MY Yangon March issue, No.7 by MY Yangon Magazine

Love yangon: Restaurants / BARS / SHOPPING / business / COMMUNITY / travel / ART

Your complete guide to Yangon.

Feast

on this! How To D o Brunch at Home

Supermarket Sweep where to shop

The Best Sushi Spots Yangon's top six sushi restaurants

19th Street

Forever

falling back in love with the street

FREE N0. 07 03/2015

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

MY Yangon | Issue 7

contents

Features

Festivals

Food Special…

Gorge on new places to dine, where to buy groceries and menu revamps. Find out who makes the best tea in town, who's cooking up a storm on TV and why we'll always love 19th Street. 06 Plot Ahead

The Art of Brunching

08 Street Style

Wasting time

10 Yangon Essentials 12 We Love Township 15 Yangon Trends

19th Street

Honest Union

New Openings

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

46 Beauty

28 Business

47 Flash Fiction

30 Meet

48 Shopping

38 Kids

51 Dining

9 Watch

58 Nightlife

41 Best of

60 Horoscope

editor’s Letter

Publisher Lei Lei Khine (00039) Yangon Directory Publication House

This month in

Editor in Chief: U Aung Kyaw Editor: Emily Hawkesworth Graphic Design: Ko Nyein Chan Ko Ko Htun, Pyae Phyo Aung, Thet Nu Aung, Win Htaik Writers: Tatwin Owen Edmunds, San Lin Tun, Emily Hawkesworth, Cliff Lonsdale Photographers: Tatwin Owen Edmunds, Emily Hawkesworth, Emmanuel Maillard, Letizia Diamante, Pyae Phyo Aung Sales: Lei Lei Khine, Akari Min Htut, May Thatoe Win, Saw Sandar Htet Distribution: BCG (The Yangon Directory Group) Press: New Vision (10087) Circulation: 8,000

Sales: 7th Floor, Bldg C, New Mingalar Market, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Tsp, Yangon, Myanmar. Tel: +959 25101 2288 Follow us on Twitter: @MYYangon Facebook: MY Yangon Magazine

18 Escape to 26 Arts

MY Team

MYyangon Enquiries for advertising:

09-44-800-1658

MY Yangon... ood is one of the most important things that can link people together. Perhaps this is why Yangon's diverse community is full of 'foodies' all connecting through the commonality of food. Whether it is through shared meals at home with family or friends or in a new restaurant; or even with work colleagues or business partners-food brings people into contact with one another. Surely a telling sign that Yangon's culinary scene is fast encouraging a new, unique and impressive gastronomic identity is the new Facebook group-"Yangon Foodies," where people can share and post their Yangon culinary discoveries. New restaurants are springing up every week and upping their game in order to beat their competitors to Yangon's best dining spot. And then there are new products and produce flooding into the supermarkets every day; all showing food is clearly on the agenda. This month we've dedicated our pages to this big food explosion with features about 'Falling back in love with 19th Street', how to "do" brunch at home and what cooking programs to watch. We also meet some Myanmar master tea makers; offer advice on where to buy particular foods, review lots of new restaurants and much more. You can also read all of our Myanmar articles in English on the Yangon Directory Website www.yangondirectory.com

myyangon@mmrdpub.com Publisher’s Statement

Accuracy Every endeavour is made to ensure that the information in this publication is accurate as possible. If telephone numbers are incorrect or have changed please inform us in writing and we will try and include it in the next edition. However, neither MY Yangon nor its agents or employees can accept liability for any loss or damage leading from any use of information in this publication.

Emily

Editor MY Yangon magazine

Copy Right All rights reserved. The entire contents of this publication is copyrighted and may not be reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form in part or whole or stored in a retrieval system of any nature without the written permission of the producers of this publication. You may not photocopy or copy any portion or page of this publication.

MY Yangon | Issue 7

Plot Ahead

Sun 1 Hey culture vu ltures! It’s the start of the Yangon Art and Heritag e Festival-for m ore details vis it http://www.ya ngonartandhe ritage. com

Mon 2 The Yangon Women’s Festival begins now! See the website for details http://www. yangonwomensfestival.com

Tue 3 Enchantment: Celebrating the Rich Cultural Heart of Myanmar @ Sein Lan So Pyay Garden. 7pm-9pm

Wed 4 Army Day National Holiday; Soldiers gather for a procession in NPT

Thurs 5 Slack in Black – International DJ Janette Slack plays 9pm at Gekko 535 Merchant Road – 01 386 986

Fri 6 Head downtown and celebrate Holi Festival, The Hindu festival of colours!

Sat 7

kanat last day of Lo Check out the KM’s M t, tis ar t’s Gallery of Ar exhibition

Sun 8 Closing even t of the Yangon Women’s Fest ival @ French Institute Yang on 340 Pyay Road

Mon 9 Start of the Myanmar Oil and Gas Conference 2015 Myanmar Convention Centre, Min Dhamma Road http://lanyrd.com/2015/ myanmar-oil-gas

Tue 10

Fri 13

Wed 18

Tue 24

2nd day of the Myanmar Horeca - A 3 day event being held at the Myanmar Event Park in Yangonhttp://10times.com/ myanmar-horeca

Mojito Night @ The Lab- Buy one get one free, from 5.30pm 70a Shwegondaing Road- 09 250 537 979

Unwind @ Inya Day Spa 16/2, Inya Road- 01 537 907

Sat 14

ion th Ricardo@Un Salsa Night wi 420 9 -0 ad Ro Strand bar, 9pm .42 101 854

Sun 15 Engage your inner artist wi th the Burmese drawing club @ Pansodan Sc ene 10am

Thurs 19 Get an authentic taste of India @ India Kitchen, 297, Ground Floor, Maharbandoola Road 095062593

Fri 20 Aaron Gallegos Trio are playing their funky mix of Flamenco, Bossa and Jazz @ Gekko 535 Merchant Street- 01 386 986

Sat 21

Myanmar Infrastructure summit http://www. myanmarinfrastructuresummit. com

Relax to som e Live Jazz performed by Mr. Barsogay and crew @ Sky Bi stro 7pm Saku ra Tower -01 25 5 277

Wed 25 Have a cheep and cheerful meal @ Aung Pyae Phyo Indian on the corner of Mahabandoola and 37th Street

Thurs 26 Take on the madness of Yuzana Plaza – dare to shop or just take a look!

Fri 27 Take a weekend trip to Mawlamyine. See our full feature on PG 18 for details!

Sat 28

is n Fair Yangon India Educatio the at ld he g in be a 2 day event es. tel http://10tim Asia Plaza Ho fair nio at uc ed acom/indi

Sun 29

PLOT AHEAD March Wed 11

February Photo Winner Andy Chew

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

Visit Yangon’s best sushi restaurant-Edo Zushi, 290 (B), Block (10), U Wisara Road, Kamayut Tsp – 09259040853

Thurs 12 Parami Pizza Patio Party- 50% off cocktails 5.30pm. Corner of Malikha Road and Parami Road09 250 292 074t

Have a Sund ay stroll around Mingalar Taun g Nyunt Tsp. Check out the Zoo, Au ng San Stadiu m and the Centra l Rail Station

Mon 30 Mon 16 Enjoy some fine Myanmar cuisine and excellent tea @ Rangoon Tea House. 77 Pansodan Road09 517 8329

Tue 17 Have a full American-style steak @ Tony Roma’s. 42 A, Sayar San Road

Sun 22

@ nday Brunch Why not try Su w flo e fre th tel wi Inya Lake Ho .37 g at 10.30am drinks! Startin ad 01 966 Ro da go Pa Kabar Aye 2866

Mon 23

Start of Holy week-the final week before Easter. Visit Bethlehem Lutheran church. 183 Theinbyu Road

Tue 31 Catch a movie @ Nay Pyi Taw Cinema, Sule Pagoda Road01 251 277, showtimes 10 am, 12.30pm, 3.30pm, 6.30pm

Arribah! Mexican Monday and Trivia night @ 50 Street Bar, from 8pm. 9-13 50 Street 01 397 060

MY Yangon | Issue 7

SNAP SHOT

Old & New Opening

Mahabandoola Road

Street Style

Tummour

The pad thai is light, flavoursome, spicy, not overly oily and most of all moreish. The for those of you not familiar with Thai cuisine-pad thai is a noodle dish accompanied with the best bombardment of Asian flavours-garlic, lime, chilli, tamarind, sugar, peanuts and fish-mixed with some good carb noodle action, tofu and egg. The Tom Ka Gai is also a winner-smooth coconut and lemongrass chicken soup. An another not so familiar choice is the deep fried morning glory with shrimp that is more like a tempura dish, doused in a light, sweet and subtle coconut dressing-a testament to the range and skill that Tummour has to offer. If you haven’t been already-make sure you try out this great new restaurant. 18 (A) Bo Yar Nyunt Street, Dagon Tsp-01 393228.

Oh My Godfather! 144, Bog yoke Aung San Road 8

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

Mingalar Zay

Pansondan Street (1918)

ummour can be instantly noted by it’s sleek, modern glass and wood exterior, neatly tucked along the increasingly culinary Bo Yar Nyunt strip. Having opened mid February, as part of a well-established Thai franchise-this is affordable and fresh Thai cooking at it it’s best- a good test being the staple dishes.

Pansondan Street (2014)

New

Thai Food

MY Yangon | Issue 7

ESSENTIAL

NDGN

SDGN

HTLA

There are a number of townships across the Nga Moe Yeik Creek, and one township, Hlaing Tharyar, across the Hlaing River. Most are industrial areas, but some are now becoming locations for the development of new residential areas. 16

ACROSS THE WATER Township Hlaing Thar Yar (HTLA)

North Dagon (NDGN)

South Dagon (SDGN)

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

About

See

Shop

Play

This area is one of the most developed of the satellite towns, which were built in the 1980s. Its industrial zone consists of mostly garment and other light industries. FMI City and Pun Hlaing Garden Residences and Country Club are here.

Dagon Ayeyar Highway Terminal.

Mee Kwet Zay (Aladdin Light Market)

Pun Hlaing Golf Club

A new satellite town founded in 1989.

Pyi Gyi Chan Thar Maha Su Taung Pyae Pagoda, Myo Oo Zay Tee Pagoda

Dagon Thiri Market

Yangon Equestrian Club

University of Culture, Aung Baw De Pagoda

Myeik Road City Mart

South Dagon Football Stadium

Industrial Zones I, II & III are located here. There are 101 monasteries in the township.

1 18 19

13 4

5 6

10 11

7 8

1 City Mart South Dagon Branch

6 City Mart Myay Ni Ghone Branch

11 City Mart ChinaTown Point Branch

16 Ocean North Point Branch

2 City Mart Junction Zawana Branch

7 Ocean Pazundaung Branch

12 Marketplace By City Mart FMI Centre, Parkson Branch

17 City Mart Yankin Centre Branch

3 City Mart Shwe Mya Yar Branch

8 City Mart 47th Street Branch

13 City Mart Junction Square Branch

18 City Mart Yankin Centre Branch

4 Ocean Shwe Gone Daing Branch

9 City Mart Aung San Branch

14 City Mart FMI City Branch

19 City Mart AKK Branch

5 Marketplace by City Mart Golden Valley Branch

10 City Mart Junction Maw Tin Branch

15 City Mart Thamine Branch MY Yangon | Issue 7

Neighbourhood

Stretching from the South side of Kandawgyi Lake to Nga Moe Yeik Creek, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township (MTNT) is the melting pot of midtown. Here you will find mosques, temples, pagodas, churches, markets, malls and sports grounds - the variety is endless. It is also Yangon’s most populous township with over 100,000 residents and rising. If Yangon was a ship MTNT would be the engine room.

Moe Thiri Restaurant A Myanmar restaurant that is popular with MTNT locals. Try the dry fried fish. 43 Daw Thein Tin Road, Kantawlay; 01 394 909

Nine Teashop

Every morning tens of thousands of people move in, out and through the township via the Central Railway Station or Yuzana Plaza Bus station; working, shopping, delivering, picking up, praying, visiting and transiting. Despite these traits, many people aren’t as familiar with MTNT as they are with other busy townships such as Bahan, Dagon or Pabedan. However, if you were to list its landmarks and hotspots people would definitely know them and more than likely visit them. If you have been to Yangon, chances are, you would have been to MTNT, though you probably don’t even know you were there. So here's our guide to MTNT-the place that no one knows but everybody goes.

Authentic local teashop that is cozy and always busy - Corner of Daw Thein Tin Road & 90 Street

The Taj A grand new Indian dining option, recently reviewed. See page 44. B-9 Aung San Stadium,

North Stand, Upper Pansodan Road-097 662 518

Mandalay Panthay Restaurant

We Love Mingalar Taung Nyunt

Eat

seafood chow mein noodles. Kan Yeikthar Street, Aquarium, Ou Yin Ward; 01 250 240

Ichiban-Kan

Agnes

A well-known and well-liked (particularly amongst the Japanese community) Japanese restaurant; with a hidden entrance, behind a blue curtain. Most dishes cost around the 5,000 kyat mark and they also offer Asahi beer. Mon -

Located on the Lake-front in the Kandawgyi Palace Hotel; Agnes offers French fine dining, with a particularly excellent Sunday brunchcosting 28 USD (includes a glass of champagne)

Fri 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm. G-17/18, Gyo Phyu Street, Aung San Stadium (West), Hpa-SaPa-La Ward;01 394 824

Dolphin A Seafood restaurant with a lovely location on the lake, opposite the main entrance of the Yangon Zoological Gardens. Serves good

Kandawgyi Palace Hotel, Kan Yeik Tha Road; 01 249 255

Taste Paradise Another fine dining restaurant within Kandawgyi Palace Hotel; offering modern Chinese food with exquisite presentation. Kandawgyi Palace Hotel, Kan Yeik Tha Road 01 249 255

Kyet Shar Sone (Biriyani and Curry) This is one of the best biriyani restaurants in town and has been established since 1947. There are three other branches across Yangon. The name translates as concrete triangle and references the parent restaurant's triangular shape. 65, 119 Street ; 01 294 867, 01 205 665

AV’s

a little English, the menu also has an English translation and the tea is good. Open 2-5pm. 90 Banyardala Road ;01 291 926, 01 299 004

A Chinese and Thai cuisine restaurant that is a bit hard to find, but the food is good and the spicy crispy fried fish is a must try. 54 Daw Thein Tin Street, Kandawlay 01 376 509

Mon Mon Lay A Myanmar-Indian fusion restaurant that is clean with a blue tiled floor. 60 Daw Thein Tin Road-01 394 744

Imperial Pearl A bakery and food court next to Mingalar Taung Nyunt Market, popular with workers from the nearby car parts and repair shops. 17

Shop Premium Distribution- A foreign brands food wholesalers. Brands include Tabasco, HP sauce and Evian, amongst many others. 1-3

Aung San Stadium (North Wing), Gyo Phyu Road 01 249 192

(Grd Flr), Shwe Mya Yar Villa, Mya Yar Kone Road

Nice Fare Travel Co. Ltd- A well known

EK Enjoy Kitchen

City Mart); 01 255 699

09 732 38 245

A hidden burger joint with glass tables and wooden benches. The space is well ventilated and trendy. Bathrooms are clean and the owner speaks perfect English. Try the delicious homemade chicken nuggets. A burger will cost you 2500 Kyats. 68-B, Daw

Thein Road & Bandar Gone Street, Kandawkalay; 09 310 41 915

travel agency. An easy place to walk in and book trips around Myanmar. 5 Aung San Stadium (near

Hla Shwe – A piano rent and repair shop. 39

Daw Thein Tin Street, Kandawkalay; 01 373 484

Real Life Advertising – Makers of

billboards, lightboxes, posters, and shop signs. Also a very affordable and decent framers. B3 North Wing of

Aung San Stadium; 01 255 894

This restaurant offers a traditional taste of Southern India with a vast selection of handmade sweets and snacks, behind a counter. The menu includes dosas, idli and samosas. Nothing costs over 2000 Kyats. Junction of U Aung Myat Road & Banyardala Road

Mya Sabel A Halal Indian restaurant that also sells some western dishes. One of the waitresses speaks

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

MY Yangon | Issue 7

Trends Guten-An excellent furniture and bathroom appliances shop. Sakura

Trade Centre Building, Kun Chan Street, Aung San Stadium Southern Wing – 01 249 203

Kenwood – Electrical kitchen appliances- 8 Aung San Stadium, Eastern Wing; 01 370 861~2

Winpex Blind – A designer blind shop with Korean-made window blinds - No.B-10 Aung san Stadium; 097 316 1043 Brandt Fagor – Kitchen appliances (bread makers, yoghurt makers, blenders etc.) - 16-17 Aung San Stadium, East Wing, Upper Pansodan Road; 01 251 963

Markets Mingalar Zey Mingalar Zey is a large and well known wholesale market that sells mainly clothes and fabrics. Building C (Shwe Pyaw Sone Market), also has costume jewellery, electricals and home-goods sections. During the night, part of the market becomes the notorious JJ Entertainment City. Corner of Banyardala Road and Set Yone Road Thienbyu Market This market is famous for garlic, at the very back of the market there is a section that sells fish and poultry.Bo Min Yaung Street Poultry wholesale Early in the morning people gather from far and wide to buy poultry for restaurants and shops. Junction of Upper Pazundaung Road & Tha Mein

Ba Yan Road.

Malls Yuzana Plaza A massive complex that sells clothes, fabrics and furniture all at low prices, outside is a large bus stop (Yuzana Plaza bus stop). Within the Plaza there are also smaller shops that sell electrics, phones and mobile accessories. A great place to hunt for a deal.Banyardala Road

Spas and clinics Vera Beauty Spa A new spa that is opening soon at Aung San Stadium West, the interior is clean and white they will be offering hair cutting and other treatments. Aung San Stadium West

Things to do Aung San Stadium Officially called Bogyoke Aung San Stadium, named after General Aung San. Aung San Stadium is a 40,000 seat multi-purpose stadium.

