I was full the entire time I was in Yangon, Burma (Myanmar), and though I attempted, unfortunately I wasn’t able to eat everything the city had to offer. Just like the Bangkok street food, Yangon is yet another example of a SE Asian city where food is a top priority and street food is out of control!
1. Mohinga
At the forefront of Burmese cuisine is the famous dish of mohinga, a bowl of rice noodles covered in a fish based soup and sprinkled with deep fried fritters. Mohinga is a breakfast of champions!
Mohinga, Brumese Cuisine
2. Burmese Biryani
When I caught a glimpse of a restaurant called “Ambrosia Biryani,” there was absolutely no way I was going to get myself to walk past without sampling. Unfortunately the the biryani was a bit cold, having the appearance of yesterday’s ambrosia, but it was still tasty!
Burmese Biryani
3. Burmese Naan Flat-bread and Pe Byouk
The bread is a form of Burmese Indian style naan, pulled straight out of a clay pot cooking device. Pe Byouk is what I believe to be a form of boiled peas. The vendor normally bagged the beans and added a torn up naan on top – to go. Since I ate on spot, I requested the burrito version of this hearty protein rich morning snack.
Paratha and Pe Byouk
4. Rice and Burmese Curry
Rice and a few accompanying curries and vegetables is a common meal of Burmese cuisine. The curries are mildly flavored, but they are pleasing and go extremely well with a plate (or 5) of rice.
Typical Burmese Cuisine
Okra, Cauliflower, and Bean Sprouts
5. Beans, Onions, Pumpkin
Beans, onions, and tomatoes dressed in oil and salt (left), mild pumpkin curry (right)
Beans, Onions, Pumpkin
6. Burmese Fish Curry
A greasy, but unbelievable curry medley of fish.
Burmese Fish Curry
7. Garnish Salads
Vegetables with a fermented fish sauce (left) and chili flake sauce (right).
Burmese Salad
8. Form of Khaosay Thote
A form of noodles hand mixed with a flavorful chili sauce and eaten with cloves of garlic and chilies (left), Fresh Burmese spring rolls (right)
Burmese Noodles
9. Deep Fried Stuffed Tofu
Deep fried and stuffed with some cabbage, chilies and a special sauce made this tofu roll a single bite wonder!
Burmese Stuffed Tofu Roll
10. Sticky Rice With Shredded Coconut
I’ll admit, I was extremely excited my first day in Yangon, Burma, and I had no idea what I was ordering. I saw some sticky rice and jumped at the opportunity to order it. This is what I got, and though I had no idea what I was supposed to mix and match, just like everything else it was delicious.
Sticky Rice, Yangon, Burma
11. Selection of Mouthwatering Burmese Salads
(Clockwise from top-left corner)
- Laphet Thohk – pickled tea leaf salad
- Lemon Salad – entirely made from red onions and lemon pulp
- Gyin Thohk – pickled ginger mixed salad
- Tofu Thohk – Tofu salad
- Another Lemon Pulp Salad
- Tomato and Cabbage Salad
Amazing Burmese Salads
12. Laphet Thohk – Green Tea Salad
It’s a famed dish, a salad made from pickled tea leaves. Apparently Burma is one of only a few countries in the world that drinks and eats tea leaves. The texture of the salad was unique, a adoring combination of soft, crunchy, crispy, and saucy. I could eat this salad constantly for days.
Laphet Thohk, Burmese Green Tea Salad
13. Burmese Indian Thali Mixed Platter
There’s not a lot in this world that is as enticing to me as an all-you-can eat meal. Thali is an Indian mixed dish cuisine that is served on a metal platter. Rice is scooped out of buckets and the food party doesn’t stop until the customer is fully satisfied!
Burmese Thali
14. Goat Testicles
Along with a Thali, there’s an opportunity to order a number of accompanying curries and sides. We got a duo-pari of goat testicles, and though the flavor was quite appetizing, their mushiness was reminiscent of chunks of pure lard.
Goat Testicle Curry, Yangon, Burma
15. Burmese Indian Dosa
I’ve been a huge fan of dosas for many years of my life, so when I scoped this street side dosa stand, there was no hesitation. The dosa was made on an iron skillet over fiery flames emitted by the burning of dry wood. The curry was smooth and the pancake did an excellent job of sopping up everything till the final drip.
