Years ago I visited Philly for work and stumbled upon this place. Had a very nice dinner of shared plates with my colleagues and enjoyed the meal tremendously. I moved here recently and decided to return to this place which had made such a nice impression. I had no memory of what I had enjoyed so much the first time, so I took everyone's advice from here and started with the thousand layer bread and potato curry -- it was fantastic. I should have had a full meal of it. After that my wife ordered the Pad Thai-like dish and I ordered a spicy spare pork rib dish. Both were a little disappointing in their own ways. The Pad Thai like dish was a little too bland and the ribs were a little too dry, tough, and sinew-y. Aside from the textural issue, the ribs had potential to be really good. I really liked the flavor, which started with a nice minty sweetness and finished with some hot chili flavor. The toughness though was sort of a deal breaker. I want spare rib meat to fall off the bone. I had two options to get the edible parts in my mouth: make up for the fact that they did not provide me with a knife and try to use my spoon and fork to salvage some of the meat; OR tear it off with my teeth like a cave man. I went the cave man route and really wished I had a wet nap at the end of the meal like they'd give you at a BBQ place. So +3 for the bread (yum!). +1 for a friendly waitress, fast service, and available tables on a Friday +1 for affordability -1 for the bland noodle dish -1 for the tough spare ribs All in all: 3 stars. I'd still go back because based on my first experience there years ago I'm sure that there are other great dishes on the menu that I just missed this time. Both of our neighboring tables had things that looked delicious.
(3)
F R.
I could eat food from Rangoon every day. A lot of people compare it to a combination of Indian and Thai food, which makes sense since that is where it is geographically. The vegetarian keema is somewhat like a giant wide samosa. Really tasty, perfectly spice, and filling. The kung pao tofu is pretty good. Smokey, nothing like Chinese kung pao. The mango tofu is like sweet and sour, and I like that the tofu isn't fried. The golden triangles are like the vegetarian keema and really good.
(5)
Kat R.
Between myself and two friends, we got three appetizers (crab rangoon, golden tempura fingers, thousand layer bread with vatana dip), the asian tea leaf salad, and three entrees (night market noodle, mandalay nungyi noodle, and red bean tofu). All were delicious, but I particularly enjoyed the tea leaf salad which was a billion different tastes and textures in each bite, the thousand layer bread which was golden, flaky, crispy, and yummy, and the mandalay nungyi noodle dish which was just plain delicious. The only reason I didn't give this place five stars was that while our dishes were brought swiftly, after we were served our food, the wait staff pretty much disappeared.
(4)
Jen C.
I have passed this place about a million times over the last five years I've worked in Chinatown & it just never looked very inviting. When a client recommended it as a lunch meeting destination, I was a bit hesitant. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. The decor is simple but interesting and offers a relaxed setting in a typically loud & bustling part of the city. The menu is huge and has plenty to offer for meat lovers and vegetarians alike. I tried the tomato tofu rice dish on a recommendation and loved it. It was very flavorful with a spicy kick without being overwhelming. I was so pleased that I have since brought my coworkers back for a second round & gave the potato curry dish a spin...it was equally as satisfying, even to a meat lover like myself. Portions are reasonably large. I recommend checking out their lunch specials which are very modestly priced around $6.50-$8.50 and include a salad (which comes with a sesame dressing which is very unique and extremely tasty) or soup along with your entree. Definitely a big thumbs up to this Chinatown gem.
(4)
Shawn N.
Yum! My partner and I are staying near the Convention Center, had a hankering for something in Chinatown, but didn't want to roll the dice on a random pick. After some Googling, I came across reviews for this place and we were not disappointed. Of course, the thousand layer bread with potato curry was delicious (although a bit greasy!) My partner hates curry but loved this dish. We also had chicken with mixed veggies and spicy stringbean with tofu. Both were delicious, with the right amount of spice. I'd definitely recommend this place!
(4)
Lauren H.
I get to Rangoon a few times a year, and always for the same reason - celebrating the birthday or the departure of a coworker. It was a birthday this time. The lunch special is hard to beat. For $6.50 I got a bowl of sweet and sour soup along with my basil tofu (with a side of steamed rice). Instead of the soup, you can opt for a salad with sesame dressing, but the salad is rather meager so I always order soup. I've had a few of the lunch specials and the basil tofu/chicken are my favorite - the right mix of spiciness and flavor. Service is quick and efficient. The entrees came out before my table was finished with our soup and salad, which I'm not a fan of, but I can't complain because speedy service is a plus for those of us stopping by on our lunch hours. With a decent-sized dining room, this place is great for groups. Rangoon won't win any prizes for decor (though there are a few interesting wood carvings hanging on the walls), but it's clean and orderly without feeling sterile.
(4)
K. A. N. A. K.
Love Rangoon. I always get thousand-layer bread, chicken satay, night market noodles and some meditation of a salad.
(5)
Mai T.
For some reason I didn't think I'd try ethnic food on my trip out to Philly. I was pleasantly surprised when my friend chose this place. The food is yummy and the staff are so nice. The place is located in this jenky street of Chinatown (though I've never been to a non-jenky Chinatown) and the decor and atmoshere is much better on the inside than the outside. We had their award-winning fried tofu that was battered in lentils and dipped in a sweet/spicy sauce. Surprisingly yummy, though a bit dense. I had the chicken cocunut curry which is similar to a Thai curry, but much milder. My friend had the beef and lemongrass stew, which was packed with flavor, though the beef was a bit dry. The sweet icetea was delightful--fresh, mildly sweet, and with no milk. Overall, a good place. I'd come here often if I lived here.
(4)
T H.
Maybe 3.5 stars? This is probably the only place where you can get Mohinga noodles in the Philadelphia area. Their menu does not call it that way but "Festival Fish Noodle Soup" is it. Very good! Other items are also good (although the portions are smaller than what you get at other restaurants in the area).
(4)
Cindy K.
I love this place and if anyone asks what my favorite restaurant in the city is, I would say this one (in Philadelphia: throw a rock, hit a great restaurant). The green tea leaf salad and the thousand layer bread are wonderful and what I get almost every time I go. My friends' dishes are always incredibly fresh. The decor is beautiful and the service is prompt and sweet without being interruptive.
(5)
Rachel C.
The fish noodle soup never fails to be tasty warm goodness! I also recommend the thousand layer bread.
Rangoon serves fantastic, flavorful, amazing Burmese food with impeccable service! I have nothing but fondness for that place and have been quite a few times. The thousand-layer bread with potato curry dip = blows my mind! Reminds me of homemade roti yum! Also a must-try is the tea leaf salad! I usually end up getting the pork in mango curry ... and then all of my friends end up eating from what i get haha. Another nice touch -- the communal feel of having a big bowl or bowls of rice at the table. Will continue to go back again and again!
(5)
Louis T.
Rangoon's consistently good, veggie and fish-only friendly, and the service is pretty fast. What I'm saying is that this is a plus spot on a cold day when you're walking by or with a seminar group.
(4)
Cecilia L.
i think the food overall was pretty good, but the drinks i got are toooo sweet.
(3)
Emily A.
I've passed Rangoon a bunch of times and even went there with my family years ago. It had been so long ago, that it was almost like trying it for the first time. I ordered the Mango Salad and the coconut tofu. First came the mango salad, it was very colorful, slivers of green mango mixed with red onion, cilantro, sesame seeds and fried onions on top. I definitely have to make this at home! it was so good! Light but filling and all the different tastes melted together perfectly! Then came the coconut tofu. A beautiful plate of tofu, cauliflower and carrots in a light orange peach colored coconut curry sauce. I pretty much love coconut milk with anything and I'm also a huge fan of curry, so I knew this couldn't be bad! Luckily my instincts were right, because it was awesome! I only need a little bit of rice to balance the flavors, but honestly if i did without the rice it would have been just as good. Unfortunately my friend Moe didn't have the same luck as I did. He ordered the Chopped Watercress Salad and Curried Potatoes. I pictured the watercress salad to be more on the raw side with radish or another crispy vegetable and a really good dressing, but instead it was a a thick mixture of watercress, fried tofu and cabbage and carrots in a super sweet sauce that was somehow all cooked together. I wouldn't say it was horrible but a couple of bites was all I needed. The potatoes would have been excellent had they not been by themselves in the curried sauce. A little boring for my taste and really spicy. They would have been great mixed with a darker green vegetable or even Broccoli, instead of just potatoes by themselves. I'm definitely coming back to try more Burmese food! Hopefully my choices will be as good as this time.
(4)
Hilary S.
This place never a disappointment. I have loved every dish I have tried and they have a great vegetarian selection. I had heard about this place for years. But i never tried it until one night I was craving Crab Rangoon. I could not find them anywhere in my area (Chinatown) but then I remembered Rangoon. I figured if the place was named what I craved, they would have it. That night, Rangoon easily took the top spot as one of my favorite restaurants in Chinatown. Between the Basil Tofu, Mango Chicken and the Night Market Noodle; I always leave satisfied. Top my night off with Sweet Rice in Coconut milk and I am golden. To top it off, the staff is very pleasant and always have a smile all. They are polite and well attentive when dining in. Well decorated on the inside too, so it would be a great spot for a quite date.
(5)
Sean T.
Rangoon has a very special place in my heart. When I didn't drive, I would take the 8th and Market train to this spot just to eat and go back home (lol). Those were my college days. The service there is ALWAYS courteous and normally very friendly. Thousand layer bread with potato, a favorite... Asian spring rolls, a nice kick to the sauce and they are pleasantly crispy.. if you like blooming onions, etc.. fried onions are good. Crab rangoon, tasty. Love all the basil, mango, and jungle dishes. Mango can be kinda thick at times, if you don't like that. Love their fish, the balance between crispy fish smothered in sauces and curries is really enjoyable, don't hesitate eating! Basil tofu is a good choice for a vegetarian. So many good things to choose from at this restaurant. And if its your birthday... go, the birthday music is hysterical. lol
(5)
Shanna M.
It's been less than 24hrs since Rangoon and I met... I think my heart finally stopped pounding and the butterflies have subsided, my hands are still a bit clamy though. I mean I just never thought that I could meet a genuinely nice restaurant . What did little old me do to deserve such a wonderful gift in my life? All i know is that it makes me want to be a better person, someone who they can be proud of and carry on their legacy with honor. I was kinda shy when we first met but by the time I had finished my appetizer (thousand layer bread with curry chicken dipping sauce) I knew this was the beginning of a beautiful relationship and we were meant to be in each others lives. By the time I finished my entree (Basil noodles) I knew that it was the closest thing to love at first bite that I have ever experienced!
(5)
Cara N.
Um, can you say "yummy"?? I ate at Rangoon tonight with some friends, two of whom ARE Burmese, so I knew this place was gonna be good. Honey, we ATE! We ordered the works, starting with the Asian Tea Leaf salad and the Spring Ginger salad (you want to talk about GOOD?!?). Both salads were really flavorful and tasty. Next we ordered Thousand Layer Bread with the Curry Potato dip, which was also very tasty. Contrary to it's name, the bread is like a thin croissant...all nice and buttery. For my entree, I ordered the Chili Beef, at the waitress' recommendation (I couldn't decide between the Spicy Kung Pao Beef or the Chili Beef), and it was also really good. We all shared our food, so I also tasted the Jungle Shrimp (which I'll be ordering next time), one of the soups (I forget which one), as well as one of the noodle dishes, and I was pleased with everything. For dessert, I had the Farluda, which is a mixture of coconut milk, rice, jello and some sort of custard. It was really sweet, and I was kind of enjoying it until I got to the custard...I've always hated custard because of its texture. All in all, I was thoroughly pleased with Rangoon and with my food, and I'll definitely go back.
(4)
Ginger B.
The food was very tasty, and when they say "Burmese" they actually mean it. The menu was pretty new and interesting to someone who had never had Burmese food before. The pumpkin soup was great and had a different, delicate flavor. My garlicky noodles were very good, and my dining partner's shrimp balachao was very good too. Our only complaints were that, (unless you happen to be in the area) parking will cost you... and my partner, who was raised in a Burmese family, said the food could've been spicier and more flavorful. But overall the food was very good and interesting, and we plan to go back!
(4)
Nissan S.
Thousand layer bread with curry sauce was delicious. The rest was ok. But it was a new experience for me and close to my hotel (within a 3 block walk). Just don't do the walk alone at night.
