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    You are here: Home / Destinations / Asia / Markets Of Myanmar – A Photo Tour

    03/09/2015

    Markets Of Myanmar – A Photo Tour

    Visiting food markets is one of my favorite things to do when I travel.  There’s just something about the sweet scent of fresh fruit, colorful exotic spices piled in high pyramids, and a variety of vendors making an array of enticing street foods.  It’s the hustle and buslte of everyday life around the world, of families gathering ingredients to make dinner and friends meeting up to indulge in some coffee and local gossip.  Plus, it’s typically where I find some great souvenirs to bring home.

    While visiting Yangon, I was so excited when the Concierge at the Shangri-La Resort recommend a local guide, Hsu Khin, to show me around the city and food markets.  Turns out, she’s a foodie too, so we had a lot of fun spending the day together and exchanging stories.

    Here’s a peek at what we found in the markets that day:

    Sweet lychee fruit.

    Myanmar Markets-23

    Rambutan piled high in pyramids or tied together in bright red fuzzy bouquets for easy snacking.

    Pete and I call these “punk rock lychee” for their wild lime-green-tipped hair do.

    Myanmar Markets-32

    Myanmar Markets-8

    These were a surprising find, necklaces and other jewelry made out of watermelon seeds.  That’s a craft we could certainly use in Florida during the summer season!

    Myanmar Markets-26

    These little paddies are sweet cakes made with rice and sesame, some wrapped in banana leaf and steamed.  There were so many different varieties available.

    Myanmar Markets-5

    My guide, Hsu, looks on and smiles as a woman prepares lunch.  I wish I remembered what this yummy pyramid of goodness topped with coconut was. I shall have to find out the name.

    Myanmar Markets-4

    Here’s a basket full of fresh lotus flowers and seeds. These give such a wonderful crunchy and refreshing texture to salads.

    Myanmar Markets-22

    One of my favorite fruits, mangosteen. They sort of looks like little purple dinosaur eggs, and the sweet white fruit has a unique flavor that’s almost impossible to describe. To me, it almost tastes like cotton candy.

    Myanmar Markets-24

    These small pieces of wood are actually used as a beauty product — Thanaka. It has an earthy scent similar to sandlewood and the dust that created when it’s rubbed on a rock makes a sort of creamy paste that local women apply to their face and arms as sunscreen. It’s supposed to be really good for your skin, too.

    Myanmar Markets-19

    Myanmar Markets-1

    In addition to food, I couldn’t help but notice cute paper mache owls everywhere. It’s a  symbol of luck and good fortune in Myanmar.

    Myanmar Markets-25

    There were also colorful textiles for making clothes, hand-sewn purses, tribal jewelry, and even some hand woven dining room pieces such as table clothes and runners.

    Myanmar Markets-33

    Myanmar Markets-15

    Toward the end of the market, there were even a few t-shirts displaying the Burmese alphabet.  It’s such beautifully symmetrical and spherical lettering.

    Myanmar Markets-20

    We also found a little surprise ‘snack’ that I wasn’t brave enough to try. I’ve had crickets before, but they were disguised as empanadas, deep fried and smothered in cheese. I just couldn’t do these.

    Myanmar Markets-29

    What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever found at a local market?

     

    This campaign was created and sponsored by Cathay Pacific Airways in partnership with iAmbassador. As always, thoughts, opinions, and enthusiasm for travel is entirely my own. The Travel Bite retains all editorial control of what is published.

    Filed Under: Asia, Travel & Food Blog Tagged With: Myanmar

    About Rachelle Lucas

    Rachelle is the founder of TheTravelBite.com and was named one of USA Today's 10Best Food and Travel Bloggers. She believes the best way to learn about a destination is through its flavors and collects recipes from her trips to recreate them here on The Travel Bite. In her spare time she enjoys running and yoga to balance out her food obsession.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kirsten says

      03/10/2015 at 9:57 pm

      You’ve reminded me of just how much I love markets around the world. I need to do a blog post like this sometime soon too. Such a wonderful way to learn about a country I think!

      Reply
      • Rachelle Lucas says

        03/12/2015 at 5:09 pm

        The colors are a photographer’s dream! Enjoy the markets on your world tour! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      03/11/2015 at 12:45 am

      Love all these vibrant photos! I got excited when I saw the lychees – seriously one of my favorite fruits! Gorgeous post, thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Rachelle Lucas says

        03/12/2015 at 5:08 pm

        Mine too! We love it when lychee is in season.

        Reply
    3. Jennifer says

      03/14/2015 at 12:33 pm

      I loved the markets in Myanmar! Mangosteen is also one of my favorites and you’re right, I have no idea how to describe its taste. Delicious! I also couldn’t resist buying a few bracelets in Myanmar. I love souvenirs like that and that you can actually get use out of.

      Reply
    4. Wai says

      10/04/2015 at 10:29 pm

      Crickets are tasty, you should try them next time. They go down great with a beer (not joking!).

      Reply
    5. Tripidee App says

      05/06/2016 at 6:01 pm

      I love your photos! Much of the market reminds me of Hawaii where I live, but there are some really neat new items! That wood you grind seems intriguing.

      Reply
    6. Yamong says

      08/31/2018 at 7:45 am

      Hi Rachelle,
      The name of that yummy pyramid of goodness topped with coconut is “Mote-Sein-Paung”.

      Reply
      • Rachelle Lucas says

        08/31/2018 at 9:57 am

        Thank you! It was delicious!

        Reply

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