10 Must-Try Burmese Dishes You Won’t Forget
From fragrant soups to vibrant salads and richly spiced curries, Burmese cuisine is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. Deeply rooted in Myanmar’s culture and history, these dishes tell stories of tradition, family, and flavor. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a local rediscovering your culinary heritage, here are 10 unforgettable Burmese dishes you absolutely must try:
1. Mohinga (မုန့်ဟင်းခါး)
The national breakfast of Myanmar, mohinga is a comforting fish-based noodle soup infused with lemongrass, garlic, and ginger. Often topped with crispy fritters, boiled egg, and fresh herbs, it’s a flavorful start to any day—and a must for every traveler.
2. Lahpet Thoke (လက်ဖက်သုပ်)
This fermented tea leaf salad is uniquely Burmese and utterly addictive. A combination of pickled tea leaves, roasted peanuts, garlic chips, sesame seeds, tomatoes, and dried shrimp creates a crunchy, tangy, and umami-rich experience.
3. Shan Noodles (ရှမ်းခေါက်ဆွဲ)
Hailing from the Shan State, this noodle dish features thin rice noodles served with seasoned minced chicken or pork, light tomato sauce, and fresh herbs. It can be served dry or as a soup, and it’s both simple and deeply satisfying.
4. Burmese Curry (အာလူးဟင်း/ကြက်ဟင်း)
Burmese curries are known for their richness and depth. Served with rice, soups, and side salads, they come in a variety of proteins like chicken, beef, pork, or fish. The oil on top is key—it preserves the curry and intensifies the flavor.
5. Ngapi Yay (ငါးပိရည်)
This fermented fish paste dipping sauce is an essential part of Burmese meals. Served with boiled or raw vegetables, ngapi yay is packed with umami and reflects the strong, salty, and savory flavors Myanmar is known for.
6. Ohn No Khao Swe (အုန်းနို့ခေါက်ဆွဲ)
Creamy, spicy, and comforting, this coconut chicken noodle soup is a cousin to Thailand’s khao soi. Served with egg noodles, boiled egg, and crunchy toppings like fried onions, it’s a warming bowl of comfort with layers of flavor.
7. Mont Lin Ma Yar (မုန့်လင်မယား)
Literally meaning “husband and wife snacks”, these crispy rice flour pancakes are cooked in pairs and filled with chickpeas, quail eggs, or spring onions. A beloved street snack, they’re fun to eat and full of texture.
8. Rakhine Monti (ရခိုင်မုန့်တီ)
From coastal Rakhine State comes this spicy, light seafood noodle soup. It features thin rice noodles in a clear broth with fish flakes, lemongrass, and a fiery chili paste. It’s lighter than mohinga but just as bold.
9. Mont Hin Gar Kyaw (မုန့်ဟင်းခါးကြော်)
This is the fried version of mohinga, where noodles, fish cakes, and vegetables are deep-fried for an entirely new texture and taste. Crunchy, salty, and perfect as a street snack or side dish.
10. Shwe Yin Aye (ရွှေရင်အေး)
End your meal on a sweet note with this classic Burmese dessert. It’s a refreshing coconut milk pudding served with sago pearls, agar jelly, sticky rice, and sometimes ice. Cool, creamy, and perfect for Myanmar’s tropical heat.
Discover the Flavor of Myanmar
Burmese cuisine is a blend of Southeast Asian and South Asian influences, yet it remains distinctly unique. Every dish is a mix of textures, spices, and stories passed down through generations. So whether you’re wandering through a local market or sitting down at a family table, don’t miss the chance to taste these 10 unforgettable dishes.