(4)
Liz M.
I'd make the 2 hour drive to Philly just to go to Rangoon. The potato curry dip and the lentil fritters are delicious. It's easy to see why this place is always packed.
(5)
Richard L.
The food is very good, and in my case, filling. They have a good selection and the service is prompt.
(3)
Christopher R.
I've been wanted to visit Rangoon for years based on recommendations from friends but it took me until now to finally make it out there. While I was satisfied with my meal & found the cuisine interesting, I am not sure I would make it a point to seek out Burmese food again. Its not that anything was particularly bad (except the soup) but that the meal was incredibly inconsistent. Thousand Layer Bread with Curry Potato Dip: Excellent. The bread made me think of a greasy, slightly chewy, thin sheet of naan. Based on that description, it could be either great or awful but definitely enjoyed it. (The girl tried one bite and then declined to eat more of it, so I recognize its not everyone's thing.) The curry potato dip had just the right amount of spice and flavor to it. I could taste both the dip and the bread in every bite, which is about where the balance should be struck. I could eat this every day for a long, long time before getting sick of it. Then I'd take a hiatus and get right back to it. Yellow Pea Soup: Very mediocre. I was expecting something thicker and more flavorful but what I got was a tepid broth with some unidentifiable and bland particulate matter settled at the bottom. Is this the Burmese version of gruel or something? Coconut Curry Chicken: Sweet and flavorful, from what I sampled. The girl said the flavors reminded her of Nigerian cooking but I cannot verify that. In any case, and excellent entree & worth trying. Chicken Mint Kabab: I have mixed feelings about this. I enjoyed it and thought there was a nice spice to the dish. But I'm not sure WHY I enjoyed it or what the flavor accompanying the spice actually was. In other words, I don't think I can articulate the chef's "theory of the dish," which is something I think you should be able to do with good food. I'm going to have to reserve judgment on this for now. Also, one of the pieces of chicken still had some bone attached. Service was relatively fast and efficient... for the first half of the meal. However, when it came time to pay the check, our waiter was distracted for a full twenty minutes with another customer who was trying to decide what to order for take-out. We tried to make contact with every possible employee so we could resolve the check and make our exit, to no avail. We finally just decided to make due with what we had, resulting in slightly meager tip. Hey, they earned it.
(3)
Eileen V.
First time eating Burmese food. My husband and I loved it. Samosas, rangoons, thousand layer bread with chicken dip, chicken Keema, and country chicken were all excellent! Not everything is spicy so for those with a milder palate, don't be discouraged!
(5)
Dan S.
Nice for lunch near the convention center. Clean, friendly, and reasonably priced. Some of the dishes seemed more like generic Asian food than Burmese. Everything was quite tasty though. I disagree win anyone who says that the 1000 layer bread is a must have, I did not find it compelling.
(3)
Atif I.
Burmese food has influences from India (curry and lentil dishes), China (stir fries, noodles, spring rolls) and Thailand (spicy, sweet and sour coconut milk and tamarind sauces) but still retains unique preparation techniques and flavors. Rangoon makes some concession to the local palate, but nevertheless serves a flavorful meal. The dishes say "hot and spicy", but the taste usually remains mild. Given the adjustments, Rangoon enjoys an eclectic clientele and as a result is usually packed. Servers are somewhat strained, and while service levels are adequate they are not exceptional. You could do well by starting with the thousand layer bread with curry chicken or potato dip. Inspired from the Indian Paratha, variants are also present in Malay food. The string bean or ginger salads (both with sesame seeds) are also popular. In entrees, you have a number of excellent options in chicken. I've really liked the Chicken Qeema (sauteed, minced chicken over homemade bread); Chili Chicken (crispy, diced chicken with bell peppers and onions) which is spicy, but different from the Chinese version of the dish; Chicken Mint Kebab (Marinated chicken) --- all are delicious. Vegetarians should enjoy the Mango Tofu and the Tomato Curry Tofu. The Noodle dishes are uniformly well made, but the seafood doesn't deliver consistently. Frankly, there's no real reason to try desserts in a cuisine originating east of India. Rangoon serves an interesting Faluda: Rose water, milk, Jelly, Tapioca pearls with vanilla ice cream. But, why stuff yourself when you could instead savor the wonders of Capogiro or Scoop De Ville?
(4)
Anita S.
Appetizers and soups. That's as far as I've gotten in the menu. Tea-leaf salad, festival soup (very strong, an acquired taste), ginger salad, golden triangles home-made tofu (I could eat these like Pringles), thousand-layer bread - all my standards are so good that it's impossible to make it to the entrees! You also must know that it is owned by three ladies who are all as cute as dumplings and as sweet as the spiced tea they serve.
(4)
Ian R.
OK, so I've only been here once, but what an awesome experience. Super-duper cheap, awesome food. The 1,000 layer bread is as good as everyone says, and the noodle dish I ordered was outrageously good. Wash it down with an Asian beer. Don't make it to Philly all that often, but I am definitely returning to this place.
(5)
christina j.
My first Burmese experience and I am glad it was here. We sampled a bunch of items which were, shrimp lemongrass soup, crab rangoon, mandalay shrimp roll, basil chicken, thousand layer bread. Everything was tasty and full of flavor. Prices are reasonable and the waiter was friendly. I would definitely visit again.
(3)
Sean G.
It had been quite sometime since I last visited this place - so I was glad my friend suggested dining here, especially when he reminded me of the thousand layer bread. We got two orders of thousand layer bread with both curry potato dip and vatana dip (I preferred the curry dip) - the bread was delicious, although I wish it were warmer when it was served. Since it was lunch, I took advantage of the lunch special (quite a deal at $6.50) and chose the coconut tofu with white rice. It was delicious and not as rich tasting as I thought it would be (which is a good thing). The special also came with a negligible salad with seasame seed dressing on the side. There's a good selection of vegetarian options - Monsoon Vegetable and Jungle Tofu are on my to-do list for next time...
(3)
Scottie B.
Good food, at a price. I enjoyed Rangoon, it's your typical semi-obscure Asian food restaurant. Kitschy decor, attentive service, a mixture of authentic and bastardized food. Burmese food was fairly similar to Thai and Malaysian, so it didn't open up my dining world but it was a bit sweeter so it was nice change. Dishes come large enough for one or easy to share for two. But a lunch for two there shouldn't cost $40. Maybe if it was a bit more upscale, or we got alcohol, but for the food we ate there's gotta be a place nearby with the same quality.
(4)
Allen R.
Rangoon has a meal for everyone. I love their special twists on food. I feel it is unlike any other restaurant in Chinatown Philadelphia area (it's Burmese food). I like the waitstaff there - they are fast, efficient, and no pressure. Rangoon is my wife's favorite restaurant in Philadelphia, so I have been here many times. We have had many guests with us and I think everyone who never had Burmese food was pleasantly surprised how much they enjoyed their meal. I am not a big meat eater, so I recommend the pumpkin soup, spicy string beans, and bean curd salads. My wife loves the potato curry dip - it keeps her coming back! Rangoon is a restaurant that I would bring people from out of town - especially those that enjoy ethnic restaurants.
(4)
Le Raccoon X.
Disappointed! The thousand layer bread and spicy potato curry were just decent enough. The main thing they had going for them was the fact that I was hungry. The primary flavor in the curry was SALTY -- baaaawreeeng! Their counterparts at Penang are far superior, and they pale in comparison even to their cousins at Rising Tide! The tea leaf salad was a mishmash of things that should have refreshed my tastebuds. Instead, it was another salty assault on my system that made me chug-a-lug my water! Most disappointing of all was the mango chicken. Do you know what it ended up looking and tasting like? SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN -- an inferior version of the typical take-out fare, with its emaciated slivers of chicken and overly saturated and overly sweet veggies. I paid $11.50 for take-out that wasn't even tasty. It came with white rice, but I opted instead to pay for a serving of coconut rice, and boy was I disappointed and once again ripped off ($3.25!). The coconut rice at Cafe de Laos was superior in both flavor and texture. Also, I tried a small piece of my friend's chicken curry -- what the heck, man. Salty yet again.
(1)
Toral Z.
Excellent food, great chill tofu.
(5)
Magda T.
I would have given it a 3.5, if I could. They almost could get a 4, but not quite there . As a vegetarian, the options are always limited but at Rangoon there are enough to give you choice. The appetizers were excellent: the green tea salad was great, nice and crunchy; the Thousand Layer Bread with Homemade bread & a curry potato dipping sauce seemed more like the Malaysian roti (think roti canai) and as such was very nice; the Crispy Lentil Fritter, mixed lentil grounded with onion, mint & chili spices were excellent too--had a nice spice to them. One of us had the pea soup and said it was outstanding. The weakness came from the entrees; Monsoon vegetables were good but not overwhelmingly inspiring for our palates (you might like the dish); the jungle tofu was nice, but again, nothing exciting; the one entree that was quite exciting and excellent, was Vegetarian Keema. Service was great! So maybe they do deserve a 4?
(3)
Justin C.
Recently visited this place based on a recommendation from Lyla, a lovely minister we met on the ferry to Camden. The food here was really fantastic, and while the Thousand Layers bread didn't actually have 1,000 layers, it was one of the highlights of the meal. The squash tempura was nicely battered, and was also delicious. My entree, the house noodles were perfect, dense yet silky, with a great tomato-based sauce. My only regret? The leftovers got smashed in my backpack and we didn't get to eat them later.
(4)
Kate C.
Rangoon is my favorite restaurant in Chinatown, but I sometimes have trouble getting other people to eat there. They'll say "What is Burmese food like?" and I struggle in giving an answer...I'm all "uh, you know, it's a sort of Chinese/Indian food hybrid that is actually sort of similar to Thai food?" Fortunately, the menu does a good job of explaining the cuisine (and also provides a lot of pretty pictures of the Myanmar countryside, along with information about the country's history and culture). My inability to accurately describe the cuisine aside, I've loved pretty much everything I've tried at Rangoon. Start your meal with the thousand-layer bread (a misnomer...there aren't really 1,000 layers) and then move on to one of the salads (I've heard that tea leaf salad is the most authentic Burmese dish) or entrees. There's a long list of vegetarian entrees, including my favorites: monsoon vegetables (heavy on the cauliflower, which I love), jungle tofu (green curry), and mango tofu (has a nice sweet and spicy thing going on), but there's more than enough to satisfy the most demanding carnivore too. Ok, I lied about liking everything I've tried at Rangoon. Once I made the mistake of ordering the "jello crunch ice" dessert. Yeah, crushed ice, rope-y gummy-worm like strings of jello, coconut milk and peanuts do not a delicious dessert make. But everything else is great! If you haven't been to Rangoon in a few years, you may not know that they've spiffed up the decor a lot. It's actually pretty fancy-looking now. Check it out!
(5)
Kacie M.
Rangoon is great. The only reason that I cannot give it a full five stars is because the food is inconsistent. I'll go once and a dish will be amazing. Then I will eat the same thing again the next time I visit and it will only be so-so. However, there's always something wonderful and it keeps me coming back. I've never had anything there that I thought was awful (well, there are these dumpling things I thought were not so wonderful, but maybe they were having an off day). My most favorite things at Rangoon are the ginger salad and the thousand layer bread with coconut sauce. So wonderful. So good. Always. I've never had bad thousand layer bread. Furthermore, I've never had bad service, which is very important to me. I ate there last night and our server was very sweet, gracious, and attentive. I'm not wild about the remodel. The space feels a little less personal and I miss all those wonderful paintings. But the minimalist approach does give it a very clean look. All in all, the food is good, often great (but no guarantees!).. They have a decent selection of wine and beer, plus a few fun drinks, like tamarind juice, etc. The prices and portions are both very reasonable and the service and setting are always very nice.
(4)
Erin G.
Mmmm, Burmese. A cross between Thai and Indian - you can hardly get better. Though the restaurant can sometimes feel empty, and oddly spaced, and the service can occasionally be a little slow (especially with a really large group) the food is delicious. And the vegetarian selections are more than acceptable. Unlike some restaurants in Chinatown, you won't get heaps and heaps of food, but you'll get a fair serving for a fair price, and a much nicer atmosphere than you'll get in many spots in the area.
(4)
patricia c.
