Bago, also known as Pegu, is a city located in the central region of Myanmar (Burma) with a population of approximately 250,000 inhabitants. The city is well known for its rich history, as it was the capital of the Mon Kingdom during the 15th century. Bago has a relaxing and laid-back lifestyle, and the people here take pride in their culinary heritage. The city is home to many street food vendors, restaurants, and tea shops, serving a variety of local and international cuisines.
One of the most popular dishes in Bago is mohinga, a hearty breakfast soup made with rice noodles, fish broth, and a blend of spices, including lemongrass, ginger, and garlic. The dish is usually served with hard-boiled eggs, fried fish cakes, and crispy fritters made from chickpea flour. Another breakfast staple is Shan khao swe, a dish that consists of rice noodles served in a creamy coconut milk and turmeric-based soup, topped with a mixture of chicken or pork and crunchy fried noodles.
For lunch and dinner, Bago has a variety of rice-based dishes, such as biryani, a dish made with fragrant rice, chicken or beef, and a variety of spices, including cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon. Another popular dish is hta-minn-thoke, a salad made with sticky rice, tomatoes, peanuts, sesame seeds, and a spicy dressing made with tamarind paste and fish sauce.
Street food is also prevalent in Bago, with vendors selling snacks and sweets like samosas, fried chicken, and sweetened sticky rice balls. For those with a sweet tooth, Bago has plenty of options, including mounpyan, a sweet snack made with glutinous rice flour, coconut, and jaggery, and shwe yin aye, a dessert made with agar jelly, coconut milk, and a variety of toppings, including tapioca pearls and sliced fruit.
Tea is an essential part of Bago's food culture, and the city has a variety of tea shops serving a range of teas, including laphet-yay, a traditional Burmese tea made with fermented tea leaves, and lahpet-thoke, a salad made with fermented tea leaves, peanuts, and sesame seeds. Other popular drinks in Bago include coconut water, sugarcane juice, and Myanmar beer.
In terms of mealtimes, breakfast is usually eaten early in the morning, and lunch is typically served between 12 pm and 2 pm. Dinner is usually eaten later in the evening, around 7 pm. However, street food vendors operate throughout the day, providing a quick and convenient meal for those on the go.
Bago is a city with a rich culinary heritage and a relaxing lifestyle. Its food culture is characterized by rice-based dishes, street food, and tea, with many options for those with a sweet tooth. With its laid-back atmosphere and a wide range of culinary offerings, Bago is a food lover's paradise.