I recently visited two restaurants belonging to the Macau Regency food chain, a group dedicated to bringing the tastes and flavours of this south China region to Shanghai. Dotted all over the city, Yum Yum Lisboa Pot and Lisboa Restaurant produce very different interpretations of Macanese cuisine.
Yum Yum Lisboa Pot
First, I tried Yum Yum Lisboa Pot, the slightly more upmarket establishment of the two, which served most of its dishes out of its trademark clay pots.
To all fellow food lovers, don't be fooled by the name of this establishment, Lisboa Restaurant. One would think with a moniker like that, the food would at least have a hint of Portuguese cuisine. No, the owner of Lisboa did not bring Portuguese food to Shanghai. In fact, the menu was entirely in Chinese, so I have to thank my wonderful Chinese professors for my success in decoding the menu.
A sense of intrigue has always surrounded Macanese cuisine. The ultimate fusion fare, it is influenced by South-East Asian, Portuguese and Cantonese styles, producing a distinct flavour unique only to this region. Sitting down to lunch at Yum Yum Pot Lisboa restaurant, I eagerly awaited the flavours of African chicken, curried meats, creamy sauces and egg tarts.
Native Portuguese chef Ricardo Bizarro has done a great job in bringing the unique, rich and full-flavoured taste of Macau to Beijing. Authentic and artistic dishes make up the menu, with culinary creations inspired by Portuguese, Indian and Chinese flavours. Here are a few tasters to whet your appetite.