Shan Rice – Nga Htamin or Rice with Fish

Shan rice is a rice dish that is one of Myanmar's most popular dishes. This Shan (one of the country's main Buddhist ethnic groups) dish, known in Burmese as nga htamin (fish rice), combines rice that has been cooked with turmeric and squashed into a disk with a topping of freshwater fish flakes and garlic oil.

When served with sides of leek roots, raw garlic cloves, and deep-fried pork rinds, nga htamin transforms into a pungent and spicy snack.

Another version of Shan rice is Nga Htamin Chin - rice kneaded into round balls with tomato, potato, and fish. Crisp fried onion in oil, tamarind sauce, coriander, and spring onions, often with garlic, are served on top. As side dishes, there are fried Chinese chives roots (ju myit), fried whole dried chili, grilled dried fermented soya bean cakes, and fried dried tofu snacks.