Burmese food

 In the afternoon, the program directors had set up a display of Burmese fruits and vegetables.  Both Nyo and Miu Miu (the tour guides) knew that this was right up my alley.

Last Miu Miu told me that Nyo parents gathered all the items from the markets and brought them to the boat by motorcycle.  These two girls really went out of their way to please us.

I love food – I love eating it and I love learning about it.  As much as I think I know a lot about food, I come to southeast Asia and realize just how little I know.  I didn’t know what to expect to see in Myanmar.  In Europe, Viking did an excellent job with the food.  Would it be the same in Myanmar who didn’t have the same infrastructure and standards as they do in Europe?  Viking didn’t disappoint.

At each meal, there was a choice of western food or there was local food.  I usually took the local food option and wondered what it would be like to be a local cook and asking to cook american food.  Probably like asking me to cook Chinese food.  I am good at eating it but wouldn’t have an idea on how to prepare it.

One of the guys that I work with was born in Burma.  He was a bit shocked when I told him that I was going to Myanmar.  Knowing my fascination with foods, he gave me a list of foods that he ejoyed at family gatherins.   I printed out his email after checking the links he provided, and kept it with me the entire time, crossing off items as I went.  I showed it to the tour guide who made sure I got to try every item on the list.

Here is Jeff’s list!

From: Jeff
Sent: Friday, January 10, 2014 10:53 AM
To: James

Subject: Burmese dishes

Hey Jim,

Here are some of the Burmese dishes that I know of and have had at my family gatherings.  I’m sure there’s more that I don’t remember or know I had.  Thanks!

Mohinga –  this is the fish soup that I mentioned.  My family usually makes this with catfish.  Everyone loves it, including my wife and kids.

Lahpet – this is the tea leaf salad I mentioned.  To get the authenticate stuff, my family has either had the pickled tea leaves shipped to the US or had someone visiting Burma bring them back.

Danbauk – this is the curry chicken with rice dish I mentioned.  I like this dish. (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kyusu-burmese-cuisine-san-jose?select=V3KmyFV2hSMUnSV8twnX5g&start=100#V3KmyFV2hSMUnSV8twnX5g)

Palatha – Burmese spin on an Indian dish (paratha).  It’s a fried flatbread that you eat with meats and potatao.

Ohn no khao swè – coconut chicken noodles.

Mont let saung – desert (I’ve seen this at Asian markets with each ingredient packed in plastic bags).

What did I find?  As with other Asian countries, I found the markets to be filled with Fresh food.  Most homes don’t have refrigerators.  There were no grocery markets.  Everything was fresh and that usually meant it was still alive.

Although there were plenty of curries, it wasn’t hot.  This was by no means Thai food.  I also noticed that hot soup was served at breakfast.  That was a bit foreign but iI really took a liking to it.  The soups were clean tasting and were served with fried shallots, fried garlic, boiled eggs, coriander, soy sauce, fish sauce and crushed red pepper.  After trying the traditional Fish soup (mahinga) I fell in love with it and every morning opted for soup.  There was a fellow traveller who loved to spice it up with chopped chiles and I did the same.

Dried plums

Tea Leaf Salad

The winner for the most intriguing dish was the Tea Salad or Lahpet Thoke made with picked tea leaves, roasted peanuts, sesame sees, fried garlic, dried shrimp, ginger, chilies and lime.  It is served as a desert on special occasions.