Memorable Ilha Verde Squatters Gourmet

Back to the forty n fifties’ well known Ilha Verde squatters districts – all houses built in iron sheds, approximately over 200 residential counts. Viewed from height, the wooden houses resembled like the chinese traditional “Hundred days chinese toddlers quilt” knitting patterns.

Regardless of its shape, sizes and format of said houses, all surroundings look like a maze. You can buy everything you want in this labyrinth; Butcher stalls, Hairdressers, Dining Restaurants, Coffee shops, and even Grocery stores. Ilha Verde was once a temporary residence for migrants. Every households had no running tap water. The entire place hold only one public water pipe; if neighborhood needs water, they can acquire only one at a time, carry along with their filled water buckets, travelling one way back home.

Although life’s hard back in those days, life’s generally happy indeed.

This is how my seniors from older generations described the old appearance of Ilha Verde squatters from oral perspectives.

When I was only a teenager t hose times, day by day, I knew almost nothing about the developers’ land resumption reporting. Looking back right after, the reclamation completed across the entire wooden housing area. The two famous food stalls: Lao Kei and Chou Kei, have now moved to the concrete of Ilha Verde districts.

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Ilha Verde Chou Kei

Chou Kei, which has been in business for more than 50 years; established since 1987, now the second generation taking over. Several branches setup few years ago in Patane, Fai Chi Kei, Taipa, Horta e Costa, the Dynasty, etc. I particularly like the main shop in Fai Chi Kei, which is located within parks of residential central districts. The wooden low stools still using at the entrance now. Neighboring patrons regularly sit on these low stools outdoor, while eating and enjoying the neighborhood life at a distance, recreating the flavor of the old Cha Chaan Teng.

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Speaking of these antique old wooden stool is of great importance to Chou Kei. In 2010 due to the development of new public housing, the government acquired to reclaim these blocks. The compensation deal has not yet fully negotiated. The scheme has rushed concerned parties to put away the old shacks. Under no preparation, they can only snatch back a few of those wooden stools; those are the ones placing outside the doorway, which now considered as antique.

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One of those days food

Have spent this weekend invitation with my friends for a special Cha Chaan Teng afternoon tea retreat. The signature pork chop bun went a little bit boring for me, the fried noodles with shredded pork has been a craving dish for me long time; the overfilled peanut condensed milk French Toasts, Fried Fish Balls, the crispy, inside soft piggy bun spread with peanut butter and condensed milk ; of course, the indispensable cup of hot milk tea – are all my favorite foodies.

Today, the boss lady have specially concocted stewed pork knuckles for us to try. I haven’t tried this original taste for such a long time. There are also unforgettable chicken feet with dried instant noodles, curry potato and pork chop macaroni, dried beef fried noodle dish and so on! Our tummy almost went exploded, probably have to wait until the next time for other dishes.

Lao Kei Cha Chaan Teng

Lao Kei original store was located at Ilha Verde wooden house districts. The teahouse wrapped in steel, with a style. Like other traditional Cha Chaan Teng, there is no air-conditioning inside.

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From memories, there were some huge tree shades at the doorway, and considerable number of horn fans placed inside the metal shacks. I didn’t feel the sultry heat when summer time came. This is one of the special features that stayed in my memories.

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That time, the old iron sheet estates hold forty years of history, selling Nan-yang-style food, which was very popular in the neighborhood times. With the demolition of the Ilha Verde wooden house for the new construction of public housing; ten years after Lao Kei have closed their business; The New Lao Kei Cha Chaan Teng set up their new place around Ilha Verde commission house early June this year. As a fan of Lao Kei, definitely given an attempt of joy and nostalgia!

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Best fantastic food items

The famous pork chop buns and shredded curry chicken buns available now in Lao Kei, the new Ilha Verde district. The never ending crowd, makes hard to look for a seat; every time when reached at the door, dozens of people waiting in a long queue. It is conceivable that after decades, many old neighborhoods will come surely memorialise all signature dishes of Metal Shack Lao Kei. Although the old food stalls styles has become extinct, the new Lao Kei located in Toi San districts of Ilha Verde, continue this common practice deliver to all local’s delicacies.

I was quite surprise when ordering food. Prices all reasonably set low. Ten years after, a cup of coffee today costs only ten dollars. A full meal this time is less than 28 dollars, say fried eggs with onion and barbecue pork in rice, shredded curry chicken bread buns, the iconic french toast and braised pork chop with fish balls in stirred thick noodle base. The portion and level of deliciousness are absolutely desirable. No wonder the place is so popular across the entire Ilha Verde neighborhoods!

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The Must-Eats

Pork Chop and Fish Balls combo in dried noodle base – main selections from the pork collar butt; the texture is soft and bouncy, and the meat fiber is so tender. If i’m getting right, their fish balls are freshly made from sea bass. It is one of the shop best selections!

Home made wonton is a must-eat item back in the old days. The filling is half a portion of fat and lean pork mixed with shrimps. There are five large grains per serving. The most touching part is that all the thin and thick noodles never went disappointed, the shiny, refreshing and bouncy texture stays. It taste great when bitten, having the noodle tastes no alkaline water at all, and the soy sauce is just right.

The Never Forget Ilha Verde human touches

Under the development of today’s society demand for government houses with increased population and housing demand, this is of no one to blame for.

Only fortunate thing was that our generations has feeling of those profound changes between the old and new neighbors of Ilha Verde change overs, and the united spirits of helping hand and attaining spirits of mutual benefits. That kind of collective food memories, the preservation of Ilha Verde continent area, etc.; should be carefully evaluated and preserved by all means, so that the next generation can carry on with it, and become as a part of the clue remains in their future lives.