Have you ever been to or heard of the clandestine Chinese restaurants in Mouraria? Today, we’re going to tell you what it’s like to dine in the homes of Chinese people who have partially transformed their homes into restaurants in and around Rua do Benformoso.
When you walk through the streets of Mouraria, pay attention to the second floors of the buildings and you’ll easily spot the clandestine Chinese.
Some are easier to spot because they have these typically oriental lights on the outside, but wait a few minutes and you’ll start to see people ringing bells to go upstairs.
The “chinos clandestinos” are many and all very similar. As soon as you enter, you’ll see one, two or three simple rooms, with wooden tables and chairs, white light and unusual decorations.
Here’s how it works: when you enter, you’ll be given the menu, almost always all in Chinese with hilarious translations into Portuguese , and you’ll have to write down the number of your order on a piece of paper. This makes it easier to communicate with those who can’t speak Portuguese and thus avoid misunderstandings when ordering.
In these clandestine Chinese restaurants, the dishes on the menu are not always the same. Of course, some dishes you’ll find in all of them, but others really depend on the family cooking and the region of China they come from.
For an even more authentic experience, you can try Tsingtao Chinese beer – after all, this isn’t one of the best places to drink wine.
The prices are quite inviting, so it’s normal to order a lot more food than you can really handle.
And that’s also part of the experience: leaving without being able to think about food so soon.
To make sure your dinner goes well, you have to go to one of these places without preconceptions and without great demands – after all, you’re not in a Michelin-starred restaurant .
Let yourself go and you’ re sure to have an evening unlike any other, sampling super tasty dishes from this cuisine that is so special.