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

It was the national stadium until the mid 1980s and is now heavily used for Myanmar National League Football matches. Theinphyu Sports and Tennis Ground A large sports complex that has a hockey pitch and tennis courts. There is training on the hockey pitch every Saturday 3pm-5pm. For more information visit the Yangon Hockey Club Facebook page Theinphyu Road (North end)

Central Railway Station First built in 1877 by the British the original building was destroyed in WWII. It is Myanmar’s largest railway station and the gateway to its 5,031 km rail network. Kun Chan Road Kandawgyi Lake The South side of Kandawgyi Lake lies with MTNT and is arguably its most beautiful stretch. . Entrance fee is 2000Kyats Yangon Zoo Yangon Zoological gardens is the oldest and second largest Zoo in Myanmar. Kan Yeik Tha Road

Places to stay Kandawgyi Palace Hotel.Kan Yeik Tha Road 01 249 255 Rose Garden Hotel.171 Upper Pansodan Road- 01 371 992 Shangri La Residence 150/150 (A) Kan Yeik Thar Road 01 394 469 www.shangri-la.com/yangon/ shangrilaservicedapartments

Hotel Esperado 23 U Aung Myat Street - 018619486

Kitchen Appliances The people of Yangon are increasingly becoming more adventurous in their culinary tastes and expectations not only with their restaurant choices but also in terms of how they cook at home. Kitchen appliances and nifty cooking gizmos are now becoming more readily available. Here's a selection of some key kitchen devices to help you make the most out of meal time. Bread Maker A range of good, fresh and unsweetened bread can be difficult to find in Yangon. Getting a bread maker might feel like a commitment that involves a lot of effort but in reality they are very easy to use and you can find bread-making ingredients in City Mart. The Kenwood shop at Aung San Stadium (East Wing) has a few models to choose from. The BM450 has many features that makes it super easy to use; such as a rapid bake function that can have a loaf baked and ready in under an hour. The fan-assisted baking system ensures an even baking temperature. Plus, you've a 15-hour delay timer that allows you to bake bread just in time for when you wake up or come home at the end of the day.

Juicer Juicing is something that is trendingeverywhere; largely because of the many so-called health benefits. There are two main types-masticating (cold press) or centrifugal. Essentially a masticating juicer retains more of the fruit and vegetable nutrients by crushing and then pressing them, with little heat; unlike the centrifugal juicers that typically utilize a fastspinning metal blade that spins against a mesh filter, separating juice from flesh via centrifugal force. Centrifugal juicers produce more heat, which destroys the enzymes in the whatever you are juicing. With so much fruit and vegetables readily available at every market, making your own juice is great way to start the day. There is a good selection of top of the range juicers at Parksons Department store at the FMI Centre on Bogyoke Aung San Road.

MY Yangon | Issue 7

Espresso Maker If you're not a fan of the staple 3 in 1 coffee options and after the hard stuff then best to invest in a good espresso maker for your home. Head to Sithar Coffee, New University Avenue and here you will find the best equipment and everything you need, including good quality imported grinding machines, blenders and high quality coffee beans (from a Pyin Oo Lwin farm).

Toastie Maker A quick and easy way to make the perfect snack; although a little dangerous when one is not enough! A top tip is to put butter on the outside, making a crispy crust. From the straight forward cheese and ham to the creative and indulgent- goats cheese, caramelised onion and sundried tomato; the options are endless and that's not even including the sweet kind. City Mart marketplace sells some good brands in their appliances section.

Ice Cream Maker All that's needed are eggs, cream, milk, sugar and then your own flavouring. Cream can also be substituted with yoghurt to make frozen yoghurt. Again Kenwood (Aung San StadiumEast Wing) has a great model that can make homemade ice cream in only 1530 minutes; thanks to its fast freezing, double insulated 1.5 litre freezer bowl. The wide chute makes it easy to add ingredients while the ice cream is being mixed. And the nonstick bowl makes the ice cream easy to serve too.

Shops Kenwood – Electrical kitchen appliances – 8 Aung San Stadium, Eastern Wing; 01 370 861~2

Parksons – Department Store – 380 Bogyoke Aung San Road, FMI Centre,

Pabedan Tsp 01 246 859

Sithar Coffee – Coffee Machines – Aye Yeik Thar 2 Street, Near University Avenue, Bahan Tsp 01 559 359

Market Place By City Mart – Supermarket – Golden Valley Branch – 403 / A, Dhammazedhi Road & Golden Valley Road, Bahan Tsp 01 523 840/43

Did you know Yangon Directory Lists 214 Kitchen Wares Shops www.yangondirectory.com

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

MY Yangon | Issue 7

great escapes

Escape to

Mawlamyine "By the old Moulmein pagoda -

Burma girl a-settin’ and I know she in 1889. Years have passed, but Mawlamyine keeps the feeling of a small quiet town. George Orwell was also inspired to write his essay “Shooting

Elephant”,

while

working here for the Imperial police. A mix of post-colonial architecture, mosques, traditional wooden houses, churches and place where gold pagodas adorn tree-lined streets. You can wander around, watch the sunset on the Thanlwin river bank and get a warm welcome from the friendly inhabitants. With its special rustic charm and nearby attractions, Mawlamyine is a good destination to spend a couple of days out of Yangon.

Nwa-la-bo Pagoda-20 km North of Mawlamyine. The main attraction to this Pagoda, is a golden rock formation of 3 stones on top of one another. It is more puzzling and definitely much less crowded than Kyaiktiyo. From the base of the mountain, you can hike to the pagoda (2 hours) or take a pick-up truck (2,000 kyats return) which leaves only when it is full.

By Letizia Diamante

lookin' lazy at the sea – There’s a thinks o’me," wrote Rudyard Kipling

JUST OUTSIDE THE TOWN

MAIN ATTRACTIONS IN MAWLAMYINE A walk up the hill takes you to three pagodas (Kyaikthalan pagoda, U Zina pagoda and Mahamuni Pagoda) where you will find a gorgeous wooden monastery with stunning views of the city and the river.

Kyaikthanlan Pagoda This religious and easily accessible (there is a lift!) complex includes a large golden pagoda, 34 smaller pagodas and a big bell with an interesting inscription: “This bell made by Koonalenga, the priest, and weight 500 viss. No one body design to destroy this bell”. (500 viss=835 kg). There is also a hair relic of the Buddha, Tripitaka manuscripts and gold Buddha images that were said to be enshrined in this pagoda- making it understandable that this is said to be the spot, where Rudyard Kipling wrote his poem.

sights (a decrepit old man, a sick man, a corpse and an ascetic monk) represent the encounters that encouraged Buddha to begin his spiritual journey.

Win Sein Taw Ya-30 km from Mawlamyine Win Sein Taw Ya is a colossal reclining Buddha statue, 180 meters in length and 30 meters in height-said to be the largest reclining Buddha in the world. It makes its appearance after a road lined with hundreds of statues of monks. Inside there are three floors of dioramas depicting Buddhist stories and teachings. Although some areas seem to be a perennial work in progress and there are no English explanations or guides, some of the dioramas, especially the ones that represent hell are particularly memorable.

Mahamuni Pagoda Built in typical Mon-style, Mahamuni Pagoda contains a replica of the Mandalay’s Maha Muni Image. This Image was requested by the Queen Seindon Mibaya-gyi and other members of the Myanmar Royal Family when they escaped from Mandalay to Mawlamyine, to flee from King Thibaw Min. The nearby monastery, Seindon Mibayakyaung was originally the residence of the Queen when she sought refuge. Beautiful woodcarvings make this a truly place magical place to visit.

Bilu Kyun (Ogre Island) Zeigyi

Khaung Sae Kyun(Shampoo Island)

Zeigyi, meaning: “big market” is the main bustling shopping area; with one area dedicated to food and the other to everything else- it is a great place to get lost and spend a spare few hours.

“Khaungsae” means “head medicine” and “kyun” means “island”. The legend goes that a royal hairwashing ceremony took place on this island every year.

Not as scary as it sounds, Bilu Kyun (nicknamed: Ogre Island) is a green, fecund island, roughly the size of Singapore. The 78 villages on the island produce various handicrafts using natural products like coconut, bamboo and slate.

U Zina Pagoda

Thanlwin Bridge

Kyaikmaraw Paya

The story says that U Zina found a pot of gold buried in a bamboo grove and used this treasure to build a pagoda in this area. The statues of the four

Thanlwin Bridge is another of the city's landmarks. It is the longest road and rail-bridge in Myanmar, connecting Mawlamyine with Moketama.

Kyaikmaraw Paya is famous for the huge Buddha statue sitting with the legs hanging down (instead of cross-legged). Other features of the Pagoda include lively multi-coloured glass windows,

wooden ceilings and ceramic tile floors

Thanbyuzayat’s War Cemetery-60 km South of Mawlamyine Thanbyuzayat was the Western terminus of the infamous Japanese project of the Burma–Siam Railway. Thousands of Asians and Allied WWII prisoners lost their lives building it; hence it was also dubbed the ‘Death Railway’. The Allied War Memorial Cemetery contains 3771 graves of mostly British, American, Dutch and Australian soldiers.

Yele Paya in Kyaikkami-10 km from Thanbyuzayat Yele Paya is located on the top of a muddy beach in Kyaikkami. Women are not allowed in the most interior part of the pagoda. The most quirky building is a temple shaped like a ship.

Boat trip to Hpa-An From Mawlamyine port, you can embark on the Thanlwin Princess for a 5 hour ferryboat trip to Hpa-An (10,000 kyats per person). On the way you can admire Myanmar’s rural life passing by- beautiful nature, local life and a lot of golden temples, Hpa-An can also be reached from Mawlamyine by bus in just 2 hours. Once in Hpa An, you can visit all the beautiful caves.

Pa Auk Taw Ya Monastery-17 km South of Mawlamyine This monastery is one of the biggest meditation centers in the country.

Khayone cave This cave is about 20 minute drive out of Mawlamyine. It is filled with Buddhas’ statues, including 5 reclining Buddhas.

Did you know Yangon Directory Lists 338 Car/Truck Rentals www.yangondirectory.com

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

MY Yangon | Issue 7

PLACES TO EAT AND DRINK Almost all the restaurants are found along the riverside-perfect for some sunset dining. Here are some examples.

Shwe Nanda and Mya Nan Thida Located on lower main street, (not far from Aurora Guesthouse) these two places are perfect if you have a sweet tooth. They do a great breakfast and snacks, including-pastries, home-made milkshakes and faluda.

YKKO This popular bbq restaurant chain, can be found on the riverside.

Bone Gyi

Fruits The most delicious pomelos are cultivated in Mon State and they cost less than one third of the ones you find in Yangon. Durian fruits from Mawlamyine are also very famous.

PLACES TO STAY Strand Hotel (Strand Rd, Phat Tan Quarter, 05725624, 05724787), which is bungalow-style, Attran Hotel (Mandalay Ward, 05725764, 05725765) and Cinderella Hotel (21, Baho Road, Sitkei Gone Quarter, 05724411, 05724860, 098703610, 098703611). These are the best accommodation options in Mawlamyine. They offer large and clean rooms, TV, aircon and helpful staff. Cinderella Hotel got the trip advisor’s travelers choice award in 2014.

Clean and new Burmese Chinese food restaurant.

Sandalwood Hotel Help Grandmother and Grandfather A place where you can eat for a good cause-some of the profit goes to elderly in need.

Completed in 2008, this is the newest hotel in town. It is the best value for money with standard and air-con superior rooms. 278 Myoma Ridge Street- 098702511.

Beer Garden 2 Simple bbq and beer station with great sunset views.

Mya Than Lwin Restaurant Thanks to its seafood menu and its location by the river, it is another popular place for tourists.

BUY Souvenir shop in Cinderella Hotel

no western toilets. 277 Lower Main Rd, Sikeko Quarter- 05722785.

HOW TO REACH MAWLAMYINE Mawlamyine can be reached by bus, train and flight. The journey by bus from Yangon’s Aung Mingalar bus station takes about seven hours and it costs around 7,000-10,000 kyats (one way). You can also take the train from Yangon. You can stop overnight at the Golden Rock (Mt Kyaiktiyo) and continue to Mawlamyine on same train next day.

Breeze Guesthouse This is a well-known guest house, but only for tourists on a shoe-string and without too many expectations. Rooms are cheap (from $8 single, $16 double), basic, tiny and window-less. The guest house does however, organise lovely boat trips with 70 year old Mr Anthony, who will accompany you to Ogre Island. 6 Strand Road05721450/ 098701180.

For Myanmar hand-made souvenirs.

Hand-made coconut shell objects

Aurora Guesthouse (Myanmar name: Moe Thout Phan)

Several workshops on the Ogre Islands sell handmade souvenirs.

Another budget accommodation, but rooms are more spacious and cleaner than in Breeze but

There are also flights from Yangon (Myanmar Airways) and from Mae Sot in Thailand (Nok Air). From Mawlamyine it is less than 200 km from the Thai border. Shared taxis can bring you to the border Myawaddy (Myanmar)-Mae Sot (Thailand).

HOW TO GET AROUND The town is quite small and it can be explored by foot. A pick-up lift from the bus or train station to your hotel should cost around 3000 kyats, and a motorbike taxi to anywhere in town is approximately 1000 kyat. The most convenient way to visit the attractions outside Mawlamyine is to hire a taxi. It should cost around 50 dollars per day. You can also rent a motorbike (8 dollars/day) from Breeze Guesthouse or take a motorbike taxi. Public buses to YelePaya leave from the Zeigyimarket (1,000 kyats).

By Tatwin Owen Edmunds Yangon is changing fast and as its adapting identity forms, a variety of festivals have sprung up, reflecting this and the vibrant community that resides here International Juggling Festival Yangon

rganised by Serious Fun and Smile, The International Juggling Festival was held from 9-15 February 2015 as a chance to have some good old fashioned fun! Part community project, part wonder and part party the festival seeks to engage the community through the medium of juggling, as well as expose Yangon to something new and exciting. Juggling, I am told, has practical benefits; it can help develop concentration, balance, coordination and confidence. On top of all this designing performances develops creativity and imagination. As part of a community juggling programme, in the lead up to the festival, the group organizers held a series of workshops designed to improve teamwork, cooperation, and trust between participants. In particular the workshops encourage peer-to-peer teaching and skill sharing. The main event, The Big Show Spectacular, was

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

on February 12 in Kandawgyi Park, as a free show for the public. Hosted by young comedians Thura Thein and Jo Ker, the Big Show Spectacular featured spellbinding acts never seen before in Yangon performed by top international and local performers. A few days later on February 14 was the Day of Fun, which was directed specifically at children;

the Day of Fun included a Juggling Olympics, children’s shows, interactive theatre, walkabout acts and public participation games. The finale of the day was a fire and light show in Mahabandoola at 6pm. After the events the International Juggling festival will be holding fundraising workshops at offices and schools.

MY Yangon | Issue 7

TeambuildingTrainer Mr Jules and the Art of Letting Go International Corporate Method 20-30 people. Company key messages included. Suitable for all, from senior managers to ground staff 90 minute workshop,$300 plus transport Introduction to JugglingLearn basic juggling skills including balls, hats, diablo, flower stick 20-30 people, 60-90 minutes 45 minutes, $150-$250 plus transport SchoolsStudents learn basic skills with a variety of juggling props including balls, diablo, rings, hats. Standard workshop for 20-30 students 45-60-90 minutes, $150-$250 plus transport Email: festival@seriousfunglobal.net Facebook: Serious Fun in Yangon Website: seriousfung lobal.net

Yangon Women’s Festival Organised by Stork Agency (an events agency) and Developing Music (a music charity), the Yangon Women’s Festival is an event to first and foremost celebrate women and through this, raise issues which effect women in Myanmar. Speaking to one of the event's organisers, Adam Nicolas, from Developing Music he describes the organizers as being the ‘right people, in the right place’. The concept was designed to fill a gap, as currently there is no event of this kind in Myanmar. The celebration side is most important and the hope is to ‘create a fertile ground to plants seeds in the future’ – to address larger women’s issues. The festival is running from Monday the 2nd March till Sunday the 8th across various locations in Yangon (Mojo Lounge and Restaurant, Pansodan Gallery, Think Gallery, Union Bar and Grill and Gekko to name but a few). The last day is on International Women’s Day. The program includes art and film exhibitions, screen writing workshops, art workshops, seminars, music concerts, theatre, and DJ performances. Some notable Yangon institutions are getting involved including the Yangon Film School who are running a 48-hour film competition. Contestants must write and shoot a film in 48 hours about Yangon and women. The completed films will be shown at the end of the competition. There is also a plan for the internationally acclaimed film Kayan Beauties to be shown as part of the festival one evening in Nay Pyi Taw Cinema.

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

There is also a seminar to be given on the future of women in Myanmar by the Gender Equality Network, a leading Myanmar run women’s charity that represents over 120 women’s groups across the country. The talk will involve a few speakers and audience interaction will be encouraged. The Gender Equality Network is particularly excited to get involved as it hopes the Yangon Women Festival will give the organisation a chance to better penetrate its messages at a youth level. Adam Says ‘The best thing is people taking the issues and incorporating it in their art’. The issues facing women in Myanmar are wide ranging and span a variety of topics including culture, society, the environment and agriculture. Interest is growing and MRTV shot an advert that will be aired on their new channel for ladies, there is also hopefully going to be a promotion on Mandalay FM. Monday the 2nd March till Sunday the 8th 10am8pm https://www.facebook.com/yangonwomensfestival

My Yangon, My Home - Yangon Art and Heritage Festival My Yangon, My Home is an interactive festival that hopes to engage the community through art. The festival focuses on the everyday life of the city and its’ daily routine. The festival is based around a community art approach; the community is encouraged to produce works of art, which in turn are exhibited as the festival’s events/exhibitions. The festival has eight projects and coordinators who will create works, organise activities and exhibit in different locations in downtown Yangon: 1. Logo interactive design – So Takahashi 2. Poster Competition – Khin Zaw Latt 3. “Inside my House” – Photo Competition – Thiha Soul – MM Street Photography and Matt Grace – Myamar Deitta Gallery 4. “Mohinga” – Yangon Street Food Narratives & History – Ko Latt – In collaboration with Frankie Fathers – Filmmaker 5. Yangon Art Route – Natalie Jacobs – Pun Projects 6. “La Casa” – Contemporary Art in Domestic Spaces – Abadi Art Space 7. “Downtown Short Stories” – Cartoon Artists - Maung Maung Aung 8. “Circular Train” – Urban installation – Liam Shea The competitions include photography, film, writing, and art. One of the more unusual and interesting competitions is “Mohinga”, which

The festival is based around a community art approach; the community is encouraged to produce works of art, which in turn are exhibited as the festival’s events/ exhibitions. encourages people over 40 to write in with their Yangon street food experiences. My Yangon My Home aims to showcase public and street art projects alongside community art in an effort to explore Yangon residents’ ideas about their cultural legacy and look into ways to visualize possibilities for the city’s future.

