Macau is a surreal, hyper-charged enclave—often dubbed the ‘Vegas of Asia’—where colossal casinos dwarf colonial architecture. But when Bourdain visited in 2011 for No Reservations (Season 7), he was after something much older and more complex than the baccarat tables. Macau possesses a completely unique, fascinating culinary identity born from centuries of Portuguese colonial rule layered over deep Chinese roots. It is the birthplace of what many consider the world’s first fusion cuisine. Bourdain’s angle was to explore this rich, often contradictory cultural collision. He wasn’t just looking at the glitzy casino dining; he sought out the foundational, historic flavors that define Macanese food. He wanted the visceral, heavy comfort of Portuguese peasant dishes served in old-school canteens, the delicate precision of high-end Cantonese dim sum, and the specific, hybrid magic of a simple pork chop bun. It was a journey into a fading history trying to survive in the shadow of modern mega-resorts. Let’s unearth the truly essential, flavor-packed stops he uncovered in this unique territory.
When Anthony Bourdain visited Macau on his show No Reservations Season 7 Episode 10 (originally aired July 18, 2011), he and his crew picked many restaurants. Here are all the addresses and the dishes showcased on Anthony Bourdain – Macau, all in a convenient list.
DISH – Cantonese Cuisine
WHAT IS IT?
Cantonese cuisine is from the province of Guangdong in China, which (kinda, sorta) includes Macau. Har gow are steamed fresh water shrimp dumplings. Other Cantonese dishes include roasted chicken (can be dressed in pomelo and honey-lime sauce), Cantonese-style roasted pork belly, fish ball soup, and Cantonese-style steamed crab claw (crab law steamed with ginger, white wine and egg white). Trying out Cantonese cuisine would be an interesting addition to your backpacking Macau itinerary.
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WHERE IS IT?
The 8 Restaurant (Grand Lisboa)
2-4 Avenida De Lisboa
Macau, China
NOTES – Anthony Bourdain – Macau
The 8 is one of the several restaurants in Hotel Lisboa. It serves Cantonese-style dishes that Anthony Bourdain referred to as “high-end” dumplings. Their har gow, for example, is shaped like a goldfish, which is a symbol of good luck in Chinese culture (the same with the number 8).
DISH – Camarão com Quiabo
WHAT IS IT?
Camarão com quiabo is a Macanese dish of fresh prawns and okra in curry sauce. Macanese cuisine blends Chinese and Portuguese culinary traditions, where spices and techniques are Portuguese and the ingredients are from Asia.
WHERE IS IT?
Apomac
Avenida de Sidónio Pais
Macau, China
NOTES – Anthony Bourdain – Macau
Apomac primarily serves Macanese dishes unique to Macau.
DISH – Portuguese Cuisine
WHAT IS IT?
Macau was a Portuguese territory during the colonial days of Portugal. As such, Portuguese cuisine seeped through Macau and is still evident up to now. There remains several restaurants that serve Portuguese food in Macau, with dishes like grilled chorizo, Portuguese clams (fresh clams steamed with garlic, cilantro, white wine and malagueta pepper), grilled fresh sardines, and roasted suckling pig marinated in wine and spices.
READ MORE: WHAT TO EAT IN LISBON, PORTUGAL: 8 BEST THINGS – AND WHERE TO GET THEM
WHERE IS IT?
Fernando’s
9 Praia de Hac Sa
Macau, China
NOTES – Anthony Bourdain – Macau
Fernando’s is a popular Portuguese restaurant in Macau where diners can take pleasure in a slice of traditional gastronomic Portuguese colonial history.
DISH – Steamed Milk Pudding – No Reservations Macau
WHAT IS IT?
Anthony Bourdain refers to this unassuming dish as “white on white”. Steamed milk pudding is made of milk, eggs, water and sugar, steamed for about 10 minutes.
WHERE IS IT?
Yee Shun Milk Company
381 Av. de Almeida Ribeiro
Macau, China
NOTES – Anthony Bourdain – Macau
Also known as Leitaria I Son, Yee Shun Milk Company is the go-to place for steamed milk pudding in Macau.
DISH – Bifana – No Reservations Macau
WHAT IS IT?
Bifana is a popular snack in Macau. It’s 100% Portuguese and is quite straightforward: it is a bun and a fried pork chop.
WHERE IS IT?
Tai Lei Loi Kei Pork Chop Bun
MacaoR. Correia da Silva, 35
Macau, China
NOTES – Anthony Bourdain – Macau
Tai Lei Loi Kei is known to be the home of the original pork chop bun in Macau.
READ MORE: ANTHONY BOURDAIN SHANGHAI : ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS PICKED ON NO RESERVATIONS
This 2011 exploration of Macau highlights Bourdain’s deep fascination with the historical ghosts lingering in modern food. By championing places like Fernando’s and Apomac, he shone a crucial light on the unique, endangered Macanese culture, proving that the real wealth of the territory isn’t found in the casinos, but in its kitchens. It’s memorable for showcasing how the collision of European and Asian traditions created something entirely original and deeply satisfying—from spicy curried prawns to the simple perfection of a bifana. It reminds us that behind the neon and the gambling, a complex, delicious history is fighting to be remembered. When you visit Macau, step away from the slot machines and seek out the fading, authentic flavors of this one-of-a-kind culinary crossroads.