Burmese Dosa
16. Grilled Fish in Chinatown, Yangon
This grilled fish left me speechless, stunned, and overjoyed. It was so lip-licking delicious that I dreamed about it at night and my body was willingly forced to dine here 3 nights in a row!
Unbelievable Grilled Fish in Chinatown, Yangon, Burma
17. Vegetables in Chinatown
Skewers of grilled garlic and okra (left) a plate of stir fried pumpkin leaves (right)
Vegetables - Burmese Cuisine
18. Mala Hin
Glorious vegetables in a spicy bean paste
Stir Fried Vegetables Mix, Yangon, Burma
19. Stuffed Pork Skewer
Marinated pork stuffed with straw mushrooms and green peppers
Stuffed Pork Kebab, Burmese Food
20. Burmese Falooda
The Burmese version of the falooda is sweet and stunning (similar to the Indian version)!
Burmese Falooda
I’m nowhere near a Burmese food expert, but I can safely say that I enjoyed everything I ate in Yangon!
Why oh why did I read your post just before I eat dinner?! I’m so hungry now – although I’m not too sure about those goat testicles. I’d try them – they’re just not tempting me too much.
Julia
Turkey’s For Life recently posted..Ölü Deniz- Going Green
Hey Julia, I’m sure you were able to come up with something delicious for dinner too! Yah, the testicles are definitely not an everyday eat, just for the entertainment value of it!
Wow!! I am famished now!!
Phil recently posted..Music in West Africa- Senegal Part II
well maybe not the testicles…
Phil recently posted..Music in West Africa- Senegal Part II
Haha Phil! But you have some incredible jollof rice those sides as well…and nothing compares to African meat!
This made me so hungry! The food looks incredible!
Global Basecamps Ali recently posted..A Day in the Life of an Expat Living in Seoul- South Korea
Thanks!
Good stuff! All of this food is delicious!
A couple of corrections: 18 looks a lot like Mala Hin, a wonderful Shan dish. 3 doesn’t look like the Burmese Parata, it looks like Naan, which would make the typical breakfast of Bepyouk Namya (sp?): beans and naan bread.
Yum!
Kyle recently posted..Photo Journal- Life on Taungthaman Lake
So delicious, it was great to eat and sample everything in Yangon!
Thanks for the corrections Kyle, just updated the post!
The salads at 11 and 12 looks so tasty. Sometimes it’s better not to know what you are eating, like with the goat testicles
Tijmen recently posted..Cape Town Hotspots
Yah, I would say that the Burmese salads, the fish, and all Indian dishes were my absolute favorites!
I’m half Burmese and growing up, my mother would cook Burmese food all the time. I love the cuisine and home-cooked Burmese food is the one thing I miss the most in my travels!
That sounds great, and I definitely know the power of home cooking! I’m sure when you return form travels, you are greeted with awesome Burmese feasts!
Great post, Mark! Yangon had the absolute best papaya I’ve ever had. Made Thai papaya seem bland. Did you try any?
Dude, I did and I thought the same thing – also with the watermelon. I did discover that the vendor was dipping the fruit in an orange sweet juice to make it sweeter, but I returned the following day and told her not to dip it in the juice, and it was still amazing! Did you see any orange juice on the bag with your papaya?
I love discovering this part of the world through food on your site, my favourite travel food site.
ayngelina recently posted..The carnal seduction of Argentina
Awesome! Thanks so much Ayngelina, hoping to see you in this area of the world in the future – for some all-out porky smorgasbord indulgence!
WOW times 20! Delicious photos — would especially like to try Burmese Dosa. I can see why it’s a favorite of yours.
Thanks Cathy, I really a huge fan of dosa’s (and they were great in Burma), cooked on a skillet over a wood flame, truly spectacular!
I don’t know why, but I’m suddenly feeling hungry?
Now, if only I can find some Curry Goat Testicles!
Cam recently posted..Mayan Temples- Tropical Jungles and Whale Sharks!
Hehe, I’m actually getting quite hungry myself….hope you are able to locate those testes!
i have eaten A LOT of asian food over my years, but must admit i dont think ive ever eaten burmese. looks delish! especially like the look of the fish curry and the green tea salad. off to eat dinner!
jamie – cloud people adventures recently posted..Santa Ines Mission in California
Hey Jamie!
