Myanmar has cuisines more diverse than its ethnic groups. Its favourite snack Mohinga has at least a dozen variations based on the fish and thickness of the broth. Some towns have their own native food that is nothing like any other ethnic cuisines. If you want to delve into Myanmar’s colourful food cultures, these places are a good start. Phone booking is encouraged to avoid disappointment because of limited seats under social distance guidelines.
It’s specialised in northern Shan food and grills. The norm of the North in making BBQ is with a charcoal grill and poppy seeds are generously used as garnish (maybe since they have a good supply…). Its grilled eggplants and beef tongue make a great beer snack. For late lunch or dinner, try catfish curry with steamed rice.
Ground Floor, Urban Asia Center, Corner of Mahabandula Rd. & 48th Street, Botahtaung Township, Yangon.
09 959 367096 | Delivery available
10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
The latest winner of MYANMORE’s Myanmar Food Restaurant of the Year 2019 is also a Yangon’s favourite place for Kachin cuisine. Must try is Sarphal, a set meal of rice noodle, smoked beef, beef tendon and chilli sauce. It uses seasonal fruits and vegetables directly sourced from Bhamo.
No. 10B, Ground Floor, Hledan 1st Street, Yangon.
09 698 907367 | Delivery available
10:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Nam Su – Shan Tea House & Cocktails by Rangoon Tea House group is the place to try traditional favourites like Mee Shay and Khaw Pote, fried sticky rice. The onsen rice bowls are where local Shan rice goes hand in hand with global delicacies like US striploin. Treat yourself to its fancy cocktails with punchy names, such as Farmer on the Run.
No 116-118 , Bogalayzay Street, Middle Block, Botahtaung Township, Yangon.
09 894 120 277 | Delivery available
11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Taungoo food is a rarity in the Yangon food scene. This is where you can try a different version of Mohinga in which the broth is cooked with chicken and a slight addition of fish. The dessert made of wheat grains, durian, sago and coconut milk is one of a kind.
No.(4) , Kan Be’ Road , Near Yankin Children Hospital and Yankin Police Station, Yangon.
6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
The fish paste is omnipresent in Burmese cuisine. The strong-smelling food is hard to stomach for some. This restaurant uses fish paste as an ingredient in curries, therefore concealing its smell. If you have a weak stomach, remind them to go easy on chilli.
No. 572, Corner of Lann Thit Street and Strand Road, Lanmadaw Township, Yangon.
09 687 869 934
10:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Although being a major ethnic group of Myanmar, Karen cuisine does not get the respect it deserves while other ethnic food has been in the limelight. Naw Tayar is probably the only restaurant that specialises in Karen cuisine in Yangon. Don’t leave it without trying Talapaw, a thick broth with veggie and meat.
No. 35, Aye Street, Ahlone Township, Yangon.
09 792 243 412
10pm – 10pm
It’s specialised in various ethnic cuisines rather than one. You can also try food from the Anyar region (mid-Myanmar) and Mergui Archipelago. Shan style grilled fish, sausage from Kayah, Kachin style steamed fish, and coconut rice with chicken curry are recommended among others. You can enjoy a 20 per cent discount on dine-in and takeaway (only regular food menu) until the end of June.
No.2(A), Kanbet Road, Yankin Tsp, Yangon.
09 787 154 799, 09 441 169 995 | Delivery available
11:30 AM – 9:30 PM
The core ingredients of Rakhine food can be summed up into chilli, fish paste, and fresh seafood. Its Mont Ti, rice noodles with spicy fish soup, is so famous it becomes a part of the brand name (we call it Min Lan Mont Ti). Beyond Mont Ti, you can have an array of seafood freshly imported from the waters of Rakhine.
(Head Office) No.361, Shwe Gone Daing Road, Boseinman ward, Bahan Township, Yangon.
(Parami Branch) No. 16, Parami Road, Mayangon Township, Yangon.
(Shinsawpu Branch) No. 77/C, Shinsawpu Road, Aung Chan Tha Ward, Sanchaung, Yangon.
(Kandawgyi Branch) Opposite Chatrium Hotel, corner of Natmauk and Po Sein Streets, Yangon.
(Thakayta Branch) No. 296/D6, Ayerwun Road, Thakayta, Yangon.
(Waizayantar Branch) No.69, Wai Za Yan Tar Rd, South Okkalapa Township, Near Aung Yadanar Traffic, Yangon.
09 253 042 456 | Delivery available
10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
This Kayah restaurant shines with its traditional pork sausages. The bite-size cuts are to pair with Makah powder which is ubiquitous in Kayah cuisine. Kayah State is one of the coldest regions in Myanmar so the powder is used to warm you up. It has a tingling sensation and is not as hot as conventional pepper. Don’t forget to try the strong and sour Kayah whiskey (or Khaung Ye).
No.17/A, Thadi Pahtan St, Kyaukmyaung Tamwe Township, Yangon.
09 952 107 799
4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
10Jana Mon
A restaurant already well known for its authentic Mon cuisine. The standout feature of Mon dishes is minimal to no use of cooking oil. As Makah powder is ubiquitous to Kayah food, so is lemongrass to Mon cuisine. The highlights would be squids stuffed with sticky rice, and the soup made with the whole Burmese chicken. If you want a serene lunch-by-the-lake experience, visit the 7-Mile Residence branch.
(Branch 1) No. 119, Nandawoun St, (off Yae Tharshae Lane), Bahan Township, Yangon.
(Branch 2) No. 1B, 7-Mile Residence, Mayangone Township, Yangon.
09 250 825 442 | Delivery available
10:00 AM – 9:30 PM
11Root
The first modern Wa restaurant and bar in Yangon, serving traditional Wa ethnic food from the northern Wa state, with traditional cocktails made of Wa liquor. The main dishes are usually cooked in styles of boiling, grilled, and salad. 15 per cent off on all the drinks throughout June!
Bo Myat Htun Road, corner of Maha Bandula Road, Botahtaung Township, Yangon.
09 45669 6695
11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
One of the oldest restaurants in Yangon has been serving northern Shan food for 20 years. Its dumplings and beef soup noodles are customer favourites. It also sells ready-made fish balls, dumplings and noodles so you can cook yourself at home.
Corner of Boyarnyunt and Nawaday streets, Dagon Township, Yangon.
09 507 0778, 09 775 556 602 | Delivery available
7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
