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Macau (澳門), similar to Hong Kong (香港), has a unique history and culture from most other parts of China (中國) because it was once a Portuguese colony. It’s a quick high speed ferry ride away from Hong Kong and is perfect for a day trip from Hong Kong. The city is known for its glitzy casinos, beautiful colonial architecture, and delicious eats.
To put it simply, Macanese cuisine is a delightful fusion of Cantonese and Portuguese cuisines, but it also includes spices and flavors from other Portuguese colonies in India and Africa. You’ll see these influences in dishes using turmeric, coconut milk, cinnamon, and piri piri.
Fun Fact: Macanese cuisine uses a lot of local Chinese ingredients in place of ingredients typically found in Portugal or other Portuguese colonies. For example, dishes requiring chorizo were met with Chinese lap cheong (臘腸) sausage and coconut milk was used in place of milk.
As they say, the best way to experience a culture is to try their food! And try the Macanese must eat food we did!
Here are some of the top things to eat in Macau and where to get it!
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Portuguese Egg Tarts (葡撻/Pastéis de Nata)
These egg tarts are the most famous thing to get in Macau (and in Portugal too for that matter), but they are so delicious! I mean, if KFC came out with a version of it, YOU KNOW THEY’RE AMAZING!
Portuguese egg tarts are similar to the typical Cantonese style custard egg tart except they include egg yolks, heavy cream, and a caramelized top. Their crusts usually tend to be more crispy with a creamier filling.
Where to get it:
- Lord Stow’s Portuguese Egg Tart (安德鲁葡挞)
1 Rua da Tassara, Coloane Island, Macau 澳門路環市區戴紳禮街1號地下 - Margaret’s Café e Nata (瑪嘉烈蛋撻店)
Kam Loi Building, 17B Rua do Comandante Mata e Oliviera, Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro, Macau 澳門新馬路馬統領街金利來大廈17B地舖
Visiting Hong Kong? Here’s where to find the best Hong Kong-style egg tarts!
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Pork Chop Bun (豬扒包/Bifana)
The juicy pork chop surrounded by a warm bun is a street snack to be savored. It is said that this pork chop bun based upon the Portuguese bifana sandwich, which is made with marinated pork chop topped with caramelized onions.
The Macanese version is definitely much simpler (with less veggies) but also super delicious!
Where to get it:
- Tai Lei Loi Kei (大利來記豬扒包)
25 Rua de São Paulo, Macau 澳門大三巴街25號地下B座 - Sei Kee Cafe (澳門世記咖啡外賣店)
G/F, Edf Cheong Son, 7-15 Patio Da Palha, Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro 澳門新馬路賣草地里7-15號長信大廈地下
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Crab Congee (水蟹粥)
Crab congee isn’t technically Portuguese fusion, but it’s one of the best things to get in Macau.
They use crab roe to flavor the congee and that’s also why it’s slightly yellow in color, as opposed to the typical whiter rice porridge. The porridge itself also has great fluffy texture. You’ll also find pieces of crab in your bowl, as proof they put actual crab in it!
Where to get it:
- Casa de Pasto Seng Choeng (誠昌飯店)
28-30 Rua do Cunha, Vila de Taipa 氹仔舊城區官也街28-30號
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Almond Cookies (杏仁餅)
This is one of Macau’s famous exports, yes, traditional Chinese almond cookies. This is the stuff my mom and grandma grew up with so it holds a special place in their hearts.
Although I’m not the hugest fan, these crumbly cookies have entire almonds in them! They’re super fragrant and I highly recommend them to nut lovers (which I am not).
Aside from almond cookies, Macanese bakeries also usually sell other souvenir-worthy items like other types of Chinese bakery pastries such as cookies, egg rolls (not the fried ones, ACTUAL egg rolls), and candy. Some even sell Portuguese egg tarts too!
BONUS: Walnut Cookies (核桃酥), Cashew Cookies (葡式腰果曲奇), Egg Rolls (蛋捲), Coconut Peanut Nougat (椰絲花生軟糖), Peanut Candy (花生脆糖)
Where to get it:
- Choi Heong Yuen Bakery (咀香園餅家 Pastelaria Choi Heong Yuen)
G/F, 209 Avenida Alemida Ribeiro R/C, Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro 新馬路新馬路209號地下 - Koi Kee Bakery (鉅記手信/Pastelaria Koi Kee)
70-72 Rua Da Felicidade, Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro 新馬路福隆新街70-72號地下
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Macanese-style Portuguese Chicken (葡國雞)
This dish is also super popular in Hong Kong style cha chaan tengs, it’s basically a creamy, coconut milk based chicken curry served with rice though some places will serve it in a bread bowl too. It’s one of my favorite things to get and is so yummy.
Where to get it:
- Est. de Comida Portuguesa “Porto” (波爾圖)
G/F, Block 4, Ka Hoi Court, Phrase 1, Chun Fok Village, Rua do Regedor, Vila de Taipa 氹仔舊城區地堡街泉福新村第1期第4座嘉開閣地下 - A Lorcha (船屋葡國餐廳)
Rua Almirante Sergio No.289, Sao Lourenco 下環河邊新街289號
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Meat Jerky (肉乾)
Assuming you’re American, these aren’t the types of jerkies you’re used to as in — dried strips of beef, pork, or turkey. While these are also cooked and cured, they are completely different. This is what I like to call “Chinese-style jerky”, it is pressed strips of meat cooked, air-dried, drenched in a salty-sweet sauce.
Typically, these have a higher water and sugar content so your hands will get sticky! They are usually made of pork, beef, or mutton.