Thai food and Indian food are 2 of my favorite cuisines, so as a cross-junction between the 2, I was fascinated with Burmese food. I’m sure you would enjoy it!
yum yum yum! That grilled fish looks delicious!
Hey Jade, I think that fish in Yangon goes down in my list of top 5 grilled fish ever!
Mark, you did an awesome job of capturing these foods. I think I would try the goat testicles but would vote for the curry as my favorite.
Jeremy B recently posted..Weekend news and events in Sacramento- Scottish Highlands Festival- Highway 50 closed in Tahoe
That’s a great favorite Jeremy!
I read this on an empty stomach, Mark. Guess what my left hand is holding now whilst I try not to make too many typos with my right.
inka recently posted..Turks and expats united on Mother’s Day
Oh Inka! I’m sure you were able to locate some scrumptious food as well! Could it be a Turkish shawarma???
Ok, Mark….the Food Network or the Travel Channel needs to hire you. Your taste buds must have sonar to locate and the most fascinating and unique foods in the world. I’ll end it with this….poor goat.
Renee recently posted..The Inspired Traveler – 10 – April D Thompson
Hehe, yes, but at least none of the goat went to waste! Thanks so much Renee – getting a salary to eat would be my #1 dream!
Every single dish looks delicious!!! I like the fact that Burmese people are also fond of chilies..YUM!!!
Thanks Bama, Burmese food was so good, and I’m a big fan of chilies as well!
I swear before you all that one day, perhaps in the distant future, I WILL EAT GOAT TESTICLE CURRY! This post takes food porn to awesome new heights, nice work.
Thanks Josh, let me know if you come to Bangkok, we can arrange a pair!
The food is more than enough reason to put Burma on my travel list, I’m craving!
I fully agree!
Great collection of burmese food. I am kind of person like try different kind of food and post in blog.
thank for sharing.
No problem Tun Tun, glad that you enjoyed it!
I will say AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME..All the street food mouse watering, I miss Burma, I am Burmese, but living in abroad for more than 10 years. I am going back to visit next month, can’t wait to try out all those food. I wanna eat goat testicle curry, there still has another dish in those Indian restaurant, that will be goat brain curry. Grilled fish is one of my fave food too. Well, too many food to try out. A lot of my fave food are in your list as well. By the way, I have watched your youtube video of Yangon trip too
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Thank you so much Zinnia. So glad that you will be able to visit Burma soon – and get some more great food. I really appreciate you taking a look at my site and watching the Yangon video – Thanks. Hope you have a wonderful trip and I look forward to hearing about what you ate!
Best thing you did was eating on the streets
Definitely!
Wonderdul photos. Do you remember where you had that delicious looking fish in Chinatown? I’ll be in Yangon soon
Hey Les,
I don’t remember the exact location, but while walking down the main street in Yangon, you’ll get to Chinatown, then you make a right onto a small street (and it’s known for its fish), and then about 100 meters down the road on the left side of the street is the restaurant I ate at. Hope you can find it, it was really really good!
Thanks, Mark!
No problem, glad you enjoyed it!
My reply for Les might be late. But for the info of future tourists, here it go.
As far as I can remember, it is either 20th street or 19th Street in Chinatown.
Just need to walk pass the street and can see that it is happening with all the grilled stuff. At night local people used to drink Beer there as well.
Cool, thanks for your help Mabaydar!
Thanks for such a great round-up. We picked up our visas for Myanmar today, and I was looking for some street food inspiration – we’ll definitely be searching out the fish in Chinatown
Steve recently posted..Unusual foods I’ve eaten around the world
Thanks a lot,Mr.!!
No problem, thank you for checking it out!
Hello Mark!
Great information given on Burmese food! Thanks a lot for that! But since you mentioned that you didn’t manage to try many other Burmese food, may be you should visit once more and share more here
I’ll definitely be waiting for that! =D
Hey Norah, I would love to visit again and try more food. I hope to someday, but not sure when. Have you visited before?
Hello,
We were travelling in Myanmar for 27 days and we enjoyed their street food. We especially liked their morning snack, -like a churros- that you put in your tea. We are deseperately looking at how to make the batter of these. Do you have any idea?
Many thanks in advance.
Cheers
Tanguy
Hello Tanguy, great to hear you traveled around Myanmar and enjoyed the food so much. I’m really not sure how to make those donuts, but I’m sure there are some great recipes if you do a little searching! Enjoy!