19th Street Food Market

Overview

19th Street in Yangon's Chinatown transforms each evening into a vibrant open-air food market, with dozens of stalls grilling skewers, frying noodles, and serving ice-cold Myanmar beer in tiny plastic chairs. It's the most atmospheric dining street in the city and an essential Yangon experience — the energy, aromas, and flavours capture the essence of the city's street-food culture.

Highlights

• BBQ Skewers: The street is famous for grilled meats, seafood, and vegetables cooked over charcoal right at your table.
• Myanmar Beer Garden: Tiny plastic tables spill onto the road — sit down and a server appears with cold beer instantly.
• Chinatown Atmosphere: Neon signs, steam, shouting vendors, and the buzz of a city eating outdoors.

History

19th Street has been a centre of Yangon's Chinese community since the colonial period. The food stalls evolved organically over decades as families set up small cooking operations on the pavement each evening. The street has become increasingly popular with tourists since Myanmar opened to international visitors in the 2010s.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Arrive by 5:30 PM to snag a table — the street fills up fast during peak season.
• Tip 2: Try the grilled river prawns and the Shan noodle soup — local favorites.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.