Burmese Noodles in Old Macau

A bowl of Burmese rice noodles with fish balls in Macau's old district

When I met my Singapore friend who used to work in Macau, her husband's first order of business was to go to the Three Lamps District in old Macau. It's called "Three Lamps" because there's a roundabout with three lamp posts there.

On one side is a mini open wet market where you can buy flowers, get keys cut, or simple electronic gadgets fixed, and of course buy food. There's fresh produce like vegetables, homemade tofu and noodles, lemongrass and chillis, and also snacks like banh mi, and large chunks of char siu and roast goose ready to be taken home and eaten.

Soy chickens and quails for sale at this shop in the wet market

Directly opposite the wet market area and going up a few steps from the roundabout is Resturante Birmanes Nga Heong, a Burmese noodle shop.

There are apparently a few thousand Burmese living in the former Portuguese enclave and there are a handful of Burmese restaurants in Macau. Restaurante Birmanes Nga Heong is cheap, though the staff aren't very cheerful.

We got there just before the lunchtime rush and perused through the menu. My friend and her husband both got noodles marinated in a soy sauce and topped with shredded roast chicken and chopped scallions. They also ordered a dish of pork chop that came in a thin slice and cut up into strips.

Thin strips of pork chop that are slightly sweet

I ordered a spicy and sour noodle soup that has fish cakes in it, but I asked them to substitute them with fish balls instead.

Soon my order arrived piping hot and thank goodness not too spicy though it looks quite red! I enjoyed the sourness of the soup base, the rice noodles soaking in the flavour along with the springy fish balls.

We also ordered a plate of choi sum, the vegetables very tender and in season.

Despite us enjoying the meal, it was a bit of a challenge dealing with a waitress who was hardly patient with us. But really we came for the food.

The Burmese noodle shop at Three Lamps District

Apparently this place is also known for its creamy chicken curry and black soy bean milk.

Restaurante Birmanes Nga Heong
27F-GF Rua de Fernao Mendes Pinto R/C
Macau
(853) 2852 8129

The Lady's in Charge

Everyone will be watching how Aung San Suu Kyi leads Burma

Exactly five years ago today, Aung San Suu Kyi walked free after 15 years of house arrest and the electoral commission announced her party, the National League for Democracy won an overwhelming majority in Myanmar or Burma's first openly contested election in 25 years.

According to the constitution that was amended by the military, Suu Kyi technically cannot become president, but she has said that she would lead the country anyway if the NLD won.

Suu Kyi's release from house arrest exactly five years ago

The party earned over 80 percent of the vote, demonstrating the people are anxious for change -- however it won't come easily. The NLD has enough of a majority to pass bills, but the army has 25 percent of seats and controls key ministries, so there needs to be cooperation on both sides.

Suu Kyi will meet with President Thein Sein and army Commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing next week, probably to make the transition in power as peaceful as possible, and that the next government will be inclusive.

When she was under house arrest, I didn't think I would see her released in my lifetime, let alone win a relatively democratic election.

How times change -- and fast!

The Lady reading when she was under house arrest

It will be interesting to see how she leads Burma. While she was a symbol of democracy, she didn't speak out for ethnic minorities when she was leader of the opposition. There were spats of violence and Suu Kyi kept silent that seemed uncharacteristic of her, and raised doubts of her ability to unite the country.

Which is why it's kind of surprising how she and the NLD won such an overwhelming majority, but perhaps it's because everyone is clamoring for change. Will she deliver? We shall see.