This was my first time trying out Burmese cuisine and it was great! The staff was nice. I tried the thousand layer bread w/the potatoe curry and the coconut chicken curry. They were both really good. I got extremely stuffed so I had to bag it up. It's a pretty good deal if you go during their lunch special. You can't beat the prices.
(4)
Rich T.
Great lunch experience on the edge of Chinatown in Philly. The Thousand Layer Bread was great as an appetizer, but what really hit the home run was the curry potato dipping sauce the bread came with. I had a great noodle dish and my wife had the vegetarian string beans with garlic sauce, which was to die for. Burmese food is a different twist on the Asian cuisines the American palate is more used to - but a really nice twist. Check this place out - you'll like it.
(5)
Charles T.
I have been patronizing Rangoon for over 12 years. I love this place and have never had a bad dish here. When people ask me about the food, I tell them that it's the original fusion cuisine that blends Chinese, Indian and a bit of Thai. I particularly like the mango salad, watercress salad, tea leaf salad, ginger salad, Rangoon Night Market noodles, spicy seafood, and pork in mango curry. Staff is helpful and friendly, food arrives promptly, and the price can't be beat.
(5)
Jennifer S.
I've come to this restaurant over five times, and this is because it is the cleanest, most unique, and definitely one of the top three tastiest restaurants in Chinatown. I'm not sure what authentic Burmese food taste likes, but the food here strikes me as a combination of Thai, Malaysian, and Indian cuisine. The menu is humongous - the second I flip through the pages I am bursting with mixed emotions of hunger, excitement, and pure agony over the necessity to decide what to eat from what seems like hundred of delicious options. Don't let the potential for an emotional meal scare you away. I recommend the following dishes: - Thousand layer bread with Potato curry (tried the Beef curry, not as tasty for some reason) - Rangoon house noodles - Jungle Beef - Pineapple fried rice (best I've eaten, even though I know this is not Burmese) - Southeast Asia Noodles (pretty much like Pad Thai so probably not an authentic experience either) The lentil fritters are really spicy, especially when you bite into the jalapeno bits so it's not really my thing. I also tried the crab meat dumplings which seemed a bit too Americanized because of the cream cheese and minimal bits of crab - definitely not something I would ever order again.
(5)
Sara L.
My first visit to Rangoon over the weekend was overall a positive experience, but not the earth-shaking wonder that I was hoping for based on the Yelp hype. I went back and forth between 3 and 4 stars, going with 4 because I am eager to return for more. My first impression of the interior is that they are frustratingly close to having SUCH a nice atmosphere. Simply dimming their lights and adding a little music would solidify a 4th star. As it is, the Burmese artwork is nice, but the too-bright lights make it feel somewhat tacky. The service was friendly - I am pretty sure one of the owners was waiting on us. We had brought a bottle of wine, but took a peek at their list anyway and found it to be pretty dismal - fairly cheap selections, and many would not have paired well with the food. We opted to have our self-supplied Riesling opened and were slightly chagrined to learn that 1.5 liters have a $24 corking fee. Our server was very upfront and almost apologetic about this. In the future I will probably either bring a regular sized bottle of wine, or just go with their beers - a pretty standard line-up including Tsing tao, Heineken and Yeungling for reasonable prices. We started the meal with the 1000 layer bread with potato curry dip, and crab rangoons. The bread was tasty, but WAY too greasy for me. The dip, on the other hand, I could have eaten like a soup. The rangoons were tasty, very flavorful with fresh coriander. For entrees, we had the Chicken Mint Kebab and the Jungle Shrimp. The kebab was yummy, but the presentation was not quite what I expected; i.e. not in kebab format at all. The spices were delicate and well-blended, and the tomato based sauce was flavorful. I expect this dish might be much better when local tomatoes are in season. The Jungle Shrimp was the star of the night. The tart lime flavor in the sauce was quite pronounced, but it was well-balanced by the sweet creamy coconut milk. The whole thing risked being cloying, but diced jalapenos provided just the right kick. The fun mix of veggies and mushrooms were sauteed to tender crisp perfection. The shrimp were on the small side and slightly overcooked; I would probably get the Jungle Chicken in the future. I am already looking forward to a return trip here. I suspect that (too-bright lighting be damned) it will enter my regular rotation.
(4)
Adam M.
Say it with me.... I WILL ORDER THE THOUSAND LAYER BREAD! For the money, this is my favorite place in Philly. I usually stay at the downtown Marriott a couple times a year and me and my wife always go here every time. We walk through the gallery so you barely have to go outside. Service is always great and the food comes out fast. Dont judge it from the outside.
(5)
Justine D.
Definitely amazing food! Another place i've only been to once (and my only taste of Burmese food) but it was so delicious! The lentil fritters are perfect if you like some heat, the fried pork wontons are delicious (though the coconut sauce is a bit sweet) and the thousand layer bread drenched in anything (steak, tomatoes and potatoes for dinner, in coconut syrup for dessert) is delicious! When I had almost reached the corner, I heard a huge commotion and turned around and they were waving and clapping at me! Why, you may ask? Because I left my purse behind. I love them just for that!
(5)
Deeparnab C.
Philadelphia's Chinatown is spotted with many delicious joints, and Rangoon at the corner of 9th and Arch is definitely one of them. The first thing that strikes as one enters this Burmese restaurant is the expanse and decor of the restaurant. Mini chandeliers adorn the ceilings, while the walls are decorated with Oriental tapestries; a comforting ambience as an efficient server seats you at your table. Rangoon is the only Burmese restaurant that I have been to or know of, and I was quite interested to try the Burmese cuisine. As one would imagine, it is similar to that of their Thai neighbors, but with a tamarind twist. The menu seemed pretty extensive (thick), with many soups, appetizers, salads, vegetarian and non-vegetarian entrees, with the last two pages contained articles on Burmese culture and food. (It reminded me of the brochure on Syldavia in King Ottokar's Sceptre.) We ordered the pumpkin soup and fried lentil fritters as starters, with the jungle beef curry and sauteed string beans with tofu as the main entree. The pumpkin soup was well made, although, the vegetable itself seemed a bit lifeless. The soup was made quite interesting with a sprinkle of deep fried onions, and maybe garlic. Definitely a dish worth trying out at home. The fried lentil fritters were precisely dal vadas from back home and the spicy tamarind chutney with which they were served was pretty delish. The fritters themselves were a bit uninteresting for my Indian palate. "Jungle Beef Curry" was a melange of stir fried beef cooked in a coconut milk gravy with red and green peppers, mushrooms, and lemon grass. My first reaction was to declareit too sweet, however, I think it was the tamarind's zing which I mistook for sweetness. At the end, I really liked the curry. The string beans were cooked in a tamarind sauce with fried onions and garlic, and was quite heavenly. The beans needed a bit more salt for my taste, but the soft tofu just melted in ones mouth. Summary: Definitely recommended, and a great deal for your dollar.
(4)
Cherie C.
Cuisine of Burma, now known as Myanmar. Service is quick, and dishes come out as they are ready. That means you won't all get your meal at the same time. I recommend sharing. Situated between China and India, the food features influences from both countries. Samosas are wrapped in spring roll-type skins and come with Chinese-style sauce. The mango shrimp were very good. My meal, Rangoon house noodles, was a bit salty and not very spicy (despite a menu designation of "spicy"). I'd visit again, but I can't help but think that I'd enjoy Burmese food more if I tried it elsewhere.
(3)
Jean L.
Anyone who's remotely close to me will know that I adore Indian and Thai... so imagine my delight in discovering Burmese. Sadly, Rangoon is far--119 miles to be exact. Thus, keep in mind that it has been a while since I've been there. What I remember is their Thousand Layer Bread. Looking at what the other reviewers have to say about it, I'd agree with them. I don't guarantee many things to others for fear they'd bet on it, but I'd bet you'd like this. It's flaky, pastry-like bread that you use to scoop up your choice dip... and the sauce is wonderfully flavorful. I don't remember for sure, but I believe I had it with the curry potato dip and I think I could definitely see the Indian influence (naan and vindaloo with potatoes). Essentially, this ties with Kaddo Bowrani (Afghan food) for the best appetizer of my life.
(4)
Shenans ..
The service was AWFUL. We came during lunch and ordered an appetizer to share (Crab Rangoons, very tasty) and a lunch special each. The lunch specials were supposed to come with rice and either salad or soup. After the appetizer our lunch came. We wanted hot sauce. We waited and waited and waited to try to locate *anyone* who worked there to get some. We waited some more. Finally, with my food almost completely cold I got up from my table and hunted someone down. My food was pretty good. I had the basil tofu and it reminded me of this noodle dish I used to love out in San Francisco. My boy got potato and chicken curry and the sauce was all broken and oily when it arrived. They never gave us the soup and salad that the lunch special was supposed to be served with. The apologized profusely. I forgave them but my boy, angered over the hot sauce incident, did not.
(3)
E L.
I have tried a different dish every time I've gone here, and they are all delicious. The tea leaf salad is a very interesting combination of flavors! The portions are very generous, and while the waitstaff is a little hit-or-miss in terms of service, the food is so good that I just don't care (also doesn't hurt that the wine is cheap). I have gone in there with a large party before and they were very accommodating. You should definitely try this restaurant!!!
(5)
Michael K.
Burmese food is hard to find anywhere in this country except on the west coast and Philly is not really an Asian food city except for a few good Vietnamese places. Rangoon is as good as SE Asian food gets. Forget the generic, interchangeable and over-sugared Thai restaurants, which are our era's equivalent of bad 70s Chinese food. The menu includes lots of things -- curries, lemongrasses, etc -- that will be familiar from Thai, Laotian, far southern Chinese cuisines, but also a number of flavorings that are quite unique. The mango and chile pork was exceptional, with none of the cloying sweetness you get with typical mango dishes (Patak's mango chutney it's not); the tea leaf salad is a great appetizer, as is the crispy taro root (effectively taro french fries, but it is Philly...). Also, any restaurant that can cook with okra and not turn it to jelly knows what it's doing. The atmosphere is close to zero, the service is indifferent at best, but at $25/head (including four drinks) for four people, it's better value for money than you have any right to expect, and a reminder of how privileged Philadelphians are to consistently get A-/B+ food for a fifth of NYC or San Francisco prices, with some dishes rising to the best world class cities can offer.
(4)
C K.
The food was ok, but considering a few days before I went to another similar restaurant in Chinatown and the food was cheaper and better... I can't really say I'll be coming back to it. The friend I was with said the service was a lot better last time but when it was terrible this time. They took forever to come to our table, never took a drink order, and when it came time to pay the check, they were all sitting at a table reading the newspaper, not paying attention to any of the customers. They seem like nice people, but if I'm going to pay more for food, I expect better service to come with it.
(2)
Anna Marie C.
i've been here a couple of times (it's such a trek to chinatown, especially in the winter!)...and it's quite tasty. the thousand layer bread...i could just eat orders and orders of that. the main courses are tasty...i'd go with the night market noodles.
(4)
Jamie C.
I've been going to Rangoon for several years now, so this isn't a one time thing. The atmosphere of the restaurant is nothing special, but that's about where the mediocrity ends. The food has a very "home cooking" element to it, both in presentation and taste, which has made it something of a comfort food for me. If you've never had burmese food, the easiest way to describe it is that it has many elements of thai food but with subtle but profound differences in flavor-- like if thai and indian food had babies on a tropical island. I've yet to have anything here that I downright didn't like, though favorites are the banana leaf fish and jungle- anything.
(4)
Fran S.
Rangoon makes me happy. It is one of the few restaurants where I have never gotten a bad meal or even a mediocre one. I don't think they have off nights in their kitchen. The food is delicious and the staff is lovely. They will accommodate special requests and adjust spice levels to your taste. The spring ginger salad is the bomb! This is my favorite comfort food and I am always sated. I highly recommend the thousand layer bread with vantana bean and the coconut tofu is delicious. I have introduced a lot of people to Rangoon and no one has even been disappointed. Give it a try.
