Eating in China
Generated illustration of red-wine braised oxtail with carrots, onions and chestnuts.

Red-wine braised oxtail

红酒烩牛尾Hóngjiǔ huì niúwěi

Bone-in beef oxtail slowly cooked in red wine until tender, a dish found in Macau’s Portuguese and Macanese dining. This version includes carrot, onion, shallot, chestnuts, oregano and tomato paste.

Heat
Region
Macau
Type
Dishes
Order in Chinese

At the table

How to enjoy it

Separate a manageable piece from the shared dish, then ease the meat off the bones. Spoon some sauce over the meat; leave the bones aside.

A useful check

Contains beef and wine. Cooking does not ensure all alcohol disappears. Watch for bones and hot sauce.

How it may vary

Vegetables, herbs and sauce vary. Chestnuts belong to this version, not every serving. The illustrated preparation contains no chilli.

GET TO KNOW THE DISH

What goes into it?

Explore some key ingredients below. Preparations may use additional seasonings and ingredients.

Vegetables, herbs and sauce vary. Chestnuts belong to this version, not every serving. The illustrated preparation contains no chilli.

Recipes vary by restaurant.

How does it taste?

Rich beef and wine flavour, gentle tomato acidity and vegetable sweetness.

Chili heat
Texture
Tender meat around firm bones, soft vegetables and a rich sauce.
How it’s made
Slowly braise oxtail with red wine, carrot, onion, shallot, chestnuts, oregano, tomato paste and water.

Vegetables, herbs and sauce vary. Chestnuts belong to this version, not every serving. The illustrated preparation contains no chilli.

A CONNECTION TO PLACE

Origin & regional roots

Explore regional food

Associated with Macau.

About this regional connection

Macau: MGTO documents dish inMacau; selectedcompleteversion isnotexclusive oruniformlocalrecipe.

Ask if they have it first

ASK IF IT'S AVAILABLE

请问你们有红酒烩牛尾吗?

Do you have this item?

A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ

Story & history

A slow-cooked dish in Macau

This account describes a tradition or story, rather than an established historical fact.

Macau’s Portuguese and Macanese tables include wine-based braises as well as seafood and rice dishes. Oxtail rewards slow cooking: the meat becomes tender while its connective tissue enriches the sauce. The accompanying vegetables and herbs depend on the preparation.

EATING IN CHINA · THE APP

Get the app

Discover local dishes, understand their ingredients and flavours, and choose what you’d like to try. Explore vegetarian, vegan and kid-friendly food ideas for your China trip.

Food guides, ingredients and trip planning are free.

See what’s in the app