Street Food I – Barbosa Market

Last modified date

Barbosa market, translated Portuguese namely “Complexo Municipal do Mercado de Tamagini Barbosa (台山街市市政綜合大樓). This is one of the most historical landmark located in Northern part of Macau.

The open marketplace have served temporary migrants and residents back in the 70s.

In 2005, the Macau Government have announced new construction development moving all market stalls in one centralized block. The Marketplace offer raw meat, seafood, vegetables and dry items of all kinds. That include food stalls, combining public community centers, rooftop garden; where it all serves till now.

Today, we’ll take a quick glance on cooked food stalls existed more 30 years of age. You’ll absolutely enjoy the most original local tastes – here now introducing Toi San market.

Pig Trotters in Ginger and Sweetened Vinegar

Composes of Pork Trotters, whole ginger, pig’s skin, and marinated eggs. The best part of this dish goes to the pig’s whole intestines, selling MOP$30 per portion. All marinated in a huge big pot, ingredients boiled anytime, every minute of the day grabbing the strongest tastes. The most fascinating part was the collagen coming out from the pork trotters. The Vinaigrette and pork itself was never been a oily thing. From minimum serving $15 above (small bowl) to a $1200 per big pot take away, all bulk buys never end;

Traditionally, this dish’s recipe was tailored made for new mums after giving birth. A recommended dish to eat everyday gain a good results; it increases and replenishing nutritional components through food intake (such as collagen, protein, potassium). It helps speedy health, bones and blood circulation recoveries.

The making time of an standard portion take at least 3-4 hours in a clay big pot. It kept re-boiling everyday by adding sweetened Vinegar (八珍糖酷) and more meat in it. The meal can hold up for months serving as a main dish.

Sweet desserts – Yao Kei

Whole menu selling 4 items only – sesame, green bean, red bean mix, and glutinous rice flour soup. This stall was set up since 1984, over thirty years old. One of the best dessert bowls should take in Toi San market. Selling from $16 for small bowl / $18 big bowl, this is one of the traditional bowl worthwhile a try.

Spot on! The glutinous rice flour soup – composes with shrimps, minced pork, and small cubed fried pork fat, with preserved veggie sprinkle on top of the bowl makes a magnificent unique taste.

Chuen Kei Food Malls

Filled with kids after the school bell rang; this is one of the most favourable snacks and noodles place back in the 70s, third generations operating more than 40 years. Endless food to introduce, here some photos for references. Worth for a try – the red bean glutinous rice, curry fish balls, dried mix instant noodles, and pork sticky rice.

Fat mama Chinese folded pancakes

In the old days using charcoal stoves, each pancakes are freshly made. Having adding spoons of sugar, thick layered margarine; with flying condensed milk, with a heavy thick egg pancake textures , from outside crispy to inside out sweet tastes out. The warm, melting spreads mixes soaked deep into the pancakes.

Operating over 40 years. Fat mama’s coloured cordials drink served in plastic bags with straws, was one of the best selling beverages. After years selling, fat mama sell only pancakes. With occasional handful of home made coconut and banana cakes available over weekdays. Again, it just costs $15 per serve! Go and visit this warming Mama, at the age of 85. Working with great passion from 9 – 5 pm, Monday to Sunday.

Barbecue Meat store – Keung Kei

The always busy barbecue store, worthwhile trying $25 box of barbecue pork with rice, originate from 1980s, best neighborhood favorites! Try the best selling celebration whole baby piglet, costs only $860!

Spend some time exploring rests of the market stalls. The raw food section, seafood counters, community centres. This worship and essence selling stores has with lots of paper food art piece that makes you laughing out loud. Worthwhile to take a look, but please, never buy these as souvenirs! They are tailored made for all passed away ancestors!

Next article part II – a quick intro in Fai Chi Kei area. Just one street block away from Toi San Market. A long street place worthwhile visiting and eat there.

Angela Fung

Share