(5)
Ted M.
the best restaurant i've ever been to in philly, by far. granted, i'm an out-of-towner, and mostly stick to the cheesesteak joints when eating in philly, but i've eaten enough fine foods in this city to make this claim. my family and i went the night after christmas after a successful family outing, so we were in good spirits, but also very, very hungry. we were seated very quickly by a friendly host, and attended to promptly by our excellent waitress. service started out great and continued to be A+ throughout our meal. our appetizers were golden triangles, chicken satay and lentil fritters. all were excellent, and the accompanying sauces really helped to highlight each one's unique flavor. the lentil fritters are particularly recommended, and the portions were quite large given the price. for dinner, we all ordered separate plates and shared. i had the chili chicken, and considered this the best, but we also had the veggie delight, chicken cutlet with vegetables, mango chicken, beef mint kebab and spicy red bean chicken. while each dish featured virtually the same ingredients, the spices and sauces really served to highlight each one and differentiate it from the others. portions were large enough that we initially worried we had ordered too much food, but it was delicious enough that we were able to finish everything on everyone's plate without issue. my new favorite restaurant in philly - and i may never eat my favorite new york burmese again, because it just doesn't stack up to rangoon.
(5)
Michael C.
Great food. mmmm. It wasn't as spicy as I thought it would be. The menu had all the spicy items in a bold red font. Maybe that made me think it would be hotter. We hung out for a while, and the staff was attentive, but didn't push us out. They weren't that crowded, but did have a rotating group of patrons. Even with all the other places to eat in China town, this is becoming my favorite.
(4)
K E.
Amazing. Many things in common with Thai food, but still different. The shrimp lemongrass soup and thousand layer bread (curry potato dip) were incredible. I also live that I didn't have to request spicy, yet it was still spicy. Delish. Definitely will be back.
(5)
Sarah Q.
Great prices, good service, and excellent food! Loved the mango chicken and thousand layer bread with curry potatoes. Not as wild about the jungle chicken, but maybe that's because I loved the mango so much...will definitely be back!
(4)
Courtney J.
We were pleasantly surprised by Rangoon's decor. From the outside it appears to be a H.I.T.W. but inside was clean and even a little bit fancy. The service was very friendly and fast, but that might be because the dining room was less than half full. Hopefully it's the same on a busy night... We probably could have skipped the appetizers. We tried the crispy onions (greasy), golden triangles or samoosa, and spring rolls (both average). The thousand layer bread was good, but my husband thought the roti and curry sauce at Penang was better. The entrees were much better. We ordered everything spicy and it was the perfect kind of spicy (hot enough, but not too hot so you can't taste the food). My favorite dish that I want more of is the spicy curry chicken. It's cooked on the bone so it's extra tasty (it's a little more work to eat though so don't order this if you're lazy). The menu is so vast and there is much more to try that I will definitely go back to Rangoon for my Burmese fix.
(3)
Jason M.
This is not so much a review as it is a lament to a lost lover. I have found your counterpart 3000 miles away in a little shitty burb on the edge of LA county. They too have the 1000 layer bread w/curry that I've missed so much since I left you, but between us yours is much better. It was love at first bite when you took pork and married it with curry. Pork with pickled mango curry, so salty, so porky, so good. And your coconut rice? I don't understand why all rice isn't made this way. My new love too has a tea leaf salad that is like crystal meth in the veins. But it's not about her, it's about you my dear. Though I am far away I will make time for you when I come back. love, me
(5)
Ti L.
I could make an entire meal out of their thousand layer bread with chicken curry (or any of the sauces). But then again, next time I will, because my southern burmese noodle dish was... well... mushy. The place is unassuming outside and in, but a nice place to kick back with a group of friends. The story of the owners is a must-read in the menu.
(3)
Christie Y.
This is my comfort food in Philly. Thousand layer bread is possibly the best thing ever and the jungle chicken is well worth the hour drive for. The service is very friendly, it is always spotless and the owner makes it a point to give a very warm welcome to regulars. I moved away for a few years and thought often and fondly of Rangoon.
(5)
Jae R.
I have been here about three times. The food is very similar to Thai cuisine. Sweet flavors and some intensely seasoned dishes. Interesting dessert called thousand layers cake. It's sticky rice texture but pancake look-alike.
(3)
KC L.
The food is good. But for some reason the food is similar to Penang or any of the Malaysian Restaurant. They have the Thousand Layer Bread with Potato Sauce similar to the ROTI CANAI which is better it has the Chicken in their dipping sauce. I think this place is better than Penang but I don't understand the difference? The people there are nice. But they're a little slow. Both in service and between the ears.
(4)
Stephen S.
Our Burmese friends drug us here and we love it. The Ginger salad is crazy different delicious - one of my favs. The thousand layer bread with curry dipping sauce is a staple. These flaky delicious pancakes are the best IMHO, save for the ones at Penang. We regularly stop in here and order Southern Burmese noodle as a take-out while getting an extreme buzz from the sweet Burmese tea. Very friendly staff.
(4)
Mallory P.
Wow, yes! Any place that makes their own tofu is okay in my book! We had a great meal, complete with appetizers and tea for about $30. It was all excellent. And the service was oh-so-fast! It's also kind of a large restaurant, so we didn't have to wait at all to be seated, even though there were quite a few people there. Mmm, yes! I will dine there again. Soon.
(5)
Chris L.
Well, I never had Burmese food before, but there's always a first time for everything! This is probably the only Burmese place that I know of in Philly, but interestingly enough, the food totally reminds me of Thai/Malaysian food. I mean their Thousand Layer Bread totally reminded me of the Roti Canai that I always order from the Malaysian restaurants (but it's just as decent!). They also had some familiar Thai food similarities with curry dishes. I tried some of the chicken and beef... definitely not bad at all! Since I'm a fan of Thai and Malaysian, why not Burmese? Hopefully I'll find something that's unique on another visit :)
(4)
Krista B.
This place has some of the best food in the city- A MUST if you are in Chinatown... The service is great- the restuarant is very clean and well-taken care of, and they serve beer. It's the food, however, that will keep you coming back for more. My favorites are the thousand layer bread with vatana dip, the chili chicken, and the shan rice noodles. They also do killer curries that I highly recommend. We eat here (or get takeout) at least weekly.
(4)
Shelley S.
I went in a group of four on the recommendation from a friend. Overall, the food was ok but not great, but maybe I ordered the wrong things. Atmosphere was typical Asian restaurant...a little on the nice side. Service was good. We were a slow table and they let us take our time. It might've been frustrating if we were in a hurry. They also left a pitcher of water on the table which I prefer. Food was hit or miss. We got the thousand layer thing which was great. I got the mango shrimp which was WAY too sweet. I tried some of the dishes of my friends and they were good but nothing mind-blowing. Overall a decent experience. I would come back if someone else wants to go, but I wouldn't go out of my way.
(3)
R M.
Chicago does not have a Burmese restaurant, so I went to Philly. Tea leaf salad. Awesome. Hard to find. Go try it.
(4)
Donna L.
Once you get past the hole-in-the-wall external appearance, you would realize how pretty the restaurant is inside. My friend and I went here and ordered the set meal from their lunch menu. She had the salad. Which was great with the sesame seed dressing. I had the soup which is okay but pretty much what my mom makes at home. For appetizers, we shared an order of THousand Layer Bread with Chicken Curry Sauce, which is really really good. I had the Coconut Curry Chicken for my entree. I liked the sauce and rice ratio. My friend ordered the Mango Something Pork which was good but had no mango in sight or taste. The price was nice, coming out to be 12 dollars per person.
(4)
R S.
papaya salad, tamarind juice and chilly tofu - fan of all three I am sure will discover more there as and when time goes by.... Good not so cheap eat, parking can be a bit of a pain to find but good food compensates it all They are more than excited to serve water to you, so excited that you have to wait till they finish filing your glass up and only then can you sit on your seat (pun intended) ..was a 1st for me....
(4)
Jay C.
Very good Burmese cuisine! There aren't very many Burmese restaurants around so when we get the chance, we try it. Just happened to be in Philadelphia for the day and saw this on yelp. Definitely worth a try!
(4)
nate C.
It's too bad this meal wasn't much better because the food was almost really good. We ordered the crab rangoons to start and 2 lunch specials that come with a soup or salad, for a reasonable price. the crab rangoons were good but a little fishy. probably a little past their prime. then they brought out our main courses completely forgeting about our soup and salad. my dish,the coconut curry chicken would have been really good if the sauce wasn't broken. instead it was just a greasy mess. But before I ate it I was going to need some hot sauce. That ended up being a major task in itself since the waiter refused to come back to our table. we waited and waited. I even made eye contact with the man a few times from across the room and he could clearly see that i was not eating. so why didn't he come over? finaly a good fifteen minutes later my girlfriend had to get up and hunt someone down, once we finished our dishes we then asked about our soup and salad and then they brought them out. go to Szechuan Tasty House
(1)
whitney h.
Rangoon offers delicious Burmese food at fair prices. The service is very friendly.I have been going for years and never had a bad meal. The food is a combo of Thai and Indian so really what could go wrong. I recommend the golden triangles and evil jungle princess tofu.
(4)
Roman S.
I loved the Thousand Layer bread, Crispy Taro root, Asian tea leaf salad and chicken w/ pickled cabbage. The Rangoon house salad was fresh, but the dressing didn't seem to fit. The tofu green curry and sauteed fresh mushrooms were well cooked, but otherwise unremarkable. I don't know exactly what distinguishes Burmese cuisine from its other southeast Asian counterparts, but the menu carried alot of dishes popular at Thai restaurants. Based on what my party ordered, I would recommend going to a Thai place for a Thai dish. The service at the restaurant was prompt and friendly. Some people may find it tacky, but I really appreciate that they left us a pitcher of water.
(4)
Reiko S.
Like the food here. Just knew that Burmese have a bit different kind of food than other Asian country. I thought it just curry curry & curry. Love the Jungle Pork very much!!! That's the main reason I like the place. Kinda expensive for that portion but it taste different. It smell so yummy! Taste so creamy lemon leaves. Never eat this kind of food! And the second best food for me is the Tea Leaves Salad! So expensive! But it worth the price! The Thousand Layer Bread is nothing special. Malaysian Roti Canai have better taste.
(5)
Jinyoung K.
Good food. Loved thethousand layer bread!!!!! But hey, i thought kebab was supposed to ne some sort of a wrap! Instead, its just a kind of a curry here so don't get confused!
(5)
Suman B.
Nice people...great food...I will go back again and again... potato curry and fritters are out now this world. Ready to customize most of the dishes for vegetarians. Kudos.
(5)
Jamie S.
Skip the entrees. The best things here are the apps and salads. Get the Burmese tofu (made from chickpea), the green tea leaf salad, and the thousand layer pancake. Not BYO.
(4)
Esther D.
This is the only restaurant in Philadelphia I've happily returned to time and time again, so far. I've never been disappointed by the food. That is what makes a great food story: when you can introduce the taste of Burma to a friend or loved one for the first time and it tastes, smells and looks exactly like the first time you tried it. Definitely recommend!
(5)
Judy L.
Just go for the Thousand Layer Bread. I personally ate about 3 of them by themselves. Not a huge fan of the curry dipping sauce. I used it to dip in my Jungle Chicken. The Jungle Chicken is a sweeter version of Thai yellow curry. Very mild and well rounded. The bread I like in the smaller pancake style and the big roti style. Go for the bread!
(4)
Amanda C.
I know what you're thinking - WE HAVE TO COME HERE TO GET THE THOUSAND LAYER BREAD! Everyone's obsessed with it! It's the best thing to hit Philly since rock and roll music! Or cheesesteaks! And yes, I will agree, the thousand layer bread is great. We ordered it, and did not regret it. The chicken curry topping perfectly complimented the crispy folds of the bread, which was almost like a cross between a pastry and a tortilla. In fact, I wish we'd gotten more, since this was one of the big highlights of an otherwise decent but not overwhelmingly fantastic meal. Other items that made it on the wow list included the crispy watercress salad (NOT for the faint of tongue - it is spicy as heck), the banana leaf fish (another fried dish, but truly tasty) and the festival rice with chicken curry loaded on top. I only had one bite, but I seem to remember that we enjoyed the night market noodles too. We were unsure about the rest. Spring rolls and crab rangoon were fine, but nothing out of the ordinary. The chicken satay came out a bit cold, but the flavor was nice. We were not fans of the lemon chicken or pagan beef - very little spice or savory flavor - just kind of bland. A first for me - we tried a falooda for dessert, an exotic mix of rose syrup, vermicelli, tapioca pearls and pieces of gelatin with milk or water. They threw a little ice cream in there to top it off, too. I was enchanted with it's fourth of July flair - it was colored red, white and blue. Strange though it was, we did enjoy it. Service here was inconsistent. Sometimes, I felt well taken care of, other times, no one checked in for 25 minutes. We did, however, always have a pitcher of water on the table, which was great when eating the spicier dishes. I would return, with the knowledge of what to order again and what I might try next time around. Not sure who would join me in returning, but I want to give this place another chance to up their wow factor.
