What's up Yangon!
Irene Wong
The art scene in Yangon is changing fast as the positive reactions from the recent election that majority public has chosen Aung San Suu Kyi as the next new leader of Myanmar. Tea shops and food stalls on the streets are occupied with more young office workers and no longer just hanging out. New sky highways are being built and major expansion from the international airports in Yangon to northern Myanmar in progress since my last visit in 2011.
Here are some of the galleries I have visited on this trip.
Art Scene and Gallery update:
Golden Valley Art Gallery, No. 54/D, Golden Valley, Bahan Township
Pansodan Gallery, 286 Pansodan Road
Law Ka Nat Art Gallery is also nearby at Pansodan at the lower level
Nyein Chan Su painter, his studio gallery in the Pearl condo complex, Gallery 31
KZL Gallery: Khin Zaw Latt - is eponymous, internationally well known artist of this gallery consist of contemporary drawings.
Gallery 65 at 65 Yaw Min Gyi St. Room 304, Building 20B, Yaw Min Gyi Road, Dagon Township.
Newly release book on democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi
Excellent old and new restaurants are popping up; especially downtown of Yangon since my last visit four years ago. New downtown restaurants Rangoon Tea House, great expat hangout in a spacious loft like atmosphere with tasty Burmese tea and traditional dishes that I grew up with. Located right above Sharky's, another great hangout for wealthy locals and tourists who have enough Burmese curries. They offer great wood oven pizza, local cheese and charcuterie.
Green Gallery (Thai) and Tin Tin (Mexican) are refreshing and good value.
The new Le Planteur is still in a beautiful setting and has an incredible wine cellar. It is in a larger location now. French Style - Best Wines in beautiful villa on Inya Lake.
Feel Myanmar (very popular-owned by a Karen Family) not air conditioned but clean and energetic with young professional crowd! There are a few Feel restaurants. 124 Pyi Htaing Su Yeikhtar Street (near the Chinese Embassy).
Lucky Seven early morning for Mohinga and breakfast stuff. Many ethnic restaurants are popping up. Shan Yoe Yar restaurant. Great Shan food! In a setting of an old colonial home. We had fish with crispy fish meat, chayote gourd tender shoots stir fry with garlic was excellent, pork belly Shan style with pickle mustard green.
Minn Lan, traditional hand-pressed Monti and fresh seafood restaurant. Rakhine region is known for their seafood and beautiful beaches. Squid salad, eggplant with Ngapi and dried fish, and wild boar curry.. 16 Parami Road, Mayangone
My morning bowl of Mohinga with a wafer thin lentil fritter
If you have an afternoon free, there are many incredible old colonial buildings exist from the British era. Book ahead 2 hour walk with one of the knowledgeable staff from Yangon Heritage Trust to visit some heritage preserved buildings. 22-24 (First Floor), Pansodan Street (lowest block) Kyauktada Township.
Min Nanda Road, Dawbon township
114 Nandawon Street, Bahan, Yangon
Just re-opened after renovation - go have a look! Love their tea-time menu with great Burmese treats or have a drink there.
Japanese fusion downtown on Merchant at Pansodan (Phuong & Sean from Q Bar Hoi An liked this place!)
New Hang Out with roof garden - downtown - very popular
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