COCONUTS HOTSPOT — Despite its close proximity, Myanmar’s culture isn’t often celebrated in Thailand, and that means finding its diverse and delicious cuisine requires some searching by the uninitiated. Although most Burmese joints usually pop up as shifting street stalls, there is a small enclave of restaurants along Ramkhamhaeng Road that caters to both the student population and Burmese residents living in the neighborhood.
To get there, take a Taxi to ABAC University and walk to Ramkhamhaeng Yaek 30, also known as “Soi ABAC” because of its former status as a place for students looking to relax with a brew after class. The eternally packed Seit Taing Kya Food Center is on the left, which peering through its glass façade looks like one giant Pepsi advertisement. It’s a favorite among the international students studying at the neighboring university. The chicken curry is an oily mess of a dish, but that doesn’t stop the majority of diners at STK from ordering it. An immense amount of red oil sits at the top of the bowl containing a heady hunk of chicken breast, and there’s the choice of having it served with rice or a savory roti—all for a mere THB45. Another favorite dish at STK Food Center is undoubtedly the xshwe taungx noodles(THB40), a portion of xbhamix noodles in zesty coconut milk curry served with chicken and onions. The coconut broth has a subtle kick to it, and the milky nature of the thick liquid means it coats the bhami noodles in a way that ensures there’s a zingy flavor in every bite.
On the opposite side of the street from STK Food Center is Yangon: Myanmar Foods, an unassuming shop house restaurant with clinical-looking aluminum tables and chairs and a cafeteria-like layout. At the head of the dining room Yangon’s wares are showcased in metal trays: samosas are neatly packed and ready to be deployed and big batches of curry are waiting to be scooped up. It’s very similar to Thai xkaew gaengx style eating, but what is strikingly different from the Thai tradition is the service. The staff will explain every detail of the cuisine and often use English words that you’re not likely to hear in Thailand. On a recent visit, a server explained the “chicken and cashew nut (THB70) has been exhausted today,” and instead recommended the chicken biryani (THB100); a small linguistic remnant of the British Raj.
Popular for their esoteric ingredients and array of textures, the salads are among the most interesting dishes from the neighboring nation. The popular tea leaf salad incorporates pickled tea leaves, dried shrimp, fried peanuts, tomato, garlic, green chili, cabbage, and sesame seeds. This common dish can be found for around THB30 at most Burmese restaurants, and STK Food Center and Yangon are no exception.
STK closes at around 6pm in the evenings and is closed Mondays. Yangon stays open late.
FIND IT:
STK Food Center, Yangon: Myanmar Foods
Ramkhamhaeng 24 yak 30 (Soi ABAC)