(3)
Christopher h.
The thousand layer bread with curry potato sauce for dipping was amazing. I also recommend the Burmese Samosas. The onion pea soup was delicious. If you're vegetarian you will love this place!
(5)
Amanda N.
Wow another new favorite restaurant in Philly. You know it's good when it's all you can think about the following week. I really can't wait to come back. The thousand layer bread was so tasty with the potato curry/gravy-like sauce. But the highlight were the salads for our group. We couldn't decide between the classic Burmese tea salad vs their renowned award winning water cress salad so we got both! So glad we did as both were very good but the watercress (deep fried!) salad was to die for. The tea salad was surprisingly really comparable to Burma Superstar in California-- and no two hour wait yay! We got the night market noodles as well as another noodle dish both of which were solid. Affordable prices were a huge plus too. I'm tired of over paying for subpar Asian food on the east coast. Such a refreshing and fun meal while exploring a new restaurant. Only downside was the expensive corkage fee for our BYO wine which we ended up opting not to open/pay.
(5)
Jay W.
Let's start with what everyone talks about: The Jungle Pork was very good, even if it is a little bit of a strange flavor. The sauce tastes like a lime/cream sauce (which I would think would curdle, but doesn't happen at all). I don't really know how else to describe it, but people are right. It's very good. The same can be said about the Thousand Layer Bread. Excellent, soft, flaky pancake with potato curry sauce. Very similar (if not exactly the same) as roti canai. The sauce had just the right amount of heat. The Banana Leaf Fish was crispy fish with a nicely spiced sauce served with vegetables. The sauce paired with the crispy fish worked perfectly. I tried the plum wine, it was too sweet for my taste.
(4)
Marilyn B.
Burmese food is so delicious and not frequently found. I love Rangoon and always will be thankful to my friends who introduced it. I never get to eat here any more because my husband ordered his food "a little spicy" and couldn't eat it. He's Korean and they eat spicy food. Do not make my husband's mistake: Burmese spicy is more than you can handle. Also be aware the dipping sauce for the 1000 layer bread (heaven) is not vegetarian. Servers are efficient but pleasant. Sometimes kitchen is a bit slow. Tables readily available. Maybe people don't know it's there, off at the edge of Chinatown on a dark block. Take an extra bite for me because I'll never get back there, it seems.
(4)
Spencer L.
Sorry I will give this little Burmese bistro 3 stars. My man and I drove there this afternoon. Everything went so well, the romantic vibe, friendly and informative servers. But the taste were salty, way salty than I could bear. We had Northern Burmese noodle, Southern Burmese noodle and Kung pao chicken. They were salty, I don't like them.
(2)
Margaux M.
This is my absolute my favorite restaurant in Philadelphia, and by far the most underrated, but that's kind of ok because it's never too crowded and we always get a table right away! I've been going here since I was little, for about 10 years. I'be gone here for graduation dinners, going away dinners, birthday dinners etc because I love it so much... The people are so nice and the food is the best. We ALWAYS get thousand layer bread, it comes with curries and lentils but if you just get the plain thousand layer bread, I suggest getting a side of peanut sauce! They have the best peanut sauce i've ever had, I could eat that stuff by itself.The country chicken is probably my favorite. I am never ever disappointed with Rangoon, it's always a treat to go there!
(5)
Jennifer A.
I've been dying to try this place after finding it on yelp. I dragged my family here and really emphasized on the good reviews I've read. We had the thousand layer bread w/non spicy curry, jungle beef, mango chicken, coconut chicken curry, & beef broccoli. The bread was really good but overpriced. $6 for so little, but I'm comparing it to New York prices. Basically, every dish was a small portion. My family was so disappointed in the proportion. Rice is given on a big pot, and im assuming it was free refills. I was really impressed with the taste, even the beef broccoli had some unique taste in it. I loved the bubble gum pink bathroom walls. I'd come back here when in Philly.
(4)
Kase M.
Very friendly service. First time here and we started with the thousand layer bread with potato and its delicious! It's a lot like roti with chicken curry from Penang. I love! The fried watercress salad was a beautiful surprise to my taste buds. The tangy lime vinaigrette is unforgettable! The dynamite tofu was okay. It's fried tofu with a spicy sweet sauce. Vegetarian delight would be another average plate. Stir fry veggies with tofu. Nice simple dish. The basil noodles was a great choice. It has a nice light flavor. Rice noodles slightly stir fried with mushrooms and peppers. It's not heavy like the typical stir fried noodles. All in all I love this place. Great service, great food and I would definitely recommend to friends. Great spot for vegetarians.
(5)
Dave S.
If you have out of town visitors and want to go to Chinatown this place is a sure success. Easy nominal pay parking across the street, consistent food, friendly service. Burmese cuisine is not easy to come by!!! Thousand layer bread and Pagan Beef are my favorites. Along with the samosas that have a little kick to them. Coming here for years!
(4)
Kris L.
It was quiet on a Saturday night with scattered diners. We started with the thousand layer bread and I wasn't sure of any of the dipping sauces. The waiters did not speak enough english to explain the sauces to me...so we went sauceless. and the bread was DELISH! Crispy, oily, soft, and doughy. LOVED it. My entree was the inlay fish in sweet chili sauce...we noted reviews saying the breaking was thick and they were happy to do the fish steamed for us. Amazingly flavorful. The hubs got the chicken cutlet...it was horrid. Fatty pieces of chicken and thick breading with flavorless clear sauce on top. It was so bad my husband went hungry instead of eating around the fat. Overall an attempt to venture into Burmese food with mixed results.
(2)
Andi S.
The food at this place is absolutely delectable. This was my first time eating Burmese cuisine and it will not be my last. The best way I can describe what I ate was that it reminded me a little bit of Ethiopian as well as Thai cuisine. I unfortunately do not remember the names of what I ordered as it was a while ago. I am due back soon.
(5)
Danan R.
It's hidden on the outskirts of Chinatown, and is actually a decently sized restaurant that is pretty busy on weekend evenings. We came for a late dinner at 8 pm on Saturday and it was pretty much full. The food itself is decent and a cross between Thai and Malaysian, with a nice selection of stir fries and curries, as well as some distinctive appetizers. We had the following: 1. Tea leaves salad: This was a house specialty and different, with a combination of shredded cabbage, sesame, peanuts, tea leaves, and tomatoes. I couldn't find the dried shrimp, though. 2. Thousand layer bread with curry potato: Pretty standard but smaller than Banana Leaf's or Penang's versions, and a bit thick and less crispy. The dipping suace was pretty good, though, and relatively spicy. 3. Eggplant pin sein: An okay dish with relatively greasy stir-fried eggplant, garlic, onion, and basil in a soy-based sauce. Probably the least favorite dish of the group. 4. Sauteed fresh mushrooms: Savory blend of button mushrooms, onions, peppers and scallions in a light garlic sauce. A nice, lighter option. 5. Mango chicken: Very solid with plenty of chicken breast slices and fresh mango in a sweet sauce. 6. Northern Burmese noodle: A drunken noodle-like dish with thick, flat rice noodles, shrimp, chicken, scallions, and bean sprouts in a sicy sauce. Solid. 7. Jungle beef: Rangoon's version of a green curry beef with a medley of pepper slices. I really liked the creamy curry, which has a stronger coconut flavor than the versions found at other Thai and Malaysian restaurants. Service was very good and the food came in less than 10 minutes. Hot tea is $1, but the prices are pretty reasonable and it came to about $100 for everything, including tap and tip, and the portions were enough to feed 5 perfectly.
(3)
Vinny P.
I just don't love this place. I've been here several times and meh has been my experience. The menu is huge which I find daunting and unappealing. The food from what I've experienced seems bland to me. The lentil fritters did have a little bit of spice to them but my monsoon vegetables did not. Maybe I've just been here in large groups and it's difficult for them to accommodate such parties. I just don't see this as a real destination for me.
(2)
Crystine W.
If you are ever in search of something new and exotic, I really recommend Rangoon. I have only had Burmese once before, but this visit to Rangoon blew that other experience away by lightyears. We enjoyed our way through: Thousand Layer Bread with Vatana Bean, A Golden Rice, B Coconut Rice, B Jungle Curry (Tofu), A Crispy Tofu Appetizer, B Tamarind Juice, B Young Coconut Juice, B On their own, the Golden Rice and Coconut Rice weren't anything special, but combine the 2 together with the Jungle Curry on top, and you've got a plate full of flavor! Service was very friendly and fast. No wonder why they came so highly recommended!
(4)
H J.
Actually 3 1/2 stars Good service, very warm friendly. First time for Burmese, but longtime Thai, Indian, Vietnamese, Korean, Ethiopian food lover. My 2 cents... Coconut Galanga Soup was tasty, many interesting layers, but WAY too sweet. Shrimp Lemongrass Soup was superb. Definitely a little kick in the heat dept. Nice balance Thousand Layer Bread with Curry Chicken Dipping Sauce: Liked the curry, but the bread was sopping wet with grease. Mango Salad, String Bean and Peanut Salad both good. Crispy Watercress Salad was deep fried, tasty, but really greasy. Basil Chicken was very good Jungle Chicken was good but once again pretty sweet for my taste Kung Pao Chicken was excellent. By far the most flavor. Lots of char flavor Lemongrass Beef also very good Definitely see the Thai and Indian, perhaps Ethiopian influences blended here. Nice vibe. Liked it, but a bit too much sweetness in a few dishes for my taste. There is some heat for sure, but I like that.
(3)
Albert M.
The prices were a bit high for Chinatown and the portions were too small, but the food was fabulous!!! All of our dishes had great flavor. The Thousand Layer Bread and the Mint Kebabs are highly recommended.
(4)
The T.
This place is amazing. Thank you to the lady for introducing me to it. I come every time when in Philly. Who would think Burmese food is off the charts. Well, it is here at least. My favorite? Festival rice (Biryani). The 1000 bread is great too. As is the tea leaf salad. As is the beef curry. As is the samosa. Just go already. Price is even more than reasonable.
(5)
Ramon L.
It reminds me of asian restaurants from the late 90s/early 00s as it looks like it hasn't been renovated since that time. I came in for lunch and the old lady who helped us out was very nice and it felt like we were at my aunty's place. We ordered the crispy watercress salad and some thick rice noodle dish. Both were quite tangy and good and filled an asian-food shaped hole in my belly. The food tasted like it was made in a home kitchen, which I really appreciated as it felt like a family member was making it for us. This place is great if you want a casual, home-y feel, and are willing to try Burmese. Though it's not the best Burmese restaurant I've tried before, I think it's the best option I've had in Philadelphia. I'd definitely come back again.
(4)
Kayla W.
Three words: Thousand layer bread Be sure that your appetizer is The thousand layer bread its delicious! They have three different ones to choose from but definitely get the Curry potato. Who knew a dish so simple could be something so delicious. Its just a bread almost like a toasted tortilla that has a buttery taste that you rip up with every bite. You simply take the bread and dip it into the sauce of your choosing or eat it like a burrito. This place is very small but it has a lot of heart and you are immediately greeted the moment you walk into the door. Another plus? The service is fast, just as quick as they seat you, you'll be ready to pay for the bill. And nowadays who wants to break their pocket? You definitely won't be doing that at Rangoon. The prices are reasonable and the serving sizes are spot on.
(5)
Shirley A.
My boyfriend and I decided to randomly yelp a place nearby and this place showed up on our search. When you enter, the restaurant is quiet and dimmed but you can make out the decorations inside. It sort of feels like you're in between India and countries of Southern Asia, very interesting mix. We ordered the thousand layer bread, coconut curry chicken and festival rice. The thousand layer bread came out a bit oily and thicker than the pancake at Vietnamese/Malaysian restaurants but it had the right amount of crisp to it. Dip that into the curry potato chicken dish and you will get heaven! The potatoes could have been cooked a little longer so it could be a little softer but the curry was delicious, not spicy at all! It is a more Asian styled curry so usually a bit of powder and coconut milk/oil infused. Note, this comes with a side of rice. The festival rice was my favorite dish. The rice is cooked with butter so that says all. The chicken was very moist and soft, comes out kinda like pulled pork/shredded style. Overall this dish was very flavorful. I would recommend this place. However, the service is kind of slow.
