A crossroads between India, China and Southeast Asia. Fermented tea leaf salads, noodle soups and Shan cuisine: a little-known cuisine that is nonetheless one of the most original in the region.
Incontournables
National dish: rice noodle soup in a catfish broth thickened with chickpea flour, garnished with hard-boiled egg, crispy fritters, fried shallots and lime. Eaten mostly at breakfast
Second national dish: a salad of fermented tea leaves mixed with fried garlic, peanuts, sesame, dried shrimp and tomatoes. Bitter, crunchy, unlike anything else in the world
Rice noodles with chicken or pork, turmeric, garlic, tomato and fish sauce, served in broth or stir-fried. Originally from Shan State
Wheat noodles in a coconut-milk chicken curry, the Burmese equivalent of khao soi. Rich and creamy
Chicken, mutton, fish or pork curry slow-cooked in oil and onions, served with rice, soup and a platter of vegetables and condiments (thaputt)
Salad of thick rice noodles with chicken curry, powdered roasted chickpea, egg and bean sprouts. A dry, hearty dish
Indian heritage: samosas, pea and vegetable fritters, often served as a spicy salad (samosa thoke). An omnipresent snack
Tofu jaune a base de farine de pois chiche (pas de soja), servi en salade ou frit. Specialite de l'Etat Shan et du lac Inle
Boissons
The vert ou noir, souvent offert gratuitement dans les maisons de the, coeur de la sociabilite birmane
The noir fort avec lait concentre sucre, heritage colonial, bu toute la journee dans les tea shops
The most common local lager, light, around 1-1.50 EUR a can
Seve de palmier fermentee, legerement alcoolisee, specialite rurale de la region seche de Bagan
Street food
Vocabulaire
| Langue locale | Francais |
|---|---|
| Kyay zu tin ba de | Thank you |
| Mingalaba | Hello |
| Beh lauk le | How much does it cost? |
| Sar bar | Eat / Eat up |
| Sat de | It's spicy |
| Ye | Eau |
| Laphet | The (feuilles de the) |
| Kaung de | It's good / delicious |
Etiquette
Eat traditionally with the right hand or a spoon; the fork is for pushing food, not for bringing it to the mouth
Rice is central: curries and salads accompany it and are shared in the middle of the table
Accepting the tea you're offered is a courteous gesture in tea houses
Don't stand chopsticks or a spoon upright in the rice
Leaving a little food can signal you're full
Regime
Many salads (lahpet thoke, Shan tofu, tomato) are vegetarian
Shan tofu made from chickpeas is an excellent soy-free protein source
Indian influence brings vegetable curries and dals
Specify 'thet that lut' (no meat) as broth or shrimp paste is often present
Budget
0,50-2 EUR
Stands de rue, marches, vendeurs ambulants
2-5 EUR
Gargottes, cantines, restaurants familiaux
6-15 EUR
Restaurants connus, zones touristiques
Les voyageurs Orizn partagent leurs restaurants et street food preferes sur la carte live. Rejoins la communaute.