from the remote northeastern mountains has a peppery taste; these unique cheeses are still relatively unknown. If you are fortunate enough to visit, you can be a rare taster and experience flavors known only to a few.
4. Grains and Rice: The Staple Foods of Immigrants in Portugal
Portuguese people consume more rice than any other group in Europe, far surpassing Spaniards and Italians. While Spanish paella and Italian risotto are found all over the world, Portuguese rice is often overlooked. Notably, Portuguese seafood rice is quite extravagant: plump rice mixed with cilantro, garlic-flavored tomato sauce, and a large platter of seafood—lobster, crab, clams, and shrimp—delicious and satisfying.
5. Pork: Fully Satisfying the Carnivore's Appetite
Portugal is home to some of the juiciest pork and most delicious ham in the world. In the southern Alentejo region, pigs are raised in oak forests, with very little fat, and the meat is marbled like snowflakes and full of flavor. In Bairrada, suckling pigs are slowly roasted with garlic and black pepper sauce, resulting in crispy skin and tender meat, served with fried potatoes, oranges, and local sparkling wine, making it unforgettable.
6. Wine: An Abundance of Choices That Can Cause Decision Paralysis
Whether you prefer dry red or white wine, or any fruit-flavored wine, you will find satisfaction in Portugal. The wines of Portugal's summer come from the lush northwest, with rich red wines and fruit-forward whites from the Douro, Dão, and Alentejo, sparkling wines from Bairrada, and sweet whites as sweet as honey from Setúbal, along with the legendary Port wine and Madeira wine.
7. Seafood Copper Pot: Reminiscent of Chinese Clay Pot Dishes
The seafood copper pot of Portugal originated in the Algarve region in the 13th century. Unlike seafood rice, the cooking method in a large copper pot is more exuberant, with the Portuguese adding plenty of green and red peppers or potato chunks, and sometimes even pork. During the cold winter and spring seasons, a pot of this dish can provide a similar enjoyment to hot pot.
8. Fruits: Natural Delicacies Found Everywhere
Portugal's suitable climate nurtures a wide variety of sweet fruits. Bananas from Madeira, pineapples from the Azores, cherries from the mountains of Açor, oranges, apricots, and figs from the Algarve, melons from the Tagus River, pears from the western coast, striped red apples from Palmela, plums from Elvas, and juicy peaches and passion fruits from various islands. The sunny climate provides Portugal with many naturally delicious fruits.
9. Egg Tarts: The Authentic Origin of Portuguese Egg Tarts
The egg tarts of Portugal are the most authentic Portuguese egg tarts, and their flavor never goes out of style. With the passage of time, various flavors of Portuguese egg tarts have emerged. The egg tarts from the Belém district of Lisbon are sprinkled with cinnamon powder, attracting dessert lovers from afar. The Portuguese are ingenious with their pastries, and almost every street has a pastry shop.
10. Strange Foods
Some Portuguese foods may seem strange to outsiders, but for immigrants in Portugal, they are a piece of cake, so they do not make it onto trendy lists, yet they are worth a try. For example, there is a type of eel that feeds on blood, which has existed since the time of dinosaurs and is a seasonal delicacy in Portugal; if you do not time it right, you may miss out. Other popular items among immigrants include cod tongues, snails, pig's head, and fried chicken gizzards, as they pose no challenge to the Chinese palate!