Food is a big part of Myanmar culture! In addition to three meals a day, snacks are a regular part of the daily routine. A mid-morning break and 3pm tea break are common, in offices and in home life. In the cities and in small towns, snacks are available from morning till night. Some vendors carry their snacks in baskets, others use push carts while others have more permanent stalls with seating.
Read on to discover our Top 5 Myanmar street food snacks! Many of these delights are included in Odyssey’s Mandalay Bike & Bites holiday and our Myanmar Culinary Tour. Or we can tailor-make any Myanmar tour to fit with your foodie dreams!
- MOHINGA– Myanmar’s famous breakfast dish is also a favorite snack food! At teatime or after work, it is not unusual to see folks slurping down a bowl of these noodles. The fish-based broth and sticky rice noodles are filling but still light enough to leave room for a meal later on. There are are slight variations from vendor to vendor, region to region and there are an array of condiments offered with each bowls. Be sure to sample a few bowls on your Myanmar holiday so that you can find your favorite
- MONT LIN MAYA- This bite-size snack is usually served in the evening and at festivals, as it is an easy to consume while walking around. A large round griddle with small semi-circular holes are filled with rice flour, salt, onion and other ingredients and grilled till crispy on the outside. The name means ‘couple snack’ because two semi-circular halves of the snack are cooked separately then pushed together to make the final product.
- SAMOSA SALAD- Myanmar cuisine includes a lot of salads- savory concoctions with a dressing of lime juice, fish sauce, salt, onion and garlic tossed over a base ingredient such as carrot or tomato. One of the more unusual, and delicious of these dishes is samosa thoke. Vendors cut up crispy samosa and mix with the delectable dressing, then toss a handful of cabbage on top and serve to hungry customers on plates or in takeaway packages. This is just one example of the mélange of influences on Myanmar cuisine- the Indian-style samosa paired with a dressing that is uniquely Burmese. This dish is not found on many restaurant menus, so be sure to head to the streets to seek out this culinary delight!
- PORK STICK- The smell of Wet Thar Doke Toe, or pork stick, is one that every Myanmar person will recognize! This popular snack is sold along with a spicy, clear soup broth with a distinctive smell and taste. Pork Stick vendors typically set up on the sidewalk with small plastic stools which allows customers to sit and select from the sticks on offer. If you are an adventurous eater, then you should definitely try some of the more unusual pork sticks on offer. Sample heart, tongue, skin or other organs- it certainly will be a unique memory from your Myanmar tour!
- BEIN MONT – These Myanmar-style pancakes are a beloved favorite of kids and adults! Vendors using wheel-carts carry vats of batter, made from rice flour and mixed with sweet jaggery or savory spices. When hungry diners approach, the batter is poured into a hot griddle, resulting in a thick chewy pancake. The vendors sprinkle on a topping, such as sesame or shredded coconut, cut the pancake in to bite size pieces and serve with a toothpick for easy, street-side snacking! Be sure to try this delicious treat during your Myanmar holiday- your stomach will thank you!
BONUS: FRIED BUGS- We said this list would be a Top 5 but this one is a bonus for adventurous eaters! If you want to truly taste an exotic treat, then be sure to seek out Myanmar’s fried bug vendors. Bamboo worms, crickets, cicadas and more are on offer depending on the season and the region. In most parts of Myanmar, they are sold as a snack – lightly fried, often topped with crispy fried onion or garlic. But in the Kachin and Chin State, insects are often incorporated into the meals for a little extra flavor (and protein!)
If you are ready to plan your Myanmar holiday or a special Myanmar food tour, get in touch with our team of travel experts! Send an email (info@odysseymyanmar.com) or give us a call on 09 269869090.
