Iberia and China meet in Macau cooking
By Chehui Peh |
June 21, 2012, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
BETTER known for its casinos than its cuisine, Macau cooking is considered by many to be fusion food, a special blend of cultures.
In 1887, Macau became a colony of the Portuguese empire. After more than a century, Macau was returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1999. Due to this unique turn in history, Macanese cuisine is characterized by its strong blend of southern Chinese and Portuguese elements, interlaced with influences from Southeast Asia and the Portuguese-speaking world.
When the Portuguese arrived, they adapted their cuisine using the locally available ingredients, changing the local cuisine into the Macanese cuisine we know today.
A variety of spices are frequently used, such as turmeric, cinnamon, peppers and coconut, which add an exotic, foreign taste. Baking and roasting are used to highlight the aroma of spices, and food combinations are usually simple.
Strong Portuguese influences (both in name and taste) are evident in signature dishes. Minchi, a dish that embodies mixed culture, is simple minced meat and rice, topped with an egg.
Other common dishes are the caldo verde, a Portuguese potato soup, galinha à Africana, which is chicken baked with chili, garlic and coconut milk, and the porco balichao tamarino, Macau's version of sweet-and-sour pork with tamarind paste.
Since it borders the South China Sea, Macau has a large supply of fresh seafood making up a big part of the local diet.
Seafood is frequently a main dish, or a taste-enhancer in fried rice and noodle dishes. Crab, codfish and sardines are the most common, and the Macanese are immensely proud of their stir-fried curry crab.
Despite its unique characteristics, Macanese cuisine is understated and frequently mistaken as part of Cantonese cuisine. Its rare appearance in dedicated restaurants and menus has also led to the misunderstanding that the egg tart is their only edible trademark. However, a visit to a Macanese restaurant or bakery proves otherwise.
Lisboa Restaurant
Cuisine: Macanese casual cuisine with everything from appetizers to desserts.
Ambience: Lisboa is a loud, bustling, casual eatery resembling Cantonese diners with rows of booths tables in the middle blocking the way. Interior is bright and the red-and-white color scheme is cheerful.
Who to invite: Friends or family for quick eats.
Pros: Extensive menu, covering all kinds of dishes. Service is fast. There's an English menu.
Cons: There's a queue, even on weekdays and it's rather noisy at peak hours.
Recommended: Basics like egg tart, Macanese fried rice and beef curry in a pot are delicious; they contain the perfect amount of ingredients and seasoning. The curry is particularly aromatic and the beef is tender. Cold milk tea, served in a pot full of ice, pairs well with the main dishes. Pineapple buns are outstanding, crispy on the top and tender on the bottom. When served hot, the butter melts in the mouth.
Don't order: The chicken clay pot rice is both salty and oily although the rice is charred nicely. The Portuguese chicken is rather bland.
Drinks: Iced or hot teas, coffees, fruity drinks.
Cost: Around 120 yuan (US$19) for two people, plus drinks and desserts
Address: 221 People's Ave, Dimei Shopping Mall 224-3
Tel: 6358-2272
Lilian Cake Shop
Cuisine: Portuguese egg tarts in various flavors and other desserts.
Ambience: The shop resembles the egg tart specialty stores in Macau - simple and quick. The environment is clean, and the constant aroma of baking egg tarts is very fragrant and tempting to passersby.
Who to invite: Friends, family, or go alone and takeout.
Pros: Many people consider this shop one of the best in Shanghai for authentic egg tarts. There are outlets around the city, making it convenient to satisfy a sudden craving. There are other pastries such as cakes and fruit tarts, as well as sandwiches. Although it's very popular, queues are not long, even on weekends.
Cons: The wait staff is rather curt, and customers cannot dine unless they order a beverage. The tarts are at their best when hot (they harden when cool), so it's best to consume on the spot.
Recommended: The two types of egg tarts, classic Portuguese and cheese, have the right amount of flakiness and sweetness.
Don't order: The croissants may be a tad too oily soggy.
Drinks: Yuzu tea, milk teas and black teas.
Cost: Around 15 yuan (US$2.3) per person, with a drink and egg tart.
Address: 1688 Sichuan Rd N., Printemps China Department Store
Tel: 6325-6143
Macau Portuguese
Cuisine: Classic Portuguese-influenced dishes.
Ambience: Unlike the usual Macanese eateries, the Macanese owner pays special attention to decor. Design is European-Chinese, with dark red tablecloths and a romantic ambience. Wines are displayed in cases on the walls for decorative purposes. Cakes are displayed prominently in front. Atmosphere is quiet and relaxing.
Who to invite: Boyfriend, girlfriend, other friends and family for lunch.
Pros: Prices are reasonable at 40 yuan for the set lunch, including unlimited food from the salad and soup bar. Taste is authentic and classics include Portuguese chicken, ox tail and beef curry.
There's a large wine selection.
Cons: The wait for the main course can be long, especially on busy days. Cream is widely used in many of dishes, so it's wise not to over-order creamy food.
Recommended: The Portuguese chicken is perfectly tender and the curry is not too spicy. Portuguese baked duck rice is special, though the duck is barely visible.
Don't Order: The carbonara, which is tasteless and stingy on the bacon, making the overall taste too heavy.
