The Former Ruili Myanmar Muslim Street
Reposted from the web
Summary: This travel note introduces The Former Ruili Myanmar Muslim Street. Since 2020, Ruili has been the most severely affected area in Yunnan and even China, frequently appearing in the news. It is useful for readers interested in Ruili, Myanmar Muslims, Halal Street.
Since 2020, Ruili has been the most severely affected area in Yunnan and even China, frequently appearing in the news. Due to the closure of the national borders, cross-border trade has become unsustainable, and the Burmese Muslim street in Ruili is on the verge of disintegration. Back in 2019, I visited the Burmese Muslim street in Ruili based on scattered descriptions online and tasted authentic Burmese Muslim food. Below, I will share with you this detailed introduction to the Ruili Muslim street, which is likely the only one of its kind online.
Before 2020, seven or eight thousand Burmese Muslims lived in Ruili; most of them were jade merchants, and some had already lived in Ruili for twenty or thirty years. They worked hard in Ruili and lived active and fulfilling lives. When I chatted with some Burmese Muslims in Ruili, they all unanimously praised China, saying that life in China is much more stable than in Myanmar, and they really like the environment in China.
Most of the Burmese Muslims in Ruili live near the Jewelry Street. Starting from the 1980s, Baijing East Lane near Jewelry Street gradually formed a Halal food street to provide food for the Burmese Muslim merchants on Jewelry Street. However, in reality, most people are not familiar with the official street name 'Baijing East Lane.' Ruili locals generally call this place 'Old Burmese Street,' and when I took a ride from a Burmese Muslim, I would just say 'go to Jewelry Street, where the Muslims eat,' and they would understand exactly where to go.
The Burmese Muslims living in Ruili mainly belong to the 'Bamar Muslims,' an ethnic group formed by the intermarriage of South Asian Muslims and the Bamar people. After the British occupied Myanmar in the 19th century, a large number of South Asian Muslims came to make a living, spreading to almost every city in Myanmar. Bamar Muslims speak Burmese, write in Burmese, wear longyis, have customs similar to the Bamar people, and are the most numerous among Burmese Muslims. They are distributed in all major cities in Myanmar.
I am very grateful to my Douban friend Lin Ruo here; he carefully translated the signs and food names on the Muslim street for me, making this article much more detailed.
The shop on the right in the picture is called Shwe Oukkan, a name commonly used by South Indian Tamil/Telugu people, indicating that the owner of this shop is likely of South Indian descent.
Breakfast
A good day starts with breakfast.
As a former British colony, milk tea (Let-pet-ye) is an important part of Burmese life. Burmese milk tea is made by brewing tea leaves and adding condensed milk, so you must stir it before drinking to let the condensed milk fully dissolve. The first time I didn't stir it enough, and I ended up being overwhelmed by the condensed milk at the end.
The large pancake on the right in the picture is called Dosa, which originates from the Tamil region of South India. The dark yellow dish in the middle of the tray is called Sambar, a lentil stew that also originates from South India, representing the long tradition of consuming lentils in South India.
The substance painted on this lady's face is called Thanaka, made by grinding Thanaka tree branches into powder and mixing it with water. It is used to prevent mosquito bites and also has a cooling effect.
In front of her are various mixed noodles; from thick to thin, they are Nan ji, lat, and thay thout, and the white ones are vermicelli Ja zan.
Placed on the plate is Burmese tofu To hpu, which originates from the Shan people and is made from yellow peas and Burmese chickpeas.
Mixed noodles made with Burmese fried tofu.
A type of bean soup
Coming to the next breakfast stall
This is Chapati, also known as Roti, which originates from South Asia and is eaten with corn juice.
This is a relatively large restaurant; they sell snacks at the entrance and serve milk tea inside.
This is a medium-sized Shan-style mixed noodle dish, Nann lat thout.
This is a zongzi (sticky rice dumpling), but the filling is different from ours.
The menu on the wall includes egg pancakes, various steamed buns, fried rice, flatbreads, and various fried foods.
People drinking tea; the uncle on the right has both Burmese milk tea and Shan-style green tea on his table.
Snacks
Next, let's talk about the snacks on the Muslim street.
A bit like a fried cake.
This pancake is called Bein hmont, and it is quite sweet.
A stall with various sticky rice cakes.
Scraping coconut shreds directly from the coconut husk.
This is golden rice, Shway hta-minn, served with coconut shreds, made by baking sticky rice with palm sugar.
This is also golden rice.
This is oily rice, Hsi hta-minn, made with sticky rice, turmeric, and peanut oil.
This is steamed purple rice, Nga-gyeit paung, served with coconut shreds.
The uncle is making fried triangles, Samusas, which are the famous South Asian Samosas.
