CHENNAI: Chennai as a city must have satisfied your gastronomical desires for Oriental cuisine. From Chinese and Thai fare to Korean and Japanese food, the city is not a stranger to the exotic and unpronounceable names on menus. Now the latest entry into this table d’hôte world is Burmese cuisine.
Mingala, which means ‘welcome’ in Burmese, was opened recently in Abirami Mall. The brainchild behind this venture is Donald Joseph and his family. Born and brought up in Burma, Donald and his wife Julie brought along with them the flavours of Rangoon when they left the beautiful but trouble-torn country.
Bite into the crispy fried onions garnished on Oh No Khow Suey and you will keep asking for more. A delicious combination of chicken soup and noodles, this dish retains its Burmese authenticity unlike Mohinga, the national dish.It has rice noodles in cat fish broth with cooked banana stalk and chilli flakes, this dish has been tweaked for the Indian palate. The shrimp items are a must try. The delectable flavour of dry prawn balachaung is different.
The same goes for the prawn dry gravy, spicy and hot with a hint of garam masala.
Try Bhaimo, a Burmese pancake.
Wrapped in banana leaves, Mophetok is steamed cake stuffed with coconut and sugar.
If you don't mind the flavoursgiven an Indian twist, then Mingala is the place for you. The service is personalised and the staff seemed to know about the food too.