PUBLISHED FOR AirAsia
Formerly an enclave under Portuguese rule, Macao is a unique city is its mixture of Western and Chinese culture, Although 95% of the city’s residents are Chinese, you’ll find the city’s street signs in Portuguese, as well as majestic colonial architecture and bustling side streets specializing in great-value Portuguese fare.
If food tops the list as your number one reason for travel, you will find unique and mouth-watering food at every corner of Macao.
Here are 10 unique Macao foods you should try when in Macao.
1 Portuguese egg tarts (Pastel de nata)
Macao’s famous Portuguese egg tarts were invented by the late Andrew Stow 2 decades ago and it is certainly one of the most representative foods of Macao. Portuguese egg tarts are similar to Chinese egg tarts but are made using a hybrid of the English and Portuguese egg custard tarts.
Where to try it: Lord Stow’s Bakery or Margaret’s Cafe e Nata.
2 Egg sandwich
Thick sandwich served with a generous amount of char siu and perfectly cooked scrambled egg.
Where to try it: Nam Peng 南屏雅敘 54 Rua de Cinco de Outubro, Macao
3. Pork Chop Buns
Macao pork chop buns are one of the most popular and delicious eats from the Macao region combining the fusion of Chinese and Portuguese cultural cuisine. This wonderful dish uses the Portuguese flavor of olive oil and garlic in combination with the unique flavor of Himalayan salt and ginger from Macao cuisine. The delicious conclusion of finishing the sandwich and chewing on the pork bone can only be experienced by eating it yourself. It is a truly unique concoction of flavor and design and it is no surprise why it is such a popular eat in the area and across the world.
Where to try it: Tai Lei Loi Kei, 35 Rua Correia da Silva, Taipa Village, Macao
4. Almond Cookies
Almond cookies are one of the must-buy items in Macao. An ideal almond cake contains a blend of crunchy almonds which give it a nutty flavor, neither too sweet nor too buttery. You can find shops selling Almond cakes at every corner of Macao but for the best Almond cakes, head to Choi Heong Yuen Bakery. Choi Heong Yuen has been around since 1935 and their unique charcoal method of baking almond cakes which can’t be found anywhere else. Koi Kei Bakery is also the place for the famous Macao almond cookies.
Where to try it: Choi Heong Yuen Bakery, Macao-Avenida di Almeida Ribeiro, No 209, R/C
Koi Kei Bakery in Macao Rua Felcidade 70-72, R/C
5. Steamed Milk Pudding
Smooth, milky and creamy irresistible dessert in Macao. “Double-Skin” Steamed Milk Pudding 雙皮奶 is made using a special technique of steaming, which results in smooth runny milk pudding with a thin sheet of milk on top. Other varieties include the Ginger Milk Pudding, Lotus Seed Milk Pudding, Coffee Milk Pudding, Chocolate Milk Pudding and Steamed Egg are also available.
Where to try it: Leitaria I Son (義順牛奶公司). along San Ma Lo (新馬路 / Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro)
6. African Chicken
Macao’s best-loved dish was introduced by the Portuguese army whom were mostly drawn from the African territories. A handful of Portuguese army officers retired in Macao and opened restaurants which served foods that they come to like in the course of their African service and one of it is African Chicken. The chicken serving is covered in a peanut, tomato and chilli sauce, sometimes sprinkled with paprika, and usually served with bread, potatoes or riz à la tomate. Macanese African Chicken will be familiar to Malaysians, not just by how it looks but its taste as well.
Where to try it: Henri’s Galley, Shop G-H, 4 Av. Da Republice, R/C, Sai Van
7.Portuguese seafood rice
Portuguese seafood rice is the soupier cousin of its Spanish and Italian counterparts. Seafood Rice” utilizes many typical Portuguese ingredients, including garlic, olive oil, coriander and white wine which flavor the stew of fresh seafood simmered in rich, homemade fish stock along with fresh chopped tomatoes and onion. Its rich tomato-based broth marries well with the fresh flavors of a variety of seafood like mussels, prawns, and clams.
Where to try it: Portugalia Portuguese Restaurant, 5 R. dos Mercadores, Taipa, Macao
8.Portuguese baked duck rice
Portuguese-style baked duck rice is a local favorite. With the sophisticated cooking steps, the rice covers the tender filling underneath cooked by the bone broth.
Where to try it: Miramar Portuguese Restaurant, Zona Nordeste da Praia Hac-Sa, Coloane, Macao
9. Meat Jerky
Meat Jerky is extremely popular in Macao. It is most commonly made with beef and pork, but you can also find more exotic meats such as ostrich and wild boar. They also offer other different flavors such as BBQ or spicy. Macao’s Meat Jerky taste close to Malaysian version of Meat Jerky (Bak Kwa) as it is prepared with different combination of spices and sauce.
Where to try it: Heong Kei Jerky Macao, Koi Kei Bakery
10. SERRADURA
Serradura, also known as sawdust pudding, is a Portuguese dessert in Macao that’s made of layers of crushed Maria tea biscuits and sweetened vanilla whipped cream.
Where to try it: Gelatina Mok Yi Kei, No. 9A Rua do Cunha, Taipa Village, Macao
AirAsia now flies direct from Kota Kinabalu to Macao, 4x Weekly from RM199 All-in one way for BIG members only. Travel from 2 Nov onwards. Hurry book now at airasia.com
Joanne Lee
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