Jammed under scafelling of the never-ending construction of the Second Avenue subway sits Cafe Mingala. The restaurant is easy to miss, even with the blue neon light vividly lit calling out, "Burmese Cooking." However, I encourage you to make the effort and pay a visit to New York's only Burmese restaurant. This is not a great restaurant, it has it's flaws, but for twenty-three years it has served some one-of-a-kind dishes found only here, and the place should be cherished as an endangered cuisine to the city which is always sad.

Cafe Mingala has a at atmosphere that feels as if you are stepping back in time. As you enter wind chimes chime, maroon carpeting covers the floor, the banquets are deep with flowery patterns, and most noticeable are the murals of historic and religious sites special to Myanmar which completely wrap around the restaurant. Some will find this kitchy, but I found it quite amazing and wonderful.

A terrific dish to start with and a classic of Burmese cuisine is the Green Tea Salad. Comprised of mango, ginger, sesame seeds, toasted garlic, lettuce, cabbage, peanuts, diced carrots and peppers. I found the dish to have a refreshing and unique taste and texture which had a distinct crunch to it.

The manager of the restaurant Andrew Moo, a native of Yangoon, has been with the restaurant from the very start, he strongly suggested I go with the Banana Leaf Fish entree, the fish being flounder. Here is the photo as presented. I always am one to get excited about a dish wrapped in a banana leaf, just for the visual alone.

And now the opening of the banana leaf, like magic seeing the food inside. I found the dish pretty good, however, I felt the vegetables were somewhat soggy and I was expecting a little more flavorful spice to it.

The murals at Cafe Mingala are both fascinating from the perspective of "learning" more about Myanmar (as they focus on their most cherished sites) and the quality and style of work is excellent. Here is the famous Shwedagon Pagoda located in the capital Yangoon.

Kyaiktiyo Pagoda, also known as the Golden Rock, is one of the most sacred of all Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Located in the Mon state of the country, it is said that a glimpse of the "gravity defying" Golden Rock is enough inspiration for any person to turn to Buddhism. 

The most famous of the Burmese deserts is Thousand Layer Bread  with Sweet Coconut Milk. I am pleased I tried it, but I found the taste just too sweet for me. However, I suggest you try as many people seem to like the dish very much.

Burmese Language lesson - "Hello" (Min-ga la-ba)   "Thank you" (Ce-zu tin-ba-deb)

Interesting fact about Myanmar - Myanmar has 135 ethnic tribes, "Barma" being the largest, making up 68% of the population.

Address - 1393 Second Avenue (72nd - 73rd St)  (212) 744 - 8000