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.
CALDO DE GALINHA
(Chicken broth)
A chicken broth 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, daikon 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
CASQUINHAS
(Crab meat in crab shells)
This is a stunning dish. A bit more work but well worth it.
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.
VIDEO ON GRILLED CHILLI PRAWNS
VIDEO ON AFRICAN CHICKEN AND CHILLI PRAWNS
Video on Grilled Prawns
BALICHÃO | BALICHUNG
(Krill Sauce)
Balichão is central to Macanese cooking, giving a unique flavour to many dishes. Often called “prawn sauce”, it is in fact made from krill.
Here are some recipes: one using krill, another using prawns and two that use a Philippine krill paste.
BEBINGA DE INHAME
(Taro Pudding)
A Chinese savoury pudding not unlike daikon pudding (lo pak kow) but made with taro.
MIÇÓ/MISSÓ CRISTÃO
(Soy bean paste)
SAMBAL DE BRINJELA
(Spicy eggplant pickle)
SOPA DE CABEÇA DE CARNEIRO
(Sheep head soup)
This dish is not for the squeamish; it is included primarily for its historical interest. Early Macanese were evidently omnivorous.