Myanmore Magazine - No.27/ January 2019

No. 27 /January 2019 It’s free!

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REBUILDING THE FUTURE AN EXCLUSIVE LOOK AT 3 OF YANGON’S MOST EXCITING RESTORATION PROJECTS FOR 2019

No.27 / January 2019

magazine Managing Director Andreas Sigurdsson Managing Editor Issy D’Arcy Clark Junior Editor Min Ye Kyaw Cover Photo Naing Wai Thaw Photography Angel Ko Ko Thet Oo Maung Intern Jessica Liang Contributors Baelachaung Jochen Meissner Edwin Briels Illustration Ben Hopkins

14 What’s On 6

Art & Production Kyaw Kyaw Tun War War Lwin

Eat & Drink Tipsy 33 New openings 34

Rangoon Rhythm 36 Tech Talk/ Ethnic Recipe 37

The Tea Shop 10

Publisher MYANMORE Magazine Pyit Thiri Thaw Lychee Ventures (Myanmar) Limited Permit No. 01588

Cover Story Rebuilding for the Future 14

Printer For All Printing House

Cinema 8

Features 10 New Year Resolutions for Yangonites According to Baelachaung 12 The Burmese Bookshelf 22

Sales & Advertising sales@myanmore.com 0977 900 3701 / 3702

Travel The 2019 Travel Planner 24 Cycling the Southern Beaches 26 Q&A Jean Marc Lemmery 28

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About Myanmore Myanmore is a registered brand under Lychee Ventures (Myanmar) Limited providing digital and print publishing as well as creative services. Myanmore is managing the leading online city guide www.myanmore.com and printed publications Weekly Guide, EnjoyIt, KnowIt. We also work closely with the team of DRIVE, the first and only premium car magazine in Myanmar.

Recently, we have launched application Sarmal (for finding restaurant & bars in Myanmar). The mission is to provide great content and experiences for residents in Myanmar.

Disclaimer No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior written permission from Myanmore. All details are deemed correct at the time of print. The editor, employees and contributors cannot be held responsible for any errors, inaccuracies or omissions that may occur. www.myanmore.com www.facebook.com/myanmore www.issuu.com/myanmore Follow us on Instagram and Viber.

What's on

Nightlife

Blues JAM at YY 17th January

dive right in the pool starting from 2pm!! Bottle package is available to enjoy with your friends.. Buy tickets now at 09-251185976 or via Facebook Messenger.

The first Blues Jam of 2019. Bring your instruments, or simply come and listen to the monthly Blues Jam night with Misnomer. Happy Hour is from 5pm - 7pm and the jaming starts from 7pm until late. For table reservations contact 01 255 131.

Novotel Yangon Max - No.459, Pyay Rd, Kamaryut Tsp, Yangon | 2pm - 8pm

YangonYangon - No.339, Bo Gyoke Aung San Rd, Kyauktada Tsp, Yangon | From 7pm

Saturday and Sunday

SamRaz Live Music 19th January Head to Atlas to hear SamRaz Music play Latin and jazzy vibes throughout the evening. SamRaz Music create some of the most exotic music to take you on a trip around the world.

For table reservations contact 09 767 419413.

Atlas Rooftop Bar & Lounge - No.84, Pan Hlaing Rd, Sanchaung Tsp, Yangon | 8pm - 11pm

Happy Hour

Rock Hours at Hard Rock Hard Rock’s Rock Hours is back.

Starting from 1st January 2019, every Sunday to Saturday is their night to rock. From 4pm to 7pm and 10pm to 11pm experience buy-one-get-onefree for selected drinks.

19th January

The wait is almost over. Get ready to join the Green Gallery in celebrating 5 years on January 19th. For all friends, GG will be celebrating in style – on the river, as the sun sets, with delicious Thai BBQ and the best music in town.

Come share the love. Tickets cost 25,000Ks and include food and a GG&T or beer. The on-board bar will serve up whatever drinks you wish for.

RSVP 09 975212791.

Botahtaung Jetty - No.6, Botahtaung Jetty, near Botahtaung Pagoda, Seikkan Tsp, Yangon | 4:30pm - 8:30pm

Festivals

MakerFest Myanmar Yangon MakerFest Myanmar is a celebration of creativity and innovation. The one-day festival will be full of activities, including a competition, exhibitions and workshops. With initial registration, the free workshops are available for you to learn about 3-D printing, coding, DIY skills and more.

A robotic competition will also be there, bringing you excitement and inspiration.

American Center New Yangon - Corner Of Inya Rd and University Avenue Rd, Kamaryut Tsp, Yangon | 9am - 5pm

Business

Joint European Chambers Networking 16th January

Sunset Beach Party

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Invest Myanmar Summit 2019 28th and 29th January

Art & Stage

Myanmar National Symphony Orchestra with Japan Concert 2019 18th January Myanmar National Symphony Orchestra and Japan Concert are performing on January 18 2019.

For people who love to experience classical music, this will be a great chance. The growing orchestra will perform serious pieces like Na Pan San and Shwe Bo That Nat Khaw as well as Western and Japan songs too.

National Theatre Yangon - Myo Ma Kyaung Rd, Dagon Tsp, Yangon | 6pm - 11pm

Automobile Designed to provide international and local investors with the opportunity to discover the business potential and improving investment climate in Myanmar, Invest Myanmar Summit is a collaboration between the Union Government of Myanmar, the Region States of Myanmar and the business community to create a platform for businesses to meet. Regional Government officials will also be able to showcase business potential in their own States.

Myanmar International Convention Centre 2 (MICC-2) - Maha Thukha Road, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar | 10am - 2pm

Myanmar Electric Power Conference and Exhibition 2019 17th and 18th January The Electric Power Exhibition and Conference 2019 will showcase the latest products and technologies in the power industry that are much in demand in the region. This event can help you raise your company’s profile and stay ahead in competition in the Myanmar market, which has one of the fastest-growing power market in Southeast Asia.

CarsDB Auto Show Reloaded 2019 19th - 21st January The biggest and most exciting CarsDB Auto Show is back. As the biggest online automobile platform in Myanmar, CarsDB brings the most exciting auto show for car enthusiasts, potential buyers and businesses.

The ONE Entertainment Park - Paw San Hmwe Street, ThinganGyun Tsp, Yangon | 10am - 8pm

Yangon International Motor Show 23rd - 27th January The upcoming Yangon International Motor Show 2019 will be held at Yangon Convention Center and is brought to you by GPI Myanmar Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS).

BIMS is one of the most popular annual auto shows in the world featuring world’s top automotive brands. This year BIMS celebrates its 40th Anniversary.

Yangon Convention Center - No.37, Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon | 10am - 8pm

Sule Shangri-La Hotel - No.223, Sule Pagoda Rd, Kyauktada Tsp, Yangon | 9am - 5pm

19th January Time to get yourself into flow of live DJ by the pool! Sunset view and amazing game activities will keep you alive for a while. Get ready with swimsuit to

Le Cellier - 14th floor of Novotel Yangon Max, No.459, Pyay Rd, Kamaryut Tsp, Yangon | 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Hard Rock Yangon - No.192, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Myanmar Plaza, 4th Floor, Bahan Tsp, Yangon | 4pm - 7pm and 10pm - 11pm

26th January

GG’s 5th Anniversary

edition of Joint European Chambers Networking event. Join them on this special occasion for a relaxing evening with premium canapés and drinks at the pool area of the Novotel and meet member states ambassadors, trade counselors, business leaders and professionals. For ticket information please contact 09 42545 0546.

The 7 European Chambers are pleased to invite you to the second MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

Promotion

The Big Bad Wolf Book Sale 18th - 28th January

The Big Bad Wolf Book Sale is coming to Myanmar and with 1 million books in store, it is the world’s biggest book sale. Not only are all the books available at discounts of 50% to 90%, they are also brand new. And that’s not all, the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale is open 24 hours, so you can come at any time you like to get the books you want.

