BEEF
MINCED MEAT
(Minchi)
Minchi is the staple Macanese dish of minced meat, very popular and easy to make. Traditionally, it is often topped with a fried egg (sunny-side up) and fried diced potatoes.
MEAT BALLS
(Almôndegas)
This variation of Portuguese Almôndegas, known to some Macanese as Amonicas, is an easy and popular starter at gatherings.
POT-ROAST BEEF
(Vaca Estufada)
This is a Macanese variant of a well-known Portuguese rustic dish.
TACHO
(Mixed meat stew)
A variant of the Portuguese cozido with Asian ingredients. A good example of Macau’s fusion cuisine.
CALDEIRADA
(Seafood or Meat Stew)
Portuguese fish stew, a first cousin to the French bouillabaisse; also a stew with a mix of seafood and meat.
CROQUETE
(Beef croquettes)
Four recipes: a potato croquette stuffed with minchi, two comprising minced beef or pork and one with rolled beef steak.
BIFE MACAU
(Beef, Macau Style)
Once a favourite dish sought after at a famous restaurant in Macau.
BEEF RENDANG
The famous Indonesian curry
More Beef recipes
FOWL
GALINHA DE PAPÁ
(Chicken casserole)
ARROZ PILAU
(Pilau rice)
A rich, savoury rice dish for important occasions.
BONELESS DUCK
Something for that special dinner party
ARROZ GORDO
(Rich rice)
GALINHA EMBRIAGADA
(Chicken in wine)
Untested recipe
CANJE
(Congee – rice porridge)
Galinha kai pin
(Stir Fry Chicken with Bamboo Shoots)
CALDO DE GALINHA
(Chicken soup)
A chicken soup served to convalescents, suitable also for those on a light diet.
ADE CABIDELA
(Jugged Duck)
Duck cooked in its own blood: a treat and a challenge for the adventurous.
TACHO
(Mixed meat stew)
GALINHA CABIDELA
(Chicken cooked in its own blood)
AFRICAN CHICKEN AND CHILLI PRAWNS
(Video)
More Fowl recipes
PORK
STUFFED BITTER MELON
(Amargoso Lorcha)
The shape of the bitter melon is reminiscent of the lorcha, a boat once used in Macau to combat pirates.
MINCHI
(Minced meat)
Minchi is the staple Macanese dish of minced meat, very popular and easy to make. Traditionally, it is often topped with a fried egg (sunny-side up) and fried diced potatoes.
PORCO BALICHÃO TAMARINHO
(Pork with tamarind and krill sauce)
A good example of Macau’s fusion cuisine, blending tamarind and krill sauce in an exotic flavour. It is always served with Arroz Carregado.
APA BICO
(Steamed savoury dumpling)
Once a regular starter at Macanese parties, this is well worth trying again.
CAPELA
(Pork meat loaf)
It looks elaborate but is in fact quite easy to make and is a hit with people of all backgrounds and tastes.
PORCO BAFAÇÁ
(Braised and roasted pork)
Marinading pork in turmeric sauce for hours and then slow cooking it results in a dish to remember.
BEBINGA DE RABONO | LO PAK KOW
(Daikon savoury pudding)
This popular Chinese dish was adopted by Macanese.
TACHO / PELE CHAU CHAU
(Mixed meat stew)
A rich and flavoursome dish blending the flavours of mixed meats and vegetables.
CHILI CHAU CHAU
(Spicy stir-fried pork)
This is essentially a Chinese dish adopted by some Macanese families.
SOPA DE ALETRIA
(Vermicelli soup with pork dumplings)
Untested recipe
PORCO VINHO D’ALHO
(Pork with wine and garlic)
This is a mildly flavoured Portuguese dish but when it was introduced into Goa in India, chillies and other spices were added and it migrated into the fiery Vindaloo curry.
LUK-KIT
(Minchi croquette)
Simple ingredients for an easy snack.
MEATS ARROZ GORDO
(Rich rice with mixed )
This is an impressive dish for great occasions.
CANJE
(Congee)
Comfort food learned from the Chinese, with a wide choice of ingredients.
ALMÔNDEGAS
(Meat balls)
This variation of Portuguese Almôndegas, known to some Macanese as Amonicas, is an easy and popular starter at gatherings.
FEIJOADA
(Pork and beans, Macau style)
The national dish of Brazil, with variations throughout all the world where Portugal had settlements.
INHAME CHAU-CHAU COM LAP-YÔCK
(Braised Pork Belly with Chinese Sausage and Yam)
SOPA DE VANTAN
(Wonton soup)
CHAU CHAU CHILI
(Spicy stir-fried pork)
A popular old family recipe
COZIDO
Mixed meats
A rustic stew of boiled meats and vegetables, blending all the flavours.
