Getting used to the flavor of Burmese dishes can take time. Lord knows I’ve tried, but after over 18 months in Myanmar, I am still appalled by the stench of dried fish on my salad, and over-spicy meals. Luckily, I have gathered here for you some of the must-have Burmese dishes that you have to try (insuring of course that you ask them to remove some essential ingredients that otherwise – would make your dish un-eatable :)
Vocabulary:
Asat maté boo – don’t put spicy
Ngapi maté boo – don’t put fish paste (stinky and disgusting!)
Ngang pya yey maté boo – don’t put fish sauce
Bazoon chaut maté boo – don’t put dried shrimp (stinky and disgusting)
Lo chin té – I want
Vegan – ta ta lo! Ata ma sa boo, cha-oo ma sa boo, nwa no ma sa boo
If you like spicy – don’t say the 1st one. The rest – I would highly recommend you say 100% of the time. Even if the meal doesn’t come with dried shrimp. Who knows. They can surprise you. Once I got a fruit salad with fish sauce, spicy and dried shrimp. Needless to say – that it found its way to the trash VERY fast. Say it so you don’t regret it.
1. Kayan jin ti tope (Tomato salad) Vegan
Description: Much more than just tomatoes! They add their spices, and nuts.. It’s a surprise!
To order: Kayan jin ti tope lo chin té. Asat maté boo, ngapi maté boo, ngang pya yey maté boo, bazoon chaut maté boo.
2. Kai Lan ywat jo (fried broccoli-like leaves)
Description: It’s delicious! My go-to dish (if I can find it). It is stir-fried with garlic and oyster sauce. Delicious!
To order: Kai Lan Ywat Jo lo chin té. Asat maté boo, ngapi maté boo, ngang pya yey maté boo, bazoon chaut maté boo.
3. La pat tope (tea-leaf salad) Vegan
Description: The traditional Burmese signature salad. You have to try this. Some places make it better than others, of course, but still – an experience!
To order: La pat toap lo chin té. Asat maté boo, ngapi maté boo, ngang pya yey maté boo, bazoon chaut maté boo.
4. Mohinga (chickpea soup with fish broth)
Description: This is the #1 Myanmar traditional dish. You can find it usually at the side of the road for as little as 500 kyat.
To order: mo hin ga lo chin té. Asat maté boo, ngang pya yey maté boo, bazoon chaut maté boo. (if you want it with egg, say at the end: cha-oo té lone té me)
5. Own no cow swey (coconut milk soup with chicken broth)
Description: A tasty semi-sweet dish I guarentee you'll love! Not as common as mohinga, but can also be found on street shops, and some tea shops.
To order: own no cow swey lo chin té. Asat maté boo, ngang pya yey maté boo, bazoon chaut maté boo.
6. Ja zan jo (fried vermicelli) Vegan Option
Description: Stir fried thin noodles with vegetables and usually fried egg. You can find in most restaurants and tea shops.
To order: ja zan jo lo chin té. Asat maté boo, ngapi maté boo, ngang pya yey maté boo, bazoon chaut maté boo. (if you don’t want with fried egg, say: cha-oo jo ma té boo) (if you want to emphasis that you don’t want with meat, say: ata ma té boo. Cha-ta ma chai boo. Wa-ta ma chai boo)
7. Pa tope jo (Fried gyoza)
Description: This dish is delicious, and unfortunately hard to find. I usually find it in Mandalay, but you can show this picture to anyone, and ask them if they have it (da shi la?). Can come with chicken or pork filling.
To order: pa tope jo lo chin té. Asat maté boo, ngapi maté boo, ngang pya yey maté boo, bazoon chaut maté boo. (if you want with chicken filling, say: cha-ta pa tope jo shi la?)
8. Nga kin (BBQ fish)
Description: The streets of yangon are bustling in the evening with all kinds of street food delights. There are many snacks I like, but in this post, I am writing about meals rather than snacks. On the the street you will find BBQ fish starting from 4000 kyat (depeding on their size). Delicious, healthy and inexpensive. I love this for a light dinner.
To order: nga kin lo chin té. Asat maté boo, ngang pya yey maté boo, bazoon chaut maté boo.
9. La pat yey né Ee jag wey (morning doughnut and tea) Vegetarian
Description: The Burmese like to eat this long doughnut dipped in their sweet tea. And who can blame them? It’s delicious!
To order: la pat yey né ee jag wey lo chin té.
10. Bay palata (oily fried pancake-like bread with peas) Vegetarian
Description: You can find this gem in tea shops usually. Delicious!
To order: Bay Palata lo chin té. Asat maté boo, ngang pya yey maté boo, bazoon chaut maté boo.
11. Tamin jo (fried rice) Vegan Option
Description: simple. You can always go with fried rice.
To order: tamin jo lo chin té. Asat maté boo, ngapi maté boo, ngang pya yey maté boo, bazoon chaut maté boo.
12. Bazoon hin (shrimp curry)
Description: usually comes spicy to begin with, but if you can handle mild spiciness – give it a try! (recommended alongside coconut rice / white rice / fried rice)
To order: Bazoon hin lo chin té. Asat maté boo, ngapi maté boo, ngang pya yey maté boo, bazoon chaut maté boo.
Of course there are much more to taste in Myanmar, but with these dishes - you can't go wrong. Presuming of course you don't forget to mention the ingredients you wish to take out of your meal :)
That's it! You're ready to eat some fine Burmese food!
Good luck ;)
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