Chalou – Cantonese Restaurant, Grand Lisboa Palace Macau
Words: Monica Tindall
Photos: Han Sen Hau
The yum cha tradition is alive and well at Chalou in Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau. The energetic Cantonese tea house buzzes with a line of diners waiting for the doors to open. By 12 noon, the place is full. Cutlery clinks and tables are animated with lively conversation.
In a nod to traditional Cantonese tea houses, the interior design combines heritage with modernity to create the welcoming space of Chalou. A vibrant stained-glass installation of Chinese characters marks the entrance, and a giant green abacus indicates the exit. The main dining room is spread out in a circular fashion, as are the semi-private dining spaces, mimicking the curves of bamboo steamers. Tea paraphernalia lines the walls, and chandeliers are composed of thousands of glass chopsticks. And, in a final juxtaposition of old and new, robotic servers roll around the room alongside intricately designed dim sum carts with red strips stating the day’s specials.
Chalou Menu & Prices
Fortunately, the human touch is kept in service, with old-school paper menus that guests tick their orders on rather than the post-pandemic trend of QR code ordering. In addition to the dim sum menu and trolley serving the day’s specials, there’s also an à la carte menu. We are blessed to try all three.
Tea Selection
But first, tea. Tea is an essential element in any dim sum experience, and Chalou offers twelve varieties. We sip on Hangzhou Chrysanthemum (MOP 18 per person), which is said to be full of nutrients and antioxidants and good for relaxation and general well-being. It’s a lovely companion throughout our meal.
Dim Sum Menu & Prices
From the steamed dim sum section, the Spinach Dumplings (MOP 88) look oh-so-decadent, with whole abalone crowning the green parcels—a premium version of siu mai. They’re thick with tender spinach and a whole prawn. The Crabmeat and Conpoy Dumplings (MOP 78) are also green and plump with their seafood and leaf filling. These both appeal to my lighter, healthier taste preferences.
The Wagyu Beef Buns Pan-fried with Black Pepper (MOP 68) are a big hit with Caning (hubby) and Jun (reelographer). They’re generously sized buns brimming with moist shredded beef and a nice kick of pepper in the finish. Best eaten warm, we recommend devouring these as soon as they arrive.
Crispy Shrimp and Seafood Red Rice Rolls (MOP 88) also make a good-looking plate. Red rice gives a natural, vibrant hue, and the rolls are piled in mini pyramids. They’re a fabulous mix of textures, with the deep-fried batter on the prawns giving a crunch beneath the soft wrapper. You can drizzle a little soy sauce over the top for extra flavour, but we think they’re tasty enough all on their own.
Dim Sum Trolley
The yum cha trolley is a winsome touch as we can’t help but get swept up in the magic of the steaming pots. One of today’s specials is Sticky Rice with Abalone and Chicken (MOP 88), and it looks delicious, steamed in lotus leaves. It’s a bundle of soft, sticky rice, almost paste-like in texture. A sole abalone sits on top, and inside, there’s a mix of salted egg yolk, chicken, prawns, mushrooms and Chinese sausage. Every spoonful is packed with flavour.
Chalou à la Carte Menu
As mentioned, Chalou also provides extensive ala carte Cantonese specialties alongside the dim sum menu. We delight in trying a few dishes and are thankful we have several tummies at our table, meaning we can order more to share and sample.
Cantonese Barbecued & Roasted Dish
We’re excited to try (and compare to the best Malaysian versions) the Chalou Homemade Barbecued Pork with Honey Sauce, or char siu (MOP 198). It’s pretty darn delicious – a strong contender for a place amongst our best. It’s tender yet meaty to the bite with a light chew. The finish has an excellent balance of sweet and savoury and a faint hint of umami.
The Duo Barbecued Platter (MOP 188) gives guests a choice of duck, pork or chicken. We have chicken poached in soy sauce and rose wine, and crispy pork belly. The chicken has a tasty ginger sauce paired with it, and the pork belly curiously comes with mustard and sugar! Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. It’s actually a magical combo. The mustard’s sharpness slices through the pork’s fattiness, while the sugar sprinkle balances with a hint of sweetness.
Rice
Ensuring no tummy crevice is left empty, the Crabmeat and Seafood Fried Rice (MOP 188) is our final savoury from the à la carte menu. It’s full of fresh seafood pieces and the grains of rice are clean and separated. The seasoning is just right. Even though we’re well-satiated, we scoop until not a grain is left.
Dessert
After such a decadent meal, a small spoonful of something sweet and refreshing is the perfect conclusion. Bird’s Nest with Pomelo Mango Cream (MOP 78) is the cutest bowl of yellow decorated with dots of coconut cream and coconut jelly in the shape of a fish. The tiny sago pearls give the tongue something to roll over as the sweet and tangy fruit cream glides across our palates.
Signature Beverages
Just as easily served as dessert, the “Chalou” Signature Lychee and Rose Petal Milk Tea (MOP 68) is another pretty item. Curated by Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau’s Tea Captain, the drink blends Chinese tea with evaporated milk infused with rose petals. It’s gorgeous in an elegant white, blue, and gold China cup with pretty red rose buds floating on the top. It’s too sweet for my no-sugar tastes, but I imagine it would be wildly popular with a different crowd.
Chalou at Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau Review
We had a fantastic meal at Chalou. I highly recommend coming with the family or a group. It’s much more exciting when your table is full of little plates to share. I appreciated the healthier steamed dim sum that felt wholesome and minimally processed. Jun and Caning are still raving about the beef buns, and Han Sen was impressed with the tea selection.
Reasons to visit Chalou: an atmospheric yum cha restaurant in Macau; a lovely blend of old and new; must try the steamed dim sum, beef buns and roast pork with mustard and sugar.
Chalou – Cantonese Restaurant
Grand Lisboa Palace Macau (East Entrance)
Shop 159, Level 1, R. do Tiro, Macao
+853 8881 8888
www.grandlisboapalace.com/en/restaurants-n-bars/chalou
Link to Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau on Google Maps
*Two private rooms available (can be joined into one larger room)
Chalou Opening Hours (Summer until September 1)
Monday to Friday:
Lunch: 11:30 am to 3:00 pm.
Dinner: 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays:
10:00 am to 9:00 pm
Read more about gourmet and luxury travel in Macau here, Macau travel tips here and stay updated with the latest gourmet and travel recommendations with The Yum List on Facebook here.