Very large Burmese salted snakehead fish at Indawgyi Lake, Kachin State, Myanmar (Indawgyi Lake Kachin Myanmar)

Very large Burmese salted snakehead fish at Indawgyi Lake, Kachin State, Myanmar

When talking about Myanmar, many people probably think of Bagan, ancient pagodas, or distinctive flavorful food. But for me, mr.hotsia, the journey toIndawgyi LakeinKachin Stateopened a new world of food and nature that I had never experienced before.

Indawgyi Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Southeast Asia, spanning over 13 kilometers wide and 24 kilometers long. Visitors here will find beautiful scenery surrounded by more than 20 Tai Yai and Kachin villages. Although remote, the locals maintain a traditional lifestyle living harmoniously with nature.

I arrived at Indawgyi Lake early in the morning, driving about 3-4 hours from Myitkyina. The route is not easy, but if you have read my travel experiences inKachin Stateyou will understand that this area is full of complex mountains and underdeveloped roads.

My main purpose here was the “Burmese salted snakehead fish,” a local delicacy that is very hard to find in Myanmar. Indawgyi Lake is the largest production area for salted snakehead fish in this state. The fish here are very large, much bigger than those I have seen in markets in Myanmar and neighboring countries.

The locals I spoke with said that salted snakehead fish enhances the flavor of various local dishes, whether boiled, curried, or stir-fried with chili. The salted snakehead fish from Indawgyi has a balanced salty taste, not too strong, and a unique aroma from their traditional fermentation method.

At the lakeside market, I saw large salted snakehead fish laid out in rows. The fish were as big as a grown person's palm, with a fragrant salty smell from afar. I tried it fresh; the first taste was slightly salty, followed by the gentle sweetness of the fish meat and a slight crispness unlike any salted snakehead fish I have tasted before.

Additionally, locals prepare various local dishes with salted snakehead fish, such as salted snakehead fish curry with local vegetables or stir-fried salted snakehead fish with dried chili. What impressed me most was the crispy fried salted snakehead fish served with hot steamed rice—so delicious it almost took my breath away.

I strolled around Indawgyi Lake, seeing locals fishing with traditional methods and Shan and Kachin children playing happily in the water. Life here remains simple and peaceful, very different from the tourist cities I have visited.

For those interested in nature and wanting to experience Kachin State’s culture, this is a destination not to be missed. mr.hotsia recommends renting a boat from the riverside village to admire the lake’s beauty and spot rare birds Indawgyi is famous for, such as the Oriental Darter and Greylag Goose, which locals say visit during the winter season.

For traveling toIndawgyiit is recommended to prepare well regarding routes and accommodation, as there are no luxurious lodgings yet. However, the atmosphere here will make you forget any hardships immediately.

If you have enough time, don’t forget to visit the source of the Irrawaddy River at Myitsone, not far from here. I have shared my experience in the articleTraveling to the Source of the Irrawaddy River, Myitkyina, Kachin Statewhich is another place that impressed me greatly with its nature and local lifestyle.

Finally, for food lovers, Myanmar is not just about curry or butter tea. AtIndawgyi Lakeyou will get to try large, flavorful salted snakehead fish, a unique charm of this area that I, mr.hotsia, guarantee you won’t find anywhere else.

I want everyone to experience it for themselves, and you will realize that Myanmar is not just about pagodas or big cities but also small corners full of charm and new flavors waiting to be discovered.