Cafe Mandalay
Burmese restaurant · Hoxton ·
Authentic Burmese dishes, tea leaf salad, biryani, halal meat
Authentic Burmese dishes, tea leaf salad, biryani, halal meat
"Flying under the radar is this small, casual café near Old Street. The chef-owner Kyaw Thu Ya’s main trade is in sandwiches and cakes, but the name of the café, a small A-board outside listing Burmese dishes, and the posters of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi (Burma’s state counsellor) give away other loyalties. For the past five years, Kyaw Thu Ya has been quietly serving a selection of home-style specials, such as ohn no khao swè (coconut chicken noodles) one week and khayunthee kyet (aubergine curry) with rice the next. His biryani comprising pilau rice with kyethhar masala (Burmese masala chicken) is a permanent fixture, however, as the last time he tried to take it off the menu, there was “nearly a riot”. Order 24 hours in advance for his lahpet thohk (pickled tea leaf salad) which comes highly recommended. Diners can even pick up a jade bracelet, a woven Kachin purse or some Burmese tomato candy at the till." - MiMi Aye
"A small, casual red oasis near Old Street run by chef-owner Ko Kyaw Thu Ya from Yangon, best known for generously filled sandwiches and excellent home-baked cakes alongside authentic Burmese offerings. Standouts include ohn no khao swè (coconut chicken noodles) and khayunthee kyet (aubergine curry), and more unusual items such as lahpet thohk (pickled tea leaf salad) are available if ordered 24 hours in advance." - Anna Sulan Masing
Alex E.
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Anna S
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Elizabeth C.
Eleanor L.
Thu Ya W.
Daniela S.