The Yangon Art & Heritage Festival is free of charge, open to all and will be held at different venues in Yangon, from Sunday 1st to Sunday 22nd March 2015. Funds collected are used to meet costs of developing various community art projects, and promoting and organizing the event. contact@yangonartandheritage.com https://www.facebook.com/yangonartandheritage. http://www.yangonartandheritage.com

7th Yangon Photo Festival (I love you) The 7 th installment of the Yangon Photo festival hosted by the Institute Francais and under the patronage of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the festival’s purpose is to exhibit some of the best works produced around the world in Yangon in order to inspire a new generation of Myanmar photographers. This year’s theme is I love you. The festival runs from the 13th-21st of February and events are held in various locations such as the Institute Francais, Junction Square, Myanmar Deitta Gallery, and Pansodan Scene. The Highlight of the festival is Yangon Photo Night on the 21st at the Institute Francias where the best photo essays are awarded by a jury presided over by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Institute francais-birmanie.com/yangon-photofestival-7-i-love-you/

MY Yangon | Issue 7

The Art of

Brunching Brunch-a fine portmanteau-not quite breakfast and not yet lunch; originating in England in the late 1800s and then becoming popular in the USA, in the 1930s. Even as early as 1896, this meal was coined as a Sunday tactic for "Saturdaynight-carousers". Here in Yangon, there are increasingly becoming many options for brunching at both restaurants and hotels but it's also a great way to entertain at your own home. Not just for the "Saturday - night-carousers" in town; it's a good way to experiment with new recipes and spend a Sunday with friends. It's indulgent, fun and one of the better ways to start any week. Here are MY Yangon's top tips:

Decorations:

Brunch originally and still runs on a buffet theme so set up food and drink stations on one or a number of separate tables to where your guests will be seated. For food you could have sweet and savoury dishes separated but some of the charm of brunch is found in the mash-up of the two. It's wise to keep drinks on another table- perhaps an area for smoothies and juices; one for hot drinks and another for Bloody Marys (they have a good ready-made Tobasco brand mix at Premium Distribution, Aung San Stadium, see page 13.)

Good table pieces and a way to recycle some of your glass jars, you may have collected at home, is to make them into small vases with flowers (easily sourced from any local market). You might also consider filling large vases/glass bowls with sliced citrus fruits and then adding flowers.

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

Food:

French Toast- Sweet, rich and buttery bread like brioche is best. This kind of bread can be found in many of the bakeries around town. Try La Tartine (Pearl Condo, Kabar Aye Pagoda road) or Daren Bread (Yaw Min Gyi road). Then all that's needed are eggs, milk and butter. You can also add cinnamon, lemon zest and even cognac to make your toast even more decadent. Simply fry up and serve with fresh strawberries, honey and lemon juice. Avocados- Tis the season and you will find some of the best avocados at any local market. You can make small bite size slices or more hefty offerings with some toast and the avocado mashed with lemon, salt, pepper and a bit of chilli. A good sourdough is best for the toast so head to Sharky's on Damazedi road for an excellent loaf. Eggs- Recycle your avocado shells and then bake some eggs inside. Simply place the egg inside the shell, season with salt and pepper and bake (a small toaster oven will do) in a preheated oven at 180 for 15 minutes. Serve with a fresh tomato salsa. Fruit & Yoghurt- Serve fresh yogurt (the local and natural stuff, found in the terracotta pots is best and looks great, served in this simple but beautiful casing-you might also consider painting or decorating the terracotta pots) with a selection of toppings. The fruit options are endless with a huge selection to be found at any local market. If you have enough time, you could prepare a compote the night before with simply fruit and sugar boiled up in a pan. You could also make your own muesli with honey, nuts, seeds and oats (try City Mart). More indulgent options could include grated chocolate and caramelised bananas. A brunch doesn't have to be complicated-that is part of its appeal; but the possibilities are endless in terms of what you can serve up for your guests. Big dishes of salads or casseroles, as well as cheese and meat boards are a nifty way of feeding larger groups. MY Yangon | Issue 7

Art and an artist’s approach and ability to support the gallery as a whole. Originally the gallery agreement states there should only be 20 members but we have expanded to include 27 - this is now our maximum.

How often do you change the art on display? We change the art on display every three months and often have new exhibitions.

What sort of people visit the gallery?

Lokanat Gallery proudly sits in the grand old beautiful canary-coloured Sofaer building, on the corners of Merchant and Pansodan. Some of Myanmar’s best emerging and most reverred artists hang on the walls of this unique, beautiful heritage building that is Yangon’s longest running gallery-the perfect place, where Yangon old meets new. MY Yangon speaks with the gallery’s engaging and hopeful manager, Aung Myint Tun. 26

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

People interested in art-but this tends to be more artists and foreigners and not so much the general Myanmar public. I think this is because of the lack of art education in Myanmar and possibly because we don’t have an art journal for our gallery. It’s this lack of publicity and perhaps national understanding and appreciation that means we don’t get as many visitors as we would like; but I’m hopeful things will change.

How did Lokanat Gallery start? Who owns the gallery and runs it?

What sort of art is on display? How do you decide which artists to include?

The Lokanat Gallery officially opened on 15 October, 1971 with a Memorandum of Agreement signed between the Board of Directors and nine member artists; with the motto- "Truth, Beauty, Love". The museum displayed the works of the first members, who were prestigious masters, such as U Hla Shein, U Kin Maung (Bank), U Ohn Lwin, U Saw Win and U San Shane; as well as young, but already prominent artists like Shwe Oung Thame, Paw Oo Thett, Sun Myintt and Tin Win.

The gallery is committed to promoting both contemporary and academic art and therefore the two halls of the gallery are used to separately display works on these different styles. The gallery holds both solo and group exhibitions on all genres of art and it was here that the first official permission was given to hold performance and installation arts. The member artists, of which there are now 27 decide themselves on what art is displayed by choosing their fellow members.

How is the gallery funded?

How do they choose these fellow members?

The Lokanat Gallery of Art is a non-profit, nongovernment organisation and is funded on gallery commission (20%) and rental space for some exhibitions.

They choose new members not based on family or friend connections, neither do they pick members, based on where or if that artist went to school; they make their decision based on their art-work

What are the challenges for Myanmar artists? There are a lot of rich men now in Myanmar but they’re not interested in art-it’s more about material things; and again, more generally, there is a lack of education in the arts and so this spills into a lack of art magazines, critics, curators and collectors-this makes things very difficult for Myanmar artists.

What are the hopes for the gallery in the future? For 40 years the Lokanat Gallery has been successful in it’s aim to promote artists of Myanmar, young and old. We are proud that it is the longest running gallery in Myanmar. From time to time, commemorating shows of the works of various late famous masters will be held. Other exhibitions for groups, such as embassies and the UN and also photo exhibitions or competitions, as well as book fairs have been held and these traditions will continue. Lokanat aims to sponsor exhibitions for

I think this is because of the lack of art education in Myanmar and possibly because we don’t have an art journal for our gallery. Do you think showing artist’s work in this kind of space adds anything to its impact? Definitely. It’s a place where old meets the new and where art is linked to history; and of course we often get visitors who are interested in this heritage building and then stumble upon the gallery.

How has Myanmar art changed in recent years? I think you will just always have some artists who change their style and some who do not-it’s very fluid.

Is the art on show up for sale? Yes and paintings can be bought in installments. This is a rule which was in place during the early years of the gallery and has now been revived.

both members and non-members, in either solo or group shows. We also plan to work with artists from other countries to hold workshops, seminars and cultural exchange programs.

Do you have any particularly famous works on display? All the artists on display are famous in their own creative sector-which can often be comparatively very different styles.

Lokanat Gallery has a new exhibition

starting 1st March, 2015-showcasing the new and distinct art from the very talented MKM. No. 62, 1st Floor, Pansodan Street, Kyauktada Tsp; lokanat.art.gallery@gmail. com Did you know Yangon Directory Lists 61 Galleries www.yangondirectory.com

MY Yangon | Issue 7

Missing a

taste of home

By Cliff Lonsdale

For me it is tea industrial strength tea, the kind of tea that you could build a house with, or slice up and make a sandwich out of - the kind of tea that would worry a cheap teaspoon. English Breakfast tea, Yorkshire Tea to be preciseYorkshire Gold if I’m feeling flush. I stockpile those little packets of pleasure as if preparing for Armageddon. Every visitor I receive is encouraged to fill the corners of their suitcase with those little bags of bliss.

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

Don’t get me wrong 3-in-1 is great at the right time, as a pick me up mid-morning or a quick refreshing drop on the way home from work, but for breakfast it doesn’t quite cut the mustard so to speak. I approach my tea in very much the same way that Bonnie Tyler approaches her hero’s. But sometimes I worry that I rely on this luxury item too much, sometimes I find myself inventorying my stock, rationing my depleting hoard, trying to find alternative sources, panicking that I am going to run out. This over-reliance on a luxury item is surely unhealthy. Some pay no heed to the quality of their tea; their secret desires, their guilty pleasures are of a more substantial nature, and take up more cupboard space. Heinz Baked beans, Vegemite, Kellogg’s Corn flakes, Branston pickle the list of brands is endless, the excess baggage fees ludicrous. Whilst others find ways to replicate their hearts desires; in kitchens across Yangon expats are cooking up Fu-Fu, or Banku, Injera and Tibs, or even Battenberg cake using innovative methods and locally sourced ingredients. Even the most hardened and acclimatised Yangonite expat who has Mohinga every day for breakfast, and entrails for lunch, probably harbours a secret stash of Cadburys chocolate in their desk drawer, or an emergency reserve of liquorice at the back of the bookcase that they share with no one, not even their nearest and dearest. And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with treating ourselves occasionally, but what if we find ourselves unable to cope, unable to function without the crutch of a consumable item? Is that a time to stop and perhaps have a look at how we approach our life? One of the pleasures of living overseas as an expat, I’ve found, is that life is much easier, much more contented much more satisfying

if you can assimilate yourself as much as possible with your surroundings. And by familiarising yourself with the food and eating habits of a country you gain a better understanding of the rules, social norms, history and culture of the place you have chosen to live in; and you get to meet more people and make more friends as well. That’s not to say we should disregard our salacious food desires completely, but perhaps be a bit more selective about what we can and can’t live without, and not so down-hearted by the dearth of what we consider must-have luxury items, be they parsnips, pork-pies or marshmallow fluff. If you are finding that living in Myanmar is a

but what if we find ourselves unable to cope, unable to function without the crutch of a consumable item? gargantuan struggle without your Guinness, Gregg’s pasties, or Jaffles or if you find yourself moaning about the lack of choice of plantains and grumbling about the price of pomegranates at the supermarket then perhaps you are not looking hard enough to find a better alternative. Or perhaps you aren’t giving yourself an adequate chance to let go of the past, and are unnecessarily constraining yourself from the joy of experiencing new things.

ccording to The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy “The History of every major galactic civilization tends to pass through three distinct and recognizable phases, those of Survival, Inquiry and Sophistication, otherwise known as the How, Why, and Where phases. For instance, the first phase is characterized by the question 'How can we eat?' the second by the question 'Why do we eat?' and the third by the question 'Where shall we have lunch?” (Adams D. ‘80)

Falling back in love with

19th street.

According to the latest Lonely Planet Myanmar guide, it seems that “Where shall we have lunch?” is not that much of a problem in Yangon; as apparently you can’t walk more than a few hundred yards before stumbling upon somewhere that will serve a feast of flavours, a mountain of noodles and a fair sized portion of oil to see you through the afternoon - all for a few Kyat. However a more interesting question, and one that perhaps exemplifies this phase of sophistication in the fictional guide, is that of “Where shall we go for dinner?” So of course the guardians of gastronomy - that seem to have been here forever and probably will continue to be - get a fairly steady trade of nervous guidebook wielding visitors each evening; venues such as 50th street, Sharky’s, and Onyx to name but a few. But there is one eating and drinking spot that the guides seem to have taken a shine to in recent years, and consequently more and more visitors to Yangon are heading there. Now I’m assuming you know all about 19th street, after all it’s hardly a secret. The NY times squeezed it into their 36 hours in Yangon last year, the American chef and author Anthony Boudain ate there in 2013 for his CNN series ‘Parts Unknown’, and Jeremy Clarkson and his pals foolishly drove their lorries up it for a few seconds of ‘comedy’ in their ridiculous BBC Top Gear Burma Special Edition. And if you are an expat in Yangon then it’s likely you were guided here fairly early on when you first arrived. It will have been one of the places that escorted you through the How, Why and Where phases of your introduction to the food of Myanmar. And of course back in the day it was one of the few spots that you could eat and drink after 9pm. That has all changed now, and with this new breed

of ubiquitous venues, and it seems that perhaps because of this increased competition, and also due to the increase of guidebook led tourists to 19th street it, it has been rumoured to be ‘out of fashion’ by those in the know; those that claim: “It’s been spoiled”, or “Its just not the same anymore.” And despite this influx of new customers, and subsequent apparent decline in local popularity of the street by some, you can still get a half decent post-work 800 Kyat mojito at Koh San II, before sliding over to Shwe Mingalar for some tasty BBQ, decently priced draught beer and fabulously attentive service. I even read somewhere recently suggesting that 19th street is set to become the next Khao San Road. It isn’t – lets nip that in the bud right away – it never will be and there is a reason for that. 19th street is more than just a number; it is a synergy. It is created not by its location, or its décor or its music, or its grungy urban theme, of the type people who frequent it nor the people that do business there. It is collectively made up by a cohesiveness that is greater than the sum of its parts, and unlike the androgynous bars and restaurants that are appearing and disappearing

daily in Yangon, 19th street is exactly what you want it to be, one size fits all; and it never ever fails to provide. This is the allure of 19th street, it can’t be labelled; it isn’t simply an expat or Myanmar or tourist haunt. It isn’t just a beer and BBQ street, it is a working living, breathing street in Yangon, it is a street of people, of smells and textures, of noise and of presence. It is a place to visit and be a part of, not just as an observer. It is a place that is better for your attendance, yet no worse for your absence. It is a place that despite being fluid and transient, being shape shifted into your own image on every visit, it is at the same time a place that has always been the same. This isn’t a review of 19th street - that’s been done to death in blogs and articles and magazines for years. There is nothing new to report here, because it hasn’t changed; it is still the same as it was the first time you were taken there, when it helped guide you through the how why’s and where’s. In fact if you’ve fallen out of love with 19th street - or if it’s a place you no longer frequent – I would tentatively suggest that perhaps it isn’t because 19th street has changed at all - its because you have.

MY Yangon | Issue 7

What do you think the future is for Myanmar tea making? At the Rangoon Tea House we want to brand Myanmar tea to foreigners and newcomers. Myanmar people will always drink tea, so teashops wont disappear as it is a tradition. I think the teashops will become more like the Rangoon Tea House but the old style will still survive.

Meet The

What is your dream? I want to run a teashop like the Rangoon Tea House as the owner.

What is the most interesting story/thing that has happened since you have been making tea? When I first started out I made a big mistake and

made a totally tasteless tea. I was very ashamed and scared that the owner would scold me. Luckily I have never made that mistake again.

8am-10pm Rangoon Tea House, 2nd Floor, 77 Pansodan Road, Kyauktada Tsp -09 517 8329

Tea Makers In Myanmar tea making is an art. Each cup is a mixture of sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, kyat yay (boiling water) and Latphet (tea). A different ratio of these ingredients will give you a totally different tea. MY Yangon speaks with two of Yangon’s finest Tea artists Mr Aung of the Rangoon Tea House and Thein Myo Htike of Pansodan Mya Sabei.

Mr. Aung Rangoon Tea House How did you become a Tea Maker?

What is the most popular tea?

Do you have any signature teas?

I have been making tea for 7 years. Originally I was at Shwe Pa Lin teahouse, but I moved to the Rangoon Tea House because I was excited by their recreation of the classic teahouse. It is very different from the other teahouses in Yangon. I am a Yangon local and I first got into making tea when I was very young because when I was young I loved tea and I always wanted to know the differences between teas.

Pon Mhan (regular tea) is the most popular and I make about 200 cups of it a day. People like it because it is not too sweet and not too bitter. People come back to the Rangoon Tea House to have that same taste, they know whenever they come- the taste will be the same, the taste that they like.

I am currently designing a special signature tea for the Rangoon Tea House. Once it is perfect we will launch it, hopefully in March- and of course the recipe is secret!

What does it take to become tea maker? There are many different teas in Myanmar- they are different because the products you use are different and how you make the tea is different. To become a tea maker takes patience.

Has tea making changed since you started? There has not been much difference in 7 years; the method hasn’t changed.

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

What is the most difficult tea to make? Because I have been making tea for a long time there is nothing I find difficult to make. The most difficult thing to learn though is how to treat the dried tea leaves. There are many different tea leaf types which all give a different taste. Also depending on how long you stew the tea for, will also give a different taste. Learning this is the most difficult thing. At the Rangoon Tea House we use Nagar Byan Tea (Flying Dragon), which is a tea from Shan state. It should be stewed for 5 minutes and is a very excellent tea.

