Basics - The Rough Guide to Myanmar - page 59

TEAHOUSES
Wherever you are in the country, a trip to a Burmese teahouse is a great way to experience
local life. These institutions are hugely popular places to meet friends, family and business
acquaintances, with tables and low plastic chairs often spilling out onto the pavements.
Most open early in the morning and serve up hot drinks and inexpensive meals all day -
only closing when the last customers ebb away in the evening. The busiest times are usu-
allyearlymorningsandlaterintheevening,whenmanyshowlivePremierLeaguefootball
matches at weekends.
Each teahouse has its own specialities and, given the rarity of English menus, your best
bet is often to point and order. Common dishes include mohinga , Shan noodles, and deep-
fried snacks, with prices starting at just K100-200 for a snack or K500 for a bowl of
noodles.
When you sit down in a teahouse a tea-boy will bring a selection of snacks to your table
unasked. When you come to leave - air kissing for your waiter's attention - you will only
pay for what you've eaten. Noodle dishes and salads are generally only made to order.
Alcohol
Burma's only home-grown alcoholic drink is t'àn-ye - toddy or palm wine , which is usually
only available in low-key village toddy bars not far from where it's made, thanks to the
drink's incredibly short shelf life (it turns to vinegar in a matter of hours). Although there are
few places resembling Western bars or pubs outside of Yangon and Mandalay, most towns
will have a couple of beerstations that can be identified by their obvious signs and predom-
inantly male clientele. These places usually serve draught beer (around K600 for a glass) as
wellasbottles(fromK1600for640ml),withtheformerusuallyrestrictedtothemostpopular
brew, Myanmar Beer (produced by a government joint venture). Other local beers include
Dagon, Double Strong (around 9 percent alcohol), and ABC Stout. Adventurous drinkers
may want to try Myanmar Beer's Spirulina Beer, made with nutritional algae from Sagaing
Region, which reputedly has an anti-ageing effect. Imported beers such as Tiger and Singha
are also occasionally available on draught.
Mid-range and upmarket restaurants will often have a list of imported wine . There are even
a couple of vineyards making wine in Shan State, and it'sbetter than youmight expect: look
out for Red Mountain and Aythaya. Fruit wines are produced around Pyin Oo Lwin from
plums and other fruit.
Locally distilled spirits are widely available and popular as a cost-effective alternative to
beer, with a large bottle of whisky starting at K1200. Grand Royal Whisky and Mandalay
Rum are both common brands. Imported spirits are only available in the larger cities and
hotel bars.