Classic Samusas are made by mixing vegetable oil, melted butter, warm water, salt, and wheat flour for the dough, and using mashed potatoes, onions, green peas, spices, and green chili for the filling, then frying them until golden brown.
Samusas originate from the Persian word Sanbosag. Praise for it appeared in Persian poetry as early as the 10th century. This snack was very popular in Iran until the 16th century, but it is currently only distributed in a few areas. In the 13th or 14th century, Central Asian Muslim merchants brought it to South Asia, where it was loved by the royal family of the Delhi Sultanate. A scholar of the Delhi Sultanate wrote in 1300 that princes and nobles liked 'Samosas made with meat, ghee, onions, etc.' After that, Samosa was brought to Myanmar by Indian immigrants.
Classic potato and onion filling.
Stalls with various fried foods.
I bought a little bit of everything, including fried corn kernels and fried vegetable balls.
I bought some dried small fish at this shop to mix with rice.
This is arrowroot, Ar tar lwut o.
Main meals
The shop in the picture below is called 'Yangon Family Restaurant,' indicating that the owner is likely from Yangon.
A complete beef curry rice meal, with lettuce, side dishes, soup, and chili sauce; you can help yourself to a large pot of rice.
This is a classic Burmese milk tea shop where people usually drink milk tea and chat, and they can also eat food.
The young man is making egg pancakes, Palata, which originate from the South Asian Paratha.
I ordered Burmese milk tea and egg biryani.
The shop on the right says 'Shan Mountain (referring to the Shan Plateau) Traditional Tea and Various Cold Drinks.'
Having another milk tea.
Beef rice.
The young man in the shop.
A large pot of chickpea biryani made by this shop.
Chicken biryani served with side dishes and peanuts.
Burmese milk tea shop at night.
In the picture below, the bottom left is Burmese milk tea, and the top left is green tea from Shan State, Yay Nway Gyan.
Fried noodles are called Khao swe jaw.
The shop on the left is called Aung's; the sign on the left says 'Premium Milk Tea & Various Snacks,' and the right side says 'Accepting Biryani Orders.' The word for biryani used is the Bamar term 'Dan bauk,' which originates from 'dum pukht.' In addition, 'Mandalay' is also written above, indicating that the owner is likely from Mandalay, the second-largest city in Myanmar.
I ate an egg pancake, Palata, at their place, which is the Paratha bread originating from South Asia.
Summary: This travel note introduces The Former Ruili Myanmar Muslim Street. Since 2020, Ruili has been the most severely affected area in Yunnan and even China, frequently appearing in the news. It is useful for readers interested in Ruili, Myanmar Muslims, Halal Street.
Since 2020, Ruili has been the most severely affected area in Yunnan and even China, frequently appearing in the news. Due to the closure of the national borders, cross-border trade has become unsustainable, and the Burmese Muslim street in Ruili is on the verge of disintegration. Back in 2019, I visited the Burmese Muslim street in Ruili based on scattered descriptions online and tasted authentic Burmese Muslim food. Below, I will share with you this detailed introduction to the Ruili Muslim street, which is likely the only one of its kind online.
Before 2020, seven or eight thousand Burmese Muslims lived in Ruili; most of them were jade merchants, and some had already lived in Ruili for twenty or thirty years. They worked hard in Ruili and lived active and fulfilling lives. When I chatted with some Burmese Muslims in Ruili, they all unanimously praised China, saying that life in China is much more stable than in Myanmar, and they really like the environment in China.
Most of the Burmese Muslims in Ruili live near the Jewelry Street. Starting from the 1980s, Baijing East Lane near Jewelry Street gradually formed a Halal food street to provide food for the Burmese Muslim merchants on Jewelry Street. However, in reality, most people are not familiar with the official street name 'Baijing East Lane.' Ruili locals generally call this place 'Old Burmese Street,' and when I took a ride from a Burmese Muslim, I would just say 'go to Jewelry Street, where the Muslims eat,' and they would understand exactly where to go.
The Burmese Muslims living in Ruili mainly belong to the 'Bamar Muslims,' an ethnic group formed by the intermarriage of South Asian Muslims and the Bamar people. After the British occupied Myanmar in the 19th century, a large number of South Asian Muslims came to make a living, spreading to almost every city in Myanmar. Bamar Muslims speak Burmese, write in Burmese, wear longyis, have customs similar to the Bamar people, and are the most numerous among Burmese Muslims. They are distributed in all major cities in Myanmar.
I am very grateful to my Douban friend Lin Ruo here; he carefully translated the signs and food names on the Muslim street for me, making this article much more detailed.
The shop on the right in the picture is called Shwe Oukkan, a name commonly used by South Indian Tamil/Telugu people, indicating that the owner of this shop is likely of South Indian descent.
