Exploring street food is an important part of my travel experience. Downtown Yangon is one of the best places to discover and enjoy authentic tastes of Burmese cuisine. Its street food scene will surely leave one drooling over all the mouth-watering local street specialties. However, one has to be careful when opting for street food. Here are some of my tips for enjoying street food without getting sick.
*Observe the vendor’s hygiene.
*Eat well cooked food and cooked in front of you. Always hot and avoid cold.
*Beware of ice, fruits shakes and drinks no matter how tempting. Stick to sealed water bottles.
*Avoid salads, skinless fruits and sauces.
*Common sense is your friend.
*Eat well cooked food and cooked in front of you. Always hot and avoid cold.
*Beware of ice, fruits shakes and drinks no matter how tempting. Stick to sealed water bottles.
*Avoid salads, skinless fruits and sauces.
*Common sense is your friend.
I noticed all these stalls have low table settings. The locals seem to prefer sitting this way and I'm not sure how they find it comfortable. In the middle of every table is a plastic tissue holder with tissue roll and some condiments. A traditional Burmese meal includes a bowl of soup, steamed rice, several curries of fish, meat or poultry and dipping sauce with fresh vegetables for dipping.
Here are some of the Burmese dishes you need to try when in Myanmar.
*Mohinga- Burmese fish noodle soup, usually eaten at breakfast.
*Tea Leaf Salad- a healthy and unique salad also known as lephet thoke. This is a very versatile dish that can be served as a snack, appetiser or meal.
*Shan-style Noodles- a simple rice noodle dish that originated from the Shan State of Myanmar.
*Falooda- the most popular dessert in Myanmar especially during summer. It’s a mixture of rose syrup, jelly, basil seeds, sago or tapioca pearls, milk, ice-cream and bread pudding.
*Gourd Fritter- also known as bhuti kyaw. It's a popular traditional snack in Myanmar and tastes extremely good.
*Balachaung- a spicy condiment and popular accompaniment to Burmese dishes.
Located in downtown Yangon, Rangoon Tea House is inspired
by the heritage and tradition of old Rangoon. This place is oozing with old colonial charm and popular with young trendy Burmese, expats and tourists. They serve
traditional Burmese cuisine, Indian curries and biryanis as well as
Burmese inspired cocktails. If you are a tea lover, you will definitely
love this place because they let you choose exactly how you want your tea to be.
Black Tea
Falooda
Spiced Pepper Squid
Burmese squid rings served with kaffir lime mayo. So delicious! All gone in seconds.
Burmese squid rings served with kaffir lime mayo. So delicious! All gone in seconds.
Duck Empanadas
3 pastries of duck meat shredded, sauteed onion, ground pepper and star anise. Served with spicy yoghurt sauce.
3 pastries of duck meat shredded, sauteed onion, ground pepper and star anise. Served with spicy yoghurt sauce.
The last Tattooed Women of Burma, the tribe whose traditions are dying out.
I first learned of this when I saw my Burmese- Australian friend posted photos of these women when he visited Myanmar early this year. He then explained to me how these women had their faces covered in elaborate black patterns and some even in all-black. It was a custom that began when an ancient king tried to make slaves of the women. The tattoos were supposed to make them ugly and repel them from being chosen by the king but it eventually became a symbol of beauty. So popular it was that women who chose not to have it looked ugly to all men. However, times have changed and facial tattoos are now declared illegal.
I first learned of this when I saw my Burmese- Australian friend posted photos of these women when he visited Myanmar early this year. He then explained to me how these women had their faces covered in elaborate black patterns and some even in all-black. It was a custom that began when an ancient king tried to make slaves of the women. The tattoos were supposed to make them ugly and repel them from being chosen by the king but it eventually became a symbol of beauty. So popular it was that women who chose not to have it looked ugly to all men. However, times have changed and facial tattoos are now declared illegal.
Ground Floor, 77-79 Pansodan St,
Between Mahabandoola and Merchant Rd.
Yangon
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