Drinks: Wines and teas
Cost: Around 120 yuan (US$19) for two people for dinner plus dessert
Address: 466 Xikang Rd
Tel: 6255-0092
In 1887, Macau became a colony of the Portuguese empire. After more than a century, Macau was returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1999. Due to this unique turn in history, Macanese cuisine is characterized by its strong blend of southern Chinese and Portuguese elements, interlaced with influences from Southeast Asia and the Portuguese-speaking world.
When the Portuguese arrived, they adapted their cuisine using the locally available ingredients, changing the local cuisine into the Macanese cuisine we know today.
A variety of spices are frequently used, such as turmeric, cinnamon, peppers and coconut, which add an exotic, foreign taste. Baking and roasting are used to highlight the aroma of spices, and food combinations are usually simple.
Strong Portuguese influences (both in name and taste) are evident in signature dishes. Minchi, a dish that embodies mixed culture, is simple minced meat and rice, topped with an egg.
Other common dishes are the caldo verde, a Portuguese potato soup, galinha à Africana, which is chicken baked with chili, garlic and coconut milk, and the porco balichao tamarino, Macau's version of sweet-and-sour pork with tamarind paste.
Since it borders the South China Sea, Macau has a large supply of fresh seafood making up a big part of the local diet.
Seafood is frequently a main dish, or a taste-enhancer in fried rice and noodle dishes. Crab, codfish and sardines are the most common, and the Macanese are immensely proud of their stir-fried curry crab.
Despite its unique characteristics, Macanese cuisine is understated and frequently mistaken as part of Cantonese cuisine. Its rare appearance in dedicated restaurants and menus has also led to the misunderstanding that the egg tart is their only edible trademark. However, a visit to a Macanese restaurant or bakery proves otherwise.
Lisboa Restaurant
Cuisine: Macanese casual cuisine with everything from appetizers to desserts.
Ambience: Lisboa is a loud, bustling, casual eatery resembling Cantonese diners with rows of booths tables in the middle blocking the way. Interior is bright and the red-and-white color scheme is cheerful.
Who to invite: Friends or family for quick eats.
Pros: Extensive menu, covering all kinds of dishes. Service is fast. There's an English menu.
Cons: There's a queue, even on weekdays and it's rather noisy at peak hours.
Recommended: Basics like egg tart, Macanese fried rice and beef curry in a pot are delicious; they contain the perfect amount of ingredients and seasoning. The curry is particularly aromatic and the beef is tender. Cold milk tea, served in a pot full of ice, pairs well with the main dishes. Pineapple buns are outstanding, crispy on the top and tender on the bottom. When served hot, the butter melts in the mouth.
Don't order: The chicken clay pot rice is both salty and oily although the rice is charred nicely. The Portuguese chicken is rather bland.
Drinks: Iced or hot teas, coffees, fruity drinks.
Cost: Around 120 yuan (US$19) for two people, plus drinks and desserts
Address: 221 People's Ave, Dimei Shopping Mall 224-3
Tel: 6358-2272
Lilian Cake Shop
Cuisine: Portuguese egg tarts in various flavors and other desserts.
Ambience: The shop resembles the egg tart specialty stores in Macau - simple and quick. The environment is clean, and the constant aroma of baking egg tarts is very fragrant and tempting to passersby.
Who to invite: Friends, family, or go alone and takeout.
Pros: Many people consider this shop one of the best in Shanghai for authentic egg tarts. There are outlets around the city, making it convenient to satisfy a sudden craving. There are other pastries such as cakes and fruit tarts, as well as sandwiches. Although it's very popular, queues are not long, even on weekends.
Cons: The wait staff is rather curt, and customers cannot dine unless they order a beverage. The tarts are at their best when hot (they harden when cool), so it's best to consume on the spot.
Recommended: The two types of egg tarts, classic Portuguese and cheese, have the right amount of flakiness and sweetness.
Don't order: The croissants may be a tad too oily soggy.
Drinks: Yuzu tea, milk teas and black teas.
Cost: Around 15 yuan (US$2.3) per person, with a drink and egg tart.
Address: 1688 Sichuan Rd N., Printemps China Department Store
Tel: 6325-6143
Macau Portuguese
Cuisine: Classic Portuguese-influenced dishes.
Ambience: Unlike the usual Macanese eateries, the Macanese owner pays special attention to decor. Design is European-Chinese, with dark red tablecloths and a romantic ambience. Wines are displayed in cases on the walls for decorative purposes. Cakes are displayed prominently in front. Atmosphere is quiet and relaxing.
Who to invite: Boyfriend, girlfriend, other friends and family for lunch.
Pros: Prices are reasonable at 40 yuan for the set lunch, including unlimited food from the salad and soup bar. Taste is authentic and classics include Portuguese chicken, ox tail and beef curry.
There's a large wine selection.
Cons: The wait for the main course can be long, especially on busy days. Cream is widely used in many of dishes, so it's wise not to over-order creamy food.
Recommended: The Portuguese chicken is perfectly tender and the curry is not too spicy. Portuguese baked duck rice is special, though the duck is barely visible.
Don't Order: The carbonara, which is tasteless and stingy on the bacon, making the overall taste too heavy.
Drinks: Wines and teas
Cost: Around 120 yuan (US$19) for two people for dinner plus dessert
Address: 466 Xikang Rd
Tel: 6255-0092
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