Falooda: A cool summer drink to beat the Myanmar heat

Falooda! A lot of people haven’t heard about this dessert drink. This drink originated in erstwhile Persia and came to India during the Mughal empire and spread its wings far east till Burma during the days of the British colonial rule. Today, it is very popular in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Burma. While I grew up drinking this summer drink during my childhood days, I hardly find the authentic ones any more in India and if I do find it I end up paying a huge premium. But, in Myanmar, that is not the case as it is found almost everywhere and it is a huge favorite with the locals.


This cold drink consists of milk, sago, vermicelli, ice cream, jelly, cherries, lots of sugar and saturated milk fat. One can get a full glass of Falooda for 1200 to 1500 kyat in the best shops in Yangon and Mandalay. The best shops in Yangon are Shwe pa Zun and Inwa cold drinks. If you taste this drink in the countryside markets, then you pay only 300 kyat, but then the quality has been sacrificed, though the drink still tastes very good. Keep in mind that unlike other desserts, this one is very heavy and filling. So, do remember to leave some empty space in your stomach for you to be able to enjoy this summer dessert drink completely. And I hope you have a sweet tooth!!