Thein Myo Htike Pansodan Mya Sabei How did you become a Tea Maker?

What is the most difficult tea to make?

My home town is Kanyutkwin , Phyu Township, Bago division. . I came to Yangon 6 years ago as the student of a tea maker. I have only ever worked at Mya Sabei teahouse where I make tea and coffee

Nothing is more difficult everything is the same to make.

I worked my way up from a junior level tea maker to a senior tea maker. It took me three years to become a senior tea maker.

Do you have any signature teas? Yes, “Tea No Break” Mya Sabei special tea which is 500Kyats. We use real fresh cow milk to brew this tea.

What is special about Myanmar tea making? What does it take to become tea maker? Making tea is my hobby, so I am happy to make the best tea for the customers. It is best to become a tea maker if it is your hobby.

No idea, I can't compare it to other countries, but I do know the Myanmar customers are tea experts.

What do you think the future is for Myanmar tea making? What is special about Myanmar tea making? Myanmar tea is different in that it is a special mix of condensed milk, evaporated milk and tea. Chinese tea for example doesn’t have sugar or milk. I don’t know about any specific legends attached to Myanmar tea making but I do know that the people of Myanmar love tea and we prefer tea not coffee. Having tea at breakfast is the habit of Myanmar people. In my experience, foreigners prefer the less sweet teas. Specifically Po Cha, which is slightly more bitter than a regular Myanmar tea. However I always recommend that people should try a variety then choose their favourite – their own special tea.

Has tea making changed since you started? Yes, 6 years ago the method was to have 4 separate ingredients tea, milk, hot water and sugar. Each ingredient was separate and we made to order whatever type of tea the customer asked for.

Teashop culture will develop and everything will become more competitive. Everyone is trying harder and harder to be the best and be better than the other shops.

What is your dream? I want to own a teashop, but I don’t know what its name will be yet!

4 years ago we changed this and started adding the tea and milk together in the pot and brewing it hotter. We then use the sugar as the control. We changed this as every teashop in Yangon wants its own method as customers prefer certain shops depending on how they make their tea. We wanted to stand out amongst the competition.

What is the most interesting story/thing that has happened since you have been making tea?

What is the most popular tea?

Some customers don’t want sweet tea because they are diabetic. I once accidentally got a diabetics order wrong because I was day-dreaming about my girlfriend and family. I gave him a sweet tea, he had to go to the hospital. Luckily the customer was OK, but it was very alarming!

Pon Mhan (regular tea) is the most popular as it is midway between sweet and plain, because it has an equal ratio of all ingredients. About 75% of customers ask for this tea and I make about 200 cups of it a day. People in Myanmar are tea crazy experts and they don’t like coffee.

7am-9pm Mya Sabei Cake & Bakery, 71 Pansodan Road, Kyauktada Tsp -01 249 875

MY Yangon | Issue 7

Why did you decide on this type of food? Union was lacking in a culinary identity- however the style and feel of the place sings British gastro pub. We don’t want to confuse people so we will have 3-4 things on the plate max, which will mean we have nowhere to hide so it must be perfect! The first thing I did was look at the markets to see what produce there is and then I have designed a menu around that. After seeing the markets I have even introduced new cuts like calves liver.

The Honest Union of Simple Flavours The Union Bar & grill brings simple and straight-to-the-point cooking to yanGon with the help of new chef reuben gould and some great new dishes. How long have you been a chef at Union? What’s your background? I have been in Myanmar for two weeks. Before hand I worked in Baku, Azerbaijan for 3.5 years. I was working for the president’s daughter opening restaurants and revamping old ones. It was a similar situation to Myanmar as at the time Azerbaijan was still developing and the hospitality sector was still developing. Similar to here there were no internationally recognised hospitality schools. It was about building people up from the very beginning and learning to have a lot of patience. Patience is so important. That was the main thing I learnt in Azerbaijan. Before Azerbaijan, I worked in London at the Park Lane Hilton, Browns 1837, and for Marco Pierre White. I came to Myanmar

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

This type of food is particularly British. Is Yangon ready for this kind of food? British food is stews, shanks, scotch eggs… It’s not fancy and it's easy to get your head around. Its very familiar - fish cakes for example are universal; as people will be familiar with it they will embrace it.

What are the pros and cons of running a kitchen here? Product and supply is very important you must communicate with the supplier to make sure you have the right product. Talent wise- the level of the chefs has pleasantly surprised me; they are more in tune with flavour than in Azerbaijan and have good basics. The challenge is to carry on that education and teach them in more detail. Why you do this? And how you do it? Etc. Lastly, health and hygiene are very important to

me. In London I always had a 5 star rating from Westminster Council and want to bring those standards here. There is Eco lab in all kitchens so our hygiene standards will be high. As Yangon is developing at such a rate does it give you as a chef more opportunity to experiment? To an extent, main game is to keep it simple classic cooking. This might be viewed as experimental from the mass-market perspective; who aren’t as familiar with British food. We want to attract a good mix of expats and locals, but first we have to gain trust.

What determines food fads? Flavour – food must have bold flavour, affordable pricing, and be classic cooking. In general little things done simply and well become food fads. Why do you think Yangonites are such foodies? They are an eclectic bunch. Most are demanding therefore you have to provide dishes the majority are comfortable with. But you must understand we are in Yangon and you must be patient as good food takes time. The price reflects the cost. As a chef, I do take requests on board especially with new dishes. But we don’t want to be pretentious; for example we will always have a burger on the menu. We want people to come 2-3 times a week not once in a blue moon.

due to the passion of the management and I want the challenge. I didn’t want a comfortable saturated market. I want to be a leader. I want to be part of the building blocks of dining and hospitality in Myanmar, even if only for a moment. Talk us through the new menu? What sorts of dishes/flavours can we expect? The focus is on classic cooking and combinations, not fine dining, not gimmickry- it’s all about flavour and honest cooking. Dishes will include chilled poached salmon with pickled cucumber and mustard. Slow braised lamb shank, oxtail, spiced apple crumble, chicken liver parfait-these sorts of good simple dishes.

In general little things done simply and well become food fads. MY Yangon | Issue 7

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

MY Yangon | Issue 7

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

MY Yangon | Issue 7

Kids

Watch

Myanmar’s Favourite

Cooking Shows

Here's how to make your very own pizzas from scratch. This is a great kids/parents activity for the weekend. Alternatively a quicker way to build your own pizzas is to buy some nam bya (flatbreads found at any tea-shop) that normally cost 100 ks per piece from any tea shop (you can buy ahead and also freeze them) and then spoon on tomato sauce and cover with your own topping combinations. Followed by a quick blast in the toaster oven!

Prep time: 30 minutes-makes 10-12 small pizzas

Cook time: 15 minutes Ingredients:All ingredients can be bought at City Mart but you can also find extra fresh vegetables at your local market. For the dough • 500g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting • small pinch of sugar • 7g sachet fast-action dried yeast • 2 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for greasing • 300ml warm water

For the sauce • 1 garlic clove • 400ml chunky passata • 1 tbsp tomato purée • 1 tsp dried oregano • handful basil leaves, snipped • small pinch of sugar • 1 tsp red wine vinegar

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

For the toppings • Any vegetables (pre-roasting is a good idea), black olives, salami, mozzarella, cheddar, tuna, rocket, parmesan, ham.

KIDS: The writing in bold is for you. GROWNUPS: The rest is for you. Mix a sticky dough. Put the flour, sugar and yeast in a bowl and get the child to make a hole in the middle. Measure 300ml water – that isn’t cold and isn’t hot but just right (like the little bear’s porridge in Goldie Locks). Add the oil and water; point out that the two don’t mix well. Stir with a wooden spoon until you have a sticky dough. Add a splash more water if needed. Now you need to do something called kneading. Scatter a bit more flour over the surface and tip the dough onto it. You now want to ‘stretch’ the dough and bring it back into a ball shape. This will need to be done for about 10 mins. Leave the dough to grow. Brush a clean bowl with a little olive oil, put the dough in it and cover with cling film. Leave it somewhere warm for it to grow until doubled in size. Now is a good time to tidy up and wipe down surfaces a little before you start again. Make a tasty tomato sauce. Crush the garlic by

using a garlic crusher or by grating it on the fine edge of a box grater. Tip into a bowl and mix with the other sauce ingredients. Stir well until everything is combined, then set aside. Roll out the dough. Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 8. Show your child how the dough has grown, then divide into the amount of pizzas you want to make. Brush the baking trays with extra oil. Divide the dough and roll out, then lift onto the baking trays. Spoon on the tomato sauce. You need to be a bit more careful with this task than you think. If the dough is thin, a child can easily tear it, so make sure that they use the back of the spoon to spread the sauce over. Build your own pizza. Put all the toppings out in different bowls and let the child ‘build’ their own pizza. Get cooking. You can get older kids to carefully place the tray in the oven using oven gloves (see safety first, opposite). Bake pizzas for 12-15 mins until puffed up and golden around the edges, then carefully lift out of the oven. Leave to cool slightly before serving.

By Tatwin Owen Edmunds

Despite it’s illustrious tradition of particular flavours and techniques, to nonMyanmar nationals or frequenters to the region, there had previously been a certain amount of mystique to Myanmar cuisine but there is a slow and steady culinary revolution currently underway, showcasing the best of Myanmar’s cooking tradition. Part of this revolution has been the recent torrent in cooking programmes, of which Myanmar boasts a huge variety from knock-out cooking competitions to classic instructional TV shows. MY Yangon walks you though some of the most famous ones ...

The Chef

Thwar Mal Sar Mal

The Chef is a head-to-head knock-out competition to find the best chef in Myanmar, organised by the Myanmar Chefs’ Association (MCA) in cooperation with MRTV-4 Channel. Many of Myanmar’s finest chefs who have experience in Myanmar’s top hotels and restaurants such as the Belmont Governors Residence and Kandawgyi Palace Hotel compete. The show is sponsored by City Mart who provides the food and ingredients. Last years winner was Sule Shangri-La, Yangon’s Chef de Cuisine of Café Sule, Shwe Moe Tha.

The English translation of this programme is “Lets go and eat”. Kaung Htet Zaw, who is a famous food critic, presents the programme. He visits diferent Yangon restaurants, tries their special dish and then comments on the dishes quality and the quality of the restaurant. He has visited numerous restaurants in Yangon some of his most recent being Thai Hotpot and Shwe Mingalar. There is no discrimination on which restaurants can be reviewed even restaurants attached to KTV venues have been reviewed in the past! MMRTV4 (Channel 7), Mon & Tues 11am

The competition runs for a period of one month with total of 24 chefs participating. After competing in 20 battles a winner is picked from among the four remaining chefs in a grand final. Over the competition the chefs must cook an appetizer, main course, pasta, barbeque, desert, snack, salad and soup. During the grand final the four chefs prepare a three course set menu and a four course set menu. The competition ends with a gala dinner at Sein Lan So Pyay Garden where the winner is awarded the first prize of 1,500,000 Kyats by judges from the Myanmar Chefs’ Association. MMRTV4, Mon 9pm, Sat 11am

Hinn Chat Ya Aung This is another instructional cooking programme solely about the art of making curries. It covers all Asian curries from Delhi to Hong Kong. MMRTV 4, Wed 11am

Thin Mal Chat Mal Hinn Ta Mal This cooking programme is presented by Kae Kae, a Myanmar cook who become famous for her recipes on Facebook. In this, her new programme hosted by MWD, she cooks traditional Myanmar and Asian Food. It is a classic instructional cooking programme aimed at Yangonites who love their food and want to learn new recipes, improve on old ones or just get some fresh ideas. MWD Documentary, Sat 6.30pm

Did you know Yangon Directory Lists 1819 Electrical Home Appliance Shops www.yangondirectory.com

MY Yangon | Issue 7

Best of

SUSHI

Best of

Edo Zushi Edo Zushi is hailed by many people in Yangon as the best sushi spot in town. Edo Zushi is definitely all it’s cracked up to be. The restaurant is tucked away down a side street just off U Wisara road, just short of House of Memories Restaurant. Walking into the restaurant you are greeted by a wall of luxury Sake. Edo Zushi probably has Yangon’s most extensive Sake range including the delicious Dassai 39 Sake, which is smooth to the taste and served in hearty stone cups. Entering further into the restaurant is the classic sushi bar style seating in front of the chefs, as well as standard seating and two private rooms. The maximum capacity for the private rooms is twenty. The sushi itself is made in the traditional style and is fantastic. Some of the sushi is sourced locally such as the snapper and squid, the rest such as the tuna and swordfish is sourced directly from Tokyo. There are two sushi chefs, both who speak Myanmar and Japanese, and one can speak English. Ko Win Tun Aung, who is the English speaker, moved to Japan from Myanmar over twenty years ago. He got a job cleaning pots in a sushi bar in Tokyo and from there worked his way up to become a sushi chef. Now a master of his craft, he happily will explain the correct way sushi should be prepared- what texture the rice should be, the traditional way sushi should be eaten and share an engaging story or two! Speaking to the chefs and staff you can also tell they have carried out extensive research into the competition and as a result have designed a restaurant which is smart, affordable, traditional and yet still unique. It's no surprise then that 80% of the clientele are Japanese who come to get a taste of high quality sushi with a reminiscence of home. A sushi plate will cost you around 6,000 Kyats and for the quality it is very reasonable. They have just opened another branch at Star City as well as Yaki Niku a Japanese style BBQ in the same location. Yangon clearly has good taste-this is hands down the best sushi Restaurant in Yangon. Open 11am-11pm. Sunday 5pm-9pm 290 (B), Block (10), U Wisara Road, Kamayut Tsp – 09259040853

Mondo Mondo’s only serves sushi for dinner (5.30-11pm Mon-Sat); yet even at midday on a Monday, Mondo’s had a healthy crowd of Japanese customers. Despite being tricky to find (look for the tiny door on Yaw Min Gyi Street, Opposite The Loft Hotel) it is often busy, which is a testament to the high standard of the food. Although it is not specifically a sushi restaurant for dinner the menu does have a nice selction of sushi, sushi rolls and sashimi. Most of the sushi will cost you between 5-6 USD apart from the tuna, which costs between 8-12 USD depending on the cut (fatty tuna is more expensive). Likewise the sashimi will cost you between 5-9 USD apart for the tuna, which costs between 12-18 USD depending on the cut. The sushi rolls cost between 10-15 USD and particularly look out for the unusual but tasty Japanese roast beef and avocado roll (15 USD) and the minced tuna and scallions roll (10 USD). All sushi is handmade by Mondo's in-house Japanese sushi chef. The place is under new management but has retained it's calibre and quality. Lunch 11.30 am – 2 pm Mon-Fri Dinner 5.30 – 11 pm Mon-Sat 26 (B) Yaw Min Gyi Street, Dagon Tsp – 01 252 261

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

MY Yangon | Issue 7

The décor is wooden and gives the impression of being in a modern exclusive dojo diner in Kyoto. Shiki-Tei Sitting in the Park Royal Hotel lobby it is clear that this is one of Yangon’s finest hotels-clean, cool, air-conditioned with staff that can boast international experience from Dubai to Tokyo. Marketing executive Ko Myat Zun Oo greets me in easy English and takes me up to their luxury Japanese restaurant that is popular with Japanese dignitaries. The décor is wooden and gives the impression of being in a modern exclusive dojo diner in Kyoto. There are two private rooms, which cost 30 USD (7 people) or 20 USD (5 people), both come complete with a daily Japanese newspaper. The main restaurant has seating for over 100 and has a Japanese buffet from 6:30-10:00pm, every evening- which will cost you 42 or 47 USD inclusive depending on if you want alcohol or not. From the set menu 6 slices of sushi will cost you between 10-18 USD and a Sashimi plate will cost you 25-35 USD. For lunch there is a special promotion menu, which will cost you 16 USD. The restaurant does not have a great range of sake but does have a descent variety of Shochu, including Ichiko Shochu, as well as Sake based cocktails. Shiki-Tei does do Bento Box delivery with a minimum order of 5 boxes. The boxes cost 16 USD each. The restaurant has recently employed a new Japanese Chef De Cuisine from Osaka who is in the process of designing new dishes and giving Shiki-Tei an exciting new flavour. Lunch 11:30am – 2:30pm Dinner 5:30 – 11pm Park Royal Hotel 2nd Flr, 33 Alan Pya Phaya Road, Dagon Tsp – 01 250 388

say this is a very popular sushi restaurant and it may take a while to be seated. The menus are easy to follow and look out for the specials, when ordering. Food wise they offer the standard mix of modern style sushi, sashimi and rolls with an added twist of seafood salads. The mayonnaise pawns are great, the sweet crunchy roll is stand out good and the service plates are pretty stylish. The best dish is the salmon sashimi. Another huge plus is that it is easy on the wallet with most dishes costing only a few thousand kyats. Although the sushi is a far cry from the traditional Japanese style and really a hybrid of modern sushi cuisine with a bit of Myanmar flair it is certainly very tasty and a thoroughly enjoyable evening out. There are two branches open 10am-10pm 98 Latha Street (Middle Block), Latha Tsp -09 734 94 207, 01 708 685 69 Shwe Daung Tan Street (Middle Block), Lanmadaw Tsp – 09 312 87 053

Ajishin Sleekly decorated with dark wooden tables and chairs, each table has a ventilation shaft over it for Yaki Niku BBQ and the air conditioners are painted to resemble Yokai (Japanese monsters). On the walls are hanging picture-sculptures of bowls and spoons. Ajishin has got the look and feel nailed. Unfortunately it will be closed from March

to June as they relocate to the new Vietnamese backed hotel and apartment complex next to the Sedona Hotel. When they reopen they plan to reduce there sushi menu to starters and focus more on Yaki Niku and hot pot. They will however keep two of there signature sushi dishes the Blue Fin Tuna with a meso soup base (8 USD) and the pangoage sushi roll (6USD) which is a fried sushi roll. Needless to say MY Yangon will be missing it over the coming months but is excited to be there at the new opening! Closed till June New Opening Location tbc

Family Sushi This small but lively sushi restaurant is reliable, clean and always full of families enjoying a wide range of conventional sushi options. The informal atmosphere, super-friendly staff, affordable prices and decent food are good reasons why this place is always packed. The service is quick, the sake is cheap (you can even keep a big bottle waiting for your next return) and the sushi fresh. The octopus is particularly good and the range of vegetarian plates seem to be slightly more extensive than other places. Rm #104, U Chit Maung Housing, U Chit Maung Street, Bahan Tsp-09 731 56/ 095 077 223

Oisshii From the outside Oisshii Sushi on Latha street does not particularly stand out, a little set back and up a short flight of stairs the exterior shows little fanfare looking much like any other downtown Yangon restaurant. Likewise walking inside the restaurant is plain and simple with dark wooden tables with the specials advertised on the walls. What is different is that it is more often than not packed, especially in the evenings. Needless to

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

MY Yangon | Issue 7

Barwachi

The vegetarian curries are excellent and include potato, lentil, spinach and a mixed superb creamy dish. The lamb korma is really good and shouldn't be missed. With a good range of curries, rice and naans, a meal will only cost around 10,500 Kyats per person. 37, Ground Floor 1, La Pyayt Wun Plaza, Alan Pya Pagoda Road, Dagon Tsp 092535 00002

The Taj

NEW OPENINGs m y ya n g o n r o u n d u p N e w r e s ta u r a n t o p e n i n g s i n t o w n

angon is lucky enough to have a constant flurry of new restaurant openings nearly every month- from international fast food chains to imaginative local initiatives; as well as some new branches and some facelifts for the old favourites. These last few months in particular have seen a trend in lots of new Indian restaurants-perhaps a nod to a unique sharing of both Western and Asian tastes. As this is MY Yangon's bumper food issue we thought we'd highlight some of these new additions.

