Food on Macau Island reflects centuries of cultural exchange. Portuguese techniques, Chinese ingredients, and global influences come together in dishes that feel deeply local.
From seafood and chicken to sweets and snacks that define the island’s food culture.
1. Pastel de Nata
Macau’s most famous sweet needs no introduction. These Portuguese-style custard tarts are crisp, creamy, and lightly caramelised on top. Fresh from the oven, they’re flaky, warm, and completely addictive. Trying a pastel de nata on Macau Island feels like tasting history in dessert form.
2. African Chicken
One of the most iconic Macanese dishes, African chicken is rich, spicy, and full of character. Chicken is grilled or roasted and covered in a thick sauce made with peanuts, coconut, garlic, and spices influenced by Africa and Southeast Asia. Bold flavours, deep warmth, and unmistakably Macau.
3. Shrimp Roe Noodles
This classic local dish is simple yet full of umami. Thin noodles are tossed with dried shrimp roe, creating a subtle seafood flavour that’s savoury without being heavy. It’s a dish that locals grow up with, and one that perfectly represents everyday life on Macau Island.
4. Portuguese-Style Seafood Rice
Served more like a stew than dry rice, this dish is rich, tomato-based, and packed with seafood such as prawns, clams, and crab. Comforting and deeply flavourful, it’s ideal for sharing and showcases Macau’s coastal and Portuguese roots.
5. Minchi with Beef or Chicken
Traditionally made with minced meat, many places on Macau Island serve minchi using beef or chicken instead of pork.
Mixed with diced potatoes, onions, soy sauce, and topped with a fried egg, it’s simple, hearty, and incredibly comforting.
6. Macanese Coconut Curry Chicken
This lesser-known but delicious dish combines tender chicken with coconut milk, spices, and subtle Portuguese influences. Creamy, aromatic, and gently spiced, it’s a perfect example of how global flavours blended naturally in Macau’s kitchens.
7. Almond Cookies
A classic Macau snack, almond cookies are crumbly, fragrant, and lightly sweet. Often made with mung bean flour, they pair perfectly with tea and make an ideal edible souvenir. Simple, nostalgic, and very local.
8. Portuguese Egg Rice with Seafood or Chicken
Creamy and baked to perfection, Portuguese egg rice combines rice with eggs, cream, and either seafood or chicken. The texture is comforting and rich, sitting somewhere between a casserole and a risotto — perfect after a long day of exploring.
9. Steamed Fish with Ginger and Spring Onion
Fresh seafood plays a major role in Macau’s cuisine. Steamed fish, lightly seasoned with ginger, spring onion, and soy sauce, highlights the natural flavours without overpowering them. Clean, delicate, and deeply satisfying.
10. Serradura (Macau Sawdust Pudding)
This chilled dessert layers whipped cream with crushed biscuits, creating a light yet indulgent finish to any meal. Simple ingredients, perfect balance, and a strong Portuguese influence make serradura a quiet favourite on Macau Island.
