Fried Shrimp at Dawei Beach

Fried Shrimp at Dawei Beach: The authentic taste of Myanmar's sea you must try

When talking about Myanmar's sea close to local life and genuine seafood flavors, Dawei Beach in Tanintharyi is a destination that mr.hotsia insists you should not miss. Dawei is a small town just a few hours from the Thai border, making travel from Kanchanaburi or Ranong provinces easy. Importantly, you will experience the friendliness of Dawei people who speak a lot of Thai because many young locals have worked in Thailand before.

When mr.hotsia arrived at Dawei Beach, I chose to use a motorcycle taxi service at an affordable price, about 300 baht (10,000 kyat) round trip. The distance from the town is about 15-20 kilometers. Along the way, I stopped at Dawei University to take some photos and enjoy the atmosphere. The beach features clean white sand, clear sea water, and a very shallow shore. At low tide, you have to walk about a hundred meters to swim. Overall, Dawei Beach is more suitable for walking and relaxing than deep-water swimming.

The fried shrimp here is not just ordinary fried shrimp.

What mr.hotsia must praise is the “fried shrimp” at Dawei Beach. Fresh shrimp from Myanmar's sea, not very large but firm meat, crispy outside and tender inside, slightly salty and a bit sweet, carefully fried without oily residue. Served with a spicy-sour-sweet Myanmar-style dipping sauce that amazingly enhances the shrimp's flavor.

By the seaside, there are fresh seafood restaurants where you can chill and enjoy the cool sea breeze. Some places also sell fried fish, grilled squid, and salted fish. But mr.hotsia recommends trying the fried shrimp because this dish truly tells the story of Dawei's sea flavors best. Additionally, there is a “Coconut” restaurant just before the beach on the right side, where I stopped to eat grilled shrimp at 300 baht per kilogram and a medium plate of grilled squid, perfect for those wanting to fully enjoy seafood.

Lifestyle and atmosphere at Dawei Beach

This beach is not as bustling as beaches in big tourist cities but has its own charm. On Dawei holidays, such as the End of Buddhist Lent or Myanmar's Water Festival (April 14-17), families gather to relax and eat seafood simply by the sea. There are shops selling clothes and souvenirs like seashells and handmade crafts, somewhat reminiscent of Bangsaen Beach in the past.

After the beach, locals often visit the Dawei hot springs not far from the beach. Here, there are mineral baths for soaking and fresh water buckets to pour over yourself for relaxation. This is a fascinating blend of nature and culture for rest. mr.hotsia enjoys this because it shows the real lifestyle of Dawei people.

Connecting with Dawei town and local food

Before or after visiting Dawei Beach, don't forget to explore Dawei town. Here you will find the sacred and beautiful Shwe Taung Pagoda and Dawei Market full of fresh produce, seafood, and local vegetables.Vegetable Market, Dawei TownAnother spot mr.hotsia recommends for a stroll.

Food in Dawei town is remarkable. Besides fresh seafood, there is breakfast like mataba, fluffy roti dipped in curry, and fried rice so delicious that mr.hotsia must share.Fried Rice, Dawei BreakfastAlso, Burmese-style noodles sold at fairs and street stalls. If you want to try seafood in a town atmosphere, there isDawei Seafoodavailable at various restaurants, but you need to search a bit because the best places are not very clear yet.

Summary of mr.hotsia's impression of fried shrimp at Dawei Beach

Overall, Dawei Beach is a destination for those who enjoy peace, simple lifestyle, and fresh homemade seafood. Sitting by the sea eating fried shrimp with a cool sea breeze is an experience mr.hotsia wants everyone to try at least once, whether you are a foodie traveler or someone wanting to escape the city's hustle. Also, traveling from Thailand to Dawei is convenient, and many locals speak Thai, making communication easier. For those interested in an in-depth Dawei trip, more information is available atTraveling Dawei Town, Tanintharyi Region on your ownandFood in Tanintharyi Regionwhich mr.hotsia has written about in detail.

Finally, if you are looking for seaside accommodation in Dawei, there are small hotels to choose from. But for mr.hotsia, I prefer staying in Dawei town to experience local life and enjoy morning walks because it offers an authentic Myanmar atmosphere hard to find elsewhere.