9 Finest Neighborhood Delicacies & Where to Discover Them in Macau
One of the highlights of a visit to Macau is sampling its local street food. Macanese food is a mix of Chinese and Portuguese influences, and you can easily find and eat these delicious local delicacies on the go. Most tourists visit Macau as a weekend getaway, a day trip from the neighbouring provinces, or even on the way to Hong Kong.
Lord Stow’s Bakery – Portuguese Egg Tarts
Two of the best places in Macau to eat Portuguese egg tarts are Lord Stow’s Bakery and Margaret’s Cafe e Nata. Located in Coloane village, the former is known for its delicate pastry shells and creamy custard filling. While the former has no seating, it’s worth the short trip to sample the tarts. While they’re not particularly sweet, they do taste like butter, which is a nice contrast to the soft, creamy custard inside.
Andrew Stow, a native of England, opened his first bakery in Macau in 1989, after a brief stint at a British drugstore chain. After the Anglo French Laboratories moved out of the city, he decided to stay in Macau to start a business of his own. As word spread about his egg tarts, they quickly became famous across Asia.
Andrew Stow, the founder of Lord Streetow’s Bakery, brought the Portuguese egg tarts to Macau in 1989. He had tasted the Portuguese version of the pastry while he was studying in Portugal and adapted the recipe to produce a Macau version. The result is an iconic Portuguese egg tart that has become a Macau institution. There are many Portuguese egg tarts in Macau, but none compares to the heavenly combination of egg custard and crisp pastry. https://twitter.com/stevehacks
Gelatina Mok Yee Kei – Serradura
Located in Taipa village, Gelatina Mok Yee Kei is renowned for serving a heavenly dessert known as Serradura, also called Portuguese sawdust pudding cake. Made from crushed Marie tea biscuits and sweetened condensed milk, the dessert is one of the city’s most popular street foods. Typically MOP 25 per serving, Serradura is the ultimate comfort food.
In addition to a unique dessert, the city also has the famous Gelatina Mok Yee Kei, a Michelin-approved macanese street food. Though durian is not native to Macau, the popular dessert is made with it. Whether you’re craving a regular ice cream or a luxurious Musang King version, this dessert is a must try.
The most famous dessert shop in Taipa Village is Gelatina Mok Yi Kei. Located on the main pedestrian thoroughfare, it is a Macau icon. Famous for its durian ice cream, the dessert is also known as serradura. A traditional Macanese dessert, serradura consists of crushed cookies, heavy whipping cream, and crumbled Marie biscuit.
Sei Kee Cafe – Pork Chop Buns
When you’re in Taipei, it’s hard to miss Sei Kee Cafe – Pork Chops Buns. The savoury pork chops are topped with a toasted milk bun and barbecued meat. They’re also served with freshly brewed tea or coffee. The tea is made in a clay pot over charcoal and is strained through a stocking before being served.
The pork chop buns at this traditional Macau restaurant are similar to Portuguese bifana. They’re a crispy, warm, and delicious snack, and are perfect for on-the-go eating. This Macau eatery is also known for its clay pot brewed coffee and tea. Despite being busy and popular with tourists, you may have to queue for your meal if you plan on eating here.
Pastelaria Fong Kie – Almond Cookies
A traditional, authentic Macau snack is the almond cookie, which comes in a variety of shapes, flavors and prices. These delicious treats are easily available for purchase in numerous cookie shops that line the streets. The popular Fong Kei Pastelaria is an excellent place to buy boxes of almond cookies. You can also try their seasoned pork version if you are not so keen on the almonds.
Originally from Hong Kong, almond cookies are popular street food in Macau. The famous Fong Kie cookies are made from almond and mung bean flour and are available all year round. These crumbly cookies are made with mung bean flour and taste warm and comforting. The heavenly cookies sell for MOP 30 to 40. The ingredients used are also natural, sourced locally whenever possible.
Pastelaria Fong Kie – The king of almond cookies in Macau has a cult following. These sweet treats are so popular that there are several chains around the city. To find a Koi Kei location, follow the crowd. The store was packed with tourists buying bags of cookies and other treats. Besides eating these tasty treats, Koi Kei also sells macaranese sawdust pudding, which is a traditional dessert in Macau made of whipped cream. The dessert is delicious and is popular for gifts.