(4)
Y N.
My family and I ate here lots of times and we were never disappointed. Great food, fast and friendly service. I'm not sure if there are other Burmese restaurants in Philadelphia, but this one is a winner. Happy eating!
(4)
Bria D.
My friend Rolando suggested that our lab go to Rangoon for celebratory Burmese food after we finished our conference presentations. I was not disappointed. None of the rest in our party seemed to be either, with the possible exception of the 11 month old who learned too late that the spicy green beans were, indeed, spicy. Okra shrimp=awesome. I want more.
(4)
Sara H.
rangoon is truly one of my favorite restaurants in philadelphia, hands down. not only is the food delicious (several examples come to mind: the firecracker lentil fritters--seriously, eat these. they're insanely good...the golden triangles, the vatana beans, the monsoon vegetables (tamarind sauce = heck yeah), the pumpkin soup, the veggie spring rolls, and on and on and on) it's the sort of place that meat eaters and veggie eaters alike can enjoy. if it were possible to live above rangoon and come downstairs for at least one meal a day, i would do it. if they were willing to let me set up camp in the back corner of the spacious dining room, i'd do that instead. truly a hidden gem (often overlooked, methinks) in chinatown, it's worth a visit x 100.
(5)
Rhett B.
This place is great if you are in the Chinatown area. The 1,000 layer bread is the stuff dreams are made of. In addition, the curry's are to die for. I recommend going during the week because it is less busy. You will have no problems with service; just finding a seat. The good prices makes this one of the best bargains in town. They have BYOB, but there is a corking fee. I suggest just getting your drinks there.
(5)
Bobby P.
I love Burmese food, and normally I'd go with a 4 stars for Rangoon, but we must have gone on an off night because our meal yesterday was really just average. The fried tofu appetizer had an interesting mix of creamy smooth tofu with a crispy fried shell, reminding me of creme brulee, but it isn't nearly as flavorful as the lentil fritters (which also have a better texture and spicy kick). The lemongrass soup would have also been a better choice - great balance of flavor and heat! I would also stay away from the thousand layer bread, which is too greasy and never lives up to the hype. The monsoon vegetables were described as an appetizing mix of vegetables (broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, etc.) with tofu in a tamarind sauce. I didn't taste any tamarind, which was very disappointing because that's the reason we ordered it! We could probably order something extremely similar at any Chinese takeout spot. It wasn't bad, just not very good or different. The chili monk fish has an awesome, spicy sauce with some kind of fermented paste. I don't know if its fish, shrimp, or whatever but the fermented flavor really makes this go. I also really like monk fish, but I didn't enjoy this particular preparation, in which morsels were breaded and deep fried, then thrown in with the sauce and vegetables. The sauce soaked into the breading to create a funky, soggy coating that I'd rather avoid. If this was our first time here I'd begrudgingly go with 2 stars, but I'll award an extra star for lifetime achievement. Next time I'll go for some other dish with that chili sauce and they'll get the 4 star status they're capable of. You can't go wrong with any of the basil dishes either (chicken/beef/etc.).
(3)
Leah G.
If there is any restaurant in Philadelphia with a longer menu than Rangoon, you'll need to show me. The menu has page after page after page of options. I often groan about finding restaurants to please both omnivorous and non-omnivorous friends . . . well this is certainly a restaurant that can do just that. We started with the Thousand layer bread with vatana dip and with the curry chicken dip. The vatana dip was the better choice. As we all ordered the thousand layer bread because we read about it on yelp, I feel the need to impress upon the yelp readers that you should order it with the vatana dip. Next we had crab meat dumplings. This was my favorite dish . . . most likely because of my love for cream cheese. We also tried the Burmese wantons which were too sweet for my salt/spice loving palate. I had the jungle squid for my entree. Almost everyone at our table ordered a jungle-related entree, whether it was tofu, shrimp, squid or one of the thousand and a half other options Rangoon has. They were all quite good. I just wish that my dish had been spicier. Everything about the meal was a little too sweet for me. I prefer curry with a kick. That being said. An all around good meal, and our entire table concurred we would give Rangoon 4 stars.
(4)
Chris C.
One of my favorite restaurants in Philly. It is super clean, the staff is wonderful and the food is out of this world. Started off with the Thousand Layer Bread with chicken curry dip. Ahhh, it melts in your mouth. It's buttery, crispy and light. Perfection! The curry is also good and a bit spicy. Also had the crispy tofu for an appetizer. I never had anything like it. I couldn't stop eating it and I frequently crave it. It's little layers of tofu fried to a crisp in triangular shapes. You have to try it! They have won awards for this dish! For an entree, I had the Jungle Chicken. The sauce is creamy and tangy with a little kick to it. The chicken was tender. Also had the coconut rice - also delicious!
(5)
Rebecca S.
I have been going to Rangoon for over ten years, and just enjoyed yet another spectacular meal there tonight. I do not know of any other restaurant that has maintained the same level of outstanding quality for so long. I recommend the thousand layer bread with bean dip, Pagan beef, country chicken, all of the salads, and the fried wontons. They also serve very good wines and beer. The owner is a lovely lady who personally waits tables and remembers all of her customers. Rangoon is the only Burmese restaurant in a 100 mile radius of Philly and they deserve all the praise in the world for continuing to serve up mind blowing, delicious food at very reasonable prices. I can't wait to go back and sample even more fantastic dishes!
(5)
Kelly K.
Attentive service and nice dining space. Delicious tofu salad and the curry chicken with coconut rice was really yummy.
(4)
Andy S.
I was torn between 3 and 4 stars...lets call it 3.5. I wanted to eat here for a while so perhaps my expectations were a tad high...I have nothing specific to point out as a negative, but overall, the meal was decidedly good, but not great..."a-ok", as they say in Yelp-land. The service was very cordial, the atmosphere very sedate despite being rather crowded. The meal was tasty but unmemorable...I am writing this a month or so afterwards and I couldn't tell you what I ate it...I liked it, but unlike other amazing establishments I am not pining for my return visit. I might go back, or I might not. I wanted some spice, and got none. The meal was slightly different than other SE Asian meals I've had but largely similar and ultimately unremarkable. I've checked off "Burmese" from my non-existent list and have nothing bad to say. Overall the cuisine shares traits with other ethnic offerings, but does not really stand out on its own. If I want Thai, I could find better spots. Indian, doubly so. Chinese? Long list. I would have no problem going again, but I won't make a great effort to do so. Worth checking out for sure, as they do their thing well and it might be right up your alley. Just not entirely up mine.
(3)
Vickie H.
I came here with my sisters and my boyfriend on Sept 4th. My boyfriend and I split the bill using both our credit cards that came out to $19 each. This was the only time in Philly my boyfriend and I used our cards together. The next day when I checked my transactions, I see a charge of $18 from Apple's iTunes in Philly. My boyfriend had the exact same charge on his account. We never, and I repeat, never bought anything from iTunes or even did anything closely related to Apple while visiting this city. It was obvious that the waiter who took our cards had used it for other purposes. As I stated before, paying our dinner bill was the ONLY time my boyfriend and I used our cards together. This is completely disappointing to me. We reported the fraud charges to our cc company and currently disputing the charges. I really liked the food here too but what the hell was the waiter thinking? Where is the integrity in this?
(1)
Alvenne G.
This is one of the best Asian restaurants I have ever visited in Philadelphia! The serving size is generous, and their food was delicious! I highly recommend this restaurant to those who crave for home food(Asians) and also those who wants to experience Burmese delicacies.
(5)
Surya N.
My favoritest restaurant ever. End of story. Amazing food. Amazing staff. Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmy
(5)
Shane T.
First true taste of Burmese, I'm about it. If I had to bullshit it, I'd say it's a mix between thai and indian, so you already know it's got some serious potential. Accidently got a dish very similar to pad thai, peanut sauce, crushed peanuts, nice noodles, etc. etc. Like everyone else has said, the thousand-layer bread and curry potato sauce is amazing. Seems like it packs out pretty easy, we were the only table in the place around 7, 8pm Christmas night and the place was filled out completely.
(4)
Pinky And The B.
We really liked Rangoon and we want to thank those of you with suggestions here on what to order. We ordered 1.The Jungle Chicken 2. Asian tea leaf salad 3. Rangoon house noodles 4.thousand layer bread and curry potato dip 5.coconut rice Our friend who is a Burmese food virgin ordered the crab dumplings and some other dish that we did not try. We ordered these based on the reviews so thanks! We are writing this review for those of you who like to try Burmese in different cities. We have had Burmese in NYC for years. Both at Village Mingala now closed and also Cafe Mingala which is still open. We have also been to Mynamar in Falls church Va. We want to go back before we review that one but did upload the only photo there. I want to address a few of the reviews saying Rangoon was better than the Burmese we had here. I would not give it a blanket statement saying it is better. But I would say that the menu at Rangoon was so full and their selection was far greater than any Burmese place we have been to. It is also light years cleaner than any place in NY for Burmese. Although our Burmese restaurants are not in China town I wanted to also point out that Rangoon was much cleaner than any restaurant in any one of our four China towns here in NYC. Some of the menu items were better than here and visa versa. We will go back for sure when in Philly again. However I would not drive 2 hours to Philly just to go. We will however drive 5 hours to Falls church VA. to go to their Burmese place because it was much more flavorful than any we have been to but their menu is very limited. Rangoon's strongest pluses were the variety in the menu and clean restaurant and very considerate service. The Jungle chicken was great. None of the other Burmese places we have been to have anything like it as far as I know. For those who have not tried it it is a chicken dish with green curry but the predominant flavor is lime. It is really delicious. The Asian tea salad was not as good as the salads we have here at our Burmese place because it did not have that special zing it was missing the citrus, could not even find the tea leaves and it had too many peanuts. It was more like a Thai salad than Burmese. The coconut rice was almost a tie it was great but still not quite as coconuty as the coconut rice here in NYC and as you see in our review of Village Mingala the rice is the only thing we mention. The thousand layer bread was good. At the other Burmese places we have been they have thousand layer "pancake" which is much thicker and more caloric so I liked the one at Rangoon because it was light almost like an Indian naan. We loved the Jungle chicken but the highlight of the meal was probably the potato curry dip that came with the thousand layer bread. It was much more flavorful than the curry dip we have tried here! The seasoning was distinctly Burmese. The Rangoon house noodles were okay but much better in Falls church Va at Mynamar. All in all it was great meal. I would suggest Rangoon to anyone! They are a great place to try Burmese if you never had it and if you have like us the variety is so great that you could go back many times and not try everything on the menu.
(4)
Tiffany S.
1,000 layer bread was great, as was the basil chicken I ordered. Staff was attentive and friendly, prices were relatively reasonable! You'll enjoy it!
(5)
Hana B.
Its like the skies opened up and in a glowing beam of otherworldly light, this food-of-the-Burmese-gods descended to earth to be laid upon my table for me to savour and devour! Thank thank THANK YOU Yelp for showing me the way! Authentic Burmese food is hard enough to find as it is, but better-than-my-grandma's Burmese food? Awe-some (the old meaning) We ordered the shrimp-lemon grass soup, lentil fritters and the Asian tea-leaf salad to start. The soup was spicy with a very fresh zing of lemon-grass, watch out for the chopped tiny green chilies, you don't wanna be gulping water for the rest of the night, instead of preserving precious food-space in your stomach. The lentil fritters were golden crisp on the outside, soft but pleasingly textured inside, perfect with a chilli-tamarind sauce. The Asian tea-leaf salad was my favourite dish. It had fermented tea-leaves (called la-phey in Burmese) with fried sesame seeds, garlic flakes, peanuts, tossed together with some iceberg lettuce and tomatoes. Complex and divine. The main courses we ordered were battered fried fish with green chutney - perfectly crisp and tangy and served with julienned carrots and iceberg lettuce, a flavour explosion in every bite. The Jungle Beef was tender morsels of sliced beef cooked in a spicy coconut milk sauce, that was just the slightest bit sweet. The combination of ingredients complemented each other very well. Even though the dish on the whole was less intense in comparison to the others, it was very flavourful. Oh AND excellent, knowledgeable and prompt service. I will be back next month.. after a plane ride and some driving. Yes. It IS worth it.
