Main Dishes
Main dishes in Myanmar are hearty, flavorful, and often centered around rice, accompanied by a variety of curries, soups, and side items. These dishes are typically served as part of a shared meal, with rice acting as the base. The main dish can include meat, fish, or vegetable curries, and is often complemented by salads, broth-based soups, and condiments like fermented fish paste. Meals are designed to balance flavors and textures—rich, spicy, sour, and savory—reflecting the diversity of Myanmar’s regions and ethnic groups. Traditional cooking emphasizes slow cooking, aromatic spices, and the generous use of oil, creating deeply satisfying meals enjoyed with family and community
Curries (Chicken, Pork, Fish and Mutton)
Myanmar traditional curry is a flavorful and aromatic dish made with a base of onions, garlic, ginger, and turmeric, slowly cooked until rich and oily. It comes in many forms, including chicken, pork, fish, and mutton curries. Chicken curry is mild and savory, pork curry is rich and sometimes tangy, fish curry is light with a sour note, and mutton curry is deeply spiced. These curries are usually served with rice and accompanied by soups, salads, and pickles for a balanced meal.
Rice (Steam Rice, Coconut Rice, Sticky Rice)
Myanmar traditional rice is a central part of daily meals and comes in various forms to suit different occasions and tastes. Steamed rice is the most common, served plain and fluffy alongside curries, soups, and side dishes. It acts as the main base of the meal, balancing the rich flavors of Burmese cuisine. Coconut rice is a fragrant and slightly sweet rice cooked with coconut milk, often enjoyed during festive occasions or paired with chicken.
Shan Noodle
Shan Noodles is a famous and widely loved traditional dish from Shan State, Myanmar. It consists of rice noodles served with a mildly spiced minced chicken or pork tomato sauce, topped with garlic oil, pickled mustard greens, and sometimes crushed peanuts. The noodles can be served dry (mixed) or with broth, depending on preference. Shan noodles are known for their light yet flavorful taste — slightly tangy from tomatoes, savory from the meat sauce, and aromatic with garlic oil.