Burmese Bites has the scrappy energy of a pop-up, with pots and pans piled behind a counter and servers rushing around with plates of keema palata, the crisp layered rectangles of stuffed bread that have propelled this family business for 30 years. The restaurant started as a church fair staple and became a Queens Night Market star, then an LIC food cart, and an Elmhurst (and briefly Midtown) food stall. At their permanent home in Astoria, with tables spread out canteen-style, the menu is so extensive that it’s hard to restrain yourself from ordering something from every single section and building a crash course in Burmese cuisine. And with most dishes under $20, it isn’t an unreasonable move.
photo credit: Sonal Shah
photo credit: Sonal Shah
photo credit: Sonal Shah
photo credit: Sonal Shah
Buckle in and get a few classics, like the laphet with crunchy puffed lentils and bitter tea leaves, at least one kaukswe or curry plate, mohinga drizzled with uber-salty Burmese fish sauce, and a fragrant biryani. But branch out too, because dishes like chewy dried eels, coated in spice and fried to a crisp are, just as our server promised, the bomb.
photo credit: Sonal Shah
photo credit: Sonal Shah
photo credit: Sonal Shah
photo credit: Sonal Shah
photo credit: Sonal Shah
photo credit: Sonal Shah
photo credit: Sonal Shah