(5)
Josh G.
This is really a 3.5, but I'll give them some extra credit after my pleasant visit last night for dinner. After we ordered a new dish that we didn't enjoy, they didn't make us pay for it at all. AWESOME. Overall, the food is fantastic. I've never had Burmese food outside of this restaurant, so I can't comment on the authenticity. Nothing jumps out as original or unique, but rather seems to pull from several neighboring cuisines. There are noodle/rice dishes, as well as some spicy curries and lemongrass soups. Start your meal with one of three appetizers...the thousand layer bread, the crispy onions, or the spicy lentil fritters. All have a somewhat distinct flavor, albeit all can little on the oily side. We have enjoyed the bread with the potato curry, but all seem to be good choices. As for entrees, the jungle tofu and the basil chicken are our favorite dishes. The jungle tofu is a curry-esque dish with a somewhat unique flavor that isn't too spicy. We've also enjoyed the night-market noodles, which have a nice mix of flavors. Point off for some slightly slow service and a little too much oil from time to time with the appetizers.
(4)
Lisa R.
The food was fan-freaking-tastic! We thought we had over ordered when we got the tea leaf salad, thousand layer bread, crab rangoons and basil noodles, but portions here are on the smaller side. Every dish was amazing! This was a rec from Yelp. So, thank you, Yelpers!
(4)
Lynda Z.
I fell in love with Roti Bread while on a trip to Los Angeles last year. Since then, my friend has been on a personal mission to find the best Roti Bread in the area. So far, I think she's found it! Rangoon is a great little Burmese Restaurant just around the corner from the hustle and bustle of main street China Town. It's worth a trip around the entire neighborhood to find some hidden gems. They called their version of the Roti Bread "Thousand Layer Bread" and they serve it with either a mild coconut chicken sauce or a spicy curry potato sauce. I have tried both and prefer the spicy potato sauce, which has quite the little kick to it. The layer bread is served much thinner than the one I had in LA, but tastes just as good. They also serve a thicker version of the bread as a base for the Grilled beef skewers, which I like, but doesn't come with either of the sauces. They'll charge you extra for the sauce, but its worth it. I have also had their lunch special with is the same spicy potato sauce served with rice (brown, white or jasmine). I thought that it was pretty good, but seemed even more spicy than the dipping sauce for the bread. And, if you're watching your weight, you may not want 2 starches on one plate lol. I didn't mind that little tidbit. I really like this place. There seems to be a family that runs it. There's an older lady that's always there and smiles as soon as you walk in the door. Go have some yumminess.
(3)
Soyoung K.
I totally heart you. I've been going to Rangoon for a while and though my lazy ass isn't making enough efforts to go there as often as I should, it still has a special place in my heart. I couldn't have enough of their thousand layer bread appetizer and coconut curry chicken. yum.yum.yum! I've tried other things on the menu but I have to say, Rangoon totally got the curry down right. How can I resist curry that actually smells nice not like somebody's BO? On top of that, it's so cheap! Plus it's very clean and the waitstaff are very accommodating and friendly.
(4)
Scott R.
Good, interesting, and well worth a visit ... if not quite as good as I was expecting from all the reviews. Excellent: the tea leaf salad. It was beautiful. Good: the Jungle Tofu (not much different from a Thai Basil dish), the curry dipping sauce, the Mango Chicken (for the most part), the reasonable bill, and the friendly service. Underwhelming: the Thousand Layer bread (greasy) and the orange sauce on the Mango Chicken (some subtle, intriguing flavors, but in the end, too thick/heavy like any old Chinese sweet and sour) I'd go back. Not tomorrow. But after I tried a few other Chinatown destinations, I'd go back.
(3)
Steve S.
Been going here for many years now - and it's still as good as the first time. The flavors and textures are extraordinary. Our recent meal for 4 was awesome! Like others have said, whatever you order it will be delicious and you will go back again and again. The service has always been above average in promptness and pleasantness. And the prices are very reasonable. Enjoy!
(5)
Brenda C.
Walking from the paid parking lot towards the Pholadelhphia Flower Show, we glanced towards 9th St and I saw Rangoon. Hmm Burmese Restaurant. Fellow Yelpers gave it good reviews and I am in the mood to heed yelp advise. It was great advise! Rangoon had very friendly and helpful staff. The place was clean and the decor while minimal was impactful. The artwork was delightful. We had the thousand layer bread, a tad oily, but otherwise very tasty with the potato curry dip. The String Bean and Peanut Salad was nice, cool, crunchy and flavorful. Sweetie and I both chose vegetarian dishes and both worked well together. He had the Tofu and Veggies with Mango Sauce and I had Tofu and Veggie Curry. We both chose Mild, as this was our first time to eat here. It was mild enough that we would venture for the hot next time we come over. But I did bite into a piece of hot pepper and my ears were on fire! Hahaha, it was delightfully hot (I love hot food) but I did gulp down my Tamarind Juice! Had to wait for a few minutes before I could start eating again. But all in all it was great food. We had the Rice Pudding with Mango and it was not overly sweet.
(4)
Marcel M.
Overall everything we ate was very good including Mango Chicken, Banana Leaf Fish, Coconut Rice, Pineapple Rice and Golden Triangles. The Jungle Beef was not that good. Beef was very chewy. The 1000 layer bread is not to be missed whether you decide to eat it alone or with the Vatana or the curry dipping sauce. The bread is truly a piece of heaven or even heaven itself. I don't know what they do to it or how it's made per say but it's a cross between a crepe and naan.
(4)
Janet S.
Whenever we visit a new Country or City we hunt out the Burmese food, these eateries are far and few between and vary tremendously. Rangoon was super friendly, but then all Burmese seem to be that way, super helpful in providing new places/phone numbers to find Burmese Produce and delighted with our requests for off the menu items such as chinbaum, which was excellent; a dark green sour vegetable with shrimp and bamboo shoots, and the more traditional tea leaf salad, which had just the right amount of tea in it, not too much, not too little, We also tried the thousand layer bread and potato curry sauce appetizer which was also very good and Mohinga soup which was tasty but not the best ever. We tried not to eat too much as we had a few eateries to visit in Philly but Lordy we finished it all.
(4)
Lydia T.
Oh my goodness! Rangoon! You made me eat my words. I was expecting nothing speacial and left completely satisfied. Thank you! Ordered": Chili Seafood- a spicy(ish) red sauce (ordered medium hot) with tender cooked scallops, shrimp and calamari and TON of finely chopped white onions. Mango Fish: Terrific,sweet but very savory. Pineapple Fish: Almost similar to a yellow curry dish, pretty great. Coconut Rice: Not too sweet, perfect compliment to all of the dishes. PLEASE go there for your birthday dinner. The song they play is amazing to say the least.
(4)
Eric C.
Bordering on psychedelic, it is so good. Some of the best food I have ever eaten. We went back the next night. Very good, but not as good. Tea leaf salad...Oh My!
(5)
Rob S.
The thousand layer bread (I only saw one layer!) with curry dipping sauce was tasty. The Asian tea leaf salad was unique and very good. The Jungle sauce (we got tofu) was disappointing to me. Not enough spice or flavor to the curry. I tried my friend's mango chicken which I thought was more flavorful but is sort of like a sweet & sour sauce as another Yelper here pointed out. It's not too expensive, but not too cheap. No complimentary tea, etc. (You can gets cups of "Burmese" green or Jasmine tea for $1.00.) Beers are something like $4.50 with the standard, not-so-great Asian imports... A bit expensive I think? Service was excellent, fast and friendly. But I would not necessarily go out of my way to come back.
(3)
Elise E.
I had the been dish I've ever eaten here, and it was a potato curry. Just potatoes and spices. Amazing. The food here is a delicious cross between Thai and Indian - so lots of curries, vibrant flavors, and delicious spices. Definitely try the 1000-layer bread, which is like an Indian paratha. Mmmmm!!!! And try the potato curry!!!!
(5)
Attila B.
This place is definitely 5 stars. 5* - Service 5* - Food 5* - Environment 5* - Price I love this place, although I haven't ever been to any other Burmese restaurants, so I can't compare this food to anything. Possibly some of the freshest, cleanest, and tastiest food I have eaten in Philly. My favorite is the beef with string beans and the thousand layer bread, but everything on the menu is awesome!
(5)
Sss S.
Consistently great food with courteous service. I've never had a bad experience here. I stick to the Chili chicken with the thousand layer bread with Vatana dip. Other good options are the chicken keema or almost any of their noodle dishes if you're into that sort of thing. The food is served relatively quickly so it might not be the best place if you want to hang out for a while and enjoy a long conversation.
(4)
Seth T.
I've been here more times than I can count. I can't really vouch for the "Burmeseness" of their cuisine. I've never been to Burma, and I've been been to another Burmese restaurant. Some of the dishes don't seem much different from what you'd find in a Chinese or Thai restaurant. I kind of doubt that Kung Pao chicken is "Burmese", but does it really matter? In general, the food tastes like a fusion of Chinese and Indian style cooking. Lots of curry. My wife is a devotee of the Jungle tofu, which she says is excellent. I don't really care for green curry, coconut milk, or tofu myself, so I'm not the one to judge that dish. The Burmese spare ribs, however, are deelicious; especially when you take the sauce that collects at the bottom of the dish and spoon it over some rice. Sweet and spicy, covered with fresh green herbs. I'll come back for it again and again. A+
(4)
Richie K.
I've been to Rangoon any number of times and it wasn't until I recently ate at a Burmese place in Maryland that I thought to myself, "Man, you should probably write a review!" I'll level with you. Before Rangoon, I never had a favorite spot in Chinatown. I used to eat at Ho Sai Gai and a handful of other places. After trying Rangoon, I stopped bothering. Weird, I know, but here's the thing. SEPA is inundated with decent Chinese options so you can get the food anywhere. Burmese, on the other hand... So, first the good. I've never had a bad meal whether I was starting with Thousand Layer Bread or skipping right to an entree. Jungle anything is killer. Mango anything is awesome. The soup is great. The location is stellar. Now, the not so good. They charge a corkage fee which is crazy high, the minimum amount required to use your credit card sometimes makes it difficult if you're eating alone, and some of the sauces are a bit sweeter than I would like. Mostly though, I miss this place tremendously and wish they'd open a satellite location in North Carolina.
(4)
Danielle H.
Great place! We walked over from the Flower Show and were not disappointed. *Plenty of Vegetarian options. I had the Vegetable Monsoon. It was very flavorful and absolutely the right amount of food. *Thousand Layer Coconut cake for dessert - great blend of salty and sweet, and I'm not usually a fan of coconut. The only thing we didn't like was the "Mango Salad". We're not sure where the mango flavor was -- we had to confirm that they brought us the right thing -- and it was waaay too salty. Otherwise, nice joint. Plenty of room.
(4)
Andy K.
Rangoon has some of the best food Philly has to offer. For starters, I recommend you get the Thousand Layer Bread with Curry Chicken Dipping Sauce. The thin, flaky bread pairs perfectly with the flavorful curry. You won't be disappointed. Following the stellar opening act, the Beef Keema had a strong showing. The beef had a lot of Southeast Asian flavors going on and also came out on a heavenly thousand layer-like bread. Finally we had the Rangoon House Noodle, which was the least impressive of the three but still pretty good. Other than the noodles' sticky texture, there wasn't anything mind-blowing about this dish. Rangoon is the sort of place that makes me wish I had discovered Burmese food sooner.
(5)
Molly F.
I picked up take out from Rangoon on my first trip to Chinatown. The restaurant was 15 minutes from closing but still had a few people in it on a Friday night and the staff was very friendly. The thousand layer bread with curry is great, I could have just gotten two of those and been very happy. I ordered the North Burmese Noodles as well, and they were tasty and the lime really enhanced the plate but it wasn't super memorable, and didn't fill the takeout container, so they're too small to be eaten alone. I think they would've been better if I'd remembered to ask for them to be accurately spicy, but for the portion they should be a smidge cheaper.
(4)
Sarah P.
