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Myanmar is known as the land of Buddha in Southeast Asia, home to thousands of temples and ancient architectural wonders. Not only is the spiritual devotion of its people evident, but it is also deeply ingrained in their culture, particularly in their food. Anyone who has ever traveled to Myanmar will easily notice that most of their dishes are plant-based, prepared simply yet bursting with flavor. Today, let's take a look at the top 5 must-try dishes from this fascinating country.
Tea Leaf Salad
With its delicious flavor, appealing presentation, and ease of consumption, tea leaf salad rightfully claims the top spot. Known as lephet in Myanmar, which means fermented tea leaves, this dish is often enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or served alongside rice.
Tea leaf salad is a must-try dish when traveling to Myanmar - Image: Internet
This dish is not overly complicated. Carefully selected sour tea leaves are mixed with a slight bitterness, shredded cabbage, tomato slices, garlic oil, various beans, and, of course, a generous amount of spicy chili.
However, when traveling abroad to Myanmar, it's best to enjoy this dish in moderation, as eating too much may lead to sleepless nights.
Shan Rice
Known by another name, nga htamin – a type of fish rice, is a dish of the Shan people, a minority group from Myanmar. It has become one of the top choices for tourists visiting the region.
Not only visually appealing, Shan rice also tugs at your heart with its rich flavors - Image sourced
The fragrant, sticky rice is cooked with fresh turmeric and served with a slice of sweet water fish, coated in garlic oil and accompanied by common seasonings like garlic, chili, and pepper. This combination enhances the already delightful aroma and flavor of the dish. Warning: Once you taste it, you're likely to crave it forever.
Myanmar Tea Cakes
Tea houses with a vintage, cozy atmosphere are the perfect spots for tourists to explore and enjoy traditional Myanmar dishes. In addition to popular meals, every tea house in this land of thousands of pagodas offers a variety of sweet and savory pastries, perfect for pairing with a warm cup of tea.
Drinking tea and enjoying pastries is also an ancient cultural tradition of the Myanmar people - Image: Internet
Alternatively, you can visit tea houses run by Indian or Muslim communities, where you can savor an array of savory fried pastries, bread served with potatoes, or freshly baked bread always served hot.
Shan Noodles with Tofu
Shan cuisine not only captivates tourists but also has locals struggling to resist its irresistible flavors. Besides rice dishes, the Shan people also prepare another equally wonderful dish: tofu noodles.
Tofu noodles can easily win over tourists with their delicious taste - Image sourced
What makes this dish special is that the tofu here is made from yellow lentils and green beans, instead of fermented soybeans. The tofu slices are typically paired with yellow noodles or served hot in a bowl of soup. You can also enjoy them cold in a salad to experience a unique difference.
Mohinga Fish Noodles
Budget travel to Myanmar, and make sure not to miss this legendary dish. Mohinga fish noodles are widely considered the soul and essence of Myanmar's cuisine.
The ingredients for this dish include chickpea flour, roasted rice powder, and catfish cooked in a savory broth with various spices such as garlic, shallots, ginger, and lemongrass.
Mohinga fish noodles are a guaranteed "best of the best" dish for spice lovers - Image sourced
Tourists can find this dish in towns and large cities throughout Myanmar. While it can be enjoyed in restaurants or upscale eateries for assured hygiene, the ultimate experience is to taste it from the street food carts lining the sidewalks.