CHOURIÇO
(Sausage)
Several recipes for pork and beef sausages
CHILICOTE
(Fried Savoury Pastries)
The popular pastry that appeared at every major Macanese gathering https://macaneserecipes.org/chilicote/
More Pork recipes
SEAFOOD
CAMARÕES PANADOS
(Breaded prawns)
Succulent crumbed prawns, stuffed with ginger, spring onions and garlic
CODFISH STEW
(Bacalhoada)
A flavoursome dish from the late Anita d’Assumpção, who for decades delighted guests at the Clube Macau with her creations.
BACALHAU DE ALZIRA
(Codfish Casserole)
Bacalhau (codfish preserved with salt) is a staple of the Portuguese diet. This one, from Macau, is just one of hundreds of bacalhau recipes.
FISH PIE
(Empada de Peixe)
This unusual fusion of European and Asian flavours was served at Christmas time.
PASTEIS DE BACALHAU
(Codfish Balls)
A popular snack made of codfish and potatoes, deep-fried. Always a success at parties.
ARROZ REFOGADO
(Rice with Prawns and Cabbage)
An “all-in-one” dish with prawns, green vegetable, tomato and rice.
Untested recipe
ARROZ DE CHOCO
(Squid rice)
The popular Portuguese dish. The version shown here uses stuffed baby squid.
CALDEIRADA
(Seafood or Meat Stew)
Portuguese fish stew, a first cousin to the French bouillabaisse; also for a stew with a mix of seafood and meat.
CASQUINHAS
(Crab meat in shells)
This is a stunning dish, presenting crab meat in crab shells. A bit more work but well worth it.
BACALHAU BAKE
(Baked Codfish)
An easy dish of codfish, potatoes and eggs, topped with crunchy breadcrumbs.
PEIXE COM PÓ DE CARIL
(Curried fish)
Untested recipe
CHUTNEY DE BACALHAU
(Codfish chutney)
CHAWAN NO MUSHI
(Steamed fish, mushrooms, bambooo shoots)
BACALHAU À GOMES DE SÁ
Codfish casserole
The famous Portuguese baked salt cod with potatoes and olives
BACALHAU À CELESTINA
(Codfish with Capsicums)
A casserole of codfish, layered with capsicums, onions, olives, eggs, tomatoes and potatoes.
Untested recipe
FÚ IÔNG HÁI
(Crab omelette)
SOPA DE LACASSÁ
(Prawn soup)
This soup is made only with prawns, and traditionally is eaten on Christmas eve and Good Friday. Despite its name, it bears little resemblance to the Southeast Asian dish laksa.
GRILLED CHILLI PRAWNS
(Video)
AFRICAN CHICKEN AND CHILLI PRAWNS
(Video)
More Seafood recipes
SIDE DISHES
ALMÔNDEGAS
(Meat balls)
This variation of Portuguese Almôndegas, known to some Macanese as Amonicas, is an easy and popular starter at gatherings.
LUK-KIT
(Minchi croquette)
Simple ingredients for an easy snack.
PASTEIS DE BACALHAU
(Codfish Balls)
A popular snack made of codfish and potatoes, deep-fried. Always a success at parties.
CHILICOTE
(Fried Savoury Pastries)
The popular pastry that appeared at every major Macanese gathering
AÇORDA
(Bread Panada)
Use up stale bread and left-over meats for a nutritious snack.
CAMARÕES RECHEADOS
(Stuffed prawns)
Succulent crumbed prawns, stuffed with ginger, spring onions and garlic
CALDO DE GALINHA
Chicken broth)
A chicken soup served to convalescents, suitable also those on a light diet.
APA BICO
(Steamed savoury dumpling)
Once a regular starter at Macanese parties, this is well worth trying again.
XAROPE DE FOLHA DE FIGO
(Fig leaf cordial)
This delicious drink was reputed to have curative properties.
BEBINGA DE RABONO
(Lo pak kow, Taro pudding)
This popular Chinese dish was adopted by Macanese.
CALDO VERDE
(Green Vegetable Soup)
A classic Portuguese soup
ARROZ CARREGADO
(Pressed rice)
This simple rice dish was always served with the sweet-and-sour Porco Balichão Tamarinho.
CANJE
(Congee – rice porridge)
PÃO RECHEADO
(Stuffed bread roll)
An essential platter in Macanese chás-gordos (lavish afternoon teas),
ARROZ REFOGADO
(Rice with Prawns and Cabbage)
An “all-in-one” dish with prawns, green vegetable, tomato and rice.
SOPA DE ALETRIA
(Vermicelli soup with pork dumplings)
Untested recipe
FOFINHOS DE INHAME
(Yam fritters)
Deep fried battered yam snack or side dish
SOPA DE LACASSÁ
(Prawn soup)
This soup is made only with prawns, and traditionally is eaten on Christmas eve and Good Friday. Despite its name, it bears little resemblance to the Southeast Asian dish laksa.
CASQUINHAS
(Crab meat in shells)
This is a stunning dish, presenting crab meat in crab shells. A bit more work but well worth it.
