When you will arrived in the city of Porto you will have a long list of traditional dishes to try and one of the first questions we were asked will be, “Have you already tried the Francesinha?”
Despite ancient gastronomic traditions in Porto, Francesinha is a relatively new dish created in the 1950s. It became a popular choice for first-time visitors and a weekend lunch for many residents and families.
Learn the language: In Portuguese, Francesinha means little French woman.
What is Francesinha?
Francesinha refers to a sandwich that is served on a plate. The recipe uses thick slices of white loaf bread with ham (Portuguese Fiambre), sausage, cheese, and steak. The sandwich is then topped with more cheese, usually taken to the oven to melt, and lastly, a slightly spicy sauce on top. The Francesinha sandwich has striking flavors and varied textures that require quality ingredients and a carnivorous appetite!
The sauce, which takes beer and tomatoes as a base, is the secret of each chef and makes the dish unique from place to place.
What is the origin of Francesinha?
The Francesinha sandwich was created in the 1950s by the Portuguese Daniel Silva while living in France. According to popular legend, he was inspired by the French dish Croque Monsieur.
Upon his return to Portugal, Daniel modified the dish with ingredients and tastes from northern Portugal and served it at Regaleira restaurant in Porto. The original recipe was a bit simpler, and it used bijou bread and baked beef. The delicacy became famous and spread across the city. It has been adapted many times and is now one of Porto’s most beloved dishes.
Where to eat
Porto has many options for eating the Francesinha. Most restaurants charge around EUR 10 for the dish, depending on the restaurant location and its reputation.