Must-Try Foods In Snake Monastery (Bago) For Tourists 2026 - 2027

Food History of Snake Monastery, Bago, Myanmar

The Snake Monastery, more formally known as the Hmwe Paya, is a temple located in Bago, Myanmar, that is housing a large Burmese python which is believed to be a reincarnation of a famous monk. The religious and cultural beliefs of the people in Bago, including those associated with the Snake Monastery, are closely tied with the food traditions of the region. Bago's food history is rich with influences from Mon, Burmese, Indian, and Chinese cuisines, reflecting the various ethnic groups and historical eras that have shaped Myanmar.

Traditional Myanmar cuisine is known for its diverse flavors and use of fresh ingredients, particularly rice, fish, legumes, vegetables, and a variety of pastes and sauces. While there is no specific dish exclusively associated with the Snake Monastery, meals served within this sacred space are likely to follow the principles of Buddhist cuisine, which often emphasizes vegetarian choices and sometimes excludes pungent ingredients like garlic and onions during religious observances.

Must Try Top 10 Food Dishes in Snake Monastery, Bago, Myanmar

1. Mohinga – A savory fish soup that is considered the national dish of Myanmar; typically contains rice noodles in a rich, flavorful broth (non-veg).
2. Tea Leaf Salad (Laphet Thoke) – A unique salad made from fermented tea leaves, mixed with a variety of nuts, seeds, and peas (veg).
3. Shan Noodles – Originating from the Shan state, these are rice noodles served with a tasty mix of chicken or pork and tomatoes (non-veg).
4. Tohu Nway – A Shan tofu dish made from chickpea flour, served warm and soft, often in soup or salad (veg).
5. Burmese Curry – Slow-cooked, aromatic curries typically served with a selection of side dishes and condiments; can be made with vegetables or meat (veg/non-veg).
6. Samusa Thoke – A Burmese salad made with samosas, cabbage, and a variety of spices, sometimes including lentils and potatoes (veg).
7. Onnokauswe – A coconut milk noodle soup that's thicker than Mohinga, usually including chicken (non-veg).
8. Myanmar Sweet Snacks (Mont) – Various traditional sweets usually made from ingredients such as rice flour, palm sugar, and coconut (veg).
9. Buddha Jumps Over the Wall Soup – A dish consisting of various ingredients like vegetables, mushrooms, and potentially seafood (non-veg).
10. Vegetarian Thali – A platter with an assortment of vegetarian curries, vegetables, and rice that’s available in many Burmese Indian restaurants (veg).

Top Famous Restaurants in Snake Monastery, Bago, Myanmar with Address and Famous Food

1. San Francisco Restaurant
   Address: Oak Pho Su Road, Bago
   Famous Dish: Shan Noodles (non-veg)
2. Han Thar Gardens Restaurant
   Address: Hanthawaddy Nandawun, Bago
   Famous Dish: Burmese Curry (veg/non-veg)
3. Queen Restaurant
   Address: 16/17 Highway Road, Bago
   Famous Dish: Tea Leaf Salad (Laphet Thoke) (veg)
4. Royal Taste Restaurant
   Address: Pagoda Road, Bago
   Famous Dish: Myanmar Sweet Snacks (Mont) (veg)
5. Food Village
   Address: Yangon – Mandalay Highway, Near Bago
   Famous Dish: Onnokauswe (non-veg)

Note: The availability of specific dishes and their ingredients can vary depending on the restaurant and the season. It’s advised to check directly with the restaurants for their current menus and to make any necessary dietary requests.