Monday, January 21, 2013

Ku Ku in Yangon...?

So...was walking around my favorite shopping mall in Yangon and found this...

kuku now available for takeaways...























They serve some suspicious tube-like fried items...was too scared to takeaway any...heh



random picture by doggyjames

Saturday, January 12, 2013

YKKO Kyay-Oh & BBQ, Yangon, Myanmar

One thing I noticed when I first stepped into this mysterious land is that there are no fast food franchises, no international coffee chains nor anything like Malaysia's Old Town or Paparich. It almost seems like there are no franchised eateries at all. Then I notice this brand name all over town, YKKO, a local franchise specialized in Burmese noodles and BBQ. I made it a point to try out one of these outlets as there is nothing I like more than a hot bowl of noodles soup on a lazy morning.

One late morning after countless amount of alcohol the night before a good night's sleep, I finally get to try this place. Hangover a good night's sleep and hot soup, there is no other better combination.

The YKKO branch I visited was in Junction Square, where I do my weekly grocery shopping. It was about 2pm and the lunch crowd was just leaving so it was relatively easy to get a seat. Environment was nice and cozy, and the wonder smell from the kitchen was intoxicating indeed.























One thing great about this place especially for those who can't speak or read a word of Burmese, English on their menus!
















I decided on a standard kyah-oh, vermicelli noodle in a bowl of fragrant pork & fish based soup with loads of pork balls, minced pork, pork intestines and a quill egg or 2. kyah-oh is apparently one of Myanmar's national dish, simple yet taste great. This being a franchised restaurant there were quite a bit of MSGs in the soup but the meat portions was really generous, and for the first time I almost couldn't finish my meal! A standard chili sauce, which is much more fragrant with the strong presence of garlic and onions was served to go with the noodles.

simple yet superb sauce

crazy amount of pork bits!


































And then I found something in the soup that I did not expect at all...pork brains! I have only eaten pork brains on a few rare occasions before this but I must say, this is surprisingly one of the best I have ever tasted! It's fresh, fragrant and the textures superbly smooth and custardy!

never would I imagine pork brains are standard here!






















And the price? Less than 3000Kyats or USD 4 a portion! I must say It would seem expensive for local standards but considering the fact that this is an air conditioned franchised restaurant, it was not too bad at all.

YKKO has over 10 branches across Yangon alone, and it is hard to pass by a day without seeing a branch. The one I went to was in Junction Square but the list of YKKO branches can be found in the website below.
Most of the staffs at YKKO speaks decent English.

YKKO Junction Square branch
Junction Square, Room(S-201), Between Pyay Road &Kyuntaw Street,
Near Agriculture(Bus Stop), Kamayut Township.



Operating hours depend on the location, if it's in a shopping centre it would be closed around 9pm-10pm. If it's along the streets they go well into the night.



Doggyjames says...One's journey in Myanmar would not be complete without a taste of Kyay-Oh. I would guarantee you would love this dish if you are into hot porky soups.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Win BBQ Shop, Yangon, Myanmar

Mingalabar (hello in Burmese) all! I am now in Yangon for a month now and let me introduce one of Yangon's most famous night activities....eating!

One of the first place I was brought to is 19th Street in Downtown Yangon, famously known as BBQ street for well...the sheer amount of BBQ shops here! Any taxi driver would know this place so you need not be scared not being able to find the place!

the famous 19th street



















The particular shop I went to is called Win Restaurant, a typical Myanmar BBQ shop set up with a few wooden tables and stools with a bbq stand outside this shop with cheap beer on sale (the most popular beer here is Myanmar beer, about 1,500Kyats or USD2). Think of Jalan Alor without the airconditioning and minimal amount of tourist.
























For 3 person we order a rather large meal consisting of fried flat noodles (something like Malaysia's Char Kuey Teow but with less dark soya sauce and tonnes of meat!), BBQ items including squid, chicken meat & ass, pork ribs, quill eggs, vegetables and a rather decent sized talipia fish, which standard size is about 1kg each filled with herbs, lemon and cilli. That and a large serving of kangkung fried with garlic for good measure. oh and there is a dish of Burmese style omelet somewhere in the picture.















all these goodies just for 3 very, very greedy fellas
































And we were served with a simple sauce made from cooking oil, vinegar, lime juice, chilli and other spices. Wouldn't say I love it at first but it has grown on me now.

simple yet great sauces

















And how do one order if one does not speak a word of Burmese? Well just hop over to the bbq stands and point your way to food heaven!


dont worry, most of the items are clean & fresh...well, MOST.

































And how much did all these yummies, plus 6 large bottles of cold, refreshing Myanmar beer cost? About 24,000Kyats (USD28). Would say it's the cheapest in the world but hey, surely much more affordable than KL! The prices varies but would be cheaper at places where there are no tourists.

I must say Myanmar is a hidden foodies paradise. More food adventures from Yangon coming up very soon!

No maps for this one because of diplomatic issues between Myanmar & Google, lol.

Win Restaurant
19th Street,
Yangon, Myanmar.

Operating Hours:
Daily from 11am - 12am



Doggyjames says...yummy, economical, totally awesome!




                       

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