Macau Renowned For Portuguese-Chinese Fusion#
Though Macau's culinary scene has, in recent years, become associated with Michelin-starred restaurants like Robuchon a Galera, Wing Lei and Zi Yat Heen, the city's long history as a Portuguese-Chinese melting pot has, over the course of centuries, forged one of the region's most interesting food cultures. And among the many comestible curiosities left behind by the Portuguese in Macau, few have become as readily associated with the city as the humble egg tart. Over the course of decades, many of Macau's Portuguese egg tart bakeries have cultivated their own devoted fan-bases, with travel books and food blogs filled with references to local institutions like Margaret’s Cafe e Nata and Koi Kei.
Recently, Swire Hotels social media maven, devoted foodie, and friend of Jing Daily, Juliana Loh took a trip to Macau from her home base of Hong Kong, forgoing well-known destinations like Margaret's -- "The queue and pilgrimage is not worth it" -- to profile her four favorite egg tart spots:
Ou Mun Cafe#
(澳門咖啡)
My fellow food blogger adventurer H brought me here. There’s an Ou Mun café in old Taipa village round the corner from our flat, but they only sell cakes and cookies. It was my first time trying out the Tigelada, a type of traditional Portuguese egg tarts (slightly different from Patéis de Natas that originated in Lisbon and you see everywhere on the streets of Macau). They are light and fluffy and have the similar consistency of a canelé and the traditional malay cake kuih bakar. Proprietor Fernando is Portuguese, and has been in Macau for more than a decade, so his dish is an adaptation of the central Portugal dish, made with less sugar and served with a side of caramel. The coffees here are great, so be sure to order a cuppa to go with your dessert.
Travessa de Sao Domingos No12 r/c Macau
Tel: +852 28372207
cafeoumun@gmail.com
Ne Ne Pastelaria#
(特色葡撻店)
This little shop in old Taipa Village sells tiny egg tarts (1/3 the size of usual tarts) in different flavours like coffee, chocolate, green tea. Stick with the original egg custard flavour, the chocolate is interesting and isn’t overpoweringly sweet, but still, an egg tart is an egg tart, so we recommend sticking with the original.
92B, Rua Correia Da Silva
Na Taipa, Vila de Taipa
Lord Stow’s Bakery#
(安德魯葡塔)
Tried and tested by millions of people, Stow even has franchises outside of Macau and is recommended by possibly every guidebook on Macau. The hot tarts have delicious butter crusts that crumble upon first bite and the egg custard has smooth consistency—as opposed to bad tarts that taste almost synthetic. Avoid the Venetian branch as it’s all fast-paced and touristy. Instead go to the Lord Stow Garden Cafe in Coloane that also serves decent sandwiches and quiches.
105 Rua da Cordoaria
Macau Coloane
Tel: +853 2888 2174
San Hou Lei Cafe#
(新好利咖啡饼店)
A very local confectionery that most people just walk past, missing the lovely smells that spill over into the streets. They are famous for their bird's nest Portuguese egg tarts, but I find that the textures somewhat don’t go as a whole, and is better left cooking in soups—the usual way it’s consumed. The regular egg tarts are delish, and the crust is more flakey-buttery pastry than crumbly shortcrust base. The coconut milk version is interesting, but if you’re strict about authentic Po tarts, go with the egg tarts without the fancy dress.
13－14 Rua do Cunha
澳門氹仔地堡街13-14號
Tel：+853 2882 7373