Fort Wayne, Indiana sits at the crossroads of the Rust Belt and the Bible Belt. In recent years it has become home to many Burmese refugees. The largest population outside of Burma. There are several Burmese groceries, a restaurant came and went. But now two new Burmese restaurants are there, making great homecooked foods. MAHNIN ASIAN RESTAURANT on South Calhoun is in a deco era building that for many years housed an auto dealership. The menu is mostly Thai dishes. But if you ask they will give you Burmese dishes. They have more on the weekend. I had an excellent meaty shrimp roll (or “rool” on the menu). Sauteed rice noodles one with vegetables and the other with chicken. A terrific thai green curry shrimp. Fried rice with chicken. All dishes very tasty. Maybe even better on the North Side was YATHAMON ASIAN CUISINE on East State Blvd. occupying the former space of an Ethiopian eatery. They have more Burmese items on their menu and white board (ask for translation). But not to leave that large Eastern continent uncovered they also serve Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Indian. We started with a lemon salad. Unusual, good and dare I say…zesty! Had fried tofu fingers with a sweet dip.They had many Burmese curries available. We had pork with bamboo shoots and Chicken with potato. Both simple and great.
Fried rice with shrimp and sweet sausage was very good.
A shrimp salad was very interesting but to me tasted a bit strange: whole shrimps cooked, in a sharp sour sauce. Ended with: Fantastic rice pudding/gel dessert.
Yathamon Asian was relaxed, informal with owner’s family and kids about and several of the men wore colorful sarongs, and they didn’t mind when we changed the TV channel. The scene would be exotic in NYC in Fort Wayne it was downright surreal. I’m no expert on Burmese food but both these places promise deep authentic cooking. I hope they can survive,
Barry Strugatz | Sep 12, 201007:22 PM
Post Credit – https://www.chowhound.com/post/burmese-food-burmain-fort-wayne-733776
