By Alla Semiletova and Carol Yau,Photo credits by Carol Yau
One bus ride. One walk. Three stops. Our accomplishment after a proper slow lunch and before a traditional Portuguese Pintxos Hour – this is what an afternoon with Slow food-ies on tour is like.
Our first stop was a traditional “cha chaan teng”, Sai Wan On Kei (main branch), established in 1954 and known for their efficient service and extensive menu; especially their buns (short baguettes) with unique fillings. Within minutes of our order, on our table appeared: a pork chop bun, spicy sardine bun, and pork chop with spicy sardine bun, and five traditional “yuanyangs” (mix of coffee & tea with condensed milk).
Within a short five minute walk was Cotiz, a Kyoto-style coffee shop, only three-years young and possessed a very different slow vibe, but served equally delicious snacks prepared with pride and care for customers. We even had an opportunity to enjoy a modern spin on the “yuanyangs” with a coffee and earl grey tea with oat milk.
Onwards towards our final destination, we visited Porthos, a canned sardine shop established 100 years ago, to buy some authentic Portuguese flavours to take home. This colorful shop beautifully displayed all of their products including a sample of their spicy sardine almond cookies. Canned sardines have been part of Macau’s daily diet whilst almond cookies are synonymous with gifts and treats. To see these flavours combined at Porthos was special, which is not commonly found in typical souvenir shops.
As we left the shop heading towards our final destination, we were able to appreciate the flavours of what Macau foods can offer. The walk was good for our digestion and the sentiment that repeatedly was discussed was slow food can come in different flavours and forms, and we enjoy it all!