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In recent years, Myanmar has been hailed as a "rising star" of Asian tourism. Not only its people, culture, and scenic attractions, but also its cuisine has garnered significant interest and attention. Below are 10 irresistible dishes for tourists visiting Myanmar.
1. Tea Leaf Salad
One of the most unique delicacies of Myanmar is lephet – fermented tea leaves. These tea leaves are used to make tea leaf salad and are eaten as a snack, appetizer, or with rice.
Sour tea leaves are mixed with slightly bitter shredded cabbage, sliced tomatoes, various beans, garlic oil, and slices of garlic and spicy chili peppers to create a unique salad. However, the people of Myanmar warn tourists that tea leaf salad is considered a stimulant, and eating too much can cause insomnia, similar to drinking too much tea.
2. Shan rice
Also known as nga htamin – fish rice, Shan rice (a type of rice dish made with fish) is becoming one of the perfect choices for tourists visiting Myanmar.
The fragrant, sticky rice is cooked with turmeric water, giving it a golden hue, and is served with a piece of freshwater fish coated in aromatic garlic oil. Along with spices like garlic, chili, and pepper, Shan-style rice is a favorite dish for those who love spicy food.
3. Myanmar Curry
Visiting traditional Myanmar restaurants not only allows you to eat your fill but also provides a delightful culinary experience, much like enjoying Myanmar curry.
As the name suggests, curry is the main ingredient, but you can choose to have it with pork, beef, lamb, or seafood. At curry shops catering to Muslims, Myanmar curry is served with salad, greens, beans, etc. An interesting aspect of enjoying a serving of Myanmar curry is that you'll also receive a traditional Myanmar dessert – pickled tea leaves and nuts served in a lacquered tray.
4. Myanmar Tea and Cakes
Tea houses are great places for tourists to learn about and immerse themselves in traditional Myanmar cuisine. Besides traditional dishes, any tea house in Myanmar will also offer a variety of sweet and savory pastries to enjoy with hot tea.
Indian or Muslim tea houses often serve light snacks such as savory fried pastries, bread with potatoes, and toast. Meanwhile, tea houses owned by Chinese people offer steamed meat buns or sweet pastries for visitors to enjoy with tea. Drinking tea and enjoying pastries is a distinctive aspect of Myanmar's culinary culture.
5. Sweet snacks from Myanmar
Unlike sweets in Western countries, sweets in Myanmar, also known as "muon," are not served as desserts but rather as a light snack accompanied by tea in the morning and afternoon for the people of Myanmar.
"Muon" doesn't contain excessive sugar; instead, the sweetness comes from other ingredients such as shredded coconut, coconut milk, rice flour, and fruits. Along with other pastries, these sweet snacks have become an indispensable accompaniment for tea lovers and a must-try delicacy for tourists.
6. Fried foods
Myanmar people have a particular fondness for greasy foods, so fried pastries of various sizes and shapes are the most popular street food in Myanmar.
Fried spring rolls, fried bread, and golden-brown, crispy fried donuts with a unique flavor, served with a sweet and sour tamarind sauce, create an irresistible appeal for tourists. Most pastries in Myanmar are made from rice flour or glutinous rice flour, sometimes a mixture of both. The flour is mixed with minced garlic, onions, and ginger. These accompanying spices give the pastries a rich aroma when fried in oil. Additionally, the flour is mixed with shredded coconut, sesame seeds, tomatoes, curry powder, and other ingredients to create a variety of different pastries.
7. Shan Tofu Noodles
The cuisine of the Shan people – an ethnic group living in northern Myanmar – is not only popular among the locals but also captivates tourists who try it for the first time.
Shan food stalls are always notable for their large blocks of tofu. What makes this tofu special is that it's made from yellow lentils and green beans instead of fermented soybeans as is common. These slices of tofu are often eaten with yellow noodles, served hot in soup, 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. Diners can add lime for extra sourness. Nan Gyi Thohk is often described as the Burmese version of spaghetti.
9. Mohinga Fish Noodle Soup
This is a type of noodle dish cooked in a fish-flavored broth, considered by many to be the national dish of Myanmar.
The main ingredients include chickpea flour, roasted rice, catfish cooked in broth, and a variety of spices such as garlic, shallots, ginger, lemongrass, and fish sauce. This dish is popular in many parts of the country and is sold all day long in many towns and cities. If you have the chance to travel to Myanmar, don't forget to try this 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 and pork, along with roasted sesame seeds and the flavor of garlic, served with pickled vegetables and broth. Its unique, delicious taste and appealing appearance are the reasons why Shan noodles have become a top choice for many tourists visiting Myanmar.