India Kitchen

Perched along Mahabandoola Road with an excellent view of the Yangon Secretariat, India Kitchen serves North Indian food with a sympathy for the western palate. The menu includes chicken tikka masala, rogan josh and jalfrezi- all well known Indian dishes in the West. Most dishes will cost between 3000-4000 Kyats, making it cheaper than other Indian restaurants. MY Yangon tried the palak paneer and chana masala, which were both flavoursome and full of spice. 297 Mahabandoola Road, Botahtaung Tsp – 01 389 367. Open dailylunch 11am-3pm and dinner 6-10pm

Goya Restaurant

Located on the top floor of the newly built Hotel Esperado, Goya has breathtaking views of Kandawgyi Lake. The food is a mixture of Western and Asian dishes, all cooked by a Singaporean chef. A main dish will cost you roughly 10 USD and a dessert will cost you 3 USD. The Restaurant also has a selection of French and Myanmar wines. Dinner is from 7 - 11pm and lunch is from 10am - 1pm. Hotel Esperado, Top Floor, 23 U Aung Myat Street, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Tsp – 01 861 9486 44

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

Rangoon Tea House

Despite putting a modern twist on many of the local dishes you get in the street-side teahouses in Yangon, the quality of food at the Rangoon Tea House remains excellent whilst retaining the authenticity of the original dishes. On the menu are all the teahouse stalwarts: Rangoon samosas (filled with Shan potatoes, turmeric, shallots and grounded pepper), pyay paratha (chicken and lentil broth served with freshly made flatbread), tea leaf salad (fermented tea leaves) and mohinga (butterfish noodle soup). There are also some fantastic recreations such as the steamed pork-belly bun (pao si) – a steamed bun filled with roast honey pork-belly, cucumber, coriander, brushed with hoisin sauce and topped with sriracha; as well as lemongrass chicken wings. Another great draw is the vast selection of Burmese teas (laphet yay). While dearer than a local teahouse, the Rangoon Teahouse is not actually that expensive- with most dishes costing between 2,500-5,000 Kyats; the exception being the curry sets and grill, which are closer to 10,000 Kyats. If you are looking for a taste of new Myanmar- this is it. 1st Flr, 77 Pansodan Street- 09 517 8329. Open daily 8am-10pm

Another new Indian restaurant has cropped up on the North side of Aung San Stadium, not far from City Mart. This one offers 'traditional Indian dining' in a distinctly rich Indian setting. The richness continues, as is the way with North Indian cuisine. Try the mutton kebab, accompanied with some saffron rice. The staple dal tarka will not disappoint. They also offer a filling but quick set thali lunch menu that comes with roti and popadoms, raita (yoghurt), chutney, vegetables and a few different curries. B-9, Aung San Stadium, North Stand, Upper Pansodan Road, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Tsp- 09 252 451 353. Open daily-11am-2.30pm and 6-10.30pm

Freshness Burger

Founded in Japan in 1992, this healthy fast food chain has more than just your staple burger and fries to offer its customers. Using only the best ingredients, they claim to make their burger buns from pumpkin and their beef patties from grass-fed cattle; with fries made from potatoes grown on a farm in Hokkaido, Japan. No. 18/D Nawaday Road, Dagon Tsp.

Blind Tiger

This hidden speakeasy cocktail bar and tapas restaurant has fast become one of Yangon's most popular hangouts; not least because of its delicious but potent drinks but also thanks to its tasty tapas menu-all at reasonable prices. Try the marinated artichokes and tomato or the cheese board, all washed down with a spiced mojito, shared with friends. 103 United Condominium,Corner Nawaday St & Alan Pyar Rd-09 250 915 806. Open daily 6pm-2am

Tony Roma's

Part of a US brand international franchise, Tony Roma's is famous for its bbq ribs,

onion loaf, steak, chicken and seafood. Although the steaks are a little on the pricey side-it's worth a try for something a bit different to Yangon. A good place to take the family for a treat. No. 42-1 , Sayar San Road (in front of Cafe SS), Bahan Tsp-01 860 3907. Open daily 10.30am-1.00am

Olive Garden

The idea of a Mediterranean/Middle Eastern restaurant in Yangon is a smart one. Simple, fresh food, often grilled and small plates not that dissimilar to those many other new restaurants have cottoned on to in Yangon. Olive Garden has attempted to cater to a range of customers, offering hallal and a mixture of Middle Eastern dishes. The set-up of this new restaurant on Bo Aung Kyaw road is great- a typically Mediterranean feel is created in the design of the space with a hidden upstairs seating area and a small out-door wood decking area for al-fresco diners. The menu is impressive, with all the regulars such as homous and fatoush salad; grilled shish kebabs, cutlets and so on. Yet, certain staple ingredients still seem to be missing and the dishes feel like they are still a work in progress. This adventurous new restaurant has all the makings to be a popular spot. Watch this space. 170/176 Bo Aung Kyaw Street-09260171411

Thai 47

A new modern and stylish downtown Thai restaurant and bar has recently opened; serving all the spicy and fresh flavours known to Thai cuisine. Try the tom ka gai for a moreish yet filling and super healthy meal-this dish combines lemongrass, lime, ginger, chilli, chicken and coconut milk. A good place to host a birthday party as there are a few private rooms upstairs; or even just work for an afternoon-there is good wifi. No (153), Cornar of 47th Street & Anawyahta Road, Botahtaung Tsp095169215. Open daily 11am-2.30am (kitchen closes at 10.30pm)

Easy Café

The newly opened second branch of this much loved Singaporean style café, still serves up all the favourites from their Bo Yar Nyunt location; with a few new exciting additions such as a rich but soft beef rendang curry with rice. Easy Café's comfortable décor with food that is consistently good is reason alone for another opening; but it's the quality and choice of fresh and fruity desserts, good coffee and a varied Asian and Western style home-comforts cuisine that keeps us all coming back for more. 24D Nar Nat Taw St, Kamayut Tsp- 09 250 141 098. Open daily 10am9.30pm MY Yangon | Issue 7

Beauty

"The Magic of a Noodle"

INYA Day Spa

Located in a leafy corner of Inya Road, not far from Golden Valley is the serene and discreet Inya Day Spa. You will find that the spa and its garden compound, provides a luxurious escape from the bustle of Yangon city. The staff and general ambience of Inya Day Spa is friendly and relaxing with professional services. The menu of services is extensive with spa massages, treatments, facials and a nail studio. A 75 minute Thai foot massage costs only ks 10,000 but the best massage service has to be the aromatherapy massage; although this costs ks 37,000 for 60 minutes, you will not be disappointed.

It's quite possible that this is the only place in Yangon that can truly get rid of those knots and twists. Spa treatments include, "Thai Herbal Ball", body scrubs and masks; as well as the incredibly relaxing and beneficial hot stone treatments. As the weather starts to get hotter and the traffic even more congested, your skin might start to suffer and so a facial using Thalgo products is sure to help. Thalgo products were created by pharmacist André Bouclet, from his passion for the marine world and its invaluable riches. He made a major discovery in the world of marine skincare and developed a unique and patented algae micronisation process that could be used for detoxifying the skin.

Did you know Yangon Directory Lists 1160 Beauty Palours www.yangondirectory.com

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

This unique cosmetic brand is one of the many benefits and pulls to visiting Inya Day Spa. Facials start at 47,000 Kyats and last about an hour.

This month, MY Yangon flash-fiction writer San Lin Tun was inspired by a family recipe, originating in a small village on Bilu Kyun Island, across from Mawlamyine. You can read more about visiting this area in our Escape to section on page 18.

The spa also offers a range of nail services including the cheap and cheerful mini mani or pedi, at ks 6,000 and ks 8,000 respectively, For a more thorough experience try the "spa" mani/pedi treatments. Nail art, for the more adventurous is also available; starting at ks 3,000. You can even enjoy a fresh juice whilst you pamper as there is a super juice bar on the premises.

Smeared with charcoal smoke on her face, a 29 year old lady was squatting and blowing air into a pipe to stir a fire, in an earthen stove. Off and on she coughed as dense smoke emerged from the stove. Her eyes were painful too, almost filling with tears. Without caring about such things, she stirred the gravy in the tin pot, and with a wooden spoon, she tasted it. Shaking her head, she added another ingredient to complete the whole dish. After a few minutes of cooking, she tasted it again. It was good-perfect, in fact. The pot was ready to be taken from the stove. This was her daily routine for preparing the dish.

Inya Day Spa is one of Yangon's most wellknown and well-loved spas. All the staff are charming, experienced (the spa has been running for over 3 years), helpful and ready to assist with advice on what treatments might be best for each individual. Whether you're after a quick escape from your busy Yangon schedule or a more indulgent day of pampering (packages are available); this luxurious spa is the perfect place for it.

Her decision to sell noodles in the village materialised when she thought she would give up smuggling, something she really did not like. She had reflected on her life and realised that there was not much prosperity in a nasty business like this and decided on something much more wholesome yet different to how other people in her village made money. Most people in the village earned their living as rice brokers or rice merchants to Mawlamyine, as a way to make enough money to support their families and stay out of debt.

16/2 Inya Road, Kamayut Tsp; 01-537907, 09-30173497. www.inyaspa.com Open Daily 10am to 9pm

Flash Fiction

One day a voice came out from the house next to hers-where her husband’s cousin lived. “Ma Hnin, have you finished making noodles? My daughter wishes to eat some as she says she's starving!” Ma Hinin really liked the exaggerated words of Ma Chaw and she replied, “Yes, It’s cooked, Ma Chaw. You can come over here. I’ll make it for your daughter”. Hurriedly, Ma Chaw went back into her house; and when she emerged, she was tightly holding a plate in her hand. Ma Hnin put the noodles first, then shredded onions and later fritters into the bowl; stirring it with her right hand while her left hand deftly held the bowl. Then Ma Hinin heard Ma Chaw’s voice, “Ma Hnin, can I come into the kitchen?” Glancing around the kitchen, Ma Chaw saw the tasty noodles, and her tongue ran slowly across her mouth. The tantalising look of it prompted her hand to grasp a spoon and submerge it into the bowl. The spoon dipped deeply into the thick gravy, lifting and emitting an aroma, she inhaled whole-heartedly. “Wow! Ma Hnin, you’re a genius! It smells so good. Where did you learn to cook this dish? Can you show me?" she asked enthusiastically and eagerly.

The spoon dipped deeply into the thick gravy, lifting and emitting an aroma, she inhaled wholeheartedly. As they were good friends, she could not conceal her new findings. "I will Ma Chaw; but not today. First, I need to go around the village and sell the noodles but here are some for your hungry daughter" Ma Chaw looked at the dish admirably and put some money in Ma Hnin's hands; but Ma Hnin refused to accept it. "No, no, no. Take it back. You're a good friend and I am delighted that your daughter likes my noodles. I noticed she also ate up almost three plates yesterday!" "Really? Oh! She's so greedy. She's always hungry, like her father! But please tell me Ma Hnin, how did you find the recipe?" "By chance actually. But, you know there is a bit of magic in everything" Ma Chaw nodded in understanding and seemingly satisfied with this answer, smiled back at Ma Hnin. But as Ma Chaw set off back home, she remembered one thing she forgot to ask; she still did not how to call the noodle dish, so distinct in its taste and look. Instantly she turned her head and called back, "Ma Hnin what will you call your noodle dish?" The answer came readily and simply, "Just call it 'Ma Hnin Noodle'. That is all' Just a few months later in a village called Taw-Ka-Nar, the noodle dish was called 'Naung Hnin Noodle,' and everyone enjoyed this blissful food. The whole village was inspired, just by this new tasting noodle dish. Even today people still talk a lot about the particularly good taste of it' whenever they eat it, they remember her. And when someone outside of their village asks about it, they simply say, "As you know, the magic works".

MY Yangon | Issue 7

Shop

focus areas: Health, Environment, Education, and Community. The group focuses on a different area each year; and last year the focus was environment. Ocean spearheaded environmental awareness with initiatives such as ‘no plastic bag day’ in its stores. This year, 2015, the focus is education, specifically sustainability education programmes. Ocean intends to help fund and promote various sustainability education programmes in Myanmar over the next year. The CSR projects have seen a shift in recent years from the more traditional action of offering donations to funding specific charitable projects and initiatives. Ocean is truly Yangon’s low cost one stop shopping solution for all your household needs and for anyone moving in somewhere new, it is a lifesaver!

Orange

The supermarket, as in the rest of the world, has taken Myanmar by storm; as a one-stop multipurpose shopping solution that is hard to beat. Despite the rapid growth of supermarkets in Myanmar, the local wet markets still remain and thankfully have not yet been affected- there is the demand for both. As is the case with other businesses, the biggest problem that supermarkets face here is to do with

City Mart Owned by CMHL, City mart is a supermarket directed at earners in the middle to upper demographic. MY Yangon spoke with City Mart's cutting edge marketing team who explained it is tailored to be ‘lifestyle focused and aspirational’. Part of targeting the wealthier demographic means they stock a range of foreign goods, including cheeses, meats and fruit. Many of their promotions such as the recent Australia Fair promotion, promotes these foreign goods and brands. However, as part of their Pride of Myanmar programme, they also try to source as much as possible locally particularly fruit and vegetables. City Mart even offer grants and support as part of this programme to promising and innovative local suppliers looking to expand. City Mart started in 1996 with a single store- their Aung San branch, but now has 17 outlets in Yangon and one in Mandalay; not to mention 45 smaller City Express Convenience stores. The motto since that time has remained ‘Your

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

human resources. However with more and more Myanmar returnees flooding back, this problem is becoming easier. MY Yangon outlines the biggest players in the Yangon supermarket scene and what you can expect from each one. We have also provided a special map on page 11 showing city locations of each City Mart, Ocean, and Orange Supercentre.

Family, Your Lifestyle Choice’. They have an impressive expansion plan over the next year and hope to open new stores in other cities. City Mart have already implemented a loyalty card programme and hope to roll out an e-commerce programme over the next year that will include a delivery function. In terms of going digital they are expanding and streamlining their use of social media and hope to engage the public better in the future by offering quick and accurate online information as well as the opportunity for the public to get feedback online for specific queries. From the current feedback- customers enjoy the easy air-conditioned shopping experience similar to shopping in Thailand or Singapore, especially during hot season and monsoon season. They also appreciate the food is certified as clean – City Mart food handlers have to undergo regular hygiene checks and pass a yearly internal certification process. Compared with other Yangon Supermarkets City Mart’s real strength lies within their size, unique SKUs (Stock Keeping Units), better product range

and in particular range of international brands and products giving City Mart a unique more ‘international’ shopping experience.

