When it comes to iconic Portuguese cuisine, the Portuguese egg tart is undoubtedly the top recommendation! If you think that the egg tarts from KFC and the ones from Andrew's Bakery in Macau are the pinnacle of egg tarts, then you must visit the Pastéis de Belém located in the Belém district of Lisbon after immigrating to Portugal, which will completely change your perception of egg tarts.
The Portuguese egg tart was first invented by the nuns of the Jerónimos Monastery (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos) in the Belém district of Lisbon in the 19th century. After the monastery closed in 1834, the former residents began selling a sweet pastry, which was the prototype of the egg tart, at a nearby confectionery shop to make a living. In 1837, this egg tart began to be sold at Casa Pastéis de Belém. Because the shop is located in the Belém district of Lisbon, it is called Pastéis de Belém.
Since 1837, Pastéis de Belém has adhered to the ancient recipe passed down from the monastery, strictly selecting ingredients and handcrafted by specialized masters in a "secret room," thus maintaining the century-old flavor of this historic shop, truly deserving of the title of the ancestor of egg tarts. Freshly baked egg tarts, when brought to your mouth, emit a rich sweet aroma. Compared to the egg tarts in Macau, the filling is softer and sweeter, and the crust is crispier. Sweet-toothed Portuguese people also enjoy sprinkling a generous amount of cinnamon powder and powdered sugar on the egg tarts. The sweet aroma of eggs and milk mixed with the spiciness of cinnamon is absolutely irresistible.
Today, this 177-year-old shop welcomes a steady stream of guests every day, with not only the inside fully occupied but also a long queue outside at all times. Immigrants to Portugal can not only personally taste the most authentic Portuguese egg tarts in the world but also admire the century-old shop decorated with blue and white porcelain. Don’t forget to take a historic photo with the shop's name and "1837" on the mosaic tiled floor outside before you leave. Today, Pastéis de Belém has undoubtedly become a new landmark in Portuguese tourism.