Myanmar is known for its diverse culinary tradition which is influenced from neighboring countries such as India, and China.
Myanmar popular cuisine are loved by visitors and citizens owing to its unmatched Flavors, textures, taste as well as nutritional content.
Here are 12 Myanmar popular foods & Health Impacts
1. Mohinga
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A popular breakfast dish of Myanmar, a fish-based soup that consists of rice noodles, catfish, herbs and various kinds of spices.
Importantly, these ingredients enable your body obtain vital nutrients and bioactive compounds such as protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates.
2. Tea Leaf Salad (Lahpet Thoke)
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Tea Leaf Salad serve as a traditional salad of Myanmar that is made from a fermented tea leaves, combined with peanuts, sesame seeds, dried shrimp, tomatoes and crispy fried garlic.
It is popularly consumed in Myanmar because of the refreshing, tangy flavor and nutritional content including dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, bioactive compounds, and protein
3. Shan Noodles
Shan Noodles are said to have been originated from Shan State in Myanmar.
The traditional dish houses rice noodles, that can be eaten with numerous toppings like pork, chicken, seasoned with garlic oil, soy sauce, as well as chili
4. Burmese Curry
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An aromatic curries, consists of chicken, pork, beef, fish, vegetables, as well as spices. Burmese Curry is served with rice.
Myanmar’s Burmese Curry is less spicy compared to those obtain in many countries of the world.
However, it contains protein, dietary fiber, vitamin C, calcium, fat, selenium, iron, carbohydrates, bioactive compounds, vitamin A.
5. Ohn No Khao Swe
Image source; flickr
Ohn No Khao Swe is a traditional dish made from coconut chicken noodle soup. It contains nutrients like protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals.
Ingredients used in making ohn No Khao Swe are creamy coconut milk-based broth, egg noodles, eaten with boiled eggs, chicken, crispy fried noodles among others.
6. Mandalay Mee Shay
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This is a traditional dish of Myanmar but more pronounced in Mandalay, a city in Myanmar.
The noodle dish is made from rice noodles and eaten with flavorful meat sauce, pork, chicken, or bean sprouts.
There are numerous nutrients in Mandalay Mee Shay such as protein, iron , calcium, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, carbohydrates, riboflavin, and fat.
7. Htamin Jin
If you’re a fan of fermented products, Htamin Jin is the right option to incorporate. This is an incredible traditional dish prepared from a fermented rice.
Traditionally, people often enjoy Htamin with salad, mixed with, toasted sesame seeds, peanuts, fried onions, and dried shrimp.
Adequate consumption of Htamin earn you substantial amount of nutrients such as carbohydrates, iron, capsaicin, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin C, dietary fiber to name a few.
8. Mont Lin Ma Yar
Mont Lin Ma Yar is a popular street food in Myanmar. It is a type of savory pancake filled with a mixture of lentils, onions, and spices, then deep-fried until crispy and golden.
9. Ngapi Ye dipping sauce
A healthy traditional food of Myanmar, consists of lemon juice, shrimp powder and garlic.
It is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, phytochemicals among others.
10. Nangyi Thoke
Image source: flickr
This is a popular dish in Myanmar restaurant that is made fron noodles.
It consists of chicken, slices of fish, beans sprouts, and boiled eggs. The flavorful dish is seasoned with turmeric, chili oil, and chickpeas flour.
Nangyi Thoke is served with sides of pickled greens and a bowl of broth to obtain certain essential nutrients like dietary fiber, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron selenium, carbohydrates, capsaicin, caroteneoid, flavonoids and B vitamins.
10. Shan Style Rice
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Despite belong to the shan ethnic group of Myanmar, it is clearly seen in many streets and restaurants of Myanmar.
Shan style rice is actually made from rice and other ingredients such as potatoes, tomatoes, fish, though it is eaten with toppings like crisp fried onion, coriander, garlic and tamarind sauce.
Shan style rice supplies vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, carbohydrates, antioxidant and healthy fat when consumed.
11. Coconut Noodle
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A popular traditional dish in Myanmar, Ingredients used in making coconut noodles include, wheat noodles with creamy spiced chicken coconut broth.
Incorporating coconut noodles enables you get an incredible taste and nutrients in coconut noodles.
12. Burmese Tempura (Akyaw Sone)
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This is a special delicacy in Myanmar since its serve as breakfast and celebration dish. Akyaw Sone is usually served with steamed rice.
The nutritious meal is packed with numerous ingredients such as onion, potato, peas, bananas, shrimp.
Whether you consume it as snacks or as main dish, it offers overall well-being of the body.
Myanmar popular food Health Impacts
Rich source of Dietary fiber: Myanmar dishes are loaded with dietary fiber which help prevent and treat various diseases such as constipation, colon cancer, cholesterol among others.
Rich source of Phytochemicals: These are natural compounds that can smartly neutralize formation of toxic substance in the body like free radicals. The antioxidant properties impede dangerous effects of free radicals.
Colon Cancer prevention: Some ingredients used are very helpful in terms of eliminating factors responsible for mutagenic reactions.
Rich source of protein: Normal serum levels of protein contribute greatly at optimizing many bodily functions.
Management of diabetes: The substantial amount of vegetables, and fruits are responsible for maintenance of blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity
Conclusion
Myanmar has a diverse culinary heritage which mixed with other southern and Eastern Asian cuisines.
However, it offers a wide range benefits include, management of diabetes, antioxidant rich source, constipation prevention among others.
Myanmar popular food & Health impacts such as Ngapi Ye dipping sauce, Coconut Noodle, Htamin Jin to name a few.
