WHAT IT IS
If you’re looking for a unique dining experience in Yangon, look no further than Ha Tai Wa. Not only is this the only restaurant that serves Wa cuisine, it’s also famous for its zagaw wine, a Wa dining style where the food is served on a round rattan tray. The Wa people are an ethnic group living along the border between Myanmar and China.
ATMOSPHERE
Ha Tai Wa has a rustic atmosphere which includes outdoor bamboo hut booths. Customers can sit on chairs or cross-legged on the floor at low tables (an authentic Myanmar dining style!). There is also indoor seating. In keeping with the Wa theme, the restaurant is decorated with Wa ornaments, giving it a homey feel.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The rice set is a must-try at Ha Tai Wa. The set changes weekly, so you’ll get to try something new every time you visit. The food is simply delicious. The set for our table of four, included a heap of Shan rice and sticky rice, and fiery dishes like mala prawns, chicken curry, spicy pork, stir-fried vegetables, and eggplant salsa, all served on a zagaw lined with banana leaves. The pork was a special highlight; the blend of spices really brought the dish together. We used the plastic gloves provided and ate with our fingers, the traditional Myanmar way, slightly adapted.
Though the rice set is more than enough for a satisfying meal, definitely try other dishes. Our favorites were the ‘Wa’ Style Porridge (2,800 Kyats) and the Bamboo Bucket of Fish (7,800 Kyats). The porridge resembled a rice salad, but it was a peppery delight nonetheless. The bamboo bucket of fish was seasoned to perfection; this is one dish you cannot miss when you go to Ha Tai Wa.
PRICES
2,000 Kyats to 7,800 Kyats
FINAL THOUGHTS
Ha Tai Wa will appeal to both locals and visitors alike. Just beware of mosquitoes, especially if you’re going in the evening!
No. 10 Aung Thukha Street, 5 Quarter,
9 Miles, Mayangone Township, Yangon.
Ph: 01-660376, 09-250389120, 09-253245076
Open Daily 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
