What to see in Yangon, Myanmar: Part 3 Scott’s Market and Delicious Food Stalls

One the main places you have to stop by and visit while in Yangon is the Bogyoke Aunt San Market aka Scott’s Market. Located in central Yangon and recognizable by it’s colonial architecture this bazaar has anything and everything you want. It’s open 6 days a week and closed on Monday. Originally built in the late 1920s and named after a British official it later changed its name after Myanmar gained independence in the late 1940s and named after a Burmese general.

This is the place to find souvenirs and other items but I really liked the food court here. I wandered around here for a couple of hours but as soon smelled the various flavors I ended up spending most of my time at the food stalls. It was here that I got introduced to mohinka, a noodle soup with awesome flavors. It was very inexpensive and probably could have had three or four bowls if I tried. It’s also just a great area to people watch. When I was there I saw the young nuns and monks solicit donations while there. I didn’t realize that they are required to go into the community and seek donations until my tour guide told me.

The other places to check out are the various food stalls along the Hlaing River on Strand Road. Originally, food vendors set up their tiny stalls with plastic tables and chairs wherever there was room in the city. My tour guide told me it got so out of hand that traffic was being blocked and parking was impossible to find. The city officials decided to crack down on this and just designate special food vendor zones. There are small pockets of vendors near the City Hall but the bulk of food vendors are along the riverbank.

I saw hundreds of vendors showing their goods on display and the smells and aromas were amazing. I even tried eating some deep fried tree worm with my tour guide. He told me he never tried it and I said if he tries it then so would I. Luckily, there wasn’t much taste to it except the peanut oil it was fried in. I had no worry about getting sick from the food offered here since most of the food was fresh. Don’t expect the fine dining experience here since you’re eating on lawn furniture here. The service is adequate so don’t expect anything more, just go there for the food, the busy atmosphere, and people watching.

Bon apetit and happy traveling!