Must-Try Specialties in Myanmar

Tea Leaf Salad, Shan Rice Dish, and Curry are irresistible delicacies that travelers cannot afford to miss.

7 Must-Try Specialties When Visiting Myanmar

Myanmar's culinary scene blends cultures from South and Southeast Asia, featuring unique local ingredients.

Tea Leaf Salad

Myanmar is one of the few countries where tea leaves are consumed as food. Tea Leaf Salad (lephet) is a favorite among locals and is often served at celebrations or special occasions. It can be enjoyed as a light meal or paired with rice as a main dish. However, Myanmar locals advise that consuming too much tea leaf salad may cause insomnia.

Shan People's Rice Dish

Shan people's rice dish (from a tribe in Myanmar) is also known as nga htamin (fish rice). The rice is cooked with golden turmeric powder, served with fish and garlic oil. Along with spices like garlic, chili, and pepper, Shan-style rice is a favorite for those who enjoy spicy food.

Myanmar Curry

Traveling to Myanmar , visiting traditional restaurants not only fills tourists up but also provides an exciting culinary experience, such as indulging in Myanmar curry.

True to its name, curry is the main ingredient, but tourists can choose to have it with pork, beef, lamb, or seafood. At curry shops catering to Muslims, Myanmar curry is served with vegetables, lentils, etc.

Alongside curry, tourists will be served rice, tea leaf salad, stir-fried vegetables, soup, and a large tray of boiled fresh vegetables with various dipping sauces. An interesting aspect of enjoying a portion of Myanmar curry is that you'll also receive traditional Myanmar desserts - soaked tea leaves and various dried nuts.

Myanmar Tea Snacks

In addition to bubble tea, tea shops are also fantastic places for tourists visiting Myanmar to explore Myanmar's cuisine. Myanmar tea shop owners often serve traditional local noodles or rice dishes. While Indian or Muslim tea shops usually serve light snacks like fried cakes with potato curry, baked bread... Chinese-owned tea shops, on the other hand, offer steamed meat buns, dumplings, or various pastries.

Fried Delicacies

Myanmar people have a passion for oily fried foods, so tourists can easily find various fried cakes on the streets of Myanmar such as spring rolls, savory donuts, fried bread...

A recommended dish to try is buthi kyaw (crispy fried pumpkin). These crispy, hot cakes are served with a special sweet and sour tamarind sauce.

Shan-style Tofu Noodles

Hto-hpu nwe - Warm Tofu Porridge

Hto-hpu nwe, literally meaning 'warm tofu,' is a unique dish from the Shan ethnic group in northern Myanmar. Despite its name, the dish doesn't actually contain tofu but is a thick porridge made from mung bean flour.

Mohinga Fish Noodles

Considered a quintessential dish of Myanmar, Mohinga consists of noodles in a rich broth made from fish and herbs. For extra flavor, travelers can add lime juice and dried chili. While it's a beloved breakfast dish, Mohinga is also sold all day as a popular street food.

According to Ngan Duong/VNexpress

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Reference: Travel Guide from Mytour