by Isabel Lee What comes to mind when you think of Macao? Nine out of ten would probably say casinos. But the tenth person, if he is a true gourmet, would say food, and he would be right. Macao, the first and the last European colony in China, was administered by Portugal for over 400 years. It is a place where Western and Chinese cultures meet. You can easily perceive the colonial qualities from its well-preserved Portuguese buildings standing along the little streets. Apart from this air of ancient charm, however, Macao is also a modern city. Tall commercial buildings and glittery casinos stand everywhere. But if you are not a big fan of architecture and you can’t gamble because you are under 18, don’t worry! Macao also has unique food for your pleasure! Besides being known as “Asia’s Las Vegas,” Macao is also a food paradise where you can find a variety of restaurants serving every type of cuisine. But if you think these foods are too common for you, there is always another choice: Macanese food, a fusion of Portuguese and Chinese cuisines and a distinct feature of Macao. Let me introduce you to some of the must-try dishes. African Chicken African Chicken is called Galinha à Africana in Portuguese. It is also called Frango assado, which means barbecued chicken. The dish is a barbecued chicken coated with a sauce made from chili peppers and coconut milk. The chicken’s skin is crisp and it is topped with the spicy sauce. Underneath, the meat is succulent and tender. The dish was invented in the 1940s, but in fact it has nothing to do with the chickens of Africa. The reason why it’s named African Chicken remains a mystery, since the chef who created the dish never revealed the secret. Deep Fried Bacalhau Cakes Bacalhau means codfish in Portuguese. The fish is usually dried and salted for preservation. We import the salted fish slices from Portugal. Before cooking, the chef soaks the fish slices in water for at least 20 hours to get rid of the salt. We use Bacalhau to make a variety of dishes. Deep fried bacalhau cakes may be the most popular one. They are small round cakes made from the fish minced with mashed potatoes. However, if you are not into deep fried foods, boiled Bacalhau, usually served with olive oil and vegetables, will be your best choice. Although it may sound a bit ordinary, it’s always the best way to enjoy the flavor of the fish. Portuguese-style Egg Tart Pastel de Nata! I’m pretty sure many of you have already heard of this, since KFC has recently got into the pastry business, too. Actually, these tarts are quite similar to the Chinese ones, except the egg custard has a topping with caramelized sugar, which you don’t see in Chinese egg tarts, and the pastry casing is more flaky and buttery. Some people like to sprinkle a little cinnamon powder on top. These delicious tarts are definitely the “foodmark” of Macao, just as the ruins of the Cathedral of St. Paul are its landmark. All in all, you could not imagine a Macao trip without Portuguese-style egg tarts. I suppose you now have a wild urge to go on a food trip to Macao, but hold on! Before packing your bags for an exotic and delicious adventure, you may want some recommendations on the best restaurants.
There are far more good restaurants than these, where you can have delectable meals at reasonable prices. But sometimes deciding where and what to eat can be more difficult than choosing winning numbers at the casino – there are just too many wonderful choices! a
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May 2024
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