Myanmar Event Park - Min Dhamma Rd, Mayangone Tsp, Yangon | All day

International Buffet Dinner Sunday and Thursday Dinners are better when shared with your loved ones, so why not take advantage of the Melia’s New Year Promotion? For bookings or more information, please contact 01 9345000.

Wine Free Flow Week

Birth-Month Promotion

18th, 19th, 25th and 26th January

If you are born in January come to Park Royal and dine at the buffet dinner for free while bringing loved ones. Call 01250388 to book.

As well as tasting simply delicious hot pot, meet marvelous French wines at the Wine Free Flow Week. In the evenings of Friday and Saturday, you are invited to participate to be served wine while having your dinner from 6pm to 8pm. Don’t miss the chance to chill at Four Seasons Steamboat Restaurant to enjoy the pleasure of luxurious French wines with flavorsome hot pot. Please call 09 451083777or 09 441169866 for reservations.

Four Seasons Steamboat Restaurant - No.18, Waizayandar Rd, In front of JD pool Company, Yangon | 6pm - 8pm

Park Royal Hotel - No.33, Alan Pya Pagoda Rd, Dagon Tsp, Yangon | All Day

Thai Yum Weekend Buffet Every Saturday

Staycation

Staycation at Esperado Lake View Hotel January Kick off 2019 the right way by enjoying a 20% discount offer at Esperado Lake View Hotel. Use the promo code NY19 to book your stay.

Esperado Lake View Hotel - No.23, Kan Yeik Thar Rd, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Tsp, Yangon | All Day

Enjoy a Thai Yum buffet featuring a live cooking station and many other tantalizing dishes. For reservations please call 01 211 888.

Summit Park View Hotel - No.350, Ahlone Rd, Ahlone Tsp, Yangon | 6:30pm - 10pm

Sedona Birthday Promotion Celebrate your birthday in January with a bang at the Sedona Hotel.

Treat your family and friends with Sedona’s awesome up to 50% birthday promotion. For reservations call 01 860 5377.

Sedona Hotel - No. 1, Kaba Aye Pagoda Rd, Yankin Tsp, Yangon | All day

Melia Yangon - No.192, Kabaraye Pagoda Rd, Bahan Tsp, Yangon | 6pm - 10pm

Wine & Cheese Soiree 17th January If you enjoy good wine and cheese, this month’s event is brought to you by Thee Wine. Experience a delicious selection of cheeses, cold cuts and wine in the relaxed setting of Veranda Bar. There will be a over 30 international cheeses including raclette, scraped fresh from the grill to freshly baked bread, and some wonderful cured meats, along with groovy tunes. Pre-booked tickets cost $22 and tickets on the door will cost $ 26.

Rose Garden Hotel - 177, Upper Pansodan Rd, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Tsp, Yangon | 6pm - 9pm MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

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Cinema Cinemas

Now Showing How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World Animation, Adventure When Hiccup discovers that Toothless isn’t the only Night Fury, he must seek a secret dragon utopia, The Hidden World, before a hired tyrant named Grimmel finds it first.

Cast: Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, America Ferrera, Gerard Butler and more.

Coming The Possession of Hannah Grace Mystery, Thriller A shocking exorcism spirals out of control, claiming the life of a young woman. Months later, morgue worker Megan Reed takes delivery of a disfigured cadaver during the graveyard shift. Locked inside the basement corridors, Megan’s terrifying visions soon lead her to believe that the body is possessed by a demonic force.

Mary Poppins Returns Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Glass Fantasy, Mystery

Now an adult with three children, bank teller Michael Banks learns that his house will be repossessed in five days unless he can pay back a loan. His only hope is to find a missing certificate that shows proof of valuable shares that his father left him years earlier.

Just as all seems lost, Michael and his sister receive the surprise of a lifetime when Mary Poppins, the beloved nanny from their childhood, arrives to save the day and take the Banks family on a magical, fun-filled adventure.

Bruce Willis returns as David Dunn from Unbreakable and Samuel L. Jackson stars as Elijah Price, aka Mr. Glass, joining James McAvoy, reprising his role from Split as Kevin Wendell Crumb and the multiple identities who reside within. Following the conclusion of Split, Glass finds Dunn pursuing Crumb’s superhuman figure of The Beast in a series of escalating encounters, while the shadowy presence of

Cast: Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw & more.

Replicas Thriller, Fantasy

Price emerges as an orchestrator who holds secrets critical to both men.

Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, James McAvoy, Anya Taylor‑Joy, Bruce Willis, Sarah Paulson, Spencer Treat Clark & more.

Zero Comedy, Drama, Romance The story revolves around Bauua Singh (Shah Rukh Khan), a vertically challenged man, who is full of charm and wit, with a pinch of arrogance.

Born to a wealthy family and raised in an environment of affluence, he is challenged to broaden his horizon and find purpose in life.

Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma, Katrina Kaif & more.

A brilliant neuroscientist who is working on re-creating the human brain for Alzheimer’s research uses his work to replicate his family members after they’re killed in a car accident.

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Alice Eve, Emily Alyn Lind, Thomas Middleditch & more.

Cast: Shay Mitchell, Grey Damon, Kellan Lutz, Kirby Johnson & more.

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MYANMORE magazine #26 December 2018

Simmba Drama, Action Simmba is an orphan from Shivgadh from where our beloved Singham was born and raised. Contrary to the philosophies of Singham, Simmba believes that a Corrupt Officer’s life is an ideal life which inspires him to become one. While Simmba enjoys all the perks of being an immoral and unethical Police Officer, a twist in the tale transforms him and forces him to choose the righteous path.

Cast: Ranveer Singh, Sara Ali Khan, Ajay Devgn & more.

MYANMORE magazine #26 December 2018

My Little Girl’s Village Drama, Burmese Based on the true story directed by Steel, the film is set in a countryside village and tells the story of child abuse and a father seeking revenge.

Cast: Khant Si Thu, Htun Ko Ko, Shwe Hmone Yati, Thun Sett, Baby Maung Maung & more.

Cinemas in Yangon Mingalar Sanpya Cineplex 09 260 887 035 — 36, 01 230 3 165 Mingalar Cineplex (Gamone Pwint) 09 779 054 671 — 73 Mingalar Cinema 2(Dagon Centre (II) 09 732 54 091 — 92 Nay Pyi Daw 01 251 277, 01 251 288 Shae Saung Cinema 01 252 113, 01 388 034 Thamada Cinema 01 246 962, 01 246 963 Thwin 01 372 594, 01 388 033 Mingalar 01 243057

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Tea Shop

THE TEA SHOP Illustration by Ben Hopkins

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MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

A Year of Imprisonment for Reuters Journalists 12th December 2018 marked one year since the imprisonment of the Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. Protesters gathered outside City Hall on the anniversary to demand their release, many holding posters of Time magazine which depicted the wives of the imprisoned journalists on the cover, naming the writers in their list of “The Guardians and the War on Truth”.

A Breath of Fresh Air for Betel Users Betel users across the country can breathe a fresh sigh of relief thanks to the newly-launched Zingo. Available in the form of chewing gum as well as mouth-washing solution, Zingo will cleanse the mouth of betel users meaning they will no longer have to suffer from mouth sensitivity – or the embarrassment of vampire-like red teeth.

Tweet Retreat Jack Dorsey, the CEO of Twitter, has recently used the social media platform to describe his latest holiday: a 10-day silent retreat in a monastery in Pyin Oo Lwin. During the retreat, Dorsey described how he meditated from 4am-9pm each day, went walking and listened to his “favourite poet” Kendrick Lamar. While many were quick to lambast his behavior for both visiting Myanmar and failing to mention the Rakhine crisis, others praised his actions for choosing the destination despite a widespread tourism boycott.

