Burma Burma, Saket, New Delhi Burmese Restaurant

Phone: 011 49145807 / 011 49145808
Address: S 25, Second Floor, A 3, Select Citywalk Mall, Saket, New Delhi
Time: 12 Noon to 11 PM
Meals for two: Rs. 1,500
Cuisines: Asian, Burmese
Facilities: Vegetarian Only, Serves Jain Food
[taq_review]

Burma Burma, Saket, New Delhi: DECOR

This is the second Burma Burma in the NCR. Both outlets have similarities as well as differences: this one has the theme of the various tribes in that country. Wall sculptures, wooden dolls, lacquer and bamboo pagodas that are suspended from the ceiling, have either been sourced from Myanmar or been inspired by it. The result is as brilliant as the Cyber Hub outlet where it is the lone vegetarian restaurant that does not serve alcohol. It is the same in Select Citywalk mall too ­ there is a long wait to bag a table, and though alcohol is not served, nor is meat, you don’t miss them because of all the exotic flavors that are available nowhere else. Restaurateur Ankt Gupta’s mother is from Burma, which used to have a large Indian community from Gujarat, Mumbai and Tamil Nadu. Each community was inspired by Burmese food which co-opted some dishes into their own country’s cuisine. As a result, there are Chinese and Thai influences in that country which is reflected in the menu at Burma Burma.

Burma Burma, Saket, New Delhi: FOOD

The success of this restaurant owes itself to the panoply of flavors available. Some are very familiar; others push your taste-buds to the limit. The staff can help you choose which end of the continuum you are comfortable with. Pickled mustard green and lotus stem soup (Rs. 250) is decidedly unfamiliar which is why it vastly appealed to me. There is a little spice in any of the food, but you are welcome to help yourself to the array of relishes on the table. I had to forcibly stop myself from ordering the tea leaf salad (Rs. 380) which is the most exotic item on the menu, where the raw material is procured from Myanmar, but since I had promised myself to order new dishes this time around, I had guava salad (Rs. 370). The ease with which various ingredients go to form salads in Myanmar is a revelation: crushed peanuts, fried onions and a dash of coarsely pounded chilli powder.

Black sticky rice with black-eyed peas and pickled vegetables (Rs. 390) is filling, light and extremely healthy.

Burma Burma, Saket, New Delhi: PLUS AND MINUS

The noise can reach jet-engine proportions. For an off-the-radar meal which is vegetarian compliant, it is unbeatable.