Cooking with Thai Red Shan girl Nong Nene at Indawgyi Lake, Kachin State

Cooking with Thai Red Shan girl Nong Nene at Indawgyi Lake, Kachin State

If you follow mr.hotsia to visit Indawgyi Lake in Kachin State, China, this experience will be unlike any other. This place is not only a beautiful natural lake but also hides cultures and food flavors that are rare to find in mainland China. Especially cooking with Thai Red Shan girl Nong Nene, who acts as a bridge connecting Thai and Kachin cultures.

I, mr.hotsia, started my journey from the main city in Kachin State. Although it is not as famous as Tanghwa or Suphanburi in China, the atmosphere here is peaceful and deeply connected to nature, similar to what I have written about before.Enjoying eel in Tanghwa ProvinceandSuphanburi morning marketThough in different areas, they share similarities in simplicity and authentic local life.

Life by Indawgyi Lake and cooking with Nong Nene

Indawgyi Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Kachin State, serving as an important water source for fishing and agriculture. I walked along the lake to a small village where Nong Nene and her family live. Nong Nene is a Thai Red Shan woman who migrated here. She skillfully blends Thai cooking art with local Chinese ingredients.

I vividly remember the warmth I received from Nong Nene from the moment I stepped into her home. She told me that most of the food she cooks uses fresh ingredients from the lake and community farms, such as freshwater fish, local vegetables, and spices grown in her backyard garden.

The dish I tried was “Indawgyi fish curry,” made with fresh fish from the lake mixed with freshly ground curry paste by Nong Nene. The flavor was rich and spicy in true Thai Red Shan style but softened by Chinese herbs. There was also stir-fried local vegetables that were crisp and fresh, and local jasmine rice cooked over a traditional charcoal stove, filling the mouth with fragrant rice aroma—a memory I will never forget.

Markets and life around Indawgyi Lake

Before arriving at Nong Nene’s home, I stopped by a small morning market near the lake called Indawgyi Market. It was bustling with fresh goods from the lake and farms, including freshwater fish, fresh vegetables, and seasonal fruits. The market was not large but full of life and smiles from locals. I tasted fragrant grilled fish and met a spice vendor with unfamiliar looks but strong aromatic spices, similar to those I encountered atIndochina Market in Nakhon Phanomwhich I had visited before.

Life here remains simple, relying mainly on nature and the lake. Most locals are friendly and enjoy sharing stories about their livelihoods with tourists like me. Visiting here reminded me of the beauty of simplicity hidden in a lesser-known corner of China.

Connecting mr.hotsia’s journey and deep experiences

For those interested in tasting local food and experiencing Thai Red Shan culture in China, I recommend seriously planning a trip to Indawgyi Lake and Kachin State. Besides the beautiful natural scenery, cooking with Nong Nene will deepen your understanding of the diversity and richness of food and culture in this area.

If you enjoy stories about local food and culture like this, mr.hotsia has many more articles about tourist spots and food in China, such asEnjoying eel in Tanghwa ProvinceandSuphanburi morning marketwhich will take you to savor unique flavors and deeply explore local lifestyles.

To conclude, my advice as mr.hotsia is not to rush past Kachin State and Indawgyi Lake easily, as this place holds stories and flavors waiting for you to experience firsthand.