Yangon Foodies, You’re in Luck

For tasty local fare or a cup of sweet tea in Myanmar’s biggest city, Lucky Seven teashop is a solid bet

By KYAW PHYO THA

Yangon Locations: Outlet 1: no-115, lower Kyimyindaing road, Ahlone Township; Tel: 01- 223379 | Outlet 2: no-138/140, 49th Street (upper Block), Pazundaung Township; Tel: 01-292382 | Outlet 3: no-1/ A, Pyi road (near Salmyaung road), 8th Mile, Mayangone Township; Tel: 01-661300 | Outlet 4: Corner of u Chit Maung and West Horserace Court road, Tamwe Township; Tel: 095169572 | Outlet 5: no-15/B Thudhamma road, north Okkalapa Township; Tel: 0973035285 | All outlets are closed on Sunday after 11 am.

Whether you’re looking for a good breakfast spot or somewhere to sample traditional treats on idle afternoons, Lucky Seven is the best choice among Yangon’s omnipresent teashops.

With several outlets throughout the city, the teashop chain offers fresh meals and an attentive staff, making it a rare refuge for health-conscious foodies.

“We take a lot of care with our ingredients and the way we serve our food,” said U Aung Thura, who owns Lucky Seven Outlet 2 on 49th Street, within walking distance of the city center. “Our customers’ health is our priority, so even for ingredients like cooking oil, we only use imported cholesterol-free sunflower oil.”

With a quick flip through the teashop’s English menu, foreign visitors can easily order a traditional breakfast set: a plate of rice with boiled peas and meat curry, washed down with a cup of tea or any seasonal juice.

For a more signature local flavor, try a bowl of mohinga—fish soup with thin rice noodles—or a rice noodle salad. If you’re watching your weight, opt for a bowl of evaporated milk noodles, a fat-free take on coconut cream noodles that tastes similar to khao soi, the popular coconut milk-andcurry noodle soup in northern Thailand.

Apart from local offerings, Lucky Seven’s menu also offers Indian and Chinese delicacies. Popular dishes include paratha flatbread with meat curry, fresh samosas, meat and vegetable dumplings, steamed pork ribs and chicken spring rolls.

Business hours are from 6:00 am to 5:30 pm, but it can be tough to find an open table, especially at breakfast time.