Behind the Clip of Nong Ngae Thaso Making Pla Som Jo at Indawgyi Lake

Behind the Clip of Nong Ngae Thaso Making Pla Som Jo at Indawgyi Lake, Kachin State

Speaking of Indawgyi Lake in Kachin State, Myanmar, I, mr.hotsia, have a memorable story I want to record. It is an experience with a family I met during my journey here, especially Nong Ngae Thaso, the daughter of the motorbike driver who took me around Indawgyi Lake. The story of Nong Ngae Thaso and the traditional Indawgyi-style Pla Som Jo dish is a deep and fascinating glimpse into life and culture beyond what is seen in short clips online.

While staying at Indaw Mahar Guesthouse in the village of Lone Ton near Indawgyi Lake, I had the chance to walk to the home of the motorbike driver who took me sightseeing. He runs a local food and handicraft shop there, so it was a great opportunity to taste and learn authentic local cooking.

From Catching Fish to Traditional Indawgyi Pla Som Jo

Nong Ngae Thaso is a determined young girl skilled in meticulous cooking. I followed her from the first step of catching fresh fish from Indawgyi Lake, then making Pla Som Jo, locally known as “fish meatballs,” a unique dish in this region.

The process of making Pla Som Jo by Nong Ngae Thaso is not easy. It starts with cleaning and finely scraping the fish meat to get fresh, sticky fish paste. Then it is mixed with local spices and seasoned with a secret recipe passed down through generations. Nong Ngae Thaso says Indawgyi Pla Som Jo has a distinctive fragrant aroma and a perfectly balanced sweet and sour taste when finished.

Life in the Kitchen and the Traditional Beauty of Nong Ngae Thaso

I had the chance to enter the kitchen of the motorbike driver’s home and also visit Nong Ngae Thaso’s room. One thing that impressed me greatly was seeing Nong Ngae Thaso applying traditional thanaka, a natural cosmetic widely used by Burmese people since ancient times. Whether it was the gentle, precise application on her face or the skin care, it all reflected the rare traditional beauty of the local people in today’s world.

Life here remains simple and warm. I sat down to eat with this family in a garden home surrounded by nature near the peaceful and truly beautiful Indawgyi Lake.

Indawgyi Lake Through the Eyes of mr.hotsia

Indawgyi Lake itself is an interesting place full of cultural and natural diversity. Traveling here is no longer difficult as roads in Kachin State have been continuously improved (read more inTravel to Indawgyi Lake, Kachin State)

I chose to get off at Hopin, where buses from Yangon arrive early in the morning. There is a pleasant morning market and local food to try. Then I took a shared truck to Indawgyi Lake, about a 1.5-hour journey to a guesthouse and homestay managed by local soldiers. Despite some safety restrictions, it was a great chance to experience the real life of the Kachin people.

Local Food Experience and Connected Journeys

Eating local food in Myanmar is quite charming, especially in Kachin State where fresh ingredients create diverse dishes. I learned that the Pla Som Jo made by Nong Ngae Thaso is completely different from street food in Mandalay or Yangon (recommended readingMandalay CuisineandAmarapura Food, Mandalay)

After experiencing life and food at Indawgyi Lake, I continued to Myitkyina, an important stop before heading north to Mitzon, the source of the Irrawaddy River (read moreTravel to MyitkyinaandExploring the Irrawaddy River Source, Myitkyina, Kachin State)

Closing Thoughts from mr.hotsia

Meeting Nong Ngae Thaso and her family at Indawgyi Lake made me realize that travel is not just about seeing new places but about experiencing the real lives of the people there. Watching the traditional process of making Pla Som Jo or seeing Nong Ngae Thaso gently apply thanaka created deep and valuable memories beyond just images or short clips on social media.

For anyone interested in truly experiencing Kachin life, I recommend planning a trip to Indawgyi Lake and nearby towns. Don’t forget to try Nong Ngae Thaso’s homemade Pla Som Jo for a unique taste and experience hard to find elsewhere.

Finally, mr.hotsia emphasizes that the best travel is about experiencing the lifestyles and stories of the people we meet at each place, as that is the true essence of “travel with satisfaction.”