Lacassá Soup [1] ( Portuguese: Sopa de lacassá, [2] traditional Chinese: 鮮蝦濃湯; simplified Chinese: 鲜虾浓汤 [3]) is a Macanese soup.
The soup has its roots in Malacca, [1] and is believed to be an evolution of Laksa soup from Peranakan cuisine. [4] The word Lacassá is noted to be a Macanese term for vermicelli, with roots in Indian languages. [5]
As it contains no meat, Lacassá Soup is traditionally consumed on Christmas Eve, historically a day of abstinence for Catholic faithfuls. [6] Lacassá Soup is also featured in a proper Cha Gordo, a social event that has been likened to high tea, and features multiple dishes. [7]
Lacassá Soup contains vermicelli (hence its name, as explained above), shrimp, and balichão. [4] [8]