Page 298 - The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma)

296 MANDALAY AND AROUND EATING
Nay 27th St, at the corner of 82nd St; map p.288. vegetables, egg and chilli paste, which you mix together
The pick of this area’s many street-side chapati-shacks, as before eating). Mains K3000–4000. Daily 9am–9.30pm.
evidenced by the crowd that’s gathered around every single ★ Marie Min 27th St 74th and 75th sts T02 36234;
evening. They even have a menu of sorts, though there are map pp.282–283. Cute little vegetarian café on the
no prices on it – ask when ordering, to avoid any unpleasant upstairs balcony of a neat wooden building. The good mix
surprises. Expect to pay around K2000, perhaps a little more of Indian and Burmese cooking ranges from samosas,
if you plump for the “mutton brain”, which gets you a little chapatis and curries through to noodles and salads (mains
sheep cerebellum sitting in a curry sauce – surprisingly K3000–3500), plus they also serve lassis, juices and the
tasty, though served lukewarm. No alcohol, though they’re best milkshakes in town. Daily 10am–9pm.
happy for you to bring your own. Daily 4pm–1am. Mingalabar 71st St, between 28th and 29th sts T02
Nylon 25th St, at the corner of 83rd St T02 32318; 60480; map pp.282–283. Smart, modern restaurant
map p.288. A kind of rough-and-ready Burmese ice-cream serving up excellent and authentic Burmese curries
parlour, serving good ice cream (K800–1000) in myriad (around K6000), including traditional dishes like pork curry
flavours including durian, tapioca and cream soda, along with dried mango and butterfish with spicy-sour leaves,
with assorted shakes (K800–1500). Daily 8am–8pm. along with local ingredients ranging from fresh
7 Pan Cherry 81st St, between 26th and 27th sts Ayeyarwady River prawns to wild hog. There are also a few
T02 39924; map p.288. The best of the several South vegetable curries, plus lots of unusual side dishes and
Indian choices in this area, this cheery restaurant serves salads (K1500–2000) – tamarind, white seaweed, smoked
good refillable meals (K4000) with a choice of all sorts of gar fish, and so on. Daily 6am–9pm.
curries, ranging from chicken, mutton, duck and butterfish Min Thi Ha Corner of 72nd and 28th sts; map pp.282–283.
through to more off-the-wall options including liver, brain, Popular teahouse, part of a small chain known for its mutton
the mysteriously named “fish heat”, and of course “fighting curry puffs, which you can nibble on while pondering Samuel
ball” (a polite name for goats’ testicles). Daily 10am–9pm. Johnson’s quote on the wall: “Great works are performed
Rainbow 84th St, between 22nd and 23rd sts T02 not by strength but by perseverance.” Daily 5am–4pm.
23266; map p.288. Set over three floors, the uppermost on Rainforest 27th St, between 74th and 75th sts
the roof, this corner restaurant is a popular spot for cheap T09 4316 1551; map pp.282–283. One of Mandalay’s
draught Myanmar beer. They also have a menu of snacks best-looking restaurants – choose between the lovely
and a few Chinese basics (mains K4500). Daily 8am–9pm. antique-filled downstairs dining room or the sunny terrace
★ Shan Ma Ma 81st St, between 29th and 30th sts above – serving up good Thai food (mains K4000–6000),
T02 71858; map p.288. Usually one of the liveliest including classic dishes such as larb, tom yum and pad thai.
places in downtown after dark, with hordes of tourists Daily 8am–9pm.
sitting at tables spilling out into the street and tucking Too Too 27th St, between 74th and 75th sts; map
into delicious piles of Shan and Chinese-style food. Choose pp.282–283. A good place to fill up on some local fare, if
what you want from the vast array of dishes on display you don’t mind the rather dreary dining room, with a big
– a full spread usually comes in at around K3000–4000. buffet spread of Burmese curries (K3500–5000), all served
Daily 6am–10pm. with at least five side dishes. Daily 10am–9pm.
SOUTH OF THE PALACE OUTSIDE THE CENTRE
★ BBB 76th St, between 26th and 27th sts Café City 66th St, between 20th and 22nd sts T09 522
T02 73525, Wfacebook.com/bbbrestaurant; map 4054; map pp.282–283. Precisely the same menu as
pp.282–283. This quiet, urbane and stylish restaurant is you’ll find at BBB (see opposite), though a bit further out
one of Mandalay’s top eating venues – pricey, but serving (just east of the palace walls), and decorated more like an
up a big selection of international flavours available in few American bar. Daily 10am–10.30pm.
other places. The menu (mains K6500–10,000) features all Golden Duck 80th St, at the corner of 16th St T09 256
sorts of grilled and fried meat and seafood dishes (anything 378 572; map pp.282–283. This large and lively place is one
from brandy chicken, kebabs and steaks through to honey of the best of Mandalay’s many Chinese restaurants, popular
prawn, sea perch and salmon) plus excellent burgers and with local middle-class types and their families. Many people
well-made cocktails. Daily 10am–10.30pm. opt for the signature crispy duck, although there are plenty of
Korea Restaurant 76th St, between 28th and 29th sts other authentic mains (K4000–6000) along with some
T02 71822; map pp.282–283. Run by a Korean– Burmese dishes. The location just west of the palace walls
Burmese couple, the pleasingly authentic Korean flavours makes it a great sunset spot. Daily 10am–10pm.
here can come as a nice change to tired tastebuds. The ★ A Little Bit of Mandalay 28th St, between 52nd
menu includes favourites such as kimchi, seaweed rolls, and 53rd sts T09 797 735 545; map pp.282–283. Way
ginseng chicken and bibimbap (rice topped with beef, out east in a delightfully secluded location, this is a great