Ocean Supercentre Ocean Supercenter is also under the CMHL umbrella, it however offers value buys for lower to middle income earners and with that aims to be competitive on specific price points. Ocean Supercenter is designed to be a one stop shopping solution for the family and therefore also stocks a large range of household goods and furniture. There a are also specific value family saving promotions such as the Ocean Valentines Day promotion on various Valentines Day related goods. Ocean’s motto is ‘Best Value, Best Product and More’. The first Ocean opened in 2006 and there are currently 7 branches spread across Yangon, Mandalay and NPT. Ocean is part of CMHL comprehensive CSR programme that has four main

Orange was originally founded in October 2004 in China town, Latha Township. Since then it has opened 5 more branches in Yangon and 2 in Mandalay. The most recent is Taw Win center branch in the Taw Win Center basement 1. Orange’s promise to their customers is to feel good and live great by saving money, having the right choice and healthy living. With their staff they promise to grow together by coaching, counseling and sharing benefits. Orange is the first supermarket in Myanmar to offer E-top up in collaboration with Red Dot. It focuses on groceries and electronics at low prices, which is reflected in their motto; Low price, Full choice- your orange! As a sidebar they also aim to operate by the mantra-better health, better taste, better life. Orange is the cheapest option for your weekly shop. For the locations of City Mart, Ocean and Orange Supermarkets see our map PG 11

Specialty Food StoresPromart-Myanmar's first Korea/Japan top brands specialized supermarket. Open daily 7.30am-10pm No.79, Kabar Aye Pagoda Road, Bahan Tsp; 0973224596. promartyangon@gmail.com Sharky's-An artisan delicatessen with a wide range of organic products that include cheese, breads, dried meats, tahini, pesto, ice cream-to name but a few. Open daily 9am-10pm 117 Damazedi Road; 09 510 4585 CityMart Marketplace-The flagship branch of this excellent supermarket chain. There is a huge stock of various international brands; including a good selection of health foods and dietary requirement specific products. Open daily 9am-9pm Damazedi Road; 09 431 73746. Orange Supermarket, Taw Win Centre-Good range of America products, that includes baby-food and health snacks. Also check the rest of the mall as there are a number of stands selling more American products. Open Daily 9am-9pm Basement, Taw Win Centre, 45 Pyay Road USA Mart-Random but good stock of USA products with a particularly good candy selection. Open daily 9am-8pm No.330 Banyadala St, Tamwe Tsp; 09240047373 Jyanko Supermarket-A Japanese brand supermarket that supplies many of the Japanese restaurants in town. 12B Inya Road- 01 502382. Open daily 9am9pm

Did you know Yangon Directory Lists 103 Supermarkets/ Shopping Centers www.yangondirectory.com

MY Yangon | Issue 7

Restaurant

Guide

Dining Guide

The best restaurants, cafes and gastro food for casual and smart dining

H Star for critic's choice N New Opening

Downtown

50th Street Bar and Restaurant | Western/Bar | 9-13 50th Street, Botataung Tsp | 01 397 060

365 Café | Café/Western | No.5

Kinsakura Restaurant | Japanese

374 891, 01 389 705

902 32

Aung Kyaw Street, Kyauktada Tsp | 09

H Coffee Club | Café | 232, Sule

Pagoda Road (Inside E-city phone

shop), Kyauktada Tsp | (no number)

Merchant Road | 01 386 986, 09 431

H Green Gallery | Thai | No. 58, 52nd Street (lower block), Botahtaung Tsp | 09 313 151 31

Coka Suki Restaurant | Thai/Hotpot

Harley’s | Fastfood | 285, Ground

639-41 ext. 32

Road, Ahlone Tsp | 01 229 904 ext.

Ya Htar Road, (2) Ward, Lanmadaw

999 Shan Noodle Shop | Shan | 130 B, 34th Street | 01 389 363, 01 384 779

H APK | Thai | 392-396 Shwebonthar

Street, Pabedan Tsp | 01 250 437

H Aung Mingalar Shan Noodle

Restaurant | Shan | No. 34 Bo Yar

Nyunt Street & Corner of Nawaday Street, Dagon Tsp | (no phone number)

H Aung Pyae Phyo Indian Foods

| 104/108, Kyee Myin Daing Strand 229 905

H Easy Café & Restaurant | Asian |

Tsp | 09 250 086 204 N

Harley’s@Pansodan | Fastfood |

H Kosan Café | Bar | Branch 2-Café/

Bar-108, 19th Street (Upper Block), Latha Tsp | 01 503 232

H Linkage Restaurant | Myanmar/

Asian | 221, 1st Flr, Mahar Bandoola

Garden Street | 09 495 836 18, 09 430 529 16

Lotteria@China Town | Fastfood

Tsp | 01 376 745

| No 827, Corner of Hledan Street and

Fat Man Steak | Western | Bo Yar

Heaven Pizza | Pizza | 38~40, Bo Yar

01 230 3097

722, 01 246 755

Nyunt Rd, Dagon Tsp | 09 420 305 666

Nyunt Street, Dagon Tsp | 09 855 1383

Feel | Myanmar | 124, Pyihtaungsu Avenue Street, Dagon Tsp | 09 732 08 132

Dagon Tsp | 01 1233 874

Cream | No. 23 Nawaday Street,

Bar Boon | Café/Western | Just

Fu-Rin Japanese Restaurant |

Road | 09 420 321 058

Lanmadaw Tsp | 01 211 702

Japanese | No. 210, Anawrahta Road,

India Kitchen | Indian | 297

Mahabandoola Road, Botahtaung Tsp | 01 389 367.

Ingyin Restaurant | Indian |

Mahabandola Road, Lanmadaw Tsp |

Lotteria@Central Tower |

Fastfood | 79/81, Room (001/002), between 39th and 40th Street,

Kyauktada Tsp | 09 258 521 385 N

Marry Brown | Fastfood | 180-182,

Anawratha Road (30th St) | (no

Mahabandoola Garden Street (Middle

Junior Duck | Chinese | Nanthidar

Maru Grill Restaurant | Japanese |

Strand Road, Kyauktada Tsp | 01 249

Block), Lanmadaw Tsp | 011 221 568,

number)

Jetty Compound, Pan Soe Tan Saikkan 421

Bharat Indian Restaurant | Indian |

Gallery Bar & Restaurant | Café/Bar

Kanpai | Japanese | 207 Bo Aung

Street, Kyauktada Tsp | 01 382 253

ext. 6430 or 6431

739 599

| 223 Sule Pagoda Road | 01 242 828

N N

Kyauktada Tsp | (no number)

356 Mahabandoola Road, Seikkantha

514 7840

380 Maha Bandula Road, Kyaukada

H Frozee Gelatto Creamery | Ice

outside FMI Center, 380 Bo Gyoke

Floor, The Corner of 6th Street & Anaw

| BAK, Olympic Tower, 1st Floor, Bo

30A/C1, Bo Yar Nyunt Road | 01 220

| Indian | No. 37th Street, Corner of

Mahabandoola Road (Middle block),

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

H Gekko | Japanese/Bar | 535

78/80 Latha Street, Lower block | 01

Thamada Hotel, Ahlanpya Pagoda

Road, Dagon Tsp | 01 243 047, 01 243

H Cherry Man | Myanmar/Indian |

Kyaw Street, Botataung Tsp | 09 421

Block), Kyauktada Tsp | 01 384 780

134 Shwe Taung Tan Street (Upper 09 420 308 350

H Miyoshi Ramen | Japanese | 42/E,

Bo Yar Nyunt Street, Dagon Tsp | 09 420 098 866

MY Yangon | Issue 7

Dining

Thai 47 | Thai | No (153), Cornar

of 47th Street & Anawyahta Road, Botahtaung Tsp | 095169215 N

The Blind Tiger | Western/Tapas

| United Condominium, Nawaday Street | 01 388 488

The Manhattan Fish Market |

Seafood/Western | 44/56 Kannar

Road, Ground Floor M.M.G. Tower, 41st - 42nd Street | 01 375 064

H Mondo | Japanese | 26 (B) Yaw

Nooch Restaurant & Bar |

Phoenix Court (Si Chaun Dou hua) |

066 782

Room K1, Upper Shwe Bon Thar

Pagoda Road, Dagon Tsp | 01 250 388

Min Gyi Street | 01 252 261, 09 450

H Monsoon | Asian | No. 85-87,

Theinbyu Road (lower block), Botataung Tsp | 01 295 224

My Garden | Asian | Ahlone Road | 01 372 822

Japanese /Thai | No. 387/397,

Road, Pabedan Tsp | 01 378 166 Oishii Branch 1 | Japanese |

98, Latha Street(Middle Block), Latha Tsp | 01 708 685, 09 312 870 53 N

Nam Kham Shan Restaurant | Shan |

37th Street, Corner of Mahabandoola Road (middle block), Kyauktada Tsp | (no number)

Nan Yu | Indian/Cantonese | 81

Pansodan Street, Kyauktada Tsp | 01

Olive Garden | Mediterranean|

170/176 Bo Aung Kyaw Street | 09260171411

H Pa Pa Pizza | Pizza Delivery |

Yaw Min Gyi Street | 09 421 124 373

252 702

Parisian Cake & Coffee | Coffee

H Nepali Food House | Nepalese |

Garden Street (Lower Block),

63, Bon Sun Pet Street, Lower Block,

Pabedan Tsp | 09 402 552 245, 09 731

Rangoon Teahouse | Myanmar | 1st

Sukiya Japanese Resturant |

| 09 517 832 9

Street, Dagon Tsp | 09 311 350

Flr, 77 Pansodan Street, Kyauktada Tsp

Santino Café |zzCoffee Shop | 18/A-1, Bo Yar Nyunt Street, Dagon Tsp | 01

Japanese | 42/B, Yaw Min Gyi 26

H Sule Shangri -La Café | Bakery/

| 01 250 388

The Strand Café | Fine dining/

Western | 92 Strand Road | 01 243 377~92

The Strand Grill | Western | 92 Strand Road | 01 243 377

387 880

Café | Shangri La Hotel, 223 Sule

The Thiripyitsaya Sky Bistro | Asian/

H Shiawase | Sushi | 38/40 A1 Bo

6422

339 Bogyoke Aung San Road,

Yar Nyunt Street | 09 492 591 84

Pagoda Road | 01 242 828 ext. 6421,

H Summer Palace | Chinese

302 583 77, 09 312 854 39

| 235, Ground floor, 32nd Street | 09

Toba Restaurant Café | Indonesian

Kyauktada Tsp | 01 242 650

Corner of Anawrahta Road & Lanthit

218 282

254 095 451

Road | 01 242 828 ext. 6456 or

Shangri-La Hotel, 223 Sule Pagoda

Spice Brasserie | Asian Fusion | Park

6434

Dagon Tsp | 01 250 388

Royal Hotel 33 Alan Pya Pagoda Road,

H Sydney’s | Western Bakery (Order

Ya Kun Kaya Toast | Singaporean | 4th Floor, Junction Square,

Corner of Narnattaw Road and

Kyun Taw Road, Kamayut Tsp | 09 312 854 39

H Yhet’s | Japanese | 57, 37 Street

(Lower Block), Kyauktada Tsp | 01 377

Shwegondine, Bahan Tsp | 01 525 194

| 15 Nawaday Street, Dagon Tsp | 09

H Union Bar & Grill | Western/

Café Dibar | Italian | No.104, University Avenue Road, Kamaryut Tsp (Inya Road) | 095 114 932

H AV's | Indian | Room A, Ground

Cafe Napoli | Italian | No,287, East

09 254 345 381

554 957, 09 420 207 233

Floor, No(76/80)(B), Banyardala Road |

Shwe Gon Dine Road, Bahan Tsp | 01

Bangkok Kitchen | Thai | Kandawgyi

Café Terrace 320 | Café/Thai | Corner

YKKO@Seikkantha Street- Also

Tsp | 01 556 901

430 919 59

various branches | Chinese/Thai | 286, Seikkantha Street, Kyauktada Tsp | 01 379 754

Midtown

Adamas | Seafood | No.14 , Kanbawza Road | 09-254 006 636

Natural Park,Nat Mauk Road,Tamwe

Bar Boon | Dutch Deli | No. 10K,

Shwe Taung Kyar Road, Bahan Tsp | 09 431 851 44

Barista Lavazza | Café/Coffee shop

| 16 Kyaik Ka San Road, Tamwe Tsp | 018 604 415 N

31, A1, Shan Gone Street, Sanchaung

Barwachi | Indian | 37, Ground

Pagoda Road, Dagon Tsp | 092535

H Agnes | French/Fine Dining |

BBQ Chicken Restaurant | Fastfood |

Tha Road, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Tsp,

Tsp | 09 250 613 329

Kandawgyi Palace Hotel, Kan Yeik Yangon | 01 382 919, 01 382 912

** Alamanda Inn Restaurant | French | 60B/Shwe Taun Gyar Road, Golden Valley | 01 534 513

Bar | 42 Strand Road, Left corner of

Ananda Coffee and Cocoa | Café/

01 381 607

Botahtaung Tsp | 09 420 101 854

Mart, Dhamazedi Road

the Myanmar Red Cross Building,

University Ave Road, Bahan Tsp | 01

212

only) | 288/290 (Rm 106), 1st Flr, Shwe Dagon Pagoda Road, MWEA Tower |

Aung Thuka | Myanmar | 17(A), West

00002

6428, 6429

Road, Lanmadaw Tsp | 09 731 120 46

544 930

| 01 539 598

Tsp | 09 250 400 753

| 01 250 388

Phone Gyi Street, Lanmadaw Tsp | 01

and Nar Nat Taw Street, Kamaryut Tsp

Kyauktada Tsp | 01 255 277

Titu’s Indian Banana Leaf | Indian

Pot | 306, Level 3, Junction Maw Tin,

224 810

Floor 1, La Pyayt Wun Plaza, Alan Pya

| Sule Shangri La, 223 Sule

Pagoda Road | 01 242 828 ext:

Café Bellagio | Western | 81 New

Western | Corner of Kyun Taw Road

After Work Bistro and Bar | Café/Bar |

Shiki-Tei | Japanese | Park Royal Hotel, 33 Alan Pya Pagoda Road, Dagon Tsp

Asagiri Sausage & Restaurant |

Taung Tan Street, Lanmadaw Tsp | 01

Western | 20th Floor, Sakura Tower,

Sushi Itchi | Japanese | No. 105,

Nilar Biryani | Indian | 216, Anawratha

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

421 102 223

33 Alan Pya Pagoda Road, Dagon Tsp

Shwe Kaung Hot Pot | Chinese/Hot

Peacock Lounge | Café | Sule-

Yaw Min Gyi Street, Dagon Tsp | 09

The Lobby Bar | Bar | Park Royal Hotel

Shop/Café | 46 Mahabandoola

423 86, 09 517 5640

Road, Pabedan Tsp

Chinese | Park Royal Hotel 33 Alan Pya

H Sprouts | Salad Bar/Café | 68A

Ureshii Kitchen | Japanese | 111 Shwe

Coffee shop | Market Place by City

44, Ground Floor, Pyay Road, Dagon

Billion Gold Restaurant | Fine Dining |

Yangon International Hotel Compound (Ahlone Road) | 01 216 001

Black Canyon Coffee | Coffee shop |

of Pyay Road and Ahlone Road | 09

Chatime (various branches) | Café | 29 B-002 Shwe Pyi Aye Yeik Mon

Housing, Bargayar Road, Sanchaung Tsp | www.chatime.com.mm

Chokdee | Dim sum | Yangon

International Hotel Compound

(Ahlone Road), Dagon Tsp | 09 732 271 77

Cocoon Bar | Asian/bar | 22/24

Shinsawpu Road and corner of Baho Road | 01 500 863

Coffee Circles | Café | 107(A)

Dhammazedi Road, Kamayut Tsp | 01 525 157

Cousins Grill | Western | No. 28(A), Kokkaing Swimming Pool St.,

Sayarsan Rd, Bahan Tsp | 01 546 633

330 Ahlone Road, In front of Yangon

Daruma | Japanese | Yangon

395 052

Dagon Tsp | 09 492 702 71

International Hotel, Dagon Tsp | 01

International Hotel, Ahlone Road,

MY Yangon | Issue 7

Dining

H Kachin Agape Restaurant |

H Min Lann | Seafood/Rakhine

Putao Resturant | Kachin | 30 Ground

Swe Thai Restaurant | Thai | 34 New

hospital | 01 510 285, 09 431 251

Gone, Sanchaung Tsp | 09 257 171

Tsp | 01 704 067

Kachin | Shwe Pyi Aye, just off Bagayar

| 45 Baho Road, near Asia Royal

09 421 167 008

Street (Closed Sundays) | 01 518 239,

Floor Dammayone Street, Myay Ni 464

University Ave Road, Kokkine, Bahan

Karaweik Palace | Western/Asian

| Kandawgyi Compound, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Tsp | 09 459 222 222

Kobe-Ya | Japanese | 615/B Marlar

Street. Pyay Road, Kamaryut Tsp | 01 535 072

Kokine Bar & Restaurant | Asian/

Western | 32, Kokkine Swimming Club Lane, off Saya San Road, Bahan Tsp | 095 411 253, 09 421 060 505 Dining Fukurou Japanese Resturant | Japanese | No.81 (C), New University

Avenue Road, Bahan Tsp | 01 542 871 Doremi Café | Asian/Western | No.

33, Nigyawda Street, Kyauk Myaung, Tamwe Tsp | 01 546 850

Dynasty Bistro at Marketplace | Chinese | 430/A, City Mart

Marketplace, Dhamazeddi Road, Bahan Tsp | 01 523 840 N

Easy Café | Café | 24D Nar Nat Taw

St, Kamayut Tsp | 09 250 141 098.

H Edo Zushi | Japanese | No.290-B, U

Wisara Road, 10 Ward Kamaryut Tsp | 09 259 040 853 N

EK Enjoy Kitchen | Fast Food |

68-B, Daw Thein Road & Bandar

Gone Street, Kandawkalay. 09 310 41 915

H Family Sushi | Japanese | A-27,

Rm# 104, U Chit Maung Housing, U

Chit Maung Street, Bahan Tsp | 09 731 194 56, 095 077 223

FC Box & Food Desserts | Fastfood |

Yangon International Hotel Compound (Ahlone Road) | 01 216 001

Freshness Burger (Myanmar Culture

Freshness Burger (Nawaday

Road) | Fastfood/burger | No. 18/D Nawaday Road, Dagon Tsp.

01 544 500

Kamaryut Tsp | 01 535 371 ext. 512561

Bookstore | 09 362 145 23

| No.116, University Avenue Road,

Dhamazedi Road, Next to Monument

H Furusato | Japanese | 137 Shwe

Happy Café & Noodles | Myanmar/

265

| 01 536 985

Gon Daing Road, Bahan Tsp | 01 556

H Golden City Chetty Restaurant | Indian | Padonmar Street,

Sanchaung Tsp | 01 518 248, 095

Asian | 104(B), Inya Road, Kamayut Tsp

Haru | Japanese | 81 Kabar Aye Pagoda Road, Bahan Tsp | 09 421 149 721

Horn | Japanese Beef Steak | 36(A),

H Golden Duck Restaurant |

513 404, 09 420 003 996

Chinese | Kan Taw Mingalar Garden Compound, Shwedagon Pagoda

Golden Valley Street, Bahan Tsp | 01

H House of Memories | Myanmar |

290 U Wisara Road | 01534 242

Golden View Japanese Teppanaki

Ice Berry | Western | 230 Bargayar

View Tower (A), G3, U Aung Myat

01 516 506, 01 700 680 - Various

Street, Mingalar Taungnyunt

Tsp (opposite of Karaweik Park

entrance) | 018 619 194, 095 080

Road, opposite Dagon Centre | branches.

