Anyone who is remotely knowledgeable in Portuguese food culture knows that bacalhau (or cod fish) is a revered food in the country. The Portuguese prepare bacalhau in, literally, thousands of ways, and can be celebrated as a nourishing school lunch….or a delicacy served on Christmas Eve. No wonder, Culto ao Bacalhau (Cult of Cod) restaurant, in the iconic Bolhão Market in Porto, is a popular foodie destination. The menu is dedicated to this much loved, traditional and endearing product from the sea.
The cod used at Culto is imported from Iceland. It is cured for 24 months, eliciting an intense taste with a full and juicy texture. All parts of the noble cod are honored, not only the meat and also the bladder, face, cheeks and tongue.
Chef Rui Martins prepares this national treasure in numerous ways that should be appreciated by both traditionalists and modern foodies. For starters, there are Salted Cod Fritters with black-eyed pea salad, Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá (casserole with potato, eggs, and olives), and Sliced Smoked Cod with capers.
Mains include: Codfish au Gratin with Prawns; Codfish Açorda, a sort of bread and codfish stew; Codfish Cheeks Stew with African spices; and everyone’s favorite, Bacalhau à Brás, shredded codfish with shoestring potatoes mixed with egg and olives. There’s also Cured Hake with Tomato Rice and Porto-Style Beans Stew with codfish bladder among other dishes.
Desserts are purely Portuguese as well, but elevated in flavor and quality. Imagine the Pão de Ló (moist dense sponge cake) with cream cheese from Beiras, Milk Cream with Azorean pineapples in Madeira wine, and Traditional Egg Pudding, made with Port wine, cinnamon, and lemon, with a salty twist. Yet for cod-lovers, you’ll need to try the chocolate and Cod Tartlet, or Cod Mille Fois with sweet egg and vanilla ice cream.
Inside, the restaurant has clean lines, sleek black dining chairs with sand blasted wood for tabletops and on the ceiling. Floor-to-ceiling windows on either side of the main room flood the minimalist space with light.
If you like Culto ao Bacalhau, then you’ll be pleased to know that Culto management is preparing three new“Culto” restaurants in Porto, worshiping the Culto of Meat, the Culto of Sea, and the Culto of Petiscos (tapas).
For more information, visit the Culto ao Bacalhau website.
Culto ao Bacalhau
Mercado do Bolhão
Rua Formosa 322
Loja R8, Galeria Floor
Porto
Phone: +351 910 729 138
Email: reservas.bolhao@cultoaobacalhau.pt
Hours: Monday to Saturday – 12:00 to 23:00
