Kyain Kyain — Restaurant in Fremont

How excitement can turn into abject disappointment in one meal. Went in and ordered the Lamb Curry with Paratha. They served it in plastic ware. I asked for a plate. They refused to give one, stating they don’t have one to give.

I turned around and saw a family of six eating in bowls. I literally asked “have I done something to offend you?” I was confused as to why they didn’t have… plates and bowls?

Anyway. I asked to be rung up so I can eat at home. One star gone for poor in-restaurant experience.

Now to the food.

All could be forgiven if the food was good. It wasn’t. I ate a third and threw the rest.

The lamb was cooked but inconsistently. Pan tossed at best versus cooked in the actual curry. It seems the gravy was added as an afterthought.

The gravy was oily and under flavored, and barely constituted an ounce of the container at best. The potato seemed old and wrinkled and crumbled.

The paratha was incredibly oily and doughy and felt like biting into oil, but not in a good way. There was an unnecessary heaviness to it.

Lastly, the cucumber salad was insanely spicy, like “run and get some ice cream” level of heat. On a cucumber.

The cucumber had more heat than the meat.

The boorishly large portions of meat were a chore to eat.

I absolutely love Burmese food and every Bay Area Burmese restaurant I’ve been to has been absolutely top notch, be it a fancy spot or a simple suburban one.

But Kyain Kyain was...

As a Burmese, this place truly hit the spot! I came here with my wife and my mom, and we ordered a variety of dishes: Nan Gyi Thot, Dan Pout, chicken curry, paratha, and tofu salad.

The Nan Gyi Thot, a classic Burmese noodle dish, was wonderfully flavorful, with perfectly cooked rice noodles coated in a rich, savory chicken curry sauce. The fresh garnishes, and crunchy chips added a nice kick.

The Dan Pout, a Burmese / Indian yellow rice dish, was generously served with tender, juicy pieces of chicken in a fragrant and slightly tangy sauce. The thick sauce was so delicious too.

The chicken curry was was incredibly rich, deeply spiced, and brimming with bold flavors. The curry sauce paired beautifully with the flaky, golden-brown paratha, which was perfectly crunchy on the outside and buttery soft inside. It also complemented the Nan Gyi Thot perfectly, making the dish even more enjoyable.

Lastly, the tofu salad was light yet packed with flavor. The tofu was soft and delicate, mixed with fresh vegetables, a tangy dressing, and just the right amount of heat. Everything we tried tasted authentic and reminded me of my mom's cooking at home. I can't wait to come back and try...

The Aunty at the counter was hospitable, kind, and patiently efficient when serving me as a new customer. It was a chilly day and I needed nourishment to carry me over to knock out my evening tasks. I originally wanted to eat at the Korean restaurant nearby but they were only open for take-out/delivery. I'm glad Kyain Kyain was there to feed my soul.

I ordered a Shrimp Cake Salad appetizer and the Pork Thin Noodle Soup (no organ parts as I wanted to keep it light in flavor). The appetizer wasn't to my liking as the flavors were a bit too strong for my palette and the amount of Shrimp Cake was next to near non-existent in the dish.

The highlight of my meal was the Pork Thin Noodle Soup. The broth had amazing depth of flavor and it definitely nourished my soul. I steadily took my time eating the dish and made sure to savor every bite and sip.

I'll have to take my friends/family here in the...