However, despite its rich history, the cuisine remains a relatively undiscovered gem, frequently mischaracterized as a mere extension of Cantonese cooking.
Encapsulating the essence of centuries-old cross-cultural influences, it has been enlisted among China's National Intangible Cultural Heritage, as well as being added to Macao's intangible cultural heritage list.
Macao was named a Creative City of Gastronomy by UNESCO in 2017. The local government has since introduced a comprehensive set of initiatives to enhance the preservation and inheritance of its cuisine. Chefs have also made a sustained effort to help this historical record of the city to continue to shine.
Today, its food stands as a cherished classic, widely favored by tourists.
In Ana Manhao Sou's mind, this cuisine embodies the home-cooked meals of Macao-born Portuguese.
Sou, 61, was born and raised in Macao after her parents emigrated from Portugal in the 1950s.
Fluent in Cantonese, with a Western appearance, she is a genuine Macao native. Following her retirement in 2013, she ventured into the culinary scene by opening Belos Tempos.
