Timorese food · Main dish
Feijoada
A Portuguese-style bean stew, made in Timor-Leste with pork and chorizo or as a vegetable version.
Last verified: Checked against a Timorese cookbook and published food sources
By David
Quick answer · as of October 2026
Feijoada is a slow-cooked bean stew brought by the Portuguese and found across their former colonies. The Timorese version uses beans with pork and chorizo, cooked until soft. In Dili you will also find vegetable versions: one Timorese restaurant serves a "feijoada Timor" of stewed beans and vegetables.
- Type
- Main dish
- Origin
- Portuguese influence
- Vegetarian
- Vegetarian versions exist
- Also called
- feijoada Timor, feijoada timorense
On this page
What is Feijoada?
Wikipedia lists feijoada as "a common dish of former Portuguese colonies", made in Timor-Leste with pork, cannellini beans and chorizo. Koryo Tours describes it as slow-cooked "until it falls apart" and served mainly on special occasions.
Portuguese influence shows up across Timorese food, from bread rolls and pastries to feijoada and grilled meats. Restaurants run by or popular with Portuguese residents are the most reliable places to find it.
How it is made
- Dried beans are soaked and simmered.
- Pork and chorizo (or vegetables) are added and the stew cooks slowly.
- It is served with rice.
Where to try it
In Dili, Dilicious has served a vegetable "feijoada Timor", according to diners on HappyCow. Portuguese-style restaurants may offer the meat version, especially for special occasions.
Restaurant
Dilicious
Rua D. Fernando, central Dili
Timorese
A popular, good-value Timorese restaurant with big portions of curries, grilled fish and home-style dishes. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are clearly labelled.
- Vegetarian-friendly
Daily 08:00–22:30
See all restaurants and cafés in Timor-Leste.
More Timorese dishes
Main dish
Caril (Timorese curry)
Also: Timorese chicken curry
A mild, creamy chicken curry made with coconut and roasted capsicum.
Contains meat or fish
Main dish
Batar da'an
Also: batar daan
Corn, mung beans and pumpkin stewed together: Timor-Leste's everyday comfort food.
Vegetarian
Frequently asked questions
Is feijoada Timorese or Portuguese?
It came with the Portuguese and is found in all their former colonies, but it has become part of Timorese cooking, with local versions.
Sources
Official sites, operators and references we checked for this page.
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