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In recent years, Myanmar has been dubbed the "rising star" of Asian tourism. Not only the people, culture, and landscapes, but also the cuisine of this Southeast Asian country has attracted a lot of attention and research. Below are 10 irresistible dishes for tourists when coming to Myanmar.
1. Tea leaf salad
One of the most special delicacies of Myanmar is lephet – fermented tea leaves. These tea leaves are used to make tea leaf salad and are eaten as snacks, appetizers or with rice.
The sour tea leaves are mixed with slightly bitter, shredded cabbage, tomato slices, beans, garlic oil and slices of garlic, hot chili to create a special salad. However, Burmese people warn tourists that tea leaf salad is considered a stimulant, if you eat too much, you can lose sleep like drinking too much tea.
2. Shan people's rice
Also known as nga htamin – fish rice, Shan rice (an ethnic group in Myanmar) is becoming one of the perfect choices for tourists when coming to Myanmar.
Fragrant, sticky rice is cooked with turmeric water and eaten with a piece of freshwater fish spread with fragrant garlic oil. With spices such as garlic, chili, pepper, Shan-style rice is a favorite dish for those who love spicy food.
3. Myanmar Curry
Visiting traditional Myanmar restaurants, you will not only be full but also have interesting culinary experiences. Like enjoying Myanmar curry.
As the name suggests, curry is the main ingredient, but you can choose to eat it with pork, beef, lamb or seafood. At Muslim curry shops, Myanmar curry is eaten with salad, green vegetables, beans, etc. An interesting thing when enjoying a portion of Myanmar curry is that you will receive a traditional Myanmar dessert - soaked tea leaves and nuts served in a lacquer tray.
4. Myanmar tea and cakes
Tea houses are a great place for tourists to learn about and immerse themselves in traditional Burmese food. In addition to traditional dishes, any tea house in Myanmar also has a variety of sweet and savory cakes available to enjoy with hot tea.
Indian or Muslim tea shops often serve snacks such as fried salty cakes, bread with potatoes, toasted bread... Meanwhile, tea shops owned by Chinese people display steamed meat buns or sweet baked cakes for visitors to enjoy with tea. Drinking tea and enjoying cakes is a unique culinary feature in the culinary culture of Myanmar people.
5. Myanmar sweet snacks
Unlike sweets in Western countries, sweets in Myanmar, also known as “muon”, are not eaten as desserts but as a snack served with tea in the morning and afternoon by the people of Myanmar.
“Muon” does not have too much sugar, instead, the sweetness is taken from other ingredients such as shredded coconut, coconut milk, rice flour, fruits… Along with cakes, these sweet snacks become an indispensable side dish for tea lovers and become a must-try delicacy for tourists.
6. Fried foods
Burmese people have a special passion for greasy food, so fried cakes of various sizes and shapes are the most popular food on the streets of Myanmar.
Fried spring rolls, fried bread, golden, crispy donuts with a special flavor are served with a sweet and sour sauce made from tamarind, creating an irresistible attraction for tourists. Most of the cakes in Myanmar are made from rice flour or glutinous rice flour, sometimes a mixture of the two. People mix the flour with garlic, onions, and ginger that have been ground. These accompanying spices bring a complex aroma to the cakes when fried in a pan of oil. In addition, the flour is also mixed with shredded coconut, sesame seeds, tomatoes, curry powder... to make many different types of cakes.
7. Shan tofu noodles
The cuisine of the Shan people – an ethnic group living in northern Myanmar – is not only loved by the people of this country but also by tourists who try it for the first time.
Shan food stalls are always famous for their large blocks of tofu. The special thing about this tofu is that it is made from yellow lentils and mung beans instead of the usual fermented soybeans. Slices of tofu are often served with yellow noodles, hot in soups, or cold in salads.
8. Nan Gyi Thohk Noodles
Nan Gyi Thohk is a Burmese dish consisting of rice noodles mixed with a special chicken curry and served in a broth. Lemon juice can be added for a sour taste. Nan Gyi Thohk is considered the Burmese version of spaghetti.
9. Mohinga Fish Noodle Soup
This is a type of noodle cooked in fish broth, considered by many to be the national dish of Myanmar.
The main ingredients include chickpea flour, roasted ground rice, catfish cooked in broth and many spices such as garlic, shallots, ginger, lemongrass, fish sauce... This dish is popular in many parts of the country and is sold all day in many towns and cities. If you have the opportunity to travel to Myanmar, do not forget to enjoy the delicious street food - Mohinga fish noodle soup.
10. Shan noodles
The signature noodle dish of the Shan people in northern Myanmar is a perfect combination of thin noodles and marinated chicken, pork, roasted sesame seeds and garlic flavor, served with pickled vegetables and broth. The unique, delicious flavor and "eye-catching" appearance are the reasons why Shan noodles have become the top choice of many tourists to Myanmar.
