Joanna James
Among everything fun, exciting and fascinating that Myanmar has in store for you, travellers to the Southeast Asian nation also have a variety of local delicacies to relish. Come, embark on an unforgettable culinary exploration, sampling the best of delectable Burmese classics and delights.
Nothing says a traditional Burmese meal like a pot of steaming hot Khow Suey. The one-pot dish is one of Myanmar’s many authentic soup dishes and, like most of them, has coconut milk and egg noodles at its core. Long and flat egg noodles and curried beef or chicken, topped by hard-boiled eggs, potato sticks, fried garlic, leeks, and spring onions — all served in the yellow-hued coconut-milk-based curry gives you delightfully flavoursome Khow Suey. No matter where you go in the Southeast Asian nation, a pot of Khow Suey is an unmissable sight.
A traditional Burmese breakfast to kick off your morning in beautiful Burma, Mohinga is a favoured breakfast choice among locals and tourists to the country alike. As a matter of fact, it is one of the most popular meals in Myanmar, so much so that it is crowned as the nation’s unofficial national dish. It is a fish and rice noodle soup featuring a rich broth flavoured with lemongrass, turmeric, and fish sauce, and also often garnished with boiled eggs, cilantro, and crispy patties.
Those who have had a taste of Indian cuisine will immediately recognise Dan Bauk’s close resemblance to India’s popular Biryani, for it is heavily inspired by the Indian classic. In its basic form, it is a dish of thick, yellow-hued, long-grain rice flavoured with a variety of characteristic Indian spices and topped by a rather large piece of chicken. Dan Bauk is a popular dish served at many Yangon restaurants and eateries in other parts of the country as well. After a meal of delectable Burmese flavour, retreat to one of the finest hotels or resorts in town, the likes of Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon.
Samosa, a characteristic delicacy of South Asia, is also enjoyed here in Myanmar. While strolling the bustling streets of Naypyidaw and similar places, these deep-fried, triangular pastries make for the perfect snack to munch on as you walk. The crunchiness of the deep-fried golden brown shell and the savoury combination of onions, lentils, spiced potatoes, peas, and ground meat that make up the filling creates a uniquely flavourful relish, tempting you to grab more than one of these triangular delights.
A traditional Burmese dessert to top off your traditional Burmese meal, Paung Din is a popular dessert savoured throughout the Southeast Asian nation. A treat for the eyes as it is for your taste buds, Paung Din is a truly unique dish, where red or white sweet sticky rice is steamed in natural bamboo tubes and served in the bamboo tubes themselves. For tourists craving something authentically Burmese, the sugary dessert is as authentic as it gets.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
