Rangoon

"Brooklyn “Explaining to my therapist why ‘eating at Rangoon’ ranked higher than ‘rubbing my cat’s belly’ and ‘scrolling through old Rihanna tweets’ on my list of Best 2020 Coping Mechanisms led to some deep contemplation. It’s one of the few Burmese restaurants that exists in NYC, its exterior is covered in panels that look like party rentals from the Smithsonian Design Museum, and it managed to open during a global pandemic. But for me, the real draw is its mohinga. This classic noodle soup comes with a giant onion fritter sticking out of it like a bachelor chilling in a warm jacuzzi, and its chewy rice noodles taste like they just rolled down a hill of lemongrass. I think of it as the comforting, well-balanced, and edible antithesis of this incredibly unstable year, and it’s one of my favorite things to eat in Brooklyn.” - Nikko Duren, NYC Editorial Assistant" - team infatuation

"Crown Heights Burmese restaurant Rangoon was in the process of opening, but the coronavirus pandemic put a halt to those plans. Still, after a brief pause in March, the restaurant returned for takeout and delivery and has recently added some outdoor seating as well. Popular items here include the tea leaf salad, the lemongrass fish noodle soup, and the Rangoon chicken curry. The restaurant is open Thursday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for takeout, delivery, and outdoor dining" - Eater Staff

"Lemongrass Fish Noodle Soup Unlike corner delis and 24-hour diners, there isn’t a Burmese restaurant in every NYC neighborhood. Along with Jackson Heights and Forest Hills, Crown Heights is one of the few exceptions to this rule, thanks to Rangoon. While we recommend a lot of other dishes on the menu here, order the lemongrass fish noodle soup on your first visit. It comes in a huge, ceramic bowl full of aromatic broth anchored by a giant, deep-fried onion fritter. It comes with a side of fish sauce and extra chili flakes to kick up the spice." - nikko duren

"When you’re in the mood for Burmese food, head to Rangoon (even if you’re nowhere near Crown Heights). The all-white dining room feels more like a laid-back coffee shop, so it’s a great spot for a casual date, and there’s also some garden seating surrounded by a bamboo fence. When you take your first bite of mohinga with a giant onion fritter, you’ll want to come back as soon as possible. And after tasting the prawns in tomato curry, and the fresh oysters with tamarind mignonette, you’ll want to become a regular." - Kenny Yang, Bryan Kim, Nikko Duren, Hannah Albertine, Matt Tervooren

"The secluded back garden at this fantastic Burmese restaurant in Crown Heights feels a bit more romantic than the stool-clad indoor space. So if _setting the mood_ is important to you, make a reservation for a heated outdoor table. Prioritize Rangoon’s braised pork with garlic sauce and sweet potato as well as the mohinga. This bowl of fish and lemongrass soup (which happens to be the national dish of Burma) will warm you up to the point that you’re able to forgive the Hallmark Gods for deciding that Valentine’s Day should happen in the middle of stupid February.  " - hannah albertine