Koi Kei Bakery – Meat Jerky
If you’re a fan of beef jerky, you must try the meat jerky offered by Koi Kei Bakery. The shop sells many different varieties, ranging from spicy pork to honey-roasted beef. Other popular flavors include pork floss and thinly sliced pork loin. It’s a delicious treat that’s both hot and spicy. Koi Kei Bakery is one of the best places in Macau to buy meat jerky. https://www.veoh.com/users/stevehacks
While famous for its beef jerky, Koi Kei Bakery also specializes in cakes and rolls. This savoury snack is a must-try on your trip to Macau. Other Macau street foods to try include the famous seaweed pork floss rolls. They’re a flaky savoury pocket filled with pork and egg and wrapped in seaweed. Among the desserts available at Koi Kei Bakery are a variety of baked goods, from almond cookies to moon cakes.
Long Wa Teahouse – Dimsums
Sitting in the dim sum-and-teahouse-like Long Wa Teahouse in Macau is like stepping back in time to 1960s Macau. With huge windows and a vintage, yet contemporary decor, this dim sum house in Macau is a step into the past. Inside, dim sums are served in small bowls and you can watch people go by as you eat.
There are a number of seating areas inside the Long Wa Teahouse, but the best ones are located close to the windows. From here, you can observe the bustling city below – people heading to the market, elderly people reading the newspaper, and vendors selling fresh produce across the street. You will not want to miss this chance to enjoy dim sum. Just make sure to arrive early – it’s worth the wait.
Another option for dim sum lovers is the Long Wa Teahouse, located just behind the Red Market. This small but cozy teahouse was first opened in the 60s and hasn’t changed since then. It serves traditional Cantonese dim sum and has a Michelin guide listing as one of the best teahouses in Macau. Long Wa Teahouse is cash-only and does not accept reservations.
Gelatina Mok Yee Kei – Durian Ice Cream
If you are a foodie, you must try the Durian Ice Cream, a famous Macau street food. Though durian is not a native fruit, it is a popular sweet in Macau. Gelatina Mok Yee Kei has two varieties, regular and Musang King. Both are unique, and taste amazing. You can order either a cup of the regular version or a large, premium Durian ice cream.
Located in Taipa Village, Gelatina Mok Yi Kei is one of the oldest ice cream shops in Macau. The ice cream shop has been around since 1935. In addition to its famous durian ice cream, it is also famous for its sawdust pudding, agar, and agar. The dessert is delicious, but it is not cheap. You should budget at least MOP 25 for one serving.
I tried the Durian Ice Cream at Gelatina Mok Yee Kei, one of the most popular dessert shops in Macau. The authentic Durian is only available in Malaysia during the durian season. The price is MOP38 per tub, but the quality is worth it. If you’re looking for a sweet treat, it’s hard to find a better one than this in Macau.
Lemon Cello Gelato – Gelato
If you’re looking for a unique treat in Macau, don’t forget to try a delicious lemoncello gelato! Located between Senado Square and the Ruins of St. Paul’s, this popular gelato shop is the perfect mid-afternoon treat. Besides tasting delicious lemon gelato, a visit here also provides a great opportunity for photo shoots! Against a backdrop of the historic Ruins of St. Paul’s, this gelato will create a stunning photo shoot.
If you have time, you can also try durian ice cream. Although durian is not native to Macau, you can find this specialty in an 80-year-old ice cream shop in the city. Both regular durian and Musang King premium durian are available. Besides lemon cello gelato, you can also try the local delicacy, crunchy peanut candy, a sweet snack that is similar to peanut brittle and coated with sesame seeds.
If you’re looking for a unique treat, try the local delicacies of Macau. Macau is a major port city in Southern China and a former Portuguese colony. The food in Macau combines elements from Chinese, Portuguese, and other cultures, including India, Malaysia, and South America. Macau is renowned for its fine dining, and Michelin Guides have recognized this fact in their first street food guide.