861 9486

Street, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Tsp | 01

One), Tamwe Tsp | 01 545 871 Mr. Sushi | Japanese | No. 330

Banyadala Street, Tamwe Tsp | 09 240 047 373

H Muses | Asian/Western | No.

485(B) Pyay Road, Kamaryut Tsp | 01 503 380

H Nacha Thai | Thai | 86 Shin Saw Pu

Road, Sanchaung Tsp | 01 510 731 Nervin Café and Bistro | Café |

H Le Bistrot | French | Savoy Hotel,

Nature Park, Mingalar Taung Nyunt

129, Dhammazedi Road, Kamaryut Tsp | 01 526 289, 01 526 298

Legacy Thai Restaurant | Thai | Yawmingyi, Dagon Tsp

Le Planteur | Fine Dining/French |

80, University Avenue, Kamayut Tsp | 01 541 230

Karaweik Oo-Yin Kabar, Kandawgyi

Jing Hpaw Myay | Kachin | 2B Kyun Taw Street | 01 524 525, 09 420 247 034

Forest Zone, Bahan Tsp | 01 546 923,

Corner, Bahan Tsp | 09 730 377 99, 098

721, 01 214 361

Road, Kandawgyi Nature Park, Central 01 546 202

Sai’s Tacos | Mexican | 32A Inya Myaing Road | 01 514 950

Salud Restaurant | Mexican/Latin

Samuri Sushi | Japanese | 4E/F

Ground Floor, Wingabar Street, Bahan Tsp | 09 730 818 71, 095 123 240

117 Dhamazedi Road | 01 524 677, 01

Western Park Restaurant | Chinese | Newar Bahan 3rd Street Bus Stop, Maha Myaing Kyun, Kandawgyi

Nature Park, Bahan Tsp | 01 554 266, 01 553 931, 09 730 064 91

| 12 Yangon International Hotel

White Rice Restaurant | Chinese |

09 431 850 08

556 837

Nat Mauk Road, Kandawgyi Lake | 01

The Emporia | Western/Asian |

Win Star | BBQ/bar | No (27/30),

Tamwe Tsp | 01 544 500 ext. 6253

Padonmar Street, Sanchaung Tsp | 01

Chatrium Hotel, 40 Natmauk Road,

The Fingers Food Garden | Myanmar | 55 Shan Kone Street | 01535350

Corner of Sanchaung Street & 505 467

H Xie Yang Yang (Xiao Long Bao) |

Dim Sum | On corner of Nyaung Tong

H The Garden Bistro Signature

Off the Beaten Track | Café/Bar |

Road, Shwe Gon Dine, Bahan Tsp | 01

of Kan Yeikthar Street, Bahan Street,

Yamagoya Ramen Restaurant |

Bahan Tsp | 01 546 488

Quater, Bahan Tsp | 01 556 774

Kandawgyi Natural Park, Karaweik OoYin Kabar, Mingla Taung Nyunt Tsp |

Chinese | No. 18, Ko Min Ko Chin 559 339

Dim Sum | No. 126(A), Myo Ma 471

Pandomar | Asian | 105/107, Kha-Yae-

| Pearl Condo, Block C, Ground Floor,

Singapore Kitchen | Singaporean

The Pizza Company (various chains)

924, 09 250 178 879, 01 557 448, ext.

Compound, Ahlone Road | 01 216 001

Mall, Sanchaung Tsp | 01 534 036, 09

| Yangon International Hotel

Compound, Dagon Tsp | 09 730 167

330 Ahlone Road, International Hotel 88, 09 492 718 66

30, Sagawar Street, Dagon Tsp | 01

Peppers | Western | University

216 001

Marry Brown | Fastfood | 220, Shwe

Potato Break | Fastfood | Myanmar

603 215

Park | 01 241 103

Culture Valley, U Wisara Road, People's

Japanese | 520 Uyin Street, Sayasan

Shwegondaing Rd | 09 250 537 979

Singapore Restaurant | Chinese |

Avenue Road | 01 548 046

Near U Htaung Bo Roundabout,

(No. 4) and Baho Road | 01 502 582

H The Lab | Tapas | 70a

Bin Road, Dagon Tsp | 01 538 895

Business Center (UBC) Annex B, Nat

Restaurant | Western/Asian | Corner

of Pyay Road & Narnattaw Road.

Sport Bar | Bar | Yangon International

Gon Daing Road, Bahan Tsp | 018

610 393, 095 007 997

Manawharri Road, Dagon Tsp | 01 221

H Shwe Kaung Hot Pot | Hot Pot/

Tsp | 09 302 583 99

214 284

Pyine Kwin Road, Tamwe Tsp | 098

Compound, Alone Road | 01 293 006,

Kyaung Street, Dagon Tsp | 01 371

H Manpuku | Japanese BBQ | No.

Thai Pot | Thai/Hotpot | 250 East Myin

Clover Hotel) | 09 731 136 01

Wingabar Road Bahan (Its next to

Kamayut Tsp | 012 305 798

Kandawgyi Nature Park, Bahan Tsp |

613 400

H The Coriander Leaf | Indian

Kamayut Tsp | 01 535 394

Lucky | Singaporean | The Best

Dhamazedi Street & Inya Traffic

American | 7(C) Ground Floor,

Oriental House Restaurant | Chinese/

Super Centre, Tamwe Tsp | 01 525 947

H Water Library | Fine Dining/

European | Corner of Pyay Road and

Fastfood | Junction Square, Between

Lotteria @ Ocean | Fastfood | Ocean

01 525 935, 01 505 247

Thai Kitchen | Thai | 126 (A-1),

H Shwe Li BBQ | BBQ | 485 Corner

Kyun Taw Road and Pyay Road,

H Vino di Zanotti | Italian | 61

University Avenue Road, Bahan Tsp |

Royal Garden | Chinese | Natmauk

095 416 437

Lotteria @ Junction Square |

Pansodan Road, Mingalar Taung

431 839 89

Bahan Tsp | 09 315 677 19

Mauk Road, Bo Cho Quarter Bahan

2589, 012 302 011

Nyunt Tsp | 09 252 451 353.

373 009

09 513 775 3, 09 250 648 820

Ahlone Street, Dagon Tsp | 09 517

(no phone number)

30 Ma hlwa gone Street, Tamwe Tsp |

New Burger | Fastfood | U Chit

(North Wing), Mingalar Taung Nyunt

Jaspar House | Western | No. 54,

San Stadium, North Stand, Upper

H Sharky’s | Western/Ice Cream |

Maung Road, U Chit Maung Housing,

The Taj | Indian | B-9, Aung

Radio Café | Sandwiches/Western |

Tsp | 01 541 188

Pepperoni Pizza | Italian | Union

Tsp | 01 394 824

Goya Restaurant | Western | Hotel

Lay Daungkan Road (in front of Super

Music Pub, Near Utopia Tower,

H Golden Kitchen Tori | Asian fusion

Mom’s Kitchen | Asian/Singaporean |

H Ichiban-Kan | Japanese | G17-18,

Gyo Phyu Street, Aung San Stadium

Hotel | 01 511 418

Inya Road, Bahan Tsp | 01 511 418

Road, Kamayut Tsp | 09 730 503 61

466

| 135 Inya Road, opposite of Savoy

Ko Piteria | Café | No.23, A-1, Hledan

Road | 01 240 216

Restaurant | Japanese | 23 Golden

No 40 Natmauk Road, Tamwe Tsp |

414 526

Road, Dagon Tsp | 09 323 160 61

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

(Attia Road), Kamayut Tsp | 0261 237

Myanmar | No. 33, Thirimingalar Lane

Gusto Café | Coffee Shop/Italian | 150

Esperado, Top Floor, 23 U Aung Myat

Kohaku | Japanese | Chatrium Hotel

H Fuji Coffee House | Japanese

Valley) | Fastfood/burger | People’s Park & People’s Square, U Wisara

Green Elephant Restaurant |

H Mojo | Asian Fusion/Tapas | 135

H Vietnam Kitchen | Vietnamese |

1A Phone Sein Road, Tamwe Tsp | 09

Hotel Compound (Ahlone Road) | 01

Swensen’s | Ice Cream | Myay Ni

Gone, Sanchaung Tsp | 01 504 932, 09 731 817 58 | www.swensensmyanmar.com

| Italian | Dagon Centre 1 Shopping

H Yangon Bakehouse | Bakery/Café

Kabar Aye Pagoda Road | 09 450 055 818

730 697 24 | www.facebook.com/

Zeal | Western/Café | No. 99, Myay Nu

The Serenity Restaurant | Myanmar

Zephyr Coffee & Restaurant | Asian

01 524 890

number)

thepizzacompanymyanmar

| No. 114/ B, Inya Road, Kamayut Tsp |

H Tiger Hill | Chinese | Chatrium

Hotel, 40 Natmauk Road, Tamwe Tsp | 01 544 500 ext. 6294

Tony Roma's | Steak House | No.

42-1 , Sayar San Road (in front of Cafe SS), Bahan Tsp | 01 860 3907.

Street | 09 731 272 80

| Inya Road, Kamayut Tsp | (no phone

Uptown

Agora Café & Restaurant | Mexican | 84, Kanbae Road (Opposite Yankin Childrens Hospital) Yankin Tsp | 09 301 989 68

MY Yangon | Issue 7

Dining

H Phai Lin | Thai/Chinese | 69,

Pyay Road, 61/2 Mile | 01 525 403

Ryukyu | Japanese | 76 Saya San Road | 01 554 748

H Sabai@DMZ | Thai | Inside Mya

Kyun Tha Park (Opposite Sedona

Hotel), Kaba Aye Pagoda Road | 018 605 178

Scoop premium Italian Ice Cream | Ice Cream | Junction Square

Shopping Centre, Kyun Taw Road | 09 732 183 21

H Acacia Tea Salon | Fine Dining/

Fuji | Japanese | Hanthawaddy Road |

H La Tartine | French Bakery | Pearl

09 515 147 76

Condo A, Corner of Kabar Aye Pagoda

739

Gangam Restaurant | Korean |

ext. 858

N Always Café | Café | Ground Floor, Ga

Tsp | 01 650 689

Little Tokyo | Japanese | 10D,

Gourmet Corner Restaurant |

851 68, 09 731 789 46

Bakery | 52 Saya San Road | 01 554

Mone Pwint Shopping Mall, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Mayangone Tsp | 01 653 644, 01 653 660

Andaman II @ Yankin | Thai/Street Bar | Yankin Road

Arirang Restaurant | Korean | Thiri

Mingalar Street, Hledan | 09 493 351

Kabaraye Pagoda Road, Mayangone

Myanmar | Parami Road | 01 667 449, 092 006 777 N

Indian Tadka | Indian | 7(A), Pyay

Road, 6 ½ Miles, Hlaing Tsp | 09 420 187 010

Road & Sayarsan Road | 01 557 448

Kabaung Road, Hlaing Tsp | 09 731

Lotteria @ Junction 8 | Fastfood |

G21- G24, Junction 8 Shopping Mall, Kyik Wine Pagoda Road, Myangone Tsp | 01 650 771

H Min Lan | Rakhine/Seafood | No.

Innlay Ahmataya | Shan | 8 Kyout

16, Parami Road & West of Maykha

Aux Saisons | European/Fine Dining

Road and Kyout Kone street,

099 926 959

| 31/A Kan Yeik Tha Road | 01 661 125

BB Cake & Coffee | Café | 48,

Coner of Parami Road and Myint Zu Street, Yankin Tsp | 09 421

Kone street, Corner of Thitisar Yankin Tsp

Kone Myin Thar | Myanmar | 69

(A) Pyay St, 71/2 Mile, Mayangone Tsp |

Road, Mayangone Tsp | 01 656 941,

Orchid Café | Café | Inya Lake Hotel,

Kabar Aye Pagoda Road, Bahan Tsp | 019 662 866

H Parami Pizza | Italian | No (11/8),

180 670

Kosan Café-Bar Branch 1 | Bar/Café |

Corner of Malikha Road and Parami

Café 47 | Western | 47 A, Pyay Road,

503 232

250 292 074

Mayangone Tsp | 01 651 774

Fook Mun Lau | Chinese | 102,

Nawaday Cinema Garden, Corner Of

18, U Tun Lin Chan Street, Hledan | 01

839, 01 663 743

Township | 01 664 204

Street, Junction Square, 3rd Floor | 01 527 242

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

13 Street, North Okkalapa Tsp | 09 421 006 237

H Shwe Sa Bwe | French/Fine

Dining | 20 Malikha Road | 01 661 983

Taing Yin Tar | Myanmar | 5A, Corner of May Kha Road and Parami Road,

Mayangone Tsp | 01 660 792, 09 732 217 17

The Myths | Western Cuisine |

18 Thukhawaddy St., 6th Ward,

Yankin Tsp | 09 431 688 08, 095 037 764

The Seoul Korean Restaurant |

Korean | 142 Parami Road | 09 492 848 88, 09 421 177 524

Yunan BBQ | BBQ/Chinese | 48

(A), corner of Kanyethethar Street and Kabar Aye Pagoda Road,

Mayangone Tsp | 01 665 398 | 01 664 496

Street, Mayangone Tsp | 01 660 612 La Maison 20 | Fine Dining | 20,

Frolick | Frozen Yoghurt | Kyun Taw

Shop | level 3, corner of Ngwe Ni

L’Alchimiste | French | 5 U Tun Nyein

Kabaraye Pagoda Road & Oak Pone Seik Road, Mayangone Tsp | 01 661

Road, 7th Quarter, Myangone Tsp | 09

Shwe Pyi Moe | Myanmar Tea

Kabar Aye Pagoda Road, Mayangone

H L’Opera Restaurant | Italian | 62D,

U Htun Nyein Street, Mayangone Tsp | 09 730 307 55

MY Yangon | Issue 7

Nightlife Bars

Yangon has an expanding nightlife

Friendship Bar: No(135)corner of

2: No.108, 19th Stree (Upper

Off the Beaten Track: Kandawgyi

Cheap and cheerful

Popular with tourists, expats and

Mingla Taung Nyunt Tsp | 09 541

Dhamazedi Road & Inya Road |

scene. No longer limited to hotel

Gallery Bar: Shangri-La Hotel,

now an emerging variety of places

01-242 828 ext. 6433 | Excellent

bars and beer stations, there is to party and socialise.

50th Street: 9/13 50th Street |

Popular with the Sports crowd After-Work Bistro and Bar: 31, A1,

Shan Gone Street, Sanchaung Tsp | 09 250 400 753, 09 420 239 822 | A

Level 2, 223 Sule Pagoda Road | Happy Hour with cosy corners Gekko: 535 Merchant Street, Kyauktada Tsp, 4th Quarter |

Stylish and discreet with excellent yet unusual Japanese inspired cocktails

new Sanchaung bar

Ginki Kids: 18 Kambawza Road,

Blind Tiger: | United condominium,

Relaxed atmosphere with cold

Nawaday Street, Dagon Tsp | 01 388

488 | Open Monday - Saturday 5 pm till late open for lunch soon. Hidden speakeasy with cocktails and tapas. Captain’s Bar: Savoy Hotel, 129,

Dhammazedi Rd Yangon | 01-526 289, 01-526 298, 01-526 305 | Casual yet classic

Cask 81: No 81, Kabar Aye Pagoda

Bahan Township, Yangon |

Block), Latha Tsp | 01 503 232 |

locals for their cheap and tasty mojitos

Lobby Lounge: Chatrium Hotel,

Ground Level, 40 Natmauk Road,

Tamwe Tsp | 01 544 500, ext. 6277 | A relaxed hotel lobby bar with garden views

The Lab: 70A Shwegondaing

180 214 | Famous for their Moscow

Club Rizzoli: Chatrium Hotel 42,

The Music Club: Park Royal Hotel,

Penguin: 12 Hlwa Gone Street,

250 537 979 | A new and busy bar/

Yangon’s Bartenders competition.

ext. 6243/6244 | Private party

Road, Dagon Tsp | 01 250 388 |

Tamwe Tsp | Local hangout with good, cheap cocktails

Pool Bar: Yangon International

Hotel, 330 Ahlone Road, Dagon

Tsp | Lively bar with pool tables-

Road, Bahan | 09- 250 018 200, 09-

restaurant with excellent cocktails The Phayre: 292 Upper Pansodan

Road | 01 246 968 | A new, no-frills downtown bar

The Strand Bar: 92 Strand Rd | 01 243

Lanmadaw Tsp | 01- 122 156

Sapphire Lounge & Bar: Alfa

excellent free happy hour snacks

interesting wine bar

Tsp | Discreet outside rooftop bar

Taung Tan Street (Upper Block), 8 , 09 420 308 350 | Small and

Mojo: No.135, Corner of Innya

Ice Bar: Sedona Hotel, 1 Kabar Aye

418 | Popular spot with good

but getting there with dry ice and

6437 | A place to meet other travelers

open late

Maru Wine Bar: 130, Shwe

beers

Pagoda Road | Not quite frozen

Natural Park, Karaweik Oo-Yin Kabar,

Hotel, 41 Nawaday Street, Dagon with great views

and Dhammazedi Road | 01-511

Space Bar: No.126 , Kabar Aye

events

and indoor rooftop setting

Pagoda Road, Bahan Tsp | Outdoor

377 ext. 92 | Historical spot with some

The Water Library: Pyay Road/

Manawharri Road intersection | A

swanky spot for high-end cocktails The Yangon Sailing Club: 132

Sports Bar: 20 Pearl Street, Mya

Kosan Bar-Branch 1: No.18, 1-A

Road, Dagon Tsp | 01 730 364 33

Gyar Ward (2), Bahan Tsp | 09 731

Union Bar & Grill: 42 Strand Rd, Left

restaurant

Building, Botahtaung Tsp | 09-420

U Tun Lin Chan Street, Hledan,

Kamayut Tsp | 01 503 232; Branch

| A karaoke bar with individual booths and dance-floor

321 61 | Popular outdoor bar/

including guest DJ nights Vista Bar: 168, Corner of

members on Fridays

corner of the Myanmar Red Cross

Natmauk Rd, Tamwe | 01544 500 paradise with Cuban cigars,

karaoke, live percussion band and in-house DJ

Shwegonedaing Road and Old Yay

DJ Bar: U Htun Nyein Street, Yangon

bar with amazing views of Shwe

option

Tar Shay Street | Open-air rooftop Dagon Pagoda

Win Star Pub: 27/30, Corner of

Sanchaung Street & Padonmar

Street, Sanchaung Tsp | 01 505 467 | A Local and popular beer station with frosted beer glasses

Clubs

live music. Only open to non-

Music Box: Yangon International

Yeik Nyo Royal Hotel, Shwe Taung

Runs a good variety of events,

Inya Rd | Beautiful lake-views with

a lively in-house band

Hotel Complex, No.330, Ahlone

Mule cocktails and winner of

Café Liberal: Nat Mauk Street,

| Loud music and a good up-town

GTR: 37 Kaba Aye Pagoda Road | Popular with a young and hip crowd

Enjoy the occasional live band and themed nights; as well as regular nights with the in-house DJ

Please check out "Plot Ahead" for Nightlife events happening around Yangon.

