History
Tricandilles are a Gascon specialty traditionally served at vineyard lunches and harvest festivals across the Bordeaux and Médoc wine country. The technique is classic peasant kitchen: pig intestines cleaned thoroughly, simmered for two to three hours in white wine and aromatics until tender, then grilled over vine cuttings (sarments) for the smoky finish. La Tupina on rue Porte de la Monnaie is the canonical Bordeaux address for them, grilled over the fireplace cauldron in the dining room and served as a starter or aperitif with mustard. Chartreuse de Sauternes also serves them in autumn during the grape harvest months.
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Common allergens: None
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 1kg cleaned pig intestines
- 2 onions, halved
- 2 carrots, halved
- 1 bouquet garni
- Salt and pepper
- Vine cuttings or charcoal for grilling
- Dijon mustard for serving
Method
- Soak intestines in salted water for 2 hours, change water twice.
- Drain and place in a heavy pot with onions, carrots, bouquet garni and water. Simmer 2 hours.
- Drain and cool. Cut into 10cm sections.
- Build a hot grill over vine cuttings. Grill the tricandilles 4 minutes per side until crispy.
- Serve hot with Dijon mustard and a glass of Madiran.
Tip from the editors. Source intestines from a serious charcutier; cleaning quality matters.
Where to eat tricandilles
Tricandilles in Bordeaux
La Tupina ★ 4.5
La Tupina in Bordeaux's Saint-Pierre district is the southwestern French institution founded by Jean-Pierre Xiradakis in 1968, now led by chef Franck Audu.
SignatureEntrecote a la bordelaise, Tricandilles, Sanguette
TipSit near the open fire for the tricandilles; the lunch formula is a serious value if you book ahead for noon on a weekday.
Cafe Tupina ★ 3.9
Cafe Tupina in Bordeaux's Saint-Pierre is the all-day, cheaper sister to La Tupina around the corner on Rue Porte de la Monnaie, with the same Xiradakis.
SignatureMagret de canard, Cassoulet, Plat du jour
TipLunch is the value play; the plat du jour is roughly half what the main Tupina dining room charges and arrives on the table fast.
More places near La Tupina and Cafe Tupina
Not on this list, but close by, nearest first. Every one is in our guide with its address, hours and what to order.
- Pulp Club Quartier Libre Cafe, about 250 m away
- Toto Love Street food, about 550 m away
- Cafe du Port French Brasserie, about 650 m away
- Le Bosphore Turkish, about 650 m away
- Peter Coffee Shop Brunch, about 800 m away
- Cafe Ravez Brunch, about 900 m away
More cities are in research. Want tricandilles covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.