YOKA SAO PAULO: Yoka is the BEST Brazilian pasteis in São Paulo, Brazil. The little pasteis shop is in Liberdade’s Japantown and it’s wildly popular with the locals.
Brazilian pasteis are a product of its Portuguese influence. They were brought over by the Portuguese during the colonization period. The most popular are Pasteis de Nata (i.e., Pasteis de Belem), which were created by 1800s Catholic monks at Lisbon’s Jerónimos Monastery. Jerónimos Monastery needed money, so they sold the Pasteis de Nata. The original Pasteis de Nata shop is still operating today and it is known by the name of Pasteis de Belem. However, Pasteis de Belem are egg tarts. Yoka sao paulo
The pasteis in Brazil has evolved. It has taken different forms as it has drawn influences from different cultures. Yoka’s Brazilian pasteis is a Japanese-influence [asteis. It has won many awards. The locals informed me it’s the ‘Best Pasteis in Brazil’ and ‘Best Pasteis in São Paulo’; also, they told me no pasteis compares to it in all of Brazil. It’s a bold statement for a shop with no more than 8 two-person tables crammed in a small shop. Is the hype true? Yoka sao paulo
Yoka offers a large menu with different fillings inside the pasteis. There’s beef, banana, chocolate, pizza, chicken, and anything else a person could conjure. The options are endless at Yoka. The locals tell me Yoka’s pasteis is light compared to the competition. It’s not overly oily and the fillings is perfectly cooked. What do I think? Yoka sao paulo
I arrived at Yoka to find it completely packed at 10 AM. The little shop didn’t have a seat and I was overwhelmed by the many options. I couldn’t figure out which pasteis to order and a local tapped me on the shoulder to suggest the chicken. I gave out a sigh of relief then ordered the chicken. It took a few minutes to arrive at the counter then I found a seat at one of the few tables. Yoka sao paulo
The pasteis was piping hot. It came fresh out of the fryer with no sign of oil on the wrapper. The rectangular shape pasteis was a thin crust pie per se. The thin crust had a similar texture as a fried wonton; however, the filling was completely different. The shredded chicken tasted absolutely amazing; it was slightly sweet yet sour with its secret sauce. The 2.50 USD was definitely under-price for such a tasty snack. After having it, I would pay 20 USD for it. It’s that good and worth the detour while in São Paulo. Yoka sao paulo
Check out our restaurant recommendations for Mani and DOM. Lastly, the famous Beco do Batman and things to do in Sao Paulo here.
- Service - 7/107/10
- Presentation - 6/106/10
- Flavors - 9.5/109.5/10
- Decor - 6/106/10
- Ambiance - 6/106/10
Summary
Yoka is the BEST Brazilian pasteis in São Paulo, Brazil. The little pasteis shop is in Liberdade’s Japantown and it’s wildly popular with the locals. Yoka offers a large menu with different fillings inside the pasteis. The 2.50 USD was definitely under-price for such a tasty snack. After having it, I would pay 20 USD for it. It’s that good and worth the detour while in São Paulo.
