The best place to sample a Brazilian specialty

Set in the hills above the historic and enchanting Brazilian town of Tiradentes in the southern portion of the state of Minas Gerais, Yum Yum is a charming little indoor/outdoor restaurant serving simple yet delectable fare. This unpretentious spot is widely known for its version of one of Brazil’s favorite comfort foods, coxinha (pronounced co-sheena).

You can find the dish all over the country—and elsewhere in South America—but many consider the coxinhas by Yum Yum owner and chef Thereza Cristina M. Oliveira to be the best. Coxinhas are little balls of chicken thigh meat that are served with or without cheese inside. The balls are rolled in a light batter (using a secret recipe) and then fried. They come out hot and tender, not at all greasy and simply delicious.

Yum Yum also offers coxinha de camarão, similar tasty balls made from shrimp, as well as traditional pork sausages; galinha ao molho pardo, which is chicken meat in dark sauce; and mexido, a homey mixture of chicken, rice, beans, eggs and vegetables served in a steaming crock pot.

Yum Yum, Rua Alvarenga Peixoto, 1010, Bairro Capote, Tiradentes, Brazil, (32) 3355-1965.