Where to get it:
- Choi Heong Yuen Bakery (咀香園餅家 Pastelaria Choi Heong Yuen)
G/F, 209 Avenida Alemida Ribeiro R/C, Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro 新馬路新馬路209號地下 - Heong Kei Jerky (香記肉乾手信)
G/F, 4-6 Travessa Auto Novo, Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro 新馬路清平直街4-6號地下
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Seafood Rice (葡式肥仔炒飯/Arroz de Marisco)
There aren’t many things Chinese people love more than rice! So what better way to enjoy Macanese cuisine than with a seafood rice. Just make sure you’re not expecting a paella valenciana with this one!
This Portuguese style rice is definitely more saucy so it is definitely on the soupier side, but fresh seafood is what makes it amazing!
Where to get it:
- Portvgália (葡多利正宗葡國菜)
G/F, 5 Rua dos Negociantes, Vila de Taipa 氹仔舊城區買賣街5號地舖 - A Lorcha (船屋葡國餐廳)
Rua Almirante Sergio No.289, Sao Lourenco 下環河邊新街289號
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African Chicken (非洲雞)
Though it’s called “African Chicken,” this is yet another Portuguese dish adapted by Macanese chefs during the colonial era. The dish uses a mixture of ingredients including oyster sauce, peanut butter, curry powder, coconut milk, and olive oil. It’s truly a delicious melting pot of spices and flavors from around the world.
Where to get it:
- Restaurante Escada
G/F, 8 Rua da Se, Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro 新馬路大堂街8號地舖 - Albergue 1601 (婆仔屋1601)
8 Calcada da Igreja de S. Lazaro, Ferreira de Almeida 荷蘭園望德堂瘋堂斜巷8號
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Portuguese Roast “Suckling” Pig (葡式燒乳豬/Leitão à Bairrada)
There’s nothing like the crispy roasted skin or the tender juicy meat of a suckling pig, yum! In Macau, it is sometimes served with rice or a side of fries.
The absolute best thing about this dish is the crispy skin, when it’s cooked all of the fat melts away and you’re left with a delicious pig skin chip.
Where to get it:
- Restaurante Escada
G/F, 8 Rua da Se, Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro 新馬路大堂街8號地舖仔舊城區地堡街泉福新村第1期第4座嘉開閣地下 - O Santos Comida Portuguesa (山度士葡式餐廳)
20 Rua da Cunha, Vila de Taipa 氹仔舊城區官也街20號
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Serradurra (Sawdust) Pudding (木糠布丁)
Some people don’t love this dish because they feel like it’s “nothing special” and just tastes like vanilla ice cream. But the most unique thing about this pudding is the textures. It’s creamy, a tad grainy, but it blends together so well in the cup. You can’t go to Macau without getting this dessert! It’s one of my favorite things to get and so distinctly Macanese.
This creamy layered-pudding dessert is typically made of Marie biscuits, whipped cream, and condensed milk, which is also known as the “original” version. Today, there are many more flavors of this dessert, ranging from fruity strawberry to coffee, green tea, and Oreo.
Where to get it:
- Gelatina Mok Yi Kei (莫義記)
9A Rua da Cunha, Vila de Taipa 氹仔舊城區官也街9號A舖 - Serrdura (沙度娜)
Shop AA, G/F, Block 6, Phrase 1, Chun Fuk Sun Chun, Rua do Regedor, Vila de Taipa 氹仔舊城區地堡街泉福新村第1期第6座嘉裕閣地下AA舖
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Portuguese Braised Ox-tail Stew (炆牛尾)
This traditionally Portuguese dish is insanely good especially when it’s braised in Port or Madeira. The stew is usually super flavorful with the ox tail falling off the bone and is best when served with rice. Most places offer some form of it with red wine, but there are a couple of places offering a more creative curry option too.
Where to get it:
- A Lorcha (船屋葡國餐廳)
Rua Almirante Sergio No.289, Sao Lourenco 下環河邊新街289號 - Ali Curry House (亞利咖喱屋)
G/F, 4K Avenida da Republica, Sai Van 西灣民國大馬路4K號地下
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Portuguese Salted Cod Fritters (馬介休球/Pasteis de Bacalhau)
Anything fried is always good right? Well this applies for salted cod fritters too! Of course, that’s assuming you like salted fishes…
These are some of the most popular Portuguese foods and are typically made of fried balls of salted cod, potatoes, eggs, parsley, and onion. They’re usually ordered as an appetizer and are crispy on the outside and super soft and creamy on the inside.
Where to get it:
- Restaurante Escada
G/F, 8 Rua da Se, Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro 新馬路大堂街8號地舖仔舊城區地堡街泉福新村第1期第4座嘉開閣地下 - A Lorcha (船屋葡國餐廳)
Rua Almirante Sergio No.289, Sao Lourenco 下環河邊新街289號
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Garlic Steamed Clams (香蒜炒蜆/Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato)
This dish is absolutely amazing and so full of flavor! It’s obviously best if the clams are fresh, but essentially it’s clams cooked in a garlic white wine sauce. So much yum all in one bowl of clams, it’s a definite must-have if you love seafood.
Where to get it:
- A Lorcha (船屋葡國餐廳)
Rua Almirante Sergio No.289, Sao Lourenco 下環河邊新街289號 - Restaurante Fernando (法蘭度餐廳)
9 Hac Sa Beach Coloane, Praia de Hac Sá 黑沙海灘黑沙海灘9號
Map of the Eats
As you can see, Macau is full of amazing places to eat. There are literally too many must-have things to eat in the city. Let us know in the comments what your favorite Macanese eats were!
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