Ask anyone who lives in or has been to Macau about the best food on the island, and you will surely hear egg tarts as the answer. Surely one must-try dish, egg tarts are almost found everywhere in Macau – from the street food stalls in quaint neighborhoods to the finest dining locations in casino resort complexes.
This iconic snack is comparable to pasties de nata of Portugal, only it has a slight British touch to it. The class egg tart has a delightful custardy taste, which is credited to its simple origin at Lord Stow’s Bakery in Coloane, the first store to sell these treats.
Egg tart is characterized by its flaky pastry base and the caramelized yet slightly runny top part. It is often sold warm, fresh out of the oven. Also known as Macanese egg tart, it is made of puff pastry and the filling part is made of fresh egg yolks, milk, and flour. Macanese egg tarts are different from slightly different from Hong Kong egg tarts because they are sweeter.
Where to buy them
If you want to try the best egg tarts in the island, might as well check out Lord Stow’s, which holds the original top-secret recipe. Aside from their store in Coloane Village, Lord Stow’s also has two cafes in the Venetian Macao resort. Margaret’s Cafe e Nata is another great place to try egg tarts. Located at Senado Square, the cafe’s tarts are known for their homemade charm, with its filling a little on the oily side. Koi Kei Bakery is popular for their firmer tarts, perfect to take home as gifts.
Bring some extra patience with you when you visit these spots because the queues of buyers are often very long. Despite that, the freshly baked tarts will tell you that it’s really worth the wait.
Each seller follows a unique recipe and may have varied set of ingredients, but their tarts share the common custardy taste that matches perfectly with its pastry part.
Don’t forget to try Macanese egg tarts and other local dishes on your visit to Macau. Check out Macao news, updates, and guides for more information.