Shwe Dagon Pagoda, Yangon
Shwe Dagon Pagoda, Yangon
Burmese Cuisine
The current government has renamed Burma "Myanmar," and Rangoon "Yangon," but traditional flavors can be savored at the Rangoon Burmese Restaurant, located at 112 North 9th Street at the edge of Philadelphia's Chinatown (215-829-8939; closed Mondays). Myanmar sits right alongside India and both the similarities and differences are apparent in both the decor and the cuisine. Enjoy the beautiful wall hangings and note the Burmese script on the menu.
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Malaysian and Singaporean Cuisine
While close to half of all Southeast Asians live in Indonesia and Malaysia, until not long ago there were no Malaysian or Indonesian restaurants in the region. Happily, this is no longer the case. The Indonesia Restaurant, at 1029 Race Street (215-829-1400), now makes available the cuisine of the world's fifth largest country, with a varied menu that emphasizes Javanese dishes but includes ones from Bali and other islands as well. Part of a New York-based chain, Penang, at 117 N. 10th Street (215-413-2531), offers the mix of Malay, South Asian, and Chinese dishes that characterize Malaysia's multiethnic cuisine. Some patrons may find some of the dishes challenging (shrimp paste, or belachan, is not to everyone's liking), but the Malaysian servers are ready to help in making selections. And the latest addition for Malaysian Cuisine is the Banana Leaf at 2009 Arch Street (215-592-8288, open daily 10 am to 2 am). Despite its name and its Malaysian Chinese owners, the (kosher) Singapore Vegetarian Restaurant doesn't provide much of either the feel or the flavors of Singapore's diverse and wonderful cuisine. If imitation meat and seafood made from gluten interests you, you will be impressed with the chef's ingenuity (1006 Race Street); 215-923-0303, open daily). |
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 Old Singapore recedes before the new. |
An hour or so towards the Poconos, you can sample Singapore's most distinctive cuisine, known as Nonya or Peranakan (a synthesis of Malay and Chinese tastes and styles), at Dragon Court Restaurant, Route 209, Brodheadsville, PA (215-992-3399; open daily). The owners are Malaysian Chinese; ask for the Malaysian and Nonya menu. |
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 IIlilo, central Philippines |
Pan-Asian Restaurants
In addition to "Asian fusion" restaurants, several Pan-Asian restaurants have come and gone recently in Chinatown and elsewhere. Asia@Cafe offers an eclectic mix of Chinese, Malaysian, and Thai Dishes at 927 Race Street (open daily, 215-922-7920). The International Smokeless Barbecue on 612 Washington Ave.(215-599-8844), a few blocks east of the Italian Market area, is a unique cook-your-own-at-your-table place combining Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and Korean styles. Although not really a Southeast Asian restaurant, Serrano is a pleasant bar/cafe with an eclectic menu that often includes a few Indonesian, Malaysian and Thai items. It's at 20 S. 2nd Street (just off of Market), Philadelphia (215-928-0770; open daily).
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Updated January 1, 2008