Myanmar’s First Board Game London may have “Monopoly” and Japan may have “Tokaido” but recently Myanmar has joined the ranks of destinations with dedicated board games through the creation of “Bagan Journey”. Created by Blue Belu Studios, the game allows players to roam the ancient city of Bagan, discovering landmarks and local traditions along the way, earning points as they learn.

Priced at 21,900Ks the game is available at Yangoods outlets throughout the country.

Myanmar Responsible Tourism Awards 2018: The Results December 11th saw the second MRTA ceremony, celebrating the best responsible tourism practices throughout the country.

Among the winners were Sampan Travel for Best Responsible Tourism Operator, Inle Horse Club for Best Tourism Business Innovation and Inle Princess Resort for Best Responsible Tourism Accommodation. The aim of the awards is to inspire the tourism industry by promoting responsible actions and make sustainable tourism the standard in Myanmar.

MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

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Feature

10 NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS FOR YANGONITES

ACCORDING TO BAELACHAUNG Salty and spicy in equal measure, Baelachaung is the comedic meme creator you never knew you needed. From administering home truths about hipster expats in Yaw Min Gyi to dressing down diva brides who get carried away on their big day, Baelachaung takes no prisoners when it comes to mocking all walks of Yangon life. Take some tips from the Myanmar Meme Queen for how to live your best life for the year ahead….

1. Be more humble Put down that H belt and post less humble-brags.

2. Dial down on the social media PDA Go outside and actually spend time with your significant other instead of just posting a #TBT of your anniversary from half a year ago at L’Opera.

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MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

6. Travel to new places And no, a shopping trip to Bangkok doesn’t count. Save money instead of buying your 10th bag in a heinous colour that you don’t need.

7. Volunteer And not for the sake of some insta-philanthropy. Go help transform downtown Yangon with YGN Walls and try not to Instagram your deed – the likes you get don’t mean jack.

8. Reduce Stress Take a social media break and escape the city – or simply stop media stalking your ex every 3 seconds.

9. Don’t be sexist Reach out to Akhaya Women on how you can volunteer or learn more about their work and upcoming events.

10. Stop asking who Baelachaung is Follow @baelachaung on Instagram instead.

3. Stop body shaming If you want to comment on another person’s body, DON’T. Go to the Attic and drink until you can no longer speak.

4. Don’t let anyone shame you for your drinking habits Display all the empty bottles you’ve finished in your room, then sell them at Yangon Farmer’s Market. Yaw Min Gyi expats will probably think it’s #aesthetic.

5. Work out more Perfect your body, not your FaceTune skills. Fitness is in, airbrushing is out.

But for those who wish to get those Insta-worthy gym pics in addition to gains, PowerHouse bathroom mirrors are 10/10 for da bootay.

MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

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Cover Story

REBUILDING FOR THE FUTURE While many of the heritage buildings across Yangon are left to face the elements and become evermore damaged, a select few are undergoing intense restoration processes to restore their former grandeur and make them fit for purpose once more. Issy D’Arcy Clark digs through the rubble to get an exclusive look at three of Yangon’s most exciting restoration projects for 2019.

The Pegu Club The glory days of The Pegu Club, found on the corner of Zagawar Street and Pyay Road, were marked by hosting the likes of English writers Rudyard Kipling and George Orwell, as well as royalty including the thenPrince of Wales Edward VIII and Shan Princess Sao Ohn Nyunt. Completed in 1882 for British army officers to enjoy, The Pegu Club was once one of the most notorious clubs in South

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East Asia but had stood derelict for 53 years until it was officially taken over in June 2017 by the KT Group. After nearly two years of intense work, the doors of The Pegu Club were finally reopened in December 2018.

284-square metre Prince of Wales Great Hall has an especially impressive history, as it was purpose-built in 1921 to host Edward VIII during his visit to Myanmar. Today, it will host up to 120 guests.

lies behind the walls,” says Harriet Kyaw Thaung, Executive Director of The Pegu Club. “Restoring the past, while ensuring you create something beautiful, and practical is where a lot of the challenge lies.”

Today the Club will host private events in their seven different areas, including three indoor event spaces, an al-fresco courtyard, as well as three more outdoor venues in the surrounding gardens. Of these, the

Though many may fantasize about the chance to transform an old ruin, the practicalities of undertaking such a project are an often forgotten. “It’s easy to fall in love with old buildings, and get intrigued by the mystery that

Since there was no blueprint of The Pegu Club existing, KT Group enlisted the help of The Beaumont Group to measure and document the area in minute detail. “Together we conducted a Conservation

MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

“It’s easy to fall in love with old buildings, and get intrigued by the mystery that lies behind the walls.”

Harriet Kyaw Thaung, Executive Director of The Pegu Club

Management Plan, guided by the Yangon Heritage Trust, that studied every inch of the site from many angles – historical, architectural and social impact,” explains Ms. Kyaw Thaung. “When the team took over the site, the buildings were neglected and deteriorated. The Club was like a treasure map; each section had something to be discovered.

Restoration work was spilt into partial restoration, replacement, or a total reconstruction.”

As inch by inch of the area was recorded, the Club began to reveal her secrets that had been hidden beneath a tangle of vegetation for half a century, the most notable of which was two surprise squash courts.

When it came to repairing the damage that the years of neglect and Myanmar’s climate had brought, the most challenging was fixing the teak MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

pillars that held up the up the portico, which had sank 30cm into the ground due to the movement of the soil beneath the buildings’ foundations.

In an excruciating process, KT Group employed structural engineers to jack-up the portico, millimetre by millimetre, over the course of weeks, until it was level. “The restoration had to be done very gently and carefully to ensure minimal damage to existing structures. It had to be a sensitive, dynamic process,” explains Ms. Kyaw Thaung.

Re-creating an authentic look of the interiors of the Club was another test as the developers were able to find less than 20 photographs of the Club from its heyday for referencing.

Some of the main work in the interiors included teak restoration, sourcing the original marble from Mandalay

and redoing the walls using an original lime plaster technique that was also used by craftsmen who built the Great Hall in the early 1920’s. The final design flourishes were put in place by Citizen-ID. Though the jungle that had grown up around the Club in the 50 years of disuse was a hindrance when first encountered, now it has served as a source of inspiration for Ms. Kyaw Thaung. She explains that in the future she would like to use the produce from the cotton plants to create a retail line of cushions and other furnishings, and the use home-grown mangos in cocktails.

Looking around The Pegu Club today, it’s not difficult to imagine the space filled with laughing guests, music and merriment. It was created as a place for leisure and entertainment and in its latest renovation it will do this

again. However, crucially The Pegu Club will now be a place of inclusivity, where all will be admitted. “These buildings are very much part of Yangon’s urban and visual landscape that sets the city’s downtown scene apart from any other city in the world,” says Ms. Kyaw Thaung. “I believe that each building’s stories and meaning to Myanmar should be preserved for future generations.”

Through the doors of The Pegu Club may finally be open, the work is far from finished. A Phase 2, which will include the restoration of further rooms on the property and even the opening of guest villas, is planned for the future. After a half-century of silence, it’s certainly time to welcome The Pegu Club back to Yangon’s party scene.

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Cover Story

The New Law Courts – Rosewood Yangon A mammoth undertaking, the restoration of the 5-storey New Law Courts on Strand Road is currently underway to transform the building into hotel, tipped to partially open towards the end of this year. Originally, Switzerland’s Kempinski Group were at the helm of the project however in June 2018 it was announced that Rosewood Hotels and Residences would be taking over, owned by Prime Residence, a partnership

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with Thailand’s Kanok Furniture and Decoration of Thailand and Myanmar’s Jewellery Luck Group of Companies. Leading the project is Supalak Foong, the Managing Director of Prime Residence who explains; “I want to be part of how to preserve Yangon.”

