Tasting the local cuisine is a key reason for travel, so be sure to sample the unique dishes offered in the area.
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Mandalay is around $7 (MMK21625) per person, with previous travelers spending from $7 to $7. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Mandalay are as follows:
- Breakfast: $1 to $2
- Lunch: $1 to $3
- Dinner: $2 to $5
- Coffee: $1
- Fast Food or Street Food: $1
Formerly known as Burma, Myanmar has cuisine that is of the Burmese tradition. It is characterized by an extensive use of fish products like fish sauce and ngapi (a paste made from fermented seafood) as well as rice, fresh vegetables, tropical fruits, and condiments like pickled mango and fermented beans. Some typical dishes include a ginger salad with sesame seeds called gyin thohk, a wheat noodle salad with dried shrimps, shredded cabbage and carrots, dressed with fried peanut oil, fish sauce, and lime (khauk swè thoke), and a plate called mohinga which consists of rice vermicelli in fish broth with onions, garlic, ginger, lemon grass, and sliced tender core of banana-stem, served with boiled eggs, fried fish cake (nga hpe) and fritters (akyaw). Due to its geographic location, Myanmar's cuisine has been also been largely influenced by Chinese cuisine, Indian cuisine, and Thai cuisine. Mandalay in particular specializes in cuisine from the Shan State (usually including fermented pastes, vegetables, and meats), as well as a kind of Muslim Chinese noodle dish with lots of spices, and a traditional Burmese dessert called htou moun which is oily and sweet and unique to the city.
Many establishments feature breakfast in their pricing, although some tack it on as an added expense. The price and quality can fluctuate depending on the hotel. Being aware of this beforehand helps you gauge if you'll need extra cash. The hotel buffet might be a delicious choice, or you could save some cash by heading to a nearby bakery or cafe.
Bring a reusable water bottle instead of purchasing drinks all the time. It's also a great way to help the environment.
Planning a tour? Be sure to confirm in advance which meals are provided. You could find yourself footing the bill for some meals, which can affect your budget.
If you're looking to experience the culinary culture in Mandalay, taking a food tour or cooking class is a terrific way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. Some of the best food-related activities here include:
- Bicycle Food Tour in Mandalay for $45 details
- Myanmar traditional cooking class with local for $26 details
- Bamboo Bike Food Tour for $42 details