JJ: Mingalar Mon Market, 4th

Flr, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Tsp | Well-sized dance floor. Club

is spread out over four floors.

Entry fee (3000 kyats) includes a free drink

Next to Chatrium Hotel | 01 551

Pioneer: Yangon International

standing!

crowd with pop/club music

774, 09 642 093 0 | For the last one

Basement One, 33 Alan Pha Phaya

Hotel, No.330, Ahlone Road | Fun

Rd, Bahan Tsp | 09 254 083 981 | For whisky fanatics

Cocoon Bar: 22/24 Shinsawpu

Road and corner of Baho Road | 01 500 863 | Great views

Club Rizzoli: Chatrium Hotel 42, Natmauk Road, Tamwe Tsp | 01

544 500 ext. 6243/6244 | Private

party paradise with Cuban cigars,

karaoke and well-stocked sake bar Escape Gastro Bar: 31D Kan Yeik Thar Street, Mayangone Tsp | 01-660 737 | A Myanmar celebrity hang-out

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

MY Yangon | Issue 7

Horoscope

wevFm om;orD;

7 &ufom;orD;rsm;twGuf

a[mpmwrf;

usef;rma&;

pD;yGm;a&;

usef;rma&;

pD;yGm;a&;

usef;rma&;

pD;yGm;a&;

သလိပ္ပြေနတတ္လိမ့္မည္။ အမ်ိဳး သမီးမ်ား ေသြးသားဆိုင္ရာေရာဂါ ဂ႐ုစိုက္ရန္လိုဦးမည္။ ၁၂ရက္ ေနာက္ပိုင္း က်န္းမာေရးစရိတ္ သံုး စြဲကုန္က်ရကိန္းရွိသည္။

ယွဥ္ၿပိဳင္ေဆာင္ရြက္ရေသာလုပ္ငန္း မ်ား အစပိုင္းတြင္ နိမ့္ေနတတ္ေသာ္ လည္း ေနာက္ပိုင္းတြင္ အႏိုင္ရကိန္း ရွိ သည္။ ၉ရက္ႏွင့္ ၂၈ရက္ၾကားတြင္ လုပ္ငန္းတိုးခ်ဲ႕ေဆာင္ရြက္ရန္ အခြင့္ အလမ္းေပၚလာတတ္လိမ့္မည္။ လ ကုန္ပိုင္းတြင္ အျမတ္အစြန္းရရွိမႈ အ နည္းငယ္ ေလ်ာ့နည္းသြားကိန္းရွိ သည္။

ဆီးေရာဂါ ဆက္လက္ဂ႐ုစက ို ္ေပးရန္ လိုလိမ့္ဦးမည္။ အမ်ိဳးသမီးမ်ားသား အိမ္ေရာဂါ အနည္းငယ္ႀကီးထြားလာ ႏိုင္ပါသည္။ အခ်ဥ္၊ အစပ္၊ အပူမ်ား တတ္ႏိုင္သမွ် ေလ်ာ့စားသင့္ပါ သည္။

၉ရက္ႏွင့္ ၂၈ရက္ၾကားတြင္ စီးပြား ေရးထိန္းလုပ္ပါ။ အတိုက္အခံ ရန္ အေႏွာင့္အယွက္မ်ား ရွိေနတတ္ လိမ့္မည္။ လကုန္ပိုင္းတြင္ အသင့္အ တင့္ ျပန္လည္တိုးတက္ လာကိန္းရွိ သည္။ စပ္တူလုပ္ငန္းမ်ား ကုန္က် စရိတ္ ျမင့္မားေနလိမ့္ဦးမည္။

၁၂ ရက္ေန႔အထိ က်န္းမာေရး ဂ႐ု စိုက္ေပးရန္ လိုဦးမည္။ အဆီအဆိမ့္ အေၾကာ္အကင္မ်ား ေလွ်ာ့စားသင့္ပါ သည္။ ေနာက္ပိုင္းတြင္ က်န္းမာေရး တိုးတက္ ေကာင္းမြန္လာကိန္းရွိ သည္။

၂၃ ရက္ေန႔အထိ ေႂကြးၿမီရရန္ေပးရန္ ကိစၥမ်ား ရွင္းလင္းရကိန္း ရွိေနလိမ့္ ဦးမည္။ ေနာက္ပိုင္းတြင္ ေငြပိုေငြလွ်ံ ရွိ လာတတ္ လိ မ့္ မ ည္ ။ ကု မ ၸ ဏီ လု ပ္ ငန္း မ်ား သိ သိ သာသာ တိုး တက္ ေအာင္ျမင္လာကိန္းရွိသည္။ အၿပိဳင္ အဆိုင္မ်ားေနဆဲ ျဖစ္လိမ့္မည္။

tdrfwGif;a&;

ynma&;

tdrfwGif;a&;

၁၂ ရက္ေက်ာ္လွ်င္ အိမ္တြင္းေရး အေျခအေန ႐ႈပ္ေထြးမႈ ေလ်ာ့က် သြားကိန္းရွိသည္။ မိသားစု က်န္းမာ ေရး အနည္းငယ္ ခ်ဴခ်ာေနတတ္လိမ့္ မည္။

ပညာေရးဇာတာ ေကာင္းလိုက္ မ ေကာင္းလိုက္ ျဖစ္ေနတတ္လိမ့္မည္။ စူးစူးစိုက္စိုက္ ႀကိဳးစားႏိုင္စြမ္း က် ဆင္းေနတတ္လိမ့္မည္။ ၁၄ရက္ ေက်ာ္လွ်င္ မတည္မၿငိမ္ ပိုျဖစ္လာ ႏိုင္ပါသည္။

၂၃ ရက္ေက်ာ္မွ အိမ္တြင္းေရး ျပန္ လည္ သာယာလာကိန္းရွိသည္။ စိတ္ရွည္သည္းခံမႈရွိၾကရန္ လိုပါ မည္။ သားသမီးမ်ား ၁၄ ရက္ေနာက္ ပိုင္း ထိန္းရခက္လာတတ္လိမ့္မည္။

ynma&; ၁၁ ရက္ေနာက္ပိုင္း ပညာေရးပိုမို အဆင္ေျပလာတတ္လိမ့္မည္။ ႏိုင္ငံ ျခားဘာသာစကား သင္ယူသူမ်ား ထူးခြ်န္မႈ ရတတ္လိမ့္မည္။

U Kyaw Myint Astrologer since 1985 Astro Research Bureau(Myanmar) B.E(Tex),D.E.P.,D.C.Sc

we*FaEG om;orD;

aomMum om;orD;

Ak'¨[l; om;orD;

tdrfwGif;a&; မ်ားေသာအားျဖင့္ အိမ္ေထာင္ေရး သာယာေနတတ္လိမ့္မည္။ သားႀကီး သမီးႀကီးမ်ား အလုပ္အကိုင္ အဆင္ ေျပေနတတ္လိမ့္မည္။

ynma&; စိတ္ပ်ံ႕လြင့္မႈေၾကာင့္ ပညာေရးအ ဆင့္ ေလ်ာ့က်သြားတတ္လိမ့္မည္။ ၁၄ ရက္ ေနာက္ပိုင္း ပိုဆိုးလာတတ္ သည္ကို ဆင္ျခင္ထိန္းခ်ဳပ္ ႀကိဳးစား ေပးရန္လိုပါမည္။

taqmif,Mwm

သေျပ၊ ျမ (သို႔) အစိမ္းေရာင္

ႏွင္းဆီပန္း၊ ပုလဲ၊ အေရာင္ေဖ်ာ့ေဖ်ာ့ ကေလးမ်ား

t*Fg om;orD;

ေက်ာက္စိမ္း၊

Mumoyaw; om;orD;

taqmif,Mwm ပိေတာက္၊ စိန္၊ အေရာင္မ်ား

ေတာက္ပေသာ

pae om;orD;

usef;rma&;

pD;yGm;a&;

usef;rma&;

pD;yGm;a&;

usef;rma&;

pD;yGm;a&;

usef;rma&;

pD;yGm;a&;

၁၅ ရက္ေန႔ေက်ာ္လွ်င္ က်န္းမာေရး အနည္းငယ္ ခ်ဴခ်ာလာတတ္လိမ့္ မည္။ မ်က္စိေရာဂါ၊ စအိုဆိုင္ရာေရာ ဂါ၊ ဆီးေရာဂါ၊ အမ်ိဳးသမီးမ်ား ေသြး သား မမွန္ျခင္းတို႕ ျဖစ္တတ္လိမ့္ မည္။ ေမာပန္းႏြမ္းနယ္မႈ ရွိေနတတ္ လိမ့္မည္။

စပ္တူလုပ္ငန္း၊ ကုမၸဏီလုပ္ငန္းမ်ား ၁၄ရက္ေက်ာ္လွ်င္ အဆင္မေခ်ာမႈ မ်ား၊ ေႏွာင့္ေႏွးၾကန္႕ၾကာမႈမ်ားရွိလာ တတ္လိမ့္မည္။ ၉ရက္ႏွင့္ ၁၄ ရက္ ၾကား ဝင္ေငြအျမတ္အစြန္း ရကိန္းရွိ သည္။ ၁၂ ရက္ေနာက္ပိုင္း စီးပြား ေရးအခြင့္အလမ္းေကာင္းမ်ား ေပၚ ေပါက္ရရွိတတ္လိမ့္မည္။

၂၃ ရက္ေနာက္ပိုင္းတြင္ က်န္းမာ ေရး သိသိသာသာ တိုးတက္ေကာင္း မြန္လာတတ္လိမ့္မည္။ မ်က္စိေရာဂါ အနည္းငယ္ ဆက္လက္ျဖစ္ပြား တတ္လိမ့္မည္။

စပ္တူလုပ္ငန္း၊ ကုမၸဏီလုပ္ငန္းမ်ား ၁၂ ရက္ေက်ာ္မွ အေျခအေနေကာင္း လာကိန္းရွိသည္။ ၁၅ ရက္ေနာက္ ပိုင္း မိမိ၏အေတြးအထင္ အမွန္းအ ဆမ်ား အနည္းငယ္ လြဲေခ်ာ္လာ တတ္သည္ကို သတိထားပါ။ ၂၃ ရက္ေက်ာ္လွ်င္ အႀကံဥာဏ္ေကာင္း မ်ား ေပၚထြက္လာတတ္လိမ့္မည္။

အစာအိမ္ဆိုင္ရာေရာဂါ အနည္းငယ္ ျဖစ္ႏိုင္ေျခရွိသည္။ မာၿပီးေၾကခဲ ေသာအစာမ်ားႏွင့္ အဆီအဆိမ့္ အ ေၾကာ္အကင္မ်ားကို တတ္ႏိုင္မွ် ေလွ်ာ့စားသင့္ပါသည္။

၁၂ ရက္အထိ အၿပိဳင္အဆိုင္မ်ား ေနတတ္လိမ့္မည္။ လုပ္ငန္းတိုးခ်ဲ႕ လုပ္ကိုင္ရန္ မသင့္ေသးေသာ ကာ လ ျဖစ္လိမ့္မည္။ လက္ရွိအလုပ္ကို ဖိဖိစီးစီး လုပ္ကိုင္ေပးလွ်င္ အျမတ္ အစြန္း အထိုက္အေလ်ာက္ တိုး တက္ရရွိလာပါလိမ့္မည္။

အစားစံုလြန္း ေနတတ္လိမ့္မည္။ ဆင္ျခင္ ထိန္းခ်ဳပ္ေပးသင့္ပါသည္။ မ်က္စိေရာဂါ၊ ဆီးေရာဂါ၊ အစာအိမ္ ေရာဂါမ်ား ျဖစ္ႏိုင္ေျခ ရွိေနပါသည္။

အလု ပ္ တာဝန္ မ်ားျပားေနဆဲ ျဖစ္ လိ မ့္ မ ည္ ။ ရရန္ ရ ွိေ သာ ဝင္ေ ငြ အ ျမတ္အစြန္းအခ်ိဳ႕ ေႂကြးက်န္ျဖစ္တတ္ လိမမ ္ ည္။ ၉ ရက္ေနာက္ပင ို ္း အေတြး အထင္ အမွန္းအဆမ်ား အမွန္မ်ား လာကိန္း ရွသ ိ ည္။ ကံေကာင္းေထာက္ မမႈ မ်ားလည္း ေပၚေပါက္ႀကံဳေတြ႕ရ တတ္လိမ့္မည္။

ynma&; ဆယ္တန္းေျဖမည့္သူမ်ား က်န္းမာ ေရးေကာင္းမွ ပညာေရးေကာင္းမည္ ျဖစ္သျဖင့္ ႏွစမ ္ ်ိဳးလံုးကို ခ်ိနဆ ္ ေဆာင္ ရြက္ေပးရန္လိုမည္။ မွန္းဆမႈ လြဲႏိုင္ ေသာေၾကာင့္ အားလံုးက်က္မွတ္ႏိုင္ ေအာင္ႀကိဳးစားသင့္သည္။

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

tdrfwGif;a&; အိမ္ေထာင္ျပဳလိုသူမ်ား ၁၃ရက္ႏွင့္ ၁၄ ရက္တို႔တြင္ ျပဳသင့္ပါသည္။ ၁၅ ရက္ေနာက္ပိုင္းအခ်ိန္အခါမေကာင္း လွပါ။ သားသမီးမ်ားအတြက္အကုန္ အက်ဆက္လက္မ်ားေနလိမဥ ့္ းီ မည္။

ynma&; ၁၅ရက္ေနာက္ပိုင္း စာေမးပြဲေျဖရန္ရွိ သူမ်ား ေမးခြန္းေသခ်ာဖတ္ရန္ လို လိမမ ့္ ည္။ အေမးတျခားအေျဖတျခား ျဖစ္ႏိုင္ေျခ ရွိေနပါသည္။

tdrfwGif;a&; မိသားစုႏင ွ ့္ ခြခ ဲ ြာေနရသူမ်ား ၁၂ ရက္ ေနာက္ ပို င္း တြ င္ ျပန္ လ ည္ ဆံု စ ည္း ရတတ္ လိ မ့္ မ ည္ ။ သားသမီး မ်ားအ တြက္ အကုနအ ္ က် မ်ားလာတတ္လမ ိ ့္ မည္။

taqmif,Mwm

ကံ့ေကာ္ၫႊန္႔၊ ပတၱျမား၊ နီညိဳေရာင္

ရြက္လွ၊ သႏၲာ၊ အနီေရာင္ရဲရဲ

ynma&; စာေမးပြဲနီးမွ ႀကိဳးစားလိုစိတ္ ေပၚ တတ္လိမ့္မည္။ ၂၃ ရက္အထိ ပညာေရးဇာတာ သင့္႐ံုမွ်သာရွိတတ္ ေသာေၾကာင့္ ႀကိဳတင္ျပင္ဆင္မႈ အားေကာင္းမွသာ ထူးခြ်န္မႈရႏိုင္ပါ လိမ့္မည္။

tdrfwGif;a&; နီးတက်က္က်က္ ေဝးတစ္သက္ သက္ ျဖစ္ေနတတ္လိမ့္မည္။ သား သမီးမ်ားအတြက္ အရင္းအႏွီး ထုတ္ ေပးရတတ္လိမ့္မည္။

taqmif,Mwm သီဟို၊ ဥႆဖယား၊ အ၀ါေရာင္

ynma&; ၉ ရက္ေက်ာ္လွ်င္ ပညာေရး တိုး တက္ေကာင္းမြန္လာကိန္း ရွိသည္။ အထက္တန္း ပညာေရးထူးခြ်န္မႈ ေမွ်ာ္လင့္ႏိုင္ပါသည္။

tdrfwGif;a&; မိသားစုမ်ား က်န္းမာေရး ခ်ဴခ်ာႏိုင္ သည္ကိုသတိထားပါ။ မိဘညီအစ္ ကို ေမာင္ႏွမမ်ား၏ ၾသဇာသက္ ေရာက္မႈ မ်ားေနတတ္လိမ့္မည္။

taqmif,Mwm အုန္း၊ နီလာ၊ အေရာင္ရင့္မ်ား

MY Yangon | Issue 7

Issue 7 | MY Yangon

MY Yangon | Issue 7