After the Old Law Courts were damaged during an earthquake, the architect Thomas Oliphant and Doorman Long UK, the engineers behind the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, were commissioned to build a replacement. Completed in 1927, the

New Law Courts were a revelation at the time as the first building in Myanmar built with a steel structure, as well as being the first to have electricity and a lift. Later, during the Japanese occupation of Myanmar, the building was briefly taken over by the Kempetai, the Japanese military police, before being used as the Police Commissioner’s office. It was then returned to its original purpose and used to house The Rangoon Division Court until 2012.

From the offset the idea of repurposing the building as a hotel

was met with protest from many Myanmar lawyers, opposing the privatization of the building in favour of restoring its original function as a court. “Good or bad, the past is the past, it shouldn’t be demolished or abandoned,” says Ms. Foong. “I want to widen the perception of the people in the city.”

Today the Rosewood group intends the hotel to have 205 rooms and amenities include a grand ballroom, three additional meeting spaces, a barbers, five restaurants and bars and a Heritage Salon. The 5th floor will MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

also be home to Sense, a Rosewood Spa and fitness studio. The rooftop will have an outdoor pool and bar with panoramic views of the Yangon River.

Though much of this may seem like drastically modern additions to such a historic building, Ms. Foong and her teams worked closely with the Yangon Heritage Trust to ensure that that history and integrity of the building was not compromised and their designs both compliment and celebrate the building’s history.

“The collaboration with Yangon Heritage Trust meant the reduction of 40 rooms and the delay of one year,” explains Ms. Foong. “But it was important as it means that a representative from the general public has been a consulted.”

As well as working with the YHT, historians and restoration experts from the UK were also consulted and a Conservation Management Plan for the building was created. “We are trying to understand the building before we repurpose it,” says Ms. Foong.

“We are trying to understand the building before we repurpose it.”

Supalak Foong, Managing Director of Prime Residence MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

One of the more elaborate processes necessary to preserve the building came when trying to restore the 100-year- stone pillars in the hall. After much research and investigation, the team had to hire specialist equipment from Germany to use -50ºC dry to clean the pillars and make them fit for purpose once again.

For Ms.Foong however, merely repurposing the building isn’t enough.

“We don’t want to stop at this building, we want to spill our ideas out onto the street,” she says. “We want the community to see what we’re trying to do.”

In a very literal sense the project is indeed spilling out on to the street as Ms. Foong has enlisted the help of Yangon-based placemaking social enterprise Doh Eain to sculpt the surrounding gardens and walkways, creating a green community area.

“Our goal is to create great places in the city by transforming mere spaces into places with identity, meaning and practical functionality for the people passing through them,” says Emilie Röell, the Founder and Director of Doh Eain.

In a rapidly changing city, the attitude towards the heritage buildings of Yangon is in a state of flux. “Within four years there has been so much change, especially with organisations like Doh Eain,” says Ms. Foong. “But there have been good and bad changes to Yangon. This for me is a mission statement for trying to save the city.”

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Cover Story

The Tourist Burma Building – Turquoise Mountain Established in 2006, Turquoise Mountain started in Afghanistan restoring damaged buildings and founding the Institute of Afghan Arts and Architecture. After expanding to Myanmar, the Turquoise Mountain team originally cut their construction teeth on a restoration project on Merchant Street that started in 2015.

As the building was currently occupied with residents, the team wanted to work around them to ensure that they didn’t have to move out – even when they took the roof off.

After the success of that project, the Turquoise Mountain team were commissioned to begin work on the Tourist Burma Building, with the Yangon Regional Government funding the project. The building was deemed a priority due to its location

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near Sule Pagoda and the town centre.

Originally named Fytche Square Building when it was built in 1905, the building became one of Myanmar’s first locally owned department stores, the Burmese Favourite Company.

Later, in 1947, it was taken over by the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, giving rise to its current name. Having stood derelict since 2005, the Turquoise Mountain team started their restoration in November 2017 and are scheduled to finish in mid-2019.

The key to the plans for the Tourist Burma Building is public access. The atrium on the ground floor will be developed into an exhibition space, while the rest of the building will be home to a food hall, office spaces on the middle two floors as well as roof space, including a public roof garden.

“The priority is public access and the roof space,” says Harry Wardill, Country Director of Turquoise Mountain, describing the Tourist Burma Building. “The challenge is

going to be making sure that people feel welcome to come into the building as it’s quite a formal building.

For that reason the food hall has to be very accessible to welcome people and create an informal feeling.”

As well as developing the accessibility of the building, the Turquoise

Mountain team also want to develop the surrounding outside space to make it more pedestrian friendly.

“One of the big challenges, not just in Yangon but throughout Asia, is the lack of understanding of the relationship between buildings and the public space,” says Mr. Wardill.

“Here, a lot of the space is used as

MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

“We are working here to build the capacity and professionalism of the construction industry in terms of architects and engineers.”

Harry Wardill, Country Director of Turquoise Mountain parking but we’re looking to make it more of a community space.”

While restoring the façade of the building the Turquoise Mountain team discovered blue lettering around the outside spelling out a phrase that translates as “Myanmar Welcome”, a relic from the building’s time as a

MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

department store. Their decision to restore the words speaks volumes about their ethos and approach to the project.

For Turquoise Mountain however, the completion of a fully restored building is just the starting point. “We are working here to build the capacity and

professionalism of the construction industry in terms of architects and engineers,” explains Mr. Wardill. “We also have training programmes and we hold events about conservation and urban planning.”

In addition to having a practical value for the construction industry

in Myanmar, the restoration of the building also holds a symbolic value too; “By doing this project we’re showing what’s possible with these buildings,” says Mr. Wardill. “We’re showing that they are assets, rather than liabilities, and showing that they can be creatively reused and fit for purpose.”

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Feature

THE BURMESE BOOKSHELF When it comes to books about Myanmar, we’ve all read the usual suspects; Burmese Days, Letters from Burma, The Glass Palace, In the Footsteps of George Orwell – the list goes on. Luckily MYANMORE is here to refresh your reading list for the year ahead with book recommendations from the litterati of Yangon, as well as suggestions from our own team.

Recommended by Bertie Alexander Lawson, Managing Director of Sampan Travel

The Trouser People: Burma in the Shadows of the Empire by Andrew Marshall “After introducing the Burmese to football while a headmaster in Rangoon in the 1870s, Sir George Scott was tasked with bringing the ‘geographical nowhere’ of the Shan States into the bosom of the British Empire.

With Scott’s colourful letters home to his mother to hand – ‘Stepped on something soft and wobbly … found it was a dead Chinaman’ – the journalist Andrew Marshall follows in his footsteps, a hundred years later.

The ‘Trouser People’ was the nickname given to the British by the longyi-clad Burmese, later also attached to the Tatmadaw. Looking at the role of both ‘Trouser People’ Marshall’s humorous narrative ignites pathos for a nation so commonly trodden underfoot.”

Recommended by Issy D’Arcy Clark, Managing Editor

Glow by Ned Beauman “From London’s secret rave scene to the mining lands of Myanmar, Glow is a twisting and tumbling tale that includes hyper-intelligent foxes riding doubledecker buses, a mysterious and beautiful Myanmar woman with a secret and a pirate radio station guarded by a dog called Rose.

Protagonist Raf, who suffers from insomnia, finds himself entangled in the Myanmar community in London and inadvertently uncovers a dark conspiracy that winds its way from South London, to Pakistan and the jungles of Myanmar.

