Myitkyina 11: Eh, Kachin Noodles with Cut Boiled Egg!! eating local noodle Myitkyina

Myitkyina 11: Eh, Kachin Noodles with Cut Boiled Egg!!

When talking about Myitkyina, the capital city of Kachin State in northern Myanmar, many might think of the upper Irrawaddy River or the beautiful natural scenery. But for mr.hotsia, one thing that impressed me just as much was tasting “Kachin noodles” served with “cut boiled egg,” a local specialty I have never encountered anywhere else.

Arriving in Myitkyina, it must be said that this city is where the Mali Hka and N'Mai Hka rivers converge to form the headwaters of the Irrawaddy River, which flows through Myanmar all the way to the Andaman Sea (read more aboutKachin State). Mr.hotsia arrived in Myitkyina in the morning, hungry, and the first thing I thought of was simple local food with a unique cultural flavor.

Kachin noodles with cut boiled egg, a simple dish full of flavor

Kachin noodles here are unlike the noodles we are familiar with in Thailand or even Yangon. The broth is rich but not overly salty. The noodles are thin rice flour noodles served with animal offal and fresh local vegetables. What makes this noodle dish special is the “cut boiled egg” — soft-boiled eggs cut into thick pieces mixed into the broth before eating, adding richness and smoothness to this simple bowl of noodles.

I walked into a small alley by the roadside in Myitkyina to a small bustling noodle shop where the sounds of Kachin and Burmese languages mixed. I ordered a bowl of noodles with cut boiled egg and sipped hot green tea at this small shop. This atmosphere made me feel welcomed into the real life of the Kachin people, not just a passing tourist.

Life by the Irrawaddy River and traveling in Myitkyina

After recharging with Kachin noodles and cut boiled egg, I spent time walking along the Irrawaddy River, Myanmar’s main river with great cultural and economic significance. This river originates from the confluence of the Mali Hka and N'Mai Hka rivers near Myitkyina (read more details inKachin State)

). The riverside atmosphere is filled with locals making a living — fishing, transporting goods by boat between villages, and washing clothes in the river — scenes that made me feel this way of life continues simply and closely connected to nature.

For traveling in Myitkyina, I recommend renting a motorcycle from your hotel for about 350 baht per day. Don’t forget to wear a helmet every time because the roads in town and rural areas have dust and potholes. Riding a motorcycle is the most convenient and flexible way to explore the city and nearby villages such as Myitsone, the confluence point of the Irrawaddy headwaters about 40 kilometers away.

Connecting food and cultural experiences in Myanmar

If you are a food lover like me who enjoys tasting local dishes in every city you visit, Myitkyina and Kachin State have much to discover, just like what I found inBagan, Paganwith its diverse Myanmar cuisine and interesting local noodle shops, or even the riverside market in Pathein along the Irrawaddy River filled with fresh produce and local foods (see more information inIrrawaddy Riverside Market in Pathein)

). Additionally, experiencing Kachin culture and the Irrawaddy basin up close at Indawgyi Lake, which is important to the ecosystem and local communities, is another impressive experience (read the story atIndawgyi)

Final thoughts on flavors and memories

Myitkyina is not just the starting point of the great Irrawaddy River but also a city full of local charm worth exploring — from riverside lifestyles, local dishes like Kachin noodles with cut boiled egg, to the warmth of the people here. I, mr.hotsia, invite everyone to visit Myitkyina at least once, and you will realize that northern Myanmar has stories waiting for you to experience.

Finally, if you want to see the full atmosphere and how to eat Kachin noodles with cut boiled egg, you can click to watch the videoMyitkyina 11: Eh, Kachin Noodles with Cut Boiled Egg!! eating local noodle Myitkyinawhere I detail the atmosphere and flavors.