InfoHub - Cuisine From Macau

Cuisine From Macau

The Little Europe In Asia!

byMichael Fernandes & Nazneen Merchant

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There is but one word to describe Macanese food, the cuisine of Macau, Heavenly. Imagine a cuisine in which the zingy flavours of Portuguese cuisine emerge in each morsel. Add to that the influences of Chinese food, which by itself is an absolute explosion of exotic spices and taste. Two distinct cultures, Portuguese and Chinese, make for two separate cuisines. But in Macau, they converge; to be reborn as one - Macanese cuisine.

The European parentage of Macanese cuisine can be traced to the colonising endeavours of the Portuguese. More than just claiming land, the Portuguese borrowed spices - the culinary secrets from the heartlands of Africa and India and took them to Macau.

Once on Oriental ground, Portuguese cuisine metamorphosed into an extraordinary pot pourri. European food married the Eastern modes of cooking and blessed by other influences has made Macanese food a staggeringly exotic and hybridised cuisine. Combining Chinese techniques of stir-fry cooking with western styles brought about many a delicious adventure.

It’s hard to imagine how Macau - a peninsula and two little islands can present such a heady gastronomic experience. The fusion extends to the foods served at most restaurants and eating joints in Macau. Whether up-market eating places or quaint little eateries in the narrow winding streets, Macau is a sheer delight for the food lover.

Besides being famous for cuisine, Macau offers the sweet-toothed an opportunity to go ballistic on pastries, tarts, cakes, not to mention list after list of Portuguese desserts. What is also delightful is that Macau has not only borrowed from Portuguese desserts but has modified them to give a distinct flavour, which is entirely Macanese! Not to be missed is Macau’s version of the Portuguese Egg Tart.

What also compliments the rich array of cuisine is the equally long list of Portuguese wines. A wine for every dish perhaps, but then if that’s the way it is in Portugal, Macau will follow suit!

If cuisine were to reflect the psyche of a city, then Macanese cuisine aptly describes the all-embracing cosmopolitan culture that has existed in the city since the last five to six hundred years. Food from other parts of the world is, of course, readily available in Macau and you'll find plenty of excellent restaurants serving Italian, French, American, Brazilian, Japanese, Korean and Mozambique cuisine as well as dishes from Southeast Asia, such as Thailand, Burma, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

Presenting some of the famous dishes of Macanese cuisine - Minchi is one of the classical dishes of the region and will always be a favorite. Influences from Africa brought in by the Portuguese are Coconut Crab Curry, African Chicken, but to name a few. The traditional Portuguese fish is Bacalhau (cod) served in a myriad of preparations be it grilled, baked, stewed, curried or boiled. Contributions to the cuisine from Brazil include dishes like stews, feijoadas, kidney beans and spicy sausages.

And for those who want the traditional cuisine of the Chinese there are the dim sums prepared in innumerable ways and served in traditional wooden baskets. They are also served in typical Chinese style – the familiar trolley is wheeled with out, laden with sumptuous dim sum treats. Some of the favourite dim sums are Har Kau (steamed shrimp), Shiu Mai (Pork & Shrimp), Tsun Guen (spring rolls, fried and filled with shredded meats, mushroom, bamboo shoots and bean sprouts), and Char Siu Pau (steamed buns with pork). Other famous Chinese dishes like shark fin soup, fried chicken and Peking Duck.

Many chefs of famous restaurants in Macau import supplies from Portugal especially items like pork, sardines and chorizos. Local ingredients and produce include pigeon, quail, duck, fresh vegetables and Macau sole.

So why not embark on a culinary voyage of Macau which is a mere 55 minute ferry ride from Hong Kong ?

Sample Macanese cuisine which, like the little island city is - vibrant, dazzling and interesting. But then again, Macau is not any city in the South East. And Macanese

cuisine is certainly not like any other!

Published with permission of Michael Fernandes : http://www.deliciousindia.com/