Recommended by Bo W, Owner of Green Gallery and Co-Owner of Bodhi Nava

Hsa*Ba: Burmese Cookbook

by Tin Cho Chaw “I would recommend Has*Ba as a great cook book that makes you want to eat everything inside. To me, everything is about food. In Myanmar, each different state has a different kind of food.”

From the Land of Green Ghosts by Pascal Khoo Thwe “It’s the most personal story of Myanmar culture, history and politics.”

Psychedelic, unexpected and intriguing, Glow tells the story of diaspora and discovering a home in world where the horrors of history are still alive.”

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MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

Recommended by Nay Thiha, Editor of MyanmorePLus

Golden Parasol: A Daughter’s Memoir of Burma

by Wendy Law-Yone

Other suggestions…

“A moving story about post-independence in Myanmar and its fall under the military junta, as seen through the author’s eyes.

Wendy Law-Yone is the daughter of Edward Law-Yone, a publisher of the prominent Burmese newspaper The Nation. Wendy enjoyed a rosy childhood – living in a rich neighbourhood and going to a good school – she had everything going for her.

But, suddenly, her life took a new turn when her father was arrested and the newspaper was shut down by General Ne Win’s junta. Even Wendy herself was detained before she managed to leave the country and start a new life in the United States with her family.

Her father asked her help in editing his memoir. She was hesitant, fearing it would bring all the horrors of the past. Long after her father’s death, she finally found the courage to take up his manuscript. Combining her own experience and her father’s, she produced Golden Parasol: A Daughter’s Memoir of Burma.

It also tells how Edward built his newspaper before suddenly losing everything. Like other coming-of-age stories, the reader grows with the protagonist and sees things from her eyes. If you are curious about postindependence Myanmar in the context of journalism, give it a try.”

Recommended by Min Ye Kyaw, Junior Editor

Where China Meets India: Burma and the New Crossroads of Asia by Thant Myint-U “Uncovering the history of Northeast India, Burma and Southwest China and their emergence as an economic centre, Where China Meets India highlights the cultural, economic, political and geographical issues of the time.

The book claims that Myanmar is destined to play a much more crucial role in world economics and politics.

Recommended by Ivan Pun, Founder of Pun Projects and Paribawga

Myanmar Contemporary Art 1

by Aung Min “This book gives a great overview of the Myanmar contemporary art over the past 30 years.”

MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

Author Thant Myint-U is the grandson of U Thant who served as Secretary-General to the United Nations for 10 years and has also written for The New York Times, The Washington Post and The New Statesman. Here he explores the new strategic centrality of Burma, the country of his ancestry, where Asia’s two rising giant powers, China and India appear to contend for leadership.

Thant Myint-U also worked alongside Kofi Annan at the UN’s Department of Political Affairs and currently works as a special consultant to the Burmese government.”

Miss Burma by Charmaine Craig Based on the true story of the author’s mother and grandparents, Miss Burma follows one family in Myanmar from the time of the British Empire until present day. The family fights to find safety during the events of World War II, the Japanese Occupation, the rise of Aung San and the start of the longest civil war in history.

Have Fun in Burma: A Novel

by Rosalie Metro A new addition to the coming-of-age novels set in Myanmar, Have Fun in Burma tells the story of 18-year-old American Adela Frost who visits the country to teach English in a monastery. She soon learns that not all is as tranquil as it seems and finds herself weaving a tangled web to try to help those in need.

Under the Dragon: A Journey Through Burma by Rory MacLean Traveling from Yangon to Mandalay, to Bagan and the Golden Triangle, author Rory MacLean shares the stories of the people he encounters on his journey through Myanmar, from freedom fighters to farmers.

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Travel

THE 2019 TRAVEL PLANNER Despite the fact that New Year’s cheers might still be ringing in your ears, it’s time to start planning your travels for the year ahead. Edwin Briels, the MD of Khiri Travel Myanmar, shares his insight on the destinations that are best to visit for each month of the year, come rain or shine.

A morning boat ride on the misty river in Hsipaw

January An excellent time to visit archaeological wonders in Mrauk U, Rakhine State. Enjoy the cool nights, stunning temples and yes, it is absolutely safe.

February It’s a busy time with Chinese New Year, avoid popular tourist destinations and instead go to Hsipaw and Kyaukme in Northern Shan State for some excellent trekking. You can also experience Shan life in the villages

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or take a train ride over the stunning Gokteik viaduct.

March With the weather getting hot and dry head to the Deep South to visit Dawei or Myeik. The towns here have great examples of colonial architecture and you can explore the multitude of desert islands in the Myeik Archipelago.

April As it’s the water festival Thingyan,

do the opposite of what everybody does and stay in town to join in the celebrations. The parties in Yangon can be great fun and luxury hotels often have excellent offers for staycations for when you need a break.

May At the hottest time of the year, book a beach trip to cool off in the sea.

Popular choices include Ngwe Saung and Ngapali, while lesser-known hotspots like Gwa and Khanthaya are also well worth a trip.

June Finally the rain has come! It’s an excellent time to visit remote Keng Tung in Shan State and go trekking in the mountains to visit the colourful tribes like the Ahka, the Palaung or the Eng. July Visit the dry zone to find it at its greenest and best. Salay is beautiful in this period with old colonial houses, wooden monasteries and temple ruins. You can also stay on MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

Samkar Lake by Cees Rijnen

the riverside in Yandabo and visit the buffalo village and the pottery village.

August Samkar Lake is beautiful and lush at this time of year. Stay for a few nights on the lakeside in absolute tranquility, it may even be an idea to visit Inle Lake for a night before tourists season begins in earnest.

September Visit Kayin State and you’ll never see greener paddy-fields. Visit Hpa An and go for a private day cruise on Thanlwin River, which is much more scenic than the Ayeyarwaddy, or paddle a kayak through the rice fields flanked with lime stone mountains in the background.

October Just before the tourist high season starts there are plenty of colourful festivals being organised. The famous Inle Lake boat races happen from 29th September to 16th October in Phaung.

Meanwhile in Kyaukse you can enjoy the dancing elephant festival (huge papier-mâché ones) from 12th to 14th October and in Magwe the Mya Tha Lone Pagoda festival is also worth a visit and happens from the 6th to 24th October 2019.

MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

Green paddy-fields outside of Hpa An

November Time for adventure and to see some places off the beaten track. What about a 4-wheel drive tour in Eastern Shan State or discovering the Chin Hills by bike?

December Mon State is beautiful in this time of the year and the Golden Rock is a spectacular site to see the sun come up on New Year’s Day. Visit the legendary village U Na Auk which has some of the most impressive temples in the country.

Edwin Briels is the MD of Khiri Travel Myanmar, he has over 15 years in travel in Myanmar and will share his experiences travelling in Myanmar in a monthly column.

Khiri Travel 01 375 577 edwin@khiri.com

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Travel

CYCLING THE SOUTHERN BEACHES Adventure tour operator Jochen Meissner, the owner and founder of Uncharted Horizons Myanmar, travels the little-known roads from Pathein to Gawyangyi Island by bicycle, visting Chaungtha, Ngwe Saung and Sinma along the three-day adventure.

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ne beautiful morning in late September, when the worst of the rainy season seemed to have finally passed, three of us set out to cycle the southern beaches of Myanmar. We arrived at Dagon Ayar bus station in Yangon’s far west Hlaingthayar district to board our bus to Pathein, arriving at 1pm and ready for our three-day costal cycling adventure.

After assembling our bikes and mounting the pannier bags, we started cycling. The first day was an easy one, 60km to Chaungtha beach, through lush and hilly terrain, but never too steep. Our route was lined with rubber plantations and small villages filled with friendly locals greeting us along the way.

