Wonderful Food in Macau

I have never explored the food in Macau before, so this was really an eye-opener for me. Armed with research information I got from watching a TV documentary, I set out in search of all the good recommended food in Macau.

Upon arrival in the early morning, we just walked across the road from the Ferry Terminal and found this little cafe open, while most shops were still closed. We were hungry, so we just went in and ordered. The famous Macau Pork Chop sandwich was better than those we tried in Hong Kong. However, the porridge were quite ordinary.

Just around the corner from the cafe, we took mini Bus No. 8 to the Three Lamps District (三盞燈) at Rotunda De Carlos Da Maia.

Here at the Three Lamps District, it was really happening. Not only can you find a street market selling all kinds of vegetables, poultry and seafood, there are also many stalls and shops selling cooked food, like this one selling dim sum.

And several stalls selling roast meats and stewed chicken feet and other innards.

But we had just one purpose going there, and that is to find this highly recommended stall serving Pig Trotters stewed with ginger in black vinegar (豬腳姜醋). It was easy to find. The first stall facing the little park. And the food was simply awesome!

The pig trotters were well cooked and tender and tasty. The vinegar taste was strong but not overpowering. The pig intestines, pig stomach and pig ears were succulent and juicy with taste. The hard-boiled eggs was good too as the vinegar had penetrated into the yolk. But the best was still the ginger. According to the owner, the ginger is specially commissioned for his stall. They are grown specially to ensure the ginger is not too old and not too fibrous. It was like eating a sweet potato. The ginger was powdery with little or no fibres at all. And they were cooked just right, with the sweetness from the vinegar seeped in.

Everyone who goes to Macau must seek out this stall and try it. An absolute must try!

You will also find this confectionery at the Three Lamps District. Some of the biscuits are quite interesting so we bought some. But this is not where you can find the best biscuits, and the almond biscuits were quite ordinary.

 Another stall that caught my eye is this fruit stall that sells jackfruit and durians.

A short walk away, at the junction of Rua da Ribeira do Patane and Avenida de Horte e Costa, just across from the Red Market (Mercado Vermelho) we found this little cafe that serves pretty interesting fare.

My son went for the Tomato and Ham macaroni, while I had the stewed beef noodles. Both were quite ordinary and nothing to rave about. What was unusual was the Four Treasures Noodles (四寶丸麵). Each of the four fishballs had different fillings, including one that was filled with crab roe.

But the best thing about Macau is definitely the Portuguese Egg Tarts by Lord Stow's Bakery in Coloane  Village.

These egg tarts are to die for! What you get elsewhere can never measure up to the original. Not even close. The pastry was flaky and crispy. The egg custard filling was just right, not too sweet, and scorched perfectly giving it a slightly burnt taste. Simply excellent.

Just imagine, on a cold, windy night, sitting at a marble table by the sea with a box of Lord Stow's Portuguese Egg Tarts, fresh out of the oven, so fragrant and steaming hot. This is what life is all about.