GRILLED CHILLI PRAWNS
(Video)
AFRICAN CHICKEN AND CHILLI PRAWNS
(Video)
More Side recipes
SWEETS
SARANSURÁVEL
(Steamed coconut cake)
This sponge cake with roasted bean topping had its origins in Malaya.
COQUEIRA
(Coconut tartlets)
Mini coconut tea pies in a delicate lemon-zest crust
BEBINGA DE LEITE
(Coconut and milk pudding)
Coconut and milk pudding
PÃO DE LÓ
(Sponge cake)
A light Portuguese sponge cake. Unlike other cakes and breads, it does not use yeast or baking powder, but relies on beaten egg white to provide suspended air bubbles to produce a light cake.
GENETES
(Shortbread cookies)
Soft cookies that just melt in your mouth.
BAGI (Glutinous Rice sweet)
An old coconut sweet.
ARROZ DOCE
(Sweet rice pudding)
Making this delicious dessert with fresh coconut was once rather tedious, but is now simple with canned coconut milk.
XAROPE DE FOLHA DE FIGO
Fig leaf cordial)
This delicious drink was reputed to have curative properties.
BOLO MENINO
(Sponge Cake)
This was named after the Christ Child (menino) and was served at Christmas time but there is no reason why it should not be enjoyed throughout the year.
PINEAPPLE UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE
FIOS DE OVOS
(Egg threads)
CREME CARAMEL
FARTES
(Christmas pastry)
Eaten at Christmas, these are meant to represent the pillows of the baby Jesus.
COSCORÕES
(Sweet pastry sheets)
These sweet, crisp pastries are traditionally served at Christmas time and represent the sheets on the bed of the baby Jesus.
SONHO
(Sweet or savoury deep-fried choux pastry)
BICHO-BICHO
(Shortbread biscuits)
Feather-light gluten-free corn starch biscuits, piped into wriggly shapes and called bicho-bicho (“worms” in the Macanese patois).
BATATADA
(Sweet Potato Cake)
A moist cake made with sweet or ordinary potatoes.
TORTA DE LARANJA
(Orange roll)
SERRADURA
(Sawdust dessert)
A rich, creamy dessert whose biscuits crumbs resemble sawdust
More Sweets recipes
VEGETARIAN
XAROPE DE FOLHA DE FIGO
(Fig leaf cordial)
This delicious drink was reputed to have curative properties.
ARROZ CARREGADO
(Pressed rice)
This simple rice dish was always served with the sweet-and-sour Porco Balichão Tamarinho.
FOFINHOS DE INHAME
(Yam fritters)
Deep fried battered yam snack or side dish
SARANSURÁVEL
(Steamed coconut cake)
This sponge cake with roasted bean topping had its origins in Malaya.
COQUEIRA
(Coconut tartlets)
Mini coconut tea pies in a delicate lemon-zest crust
BEBINGA DE LEITE
(Coconut and milk pudding)
Coconut and milk pudding
PÃO DE LÓ
(Sponge cake)
A light Portuguese sponge cake. Unlike other cakes and breads, it does not use yeast or baking powder, but relies on beaten egg white to provide suspended air bubbles to produce a light cake.
GENETES
(Shortbread cookies)
Soft cookies that just melt in your mouth.
FIOS DE OVOS
(Egg threads)
CREME CARAMEL
FARTES
(Christmas pastry)
Eaten at Christmas, these are meant to represent the pillows of the baby Jesus.
COSCORÕES
(Sweet pastry sheets)
These sweet, crisp pastries are traditionally served at Christmas time and represent the sheets on the bed of the baby Jesus.
SONHO
(Sweet or savoury deep-fried choux pastry)
BICHO-BICHO
(Shortbread biscuits)
Feather-light gluten-free corn starch biscuits, piped into wriggly shapes and called bicho-bicho (“worms” in the Macanese patois).
BATATADA
(Sweet Potato Cake)
A moist cake made with sweet or ordinary potatoes.
TORTA DE LARANJA
(Orange roll)
SERRADURA
(Sawdust dessert)
A rich, creamy dessert whose biscuits crumbs resemble sawdust
CHEESE TOAST
This has long been a staple of Cha Gordo (Macanese afternoon gatherings)
SOPA DE LACASSÁ
(Prawn soup)
This soup is made only with prawns, and traditionally is eaten on Christmas eve and Good Friday. Despite its name, it bears little resemblance to the Southeast Asian dish laksa.
CASQUINHAS
This is a stunning dish, presenting crab meat in crab shells. A bit more work but well worth it.
VIDEOS
PORCO VINHO D’ALHO
(Pork with wine and garlic video)
GALINHA DE PAPÁ
(Chicken casseole video)
PORCO BALICHÃO TAMARINHO
(Pork with krill sauce and tamarind video)
ARROZ CARREGADO
(Pressed rice video)
ADE CABIDELA
(Duck in its own blood, video)
TACHO
(Mixed meat stew, video, in Portuguese)
MINCHI
(Minced meat: video)
GRILLED CHILLI PRAWNS
(Video)
AFRICAN CHICKEN
(Video)