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With only 10km left we were slightly worried when we reached a long bridge crossing a creek to pause for a breather and the villagers told us there was a big chance of encountering wild elephants on the road ahead. They suggested we should blind them with our headlights and make as much noise as we could, but fortunately we did not encounter any and reached Chaungtha beach just before it got dark. After dining on some delicious fresh seafood we went to bed early, knowing the real challenge was yet to come.

really smooth and is exceptionally beautiful, small dirt trails through quaint fishing villages, sometimes right by the beach, and the usual crowds of friendly smiles and excited

waving children everywhere. After two hours and three river crossings on tiny ferries, we reached Ngwe Saung beach, where we took a dip in the clear Andaman Sea.

On the morning of the second day, we were onour bikes by 6:30am. Our plan for the day was to cycle down south to Ngwe Saung and continue further on to the fishing village of Sinma and Gawyangyi island. The first part was MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

At this point we thought we were about half-way for that day, which was probably true when looking at the map, but definitely not when considering the trail conditions, which consisted of deep mud and massive puddles for most of the way. It took us two hours to reach the beautiful fishing village of Sinma, where we enjoyed an excellent seafood lunch, before moving on to the “real unknown” further south.

During my research on Google maps I could see a small dirt road winding its way between the coastal range and the beach towards Nga Yoke Kaung and adjacent to Gawyangyi island, which has in recent years become a popular beach spot with local travelers as well as Yangon expats. But little did we know what the trail really looked like.

“The villagers told us there was a big chance of encountering wild elephants on the road ahead.”

With rainy season only recently finished, the trail was covered in kneedeep mud for most parts, making it impassible even for motorbikes. For the final 30km of the trip, it took us over 6 hours. Only after reaching the beautiful village White Sand village (Te Phyu Ywa), the trail became slightly more rideable, and we reached Nga Yoke Kaung with the very last light of the day.

As it was dark already we were too late to reach our original destination of

Gawyangyi Island. Instead we decided to stay in the village of Nga Yoke Kaung where a local guesthouse warmly welcomed us for 10,000Ks for the night. The kind owner even helped us to clean our bikes, which were covered in a thick layer of of half-dried mud and clay. A tasty dinner and several cold beers at the local fisherman’s bar helped us recover from the days ride. Having traveled 80km in total that day and been on a bike for 12 hours straight, it was definitely one of the hardest and most challenging rides. Needless to say we all enjoyed a fantastic sleep that night.

For our final day cycling, we were up at 6am and were the first ones on the tiny wooden ferry, which floated us over a mangrove-filled estuary. A spectacular concrete trail led us through the palm forest and the hills. Many of the tourist accommodations were still wrapped up in their rainy season covers, but some local teashops were open already to serve us a bowl of mohinga. Another 10 minutes and a short ride over the beach, we reached the Gawyangyi Island, a massive rocky outcrop off the mainland, connected by a sandbank, on which the bungalows and guesthouses are located. 10 minutes and 400 steps later, we enjoyed the incredible views that the pagoda viewpoint on the top of the hill provided.

But as we had still a long and challenging way ahead of us and so stocked up on bananas and sweets before asking for the way over the mountains, which would eventually connect us to the road leading to Pathein.

The locals told us they call this area “little Chin state” and we soon knew why. Massive steep climbs over several hundred (vertical) meters were waiting for us, followed by spectacular downhills, only to be followed by the next, even higher and steeper climbs. The views back to the coast were incredible, but this ride turned out to be much tougher than we had expected, especially having not fully recovered from the day before. But there we were, and our only option was to keep moving forward.

Only in the early afternoon when we reached the top of the mountain, aptly named “Moe Hti Taung” which translates to “sky touching mountain”, did we enjoyed an one hour straight downhill on the eastern slope until we reached the junction village of Mayangon. From there we hired a truck, which brought us back to Pathein in a bit more than two hours, just in time to enjoy a beautiful sunset over the Pathein river with a cold beer in hands, exactly what we had deserved after this massive trip.

In total, the distance was only around 170kms but due to the trail conditions after rainy season, even for fit bikers, it’s impossible to go much further than that. At other times of the year, the trail will likely be much better, but the lush scenery and beautiful clear blue skies after the months of rainy season made it a very worthwhile trip – one that I am very much looking forward to doing again soon.

Jochen Meissner, the owner and founder of Uncharted Horizons Myanmar, an adventure tour company specializing in mountain biking and trekking tours far off the beaten tracks.

His biggest passion is exploring the remote areas of Chin State, but he can be found anywhere in Myanmar, when adventure calls!

Website: uncharted-horizonsmyanmar.com Email: info@uncharted-horizonsmyanmar.com Phone: +959450062960

MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

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Q&A

JEAN MARC LEMMERY Executive Chef at Le Planteur, Jean Marc Lemmery, originally worked as a physiotherapist before making a drastic career-change at the age of 39 and eventually finding himself at the helm of one of Myanmar’s most spectacular restaurants. Here he talks about changing the ambience of Le Planteur, the pain of burning expensive fish and eventually finding his zen.

Q What was your career before moving to Myanmar?

Before I was a cook, I was a physiotherapist. I decided to start working as a chef when I was 39 years old. I started as a dishwasher and for two months I cleaned all the plates and all the pans. It was a crazy time. If I were a normal guy, I think after one week I would have said it’s not for me.

After that, I fought to go in the kitchen to cook.

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Then in 2004 I decided to open my own restaurant, Le Bistrot de l’Alycastre. After three weeks I was fully booked with 100 people every day. I ran it for nine years and it was awarded a Michelin-star.

that I was moving here and so he proposed this position.

I decided to sell in 2014 and move to Indonesia where I opened a free diving centre, free kitchen school and a small hotel. It was a beautiful project but later I decided to move to Myanmar.

Boris, the owner of Le Planteur, heard

I need to find good, local produce to put on the Business Lunch menu, but farmers here use too many chemicals on their produce so it’s difficult.

Sometimes there is good produce but the problem is getting it from the farm

Q What are some of the challenges that came with working at Le Planteur?

to the restaurant. There’s big potential in Myanmar but we need to teach farmers how to make good products.

It’s a long process.

Q What have you discovered through working in Myanmar?

There are a lot of herbs here that I like, like Myanmar basil and I love the roots of the lotus – I use it a lot.

I’ve also learnt to be patient. In Paris MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

“I had to teach my staff how to cook the turbot properly because it’s difficult. After burning a lot of expensive fish, the standard of cooking in my kitchen is now like a one-star Michelin.”

I was a crazy chef, always shouting and slamming doors. But here it’s impossible to be like that, so I’m more zen.

Q What have you changed about Le Planteur since arriving?

Le Planteur before served beautiful plates, but boring food. I decided to take more risks and be more dangerous because we don’t have Michelin here but we do have the customers. We use more imported produce, now I receive beautiful things like parsley, Jerusalem artichoke, white asparagus, fresh fish from France. For my cooks it’s like a new restaurant.

MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

Q Which dish are you most proud of?

I like our turbot served with local apple and verbena. It’s a little bit fruity but not too sweet. I had to teach my staff how to cook the turbot properly because you have to cook it so that it’s warm near to the bone, but not overcooked. It’s difficult. After burning a lot of expensive fish, the standard of cooking in my kitchen is now like a one-star Michelin.

Q What was the reason for closing the bistro in September last year?

We closed the bistro because the fine dining was very successful. Also when you have a menu with À La Carte fine-dining, as well as a Sea Menu, Land Menu, Chef’s Menu, Garden Menu as well as a Bistro Menu – you don’t need

a kitchen, you need an army! It was impossible to have everything perfect.

Q How would you describe the style of Le Planteur?

I don’t like to hear that we are a fine dining restaurant. When people hear “fine-dining” they imagine a boring restaurant. I talked with the waiters and told them they are not robots and they need to be friendly. We radically changed the ambiance. I like to say that we are a “bistronomic” – with the bistro we are friendly and with the gastronomic we have good food.

restaurant in Myanmar. But it’s political for Michelin to come here, they don’t come here currently. Until then, I want when people think about good food, for them to think about Le Planteur.

