Myanmar is a country rich in culture, and its food scene is no exception. From spicy curries to unique salads, the cuisine here is diverse, tasty, and worth exploring. Whether you’re dining at a high-end restaurant or grabbing a plate from a street vendor, you’ll find that Myanmar’s food has a character of its own. Here’s a guide to help you taste the best of what this beautiful country has to offer.
Must-Try Dishes in Myanmar
Mohinga
Start your food journey with Myanmar’s national dish: Mohinga. It’s a rice noodle soup with a fish-based broth, mixed with herbs and topped with crispy fritters. You’ll find it served mostly in the mornings, but some places offer it all day. It’s a comfort food and something you shouldn’t leave Myanmar without trying.
Shan Noodles
Shan cuisine stands out in Myanmar, and Shan Noodles are its signature dish. The dish is simple but flavorful: rice noodles with a light chicken, pork, or tofu sauce, mixed with fresh herbs. You can have it either as a soup or dried, and it’s often served with pickled mustard greens for extra flavor.
Burmese Curry
A typical Burmese meal includes a hearty curry with rice and several side dishes like pickles, soups, and salads. The curry can be made with chicken, pork, beef, or fish, and it’s usually thick with a nice balance of spices. It doesn’t pack a lot of heat like Thai or Indian curries, which makes it approachable for everyone.
Lahpet Thoke (Tea Leaf Salad)
This dish is special to Myanmar and might sound unusual at first, but give it a try. Lahpet Thoke is a salad made from fermented tea leaves mixed with crunchy nuts, seeds, garlic, and crunchy beans. It’s a blend of textures and flavors—salty, sour, bitter, and slightly tangy—that work surprisingly well together.
Burmese Tea Shop Snacks
Tea shops are everywhere in Myanmar. They are more than just places to grab a drink; they are also where you can enjoy some classic Myanmar snacks like samosas, steamed buns, and deep-fried dough sticks. Pair them with black tea, which is served with evaporated or condensed milk.
Ngapi (Fermented Fish Paste)
Ngapi is a fundamental part of Burmese cooking. It’s a salty, fermented fish paste that’s present in many dishes like curries, salads, and vegetable sides. It has a strong aroma and is an acquired taste, but trying it is part of understanding the local flavors.
Popular Street Foods
Samosa Salad
Known locally as “Samosa Thoke,” this is a mix of sliced fried samosa, lentils, cabbage, mint, and assorted spices. The street version usually comes served in a bowl, eaten cold, and is full of surprising flavors and textures. It’s light yet filling and perfect for a quick meal on the go.
Mont Lin Ma Yar (Husband and Wife Snacks)
This popular street food got its name from the fact that it’s made in pairs. Mont Lin Ma Yar are fried pancake bites made from rice flour batter, filled with quail eggs, cheese, or chickpeas before being topped with scallions. It’s easy to devour several pairs at a time!
Kyay Oh
On many busy street corners, you’ll find vendors selling bowls of Kyay Oh. It’s a hearty noodle soup with pork, egg, vegetables, and thin broth. There’s also a dry version, where the ingredients are mixed with flavorful oil instead of soup. Both versions are satisfying and affordable.
Regional Specialties
Ohn No Khao Swè
This is a coconut-based chicken noodle soup reminiscent of the northern Thai dish “khao soi.” The creamy broth, spiced chicken, and thick egg noodles make it a hearty dish. It’s often garnished with chili, onion, and a splash of lime. It’s from the Bamar heartland but enjoyed across the country.
Shan Tofu Noodles
In Myanmar’s Shan State, you can find a lovely dish called Shan Tofu Noodles. It’s made from chickpea tofu, not the usual soy-based tofu, and served atop thin rice noodles. The dish is light and refreshing but full of flavor, with a hint of garlic and chili oil.
Htamin Jin (Shan Rice)
Another gem from Shan State is Htamin Jin, or fermented rice. The rice is mixed with tomatoes, garlic, and turmeric, then typically served with some fried fish and fresh vegetables. It’s a simple but flavorful dish that gives you a taste of local Shan cuisine.
Rakhine Style Fish Curry
The food from the coastal Rakhine State is known for its seafood and spice. Rakhine fish curry is spicier than typical Burmese curries and has a distinct tangy flavor, usually from the addition of tamarind. Served with rice, it’s a must-try seafood dish for spicy food lovers.
Where to Eat
Street Food Stalls
Street food in Myanmar is cheap, delicious, and everywhere. In Yangon, head to 19th Street in Chinatown to sample grilled meats, seafood, and street-snack staples like Shan noodles and skewers. Street markets offer some of the most authentic and adventurous eating experiences you’ll find.
Tea Shops
Tea shops are an integral part of daily life in Myanmar. They are the best places to get an affordable and light meal. You can try everything from noodle dishes to steamed buns, all while sipping on a glass of sweet, milky tea. Find one on nearly every street in cities like Yangon and Mandalay.
Local Markets
Markets in Myanmar are a great place to explore the local cuisine. The Bogyoke Aung San Market in Yangon is a hub for food vendors. Even in smaller towns and rural areas, markets like the one in Nyaung U near Bagan offer delicious, fresh, and traditional meals at reasonable prices.
Mid-Range Restaurants
If you want a relaxing sit-down experience but still want local flavors, there are plenty of mid-range restaurants. Rangoon Tea House in Yangon is a modern take on the traditional tea shop experience. Aung Thukha is another good spot if you’re craving authentic curries and sides. Both offer local flavors at reasonable prices, with the comfort of a sit-down setting.
Fine Dining
Myanmar also has a few fine-dining establishments that offer a mix of traditional and international cuisine. Seeds in Yangon is one of the top spots for high-end dining, offering a mix of local ingredients prepared with European techniques. Le Planteur, also in Yangon, is another top-rated restaurant that focuses on French cuisine but uses local Myanmar flavors. These places are perfect if you want a more refined meal.
Final Thoughts on Eating in Myanmar
Tasting the food in Myanmar is more than just filling up on a meal. The combination of flavors, textures, and cooking techniques tells a lot about the country’s culture. Trying the street foods, visiting local tea shops, and enjoying the rich curries all provide a deeper understanding of life in Myanmar. Do yourself a favor and try as much as you can during your visit!
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