Breakfast
A good day starts with breakfast.
As a former British colony, milk tea (Let-pet-ye) is an important part of Burmese life. Burmese milk tea is made by brewing tea leaves and adding condensed milk, so you must stir it before drinking to let the condensed milk fully dissolve. The first time I didn't stir it enough, and I ended up being overwhelmed by the condensed milk at the end.
The large pancake on the right in the picture is called Dosa, which originates from the Tamil region of South India. The dark yellow dish in the middle of the tray is called Sambar, a lentil stew that also originates from South India, representing the long tradition of consuming lentils in South India.
The substance painted on this lady's face is called Thanaka, made by grinding Thanaka tree branches into powder and mixing it with water. It is used to prevent mosquito bites and also has a cooling effect.
In front of her are various mixed noodles; from thick to thin, they are Nan ji, lat, and thay thout, and the white ones are vermicelli Ja zan.
Placed on the plate is Burmese tofu To hpu, which originates from the Shan people and is made from yellow peas and Burmese chickpeas.
Mixed noodles made with Burmese fried tofu.
A type of bean soup
Coming to the next breakfast stall
This is Chapati, also known as Roti, which originates from South Asia and is eaten with corn juice.
This is a relatively large restaurant; they sell snacks at the entrance and serve milk tea inside.
This is a medium-sized Shan-style mixed noodle dish, Nann lat thout.
This is a zongzi (sticky rice dumpling), but the filling is different from ours.
The menu on the wall includes egg pancakes, various steamed buns, fried rice, flatbreads, and various fried foods.
People drinking tea; the uncle on the right has both Burmese milk tea and Shan-style green tea on his table.
Snacks
Next, let's talk about the snacks on the Muslim street.
A bit like a fried cake.
This pancake is called Bein hmont, and it is quite sweet.
A stall with various sticky rice cakes.
Scraping coconut shreds directly from the coconut husk.
This is golden rice, Shway hta-minn, served with coconut shreds, made by baking sticky rice with palm sugar.
This is also golden rice.
This is oily rice, Hsi hta-minn, made with sticky rice, turmeric, and peanut oil.
This is steamed purple rice, Nga-gyeit paung, served with coconut shreds.
The uncle is making fried triangles, Samusas, which are the famous South Asian Samosas.
Classic Samusas are made by mixing vegetable oil, melted butter, warm water, salt, and wheat flour for the dough, and using mashed potatoes, onions, green peas, spices, and green chili for the filling, then frying them until golden brown.
Samusas originate from the Persian word Sanbosag. Praise for it appeared in Persian poetry as early as the 10th century. This snack was very popular in Iran until the 16th century, but it is currently only distributed in a few areas. In the 13th or 14th century, Central Asian Muslim merchants brought it to South Asia, where it was loved by the royal family of the Delhi Sultanate. A scholar of the Delhi Sultanate wrote in 1300 that princes and nobles liked 'Samosas made with meat, ghee, onions, etc.' After that, Samosa was brought to Myanmar by Indian immigrants.
Classic potato and onion filling.
Stalls with various fried foods.
I bought a little bit of everything, including fried corn kernels and fried vegetable balls.
I bought some dried small fish at this shop to mix with rice.
This is arrowroot, Ar tar lwut o.
Main meals
The shop in the picture below is called 'Yangon Family Restaurant,' indicating that the owner is likely from Yangon.
A complete beef curry rice meal, with lettuce, side dishes, soup, and chili sauce; you can help yourself to a large pot of rice.
This is a classic Burmese milk tea shop where people usually drink milk tea and chat, and they can also eat food.
The young man is making egg pancakes, Palata, which originate from the South Asian Paratha.
I ordered Burmese milk tea and egg biryani.
The shop on the right says 'Shan Mountain (referring to the Shan Plateau) Traditional Tea and Various Cold Drinks.'
Having another milk tea.
Beef rice.
The young man in the shop.
A large pot of chickpea biryani made by this shop.
Chicken biryani served with side dishes and peanuts.
Burmese milk tea shop at night.
In the picture below, the bottom left is Burmese milk tea, and the top left is green tea from Shan State, Yay Nway Gyan.
Fried noodles are called Khao swe jaw.
The shop on the left is called Aung's; the sign on the left says 'Premium Milk Tea & Various Snacks,' and the right side says 'Accepting Biryani Orders.' The word for biryani used is the Bamar term 'Dan bauk,' which originates from 'dum pukht.' In addition, 'Mandalay' is also written above, indicating that the owner is likely from Mandalay, the second-largest city in Myanmar.
I ate an egg pancake, Palata, at their place, which is the Paratha bread originating from South Asia.