Address: Le Planteur, 80 University Avenue, Bahan Township, Yangon, Myanmar Opening Hours: Lunch from 11:30 am to 2pm Afternoon tea from 2pm to 6pm Dinner from 6pm to 11pm Phone: 01 514 230

Q What are your ambitions for Le Planteur?

If I have one wish, it is to be the first one-star Michelin “bistronomic”

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Advertorial

THE BARISTA GAME

F

rom 1st-3rd November 2018, the Myanmar Latte Art Championship were hosted

by Golden Brown Coffee Co. Ltd at Myanmar Event Park, Mindama. This annual event was started from 2016 and has helped many talented baristas from Myanmar’s coffee industry to raise their craft to the next level.

Latte art is created by pouring microfoam into a shot of espresso to create patterns or pictures on the surface of the drink. The grand prizes for the competition included a top of the range Bezzera Espresso Machines as well as trophies and certificates.

Of the 25 competitors, 21-year-old Hsu Paing was named the winner and the 1st Runner Up award was given to 20-year-old Kyaw Phyo, both of

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whom are baristas at Café Salween, Myanmore’s Best Cafe of the Year 2018.

Myanmore sits down with two champions to find out how they made it to the finale.

Hsu Paing, 21 Winner Myanmar Latte Art Championship 2018 At his first time participating in the annual Myanmar Latte Art Championships, Hsu Paing showcased his skills within the requirements of the competition disciplines and was crowned the winner of 2018. As a grand prize he received a Bezzera BZ16 Espresso Machine, worth $2,000.

Having entered the coffee industry three years ago, Hsu Paing has learned his in-depth knowledge of coffee blends and brewing methods through his experiences and limitless passion.

His daily work routine at Café Salween allows him to practice his latte art on the cups of coffee that he serves the customers.

Four judges were in charge of selecting the winner, including the 2017 World Latte Art Champion Arnon Thitiprasert from Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Hsu Paing had to create seven instant latte art designs for the judges during the event – no easy feat as he was not familiar to the coffee machine used in the competition.

After a round of group challenges, Hsu Paing’s clear talent pushed him to the finale along with six other participants.

With an extra shot of luck, he was finally awarded the winning title.

“One of the main reasons behind his championship is the team work,” says Hsu Paing. “Café Salween give us an environment where we can practice the latte art together. Our latte art ability has improved significantly because we can learn from each other’s mistakes.”

Hsu Paing is now preparing to participate in the ASEAN Latte Art Championship in mid-2019 in Thailand.

MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

Barista Hsu Paing

Kyaw Phyo, 20 1st Runner Up Myanmar Latte Art Championship 2018 Having been dedicated to latte art for some time, Kyaw Phyo had dreamt of taking part in the Myanmar Latte Art Championships. Being another team member from Café Salween, Kyaw Phyo used his four-year experiences in the competition against his rivals including his co-worker and best friend, Hsu Paing.

Though this was not his first competition, Kyaw Phyo confesses that his nerves don’t ever go away saying “I still get these goosebumps and anxiety whenever the judges look at my cups.”

However, his impressive efforts ensured that he was also selected for the finale, facing his co-worker in competition.

Kyaw Phyo was eventually awarded 1st Runner Up in the finale and though he wasn’t the winner, he was still happy when his friend was crowned the winner.

“I’d like to thank my boss and the other co-workers in my team for the support and effort they gave us during the event,” says Kyaw Phyo. Café Salween has provided coffee beans and milk for us to practice so that we have higher chances of winning, and our team members at the café had to reschedule their attendance when we were away. So, this wouldn’t happen without their kind support,” he added.

Barista Kyaw Phyo

MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

Supported by the Café Salween team and Golden Brown Coffee Co, Ltd. on his journey during the event, Kyaw Phyo also highlighted that these events help to support baristas in

Myanmar, improving their skills and making the coffee industry grow as a whole throughout the country.

Ko Ye Min, one of the managing partners of Café Salween, added, “We are very pleased that our baristas have brought home two of the three awards in Myanmar Latte Art Championship this year. They have tried very hard to improve their latte art for this competition, as well as overall coffee quality for the customers. They have been with us since the very beginning of our café.

We share the same vision with our baristas, which is to bring quality thirdwave coffee experience to Myanmar.

In recent years, even though Myanmar coffee scene has been growing rapidly,

we still have our work cut out for us to catch up with the coffee scene from the region. We are glad to see industry players like Golden Brown putting significant effort in bringing Myanmar coffee scene to the regional level.”

Enjoy a cup of coffee with a unique latte art design created by awardwinning baristas at Café Salween.

Café Salween Address: G15, Urban Asia Center, Maha Bandula Road, Yangon Phone: 09 42583 0657 Opening Hours: 8am-8pm

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The Central Sweets, a food court for dessert-lovers, recently opened in The Central on Kabar Aye Pagoda Road. Decorated with a deeply-Instagrammable pink and white colour-scheme and teeming with picture-perfect treats, here is the MYANMORE guide to the goodies on offer…

Remicone

If you want to try an extraordinary ice-cream, Remicone is the place for you. This South Korean dessert shop has chosen Myanmar as their very first branch in Southeast Asia – luckily for Yangonites! Their ice-creams are loaded with all kinds of delectable delights, like cotton candy, syrup, dried coconut and even popping candy. Their signature Thunder Bomb contains popping candy and is topped with their homemade cotton candy and thunder candy. Another spectacular choice is the Hawaiian Beach, which is beautifully decorated to look just like a tropical beach, with dried coconut flakes as sand and blue syrup to portray the ocean and topped off with a little umbrella to highlight the beach vibe. You can also make your own ice cream by choosing the toppings by yourself and prices start from 3,000Ks.

Yogurtland

Ca Ca Fresh Drink & Coffee

A self-service fro-yo shop, you can choose multiple toppings to add some decadence to your treat, from fresh fruit to cereal. But be warned, the weight of your yogurt cup will determine the price you pay so don’t get too greedy!

This shop has a variety of bingsu, shaved ice served with toppings. Their mango bingsu consists also contains cheesecake and strawberry and is topped with vanilla ice cream. Other flavours include melon, oreo, watermelon and many more. Those in the mood for something a little different can choose toast served, with fruits and ice-cream, as well as a wide range of drinks. Prices start from 2,200Ks.

Tint Tint Myanmar Traditional Snacks

Tint Tint offers a variety of Myanmar traditional snacks such as sticky rice, palmira snack and hta ma nel, all guaranteed to be chemical-free. As well as being colourfully presented, these snacks also come in a variety of shapes. These products of Myanmar are also export quality snacks with and come in neat packaging making them a perfect gift to give to share with loved ones from around the world.

Prices start from 1,000Ks and can be ordered for catering services too.

Ambrosia

This Myanmar snack, also known as ohn no thar gu pyin, made with sago and coconut milk was trending recently thanks to Ambrosia’s attractive reinventing of the traditional treat. They upgraded the original coconut milk and sago recipe by adding various fruit to create new flavours. Now, as well as the original flavour, you can try strawberry, durian, pineapple, pandan and even butterfly pea flavour. What’s more, each flavour changes the color of the snack, meaning you can take home a rainbow box of treats. The butterfly pea flavour is a particularly striking shade of blue that’s perfect for an Insta-snap. Prices start from 2,000Ks.

) m p 0 3 : 0 Daily Op en (10:30am – 1

The Central Boulevard, Corner of Kabar Aye Pagoda Road and Kan Bae Road, Yankin Township.

