We loved our experience with Penny and her sister. Penny walked us through the local market pointing out unique Burmese fruits and vegetables. She then allowed us to select the main meats and some vegetables for our meal. We spent a couple hours preparing two different curries, an eggplant long bean dish, and four salads. Everything was exceptional. We also enjoyed hearing about penny's work developing libraries in undeserved areas in myanmar.
If you’re thinking about doing this class just go for it! It was amazing. May took me to the local market, showed and explained unique produce to me, and then we selected ingredients on the spot based on what I wanted to eat. Then we spent the morning preparing an incredible meal. She even sent the recipe and ingredients to my email after so I can recreate it later if I want. For the low price you get so much!! She also does amazing work in her community, it was such a pleasure to get to know her.
We had a wonderful morning thanks to this cooking class. After going to the market we enjoyed a cup of tea in a traditional Myanmar tea house. Then, we went home to cook many different dishes. We tried some vegetables that we had never heard before ! We even tasted cactus. Everything went in a good atmosphere, we discovered a lot of things and have learned more about Myanmar culture. And all the work with the library and soaps is absolutly amazing! Thank you again !
This is an amazing experience and i cannot emphasize enough how everyone should try it! From buying to cooking to eating and everything is absolutely delicious.
May is amazing. Very patient, kind hearted and such a great cook and teacher!
They contribute to the community by sharing books: please bring an English book (preferably children's) to them and they would highly appreciate it - because they have a hard time providing books to educate children.
May takes you to her home and shows you how to cook traditional meals. She also teaches you about the areas local history, I strongly recommend instead of looking at pogadas all day
I have just now completed this incredible course, detailing an introduction to the world of beautiful Burmese cooking. I found Pennywort through my lovely hostel, Ostello Bello (also highly recommended) and I chose to attend a morning course, which begins at 7:30 a.m. I met Miss May near the market, where she wove me expertly through the many stalls and vendors, describing to me the many foreign vegetables, herbs, beans, spices, etc. I asked questions constantly, and I was always given an answer -prompt, professional, detailed, and always in perfect English.
After I chose the veggies of my desires (I like a lot of veggies. I was spoilt for choice;)), we moved to a tea shop where I sampled some local milk tea. Delicious... If you're picking up a trend here!
Next was the short walk to Miss May's truly beautiful and idyllic home, where the class began.
Between chopping, stirring, taking notes, and always listening to the many many tidbits of wisdom and knowledge my humble teacher exuded, I was kept busy and entertained for 5 hours, the length of this course.
The food was fantastic. I made an eggplant-potato curry, cucumber salad, bitter melon curry, tomato gravy with hibiscus and another with peanuts. (if you're not vegetatarian, your dishes will be completely different of course!)
I'm so happy I made the decision to take this class. Please come during your stay in Bagan, meet Miss May, support her impressive efforts to establish libraries in the local villages, and eat some delicious food! You won't regret it.
Amazing time spent in this cooting class with Mey. She taught us a lot about both cooking and burmese people life and traditions.
The food was amazing and way more surprising than restaurant usual food.
Mey also contributes a lot to local people empowerment by developping local habitant skills and autonomy through improving foreign language teaching to children and trying to develop recycling in the area.
A great way to have an excellent meal, learn about cooking and give a little help to local projects, you won't regret it !
Definitely worth it. May is great at was she does and this is the full experience, from going to the market and buying all the stuff to cooking your own food. Also a great way to understand the Burmese culture. Highly recommended.