+95 9 681 471 111

thecentralsweets@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/thecentralsweets

New Opening

TIPSY Yangon’s favourite new bar where the name says it all.

I

t’s hard to miss the swirling, drunken eyes logo and brightlylit facade of Yangon’s latest favourite bar Tipsy. Situated on New University Avenue Road, the unique and modern design make it clear that is isn’t your usual cocktail bar.

Tipsy has had its doors open to Yangonites since mid-December and it has already attracted a dedicated following due to their whimsical cocktails, scenic rooftop area and a pool table.

Upon entering Tipsy, dinner guests are greeted with an amuse bouche of chicken salad and a lemon water, before you are given the menus to peruse, which includes bar snacks, appetizers, grilled dishes, pastas and soups along with special platters.

MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

To get the ball rolling we ordered two drinks, one named Democracy and the other called Walk Like an Egyptian (both 8,500Ks). Democracy was served in a steel hip flask, heightening the impression that it was made using a secret recipe. Be warned: it’s very strong. The Walk Like an Egyptian was a gentler choice, made by combining Botanist gin and Aperol in a barrel for two weeks, and then topping up the mixture with homemade elderflower, Sunkist juice and a little mint.

For dinner we ordered a carbonara pasta (5,500Ks), the Tipsy whiskey chicken wings (4,500Ks) and the grilled cuttlefish (7,000Ks). The carbonara was rich a creamy, while the chicken wings came with a smokey and hot sauce and the hint of whiskey. The grilled cuttlefish was sprinkled with

salt and had a spicy kick to it as well. To finish we chose Takoyaki (4,500Ks), a ball-shaped Japanese snack made of

wheat and filled with diced octopus, tempura scraps, pickled ginger, and green onions.

With a rooftop bar, pool table and menu filled with intriguing drinks, Tipsy is definitely the place to head for some Friday night fun. Future plans for the bar include a shisha lounge on the mezzanine floor. Overall, Tipsy satisfied our night-out revels, with its tipsy drinks and favourable food.

Address: 138C New University Avenue Road, Bahan Township, Yangon Phone: 09 9719 88897 Opening hours: 5pm - 1am

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New Openings

What’s new this month?

Theatre2 by Burdubai • Bar At first glance looking at the name alone, you might be forgiven for thinking that Theatre2 by Burdubai is a cool new movie theater. We would say it’s a 3-in-1, including a bar, restaurant and club with graffiti on the walls and many areas to chill comfortably.

Address: 61/Za, Aung Zeya Road, 13 Quarter, Yankin Township, Yangon Phone: 09 4510 20540 Opening Hours: 4pm to 12am

Chinatown 125 Café • Cafe Located in the busy 19th Street, Chinatown 125 Café is Myanmar’s first Chinese-themed coffee shop, decorated from ceiling to floor with memorabilia like lanterns to teapots. In the lower floor of the two-storey building you can sip your coffee under the red lantern lights while trying a charcoal dim sum. From the upper floor you can enjoy a nice view of the old part of Chinatown.

Address: 125 19th Street, Upper block, Between Maha Bandula and Anawrahta Roads, Latha Township, Yangon Contact: 09 897 646338 Opening Hours: 9am to 10pm

Find out more at sarmal.com.mm

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MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

DOSE • Bar DOSE could be a game changer for Mandalay’s nightlife routine. Whether you are craving wine, beer, great trunes or steaks, DOSE Mandalay has it all. With its amazing offers and mouth-watering food, don’t miss out if you’re visiting Mandalay.

Bun Choux

Address: No.746, 71Street , Between 30x31 Streets, Yan Myo Lone Qtr, Chan Aye Thar Zan Township, Mandalay Contact: 09 788 882777 Opening Hours: 5pm to 12am

• Restaurant Get your sugar-fix at Bun Choux, smartest new bakery in town. Choose your filling, be it vanilla cream, caramel or chocolate, and treat yourself to one of their sensational pastry desserts.

Address: Royal Sin Min Condo, Ahlone Yangon Contact: 09 799 946486 Opening Hours: 10am - 6pm

Rich Bar • Bar Found in the Nawaday Cinema Compound, Rich Bar attracts customers like moths to a flame with their dazzling light decorations. They have a huge array of wine displayed on the wall, one of which will surely meet your taste. The selection of shisha flavours will make this a top choice for those shisha lovers too.

Address: 102 Kabaraye Pagoda Road, Nawaday Cinema Compound, Mayangone Township, Yangon Phone: 09 6968 68666, 09 4320 3888 Opening Hours: 5pm to 12am

MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

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Music

RANGOON RHYTHM:

DJ Y3LLO

Min Ye Kyaw meets with Yangon’s new favorite DJ Y3LLO, to discuss rivalry in the music industry, having perfect timing and finding his own style.

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19 years old, Andrew Tin Aung Toe claimed his name as an artist: Y3llO. Since High School, he had been surrounded by music and all things related to it and had learned to play many different kinds of musical instruments since he was five, settling on the piano in later years.

Y3llO started DJing at around the age of 13 and he recalls, “I went to a school event called R4R and met my first DJ friends JD and Fakecake there. The way the crowd reacted to their performance was amazing. I got hooked onto it. Ever since then I got interested in music production and DJing as well.”

One of the main challenges he has been facing has been dealing with a lot of rivalry as a newcomer to the music industry.

“I don’t really have a favorite music genre because I have a very wide range of music I listen to. I love every kind of genre,” Y3llO denied the obsession of music genres. Being inspired by anyone who makes good music, he gets inspirations from his friends and their music too. DJing requires perfect timing and the ability to read a crowd and so Y3llO introduces his new songs in clubs to gage the reaction from the people dancing.

After doing six shows within two months of his career, he has got his pre-gig rountine perfected and usually spend the day ahead preparing mashups and tracks to include in his set along with his original tracks. Y3llO is on working on creating a mixtape EP with several music producers and artists such as Bunny Phyoe, Chan Myae Mg Cho, Mary and many more and it will be released generally in early 2019.

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MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

Apps | Ethnic Recipe

TECH TALK Our roundup of some of the best tech to enhance your life in Myanmar.

Procreate Pocket

CHICKEN AND TEA LEAF CURRY Ingredients - - - - - - - -

350g chicken 80g finely chopped onion 30g chopped garlic 40g tea leaves 40ml sunflower oil 1/4 tsp turmeric powder 3/4 tsp salt 1 tsp chicken stock

Instructions

This iPhone app was named as an App of the Year in 2018 and allows users to create artworks of anything their imagination can conjure. With more than 135 painting styles, from acrylic paints to calligraphy pens, your artwork will have a natural touch and as a portable pocket canvas, now you can paint wherever and whenever inspiration strikes.

VSCO

If you want to edit the photos on your phone like a professional photographer, then this app is for you. As well as a vast array of Instagrammable effects on offer, you can also make a journal of your creations with this app too to track your progress.

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Chop the cleaned and boneless chicken into 1 inch pieces and knead with turmeric powder and salt.

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Add the chicken stock to water and bring to the boil. Then add the chopped chicken pieces and continue to boil for 10 minutes until cooked.

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Clean the tea leaves thoroughly, add salt and squeeze out the bitter juice.

Then place in the sunflower oil.

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Fry the onions and garlic until they are transparent.

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Heat the cooking pot and when warmed, add a little oil. When oil is warmed, add the onions and garlic mixture with some turmeric powder.

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Next add the soaked tea leaves to the pot, followed by the chicken pieces and stir vigorously.

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If the chicken pieces are cooked tenderly, the chicken and tea leaf curry is ready to serve.

Mend

If you’ve recently been dumped, look no further than Mend. Giving you a way to monitor the self-love that you need, as well as providing you with diverting podcasts this is the app to truly help you get “on the mend” after a serious heartbreak.

MYANMORE magazine #27 January 2019

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