I've had lunch here a few times as it is close to my office. Today I went and had the Northern Burmese Noodles ($9) which were yummy, but not very large as I was still hungry after. After seeing rave reviews on yelp about the crab dumplings, I ordered them and was disappointed that they tasted overwhelmingly like cream cheese with a faint resemblance of the sea. What was really disappointing about them was that it looked like they used crabstick (imitation crab) and not real crab. After seeing that florescent pink color I lost my appetite and ended up going elsewhere for dessert. Another weird thing I found was that they don't offer chopsticks at the restaurant AT ALL. When I requested them to eat my noodles I was told that they don't use them. Seems like they tend to cater more to the office crowd looking for a cheap lunch rather than an authentic experience.
(3)
Melly M.
I've never had Burmese food before, and decided to give it a try since I found some great reviews on Yelp. This little gem is on the outskirt of Chinatown, easy to find following directions on Google Maps. I was there a little early for dinner time, there were few tables already occupied. Nice music playing in the background. Friendly staff and got me started off with thousand layer bread with chicken curry, it was tasty! I got a watercress salad later (Asian field of greens), not sure what kind dressing they used, probably some oil type, it was flavorful and I really enjoyed that! Price is a little high but definitely worth a visit if you've never been to a Burmese restaurant!
(4)
Jenny C.
Never had Burmese food before, so I can't speak to authenticity but what I tasted was delicious. I recommend: - Asian tea leaf salad: Chopped up bits of tea leaf give this salad a unique taste. Peanuts give it a nice crunch. Refreshing choice paired against the rest of the meal. - Thousand layer bread with chicken curry: Flaky, thin, pairs well with the curry - Thousand layer bread with beef kebab: Tender pieces of beef with lots of flavor. A must try if you like kebabs The Northern Burmese noodle was OK. Needed more flavor. Tastes like beef chow fun at your typical Chinese restaurant. Service was great!
(4)
Taylor D.
I'm giving this 3 stars because while the food is very very good the prices for the portion size are not very good. Especially when compared with other fantastic restaurants in the Chinatown neighborhood. We ordered the thousand layer bread with chicken curry, crab rangoons, Pork in pickled mango, Jungle curry, and Northern Burmese Noodles between three of us and we basically cleaned all the plates. It really wasn't enough food for the price...BUT the food is quite tasty. So if you have a petite appetite this might be the place for you!
(3)
Carolen M.
As my family wanted a near by dinner place that they don't usually get in Montana, I found this gem of a Burmese place near Franklin Park after we watched the holiday light and music show. There are plenty of tables and not very packed when we went as it was fairly early for dinner and a weekday. We ordered a good amount of food including the tea leaf salad which was a bit pricey, but on par with ones I've had in the past. Tea salad is pretty much a must get in a Burmese place. It's so many textures and flavors that you never would expect. But make sure you have fairly good teeth as it's quite crunchy. I would not recommend getting the pork in pickled mango as it was very very salty. The Rangoon night market noodles were quite good. I didn't try the shrimp roll, but my bf said it had something interesting inside that differed from most shrimp rolls you'd get say in a Chinese restaurant. The thousand layer bread which is pretty much a roti was tasty esp with the chicken curry sauce. For being the only Burmese place in Philly, I think it's good that they have one so that folks can experience the food of Burma. Also a good break from your sandwiches, pizza, etc.
(3)
Senoj M.
This place never disappoints! I've been multiple times and the food is always fresh and delicious! Don't be afraid to ask about the customer favorites, they are always great! The service is always good and pleasant and quick. I recently tried the (F5) Burma Inlay Fish! It's a crispy fish with chunky chili sauce and basil! Amazing!!! Omg please try this. The fish was fresh (didn't taste "fishy") and the sauce was complex with different spices that wasn't overbearing! The basil was a nice touch of fresh herb! Please please try this!!! Also they have a great Spicy (bone in) Chicken Curry! That was amazing!! And don't forget, get some Roti!!!
(5)
Alice E.
Some of the best Burmese food I have ever had! So cheap and delicious! The fried watercress salad was amazing- get it!
(5)
Erin F.
I must say this is the best restaurant in Chinatown. We had the thousand layer bread with potato curry (it IS spicy), tea leave salad (delicious flavors), jungle chicken (green curry, sweet), and Burmese spare ribs (delicious! Light spice). Service was pleasant and not over bearing. The ambiance is nice yet casual. It would be a great place for a large group as well. We will definitely be back! The yelp reviews were spot on, thanks for the tips!
(4)
Fam B.
The food is great here, which is why they are getting a THREE. Try the Jungle Chicken and Chili Chicken--both great dishes! The service, however, is NOT that great--I would give them a TWO for this. Whenever I go here in a group, it takes a very long time for them to check in on us so we can order drinks/food. They don't check in with us and it is difficult to get any of our questions answered. Also, when you get the bill, it's written in code so it's really difficult to split bills.
(3)
Michelle L.
For what it is -- I love it. The dishes have been hit or miss every visit but I always go back for 2 things: 1. Tea leaf salad- the tea leaves offer a unique but addictive flavor, very refreshing -- I could eat it every day. (let it sit for a little bit before eating, this will soften up some of the nuts in the dish -- i always fear i'll break a tooth on them) 2. Thousand layer bread - like roti canai but a little oilier (i definitely don't mind) I think our last visit we had the Jungle Chicken Curry. It was a little sweeter than the curries that I'm used to but it wasn't bad. The service at Rangoon is fine! No complaints, nothing over the top! Discovered this place over the summer and I've been back about 4 times since and will continue to come for my tea leaf salad/thousand bread fix!
(4)
Kedar D.
Rangoon didn't impress me that much. While Burmese food is a rarity, it's not necessarily that interesting on a whole, given how much overlap it has with Thai, Indian and Chinese cuisines---for vegans, you'll find a couple of potato dishes, maybe something with tofu, and then some fried pastry/breaded things. All told, you'll have maybe five or six interesting, purely Burmese options; the rest of the menu consists of anything you could find at any Chinese or Thai or Indian joint. The service was slow and inattentive, but at least it was friendly. Ambiance is nice and good for a date. I started off with a firecracker lentil fritter appetizer ($5.50) that was decent at first, but got boring after a few bites. The combination of mint and chili in the dish was unusual, though, and worked well. In retrospect, I should have ordered the tea leaf salad (which is made with shrimp according to the menu, but vegans and vegetarians might be able to leave the shrimp off) which is a Burmese delicacy. For my main course I had the chili tofu ($10) that offered an interesting mix of East Asian and South Asian flavors (a bit of tamarind, a bit of soy sauce), but the portion size was tiny and I cleaned off the plate in no time. The vegan dishes are not labeled and you'll have to ask questions to make sure what you're ordering is vegan. For example, all of the "thousand layer bread" dishes, which sounded really tasty, are made with butter. Sadly, Rangoon does not offer brown rice. Always a disappointment. In conclusion, Rangoon doesn't really cut it for me.
(2)
Vinayak B.
Ended up here one day since there was an extremely long wait at Sang Kee Duck House. Pretty decent food, good service. The thousand layer bread with coconut syrup was very unique.
(4)
Fan L.
Solid, if unspectacular. Basil noodles were good, reminded me a lot of drunken noodles. Wifey + a friend both had the Northern burmese noodle which was decent. A lot of Yelpers recommended the thousand layer bread, but honestly it's basically that frozen green onion pancake that you can get at any asian supermarket albeit with a delicious curry sauce.
(3)
Esteban W.
JUNGLE CHICKEN, 1000 LAYER BREAD AND A BEER. Very little to compare to, bread was good and food was filling, but I have never had Burmese food before... someone had to show me on Google Maps where Burma was. Overall the food was great, but at $30 for one dinner (appetizer, dish and beer) - yikes.
(3)
Kathleen D.
Burmese food can be so flavorful. Dishes are touched with the essences of Chinese, Thai, and Indian cuisines; yet the fusion of it all manifests Burmese cooking special and unique. I like it. Rangoon has a voluminous menu so choosing the components of your meal can take a while. I order a Singha beer and good ole Bri goes for a Kingfisher. Both go so well with the gorging in store. Since we favor the hotter and spicier foods of the world, we stick with the red star selections, though we've been all over this menu. For starters, we definitely prefer the thousand-layer bread with potato to the chicken version. The potato curry is a little spicier and, to me, is just tastier. As others have noted, the thousand layer bread tends to retain some oil, so though thin and soft, it can feel a bit heavy and greasy at times. Lentil "firecracker" fritters are little fried cakes of ground lentils, chiles, mint and scallions. Paired with tangy tamarind dipping sauce, these are a lovely little snack. Perfect with a nice Singha, I tell you! At Rangoon one, such as myself, could completely have a multi-appetizered meal alone. In fact, I seem to enjoy the appetizers here the most. More than the entrees, really. There are also the samosa-y "golden triangles," and the "crispy Burmese tofu," after all. The crispy tofu isn't the white soybean tofu that might immediately spring to mind when the word, "tofu," is mentioned. Burmese style tofu, we discovered, is made from yellow lentils. It's somewhat grainy and when fried it's almost like the consistency of crispy-fried polenta cakes. Kind of. If we order the thousand-layer bread with potato curry, I like to dip these little fried tofu pieces in that sauce as well... I also drizzle drops and drops of chile oil over them too. All starters aren't fried, fried, and fried though. Rangoon's salads are freshy, tangy deliciousness. The spring ginger salad is shredded gingery (of course) cabbage, peanuts, sesame, herbs, fried shallots and lime. It's topped with crumbles of dried shrimp. The tea leaf salad is very tasty too and very similarly dressed. Tea leaf salad, very good stuff. On our most recent visits to Rangoon, we've gone more of the variety of snacks route. We stop in for some apps and beers and then we're on our way, but we've also gotten down with some entrees and noodles in the past. Rangoon house noodles are spicy flat rice noodles served with an interesting mix of minced chicken, onions, tomatoes, all combined with what's described as a "red bean sauce." A-OK. "Burmese chicken lo mein," is very similar, though of course this dish features lo-meiny noodles. I'm more partial to these two noodle stylins versus the "Basil noodle," even though I'm am basil fiend. Though the "Night Market Noodles," are not hot and spicy at all, I'll add these to my tasty noodle list. They're garlicky egg noodles topped with pork and scallions. Yeah, we've hit up some noodles. I've been ramblin too long here, so I'll add at this point, that of all the many, many entrees Chili beef would have to be our favorite. Bell peppers, onions, and beef are stir-fried up in a hot chile garlic sauce. Tasty, tasty business. I have to admit that some visits have been better than others. Some dishes are better than others; sometimes inconsistent. The fact that we return and that there are still selections that we want to try is a good sign, I think. Service is very pleasant and attentive. Rangoon is definitely worth a try. I DO wish that they'd have a little music playing or something... Sometimes it's strangely quiet! There IS the chance that I wish there was more background noise just so that no one would hear me singing old Mission of Burma songs, but that's just me liking themes and being a dummy.
(3)
Yiwen S.
sometimes reading good reviews about a restaurant before going there to eat is in effect setting yourself up for disappointment. in the same way that you come to expect epicness when everyone and their mothers tell you a movie is great.. when people tell you that a restaurant is really really good, you naturally walk in expecting to have your mind blown. unfortunately, mind not blown. nevertheless, the meal was still good. my friend and i shared the thousand layer bread with curry chicken dip, as per everyone's suggestion. i like it, though the name is a bit deceiving, no? i've had taiwanese mooncakes with far more layers than this thin crispy bread holds. i'd imagine that if naan and green onion pancakes had some sort of a morphed love child, it'd be the thousand layer bread. for the entree, i had the northern burma fried noodle. it's basically spicy stir fried noodles with chicken and shrimp. pardon my ignorance, but my burmese food tasted a lot like thai/laotian food but with a bit more of a spicy kick. how am i supposed to distinguish between all these similar tastes?! but anyways, bottom line is: it was a good meal, relatively cheap, good service for chinatown.. and if i'm ever hungry and in the area again (and i'm not craving chinese food), i'd come back. 3.5 stars.
(4)
Shilpa B.
Nice quiet spot for a date with delicious food! There were so many options on the menu that looked interesting and yummy that it was hard to decide. We ordered the thousand layer bread with chicken curry and jungle tofu. Yum! Definitely coming back.
(5)
Matthew F.
One of my favorite places to eat in the city, a must go for asian food lovers. The sevice is quick and pleasant - you can get in and out for lunch in 30 minutes. Food is fairly priced and super tasty. Whenever I bring clients here, 100% of the time they love the food, never a miss. My wife and I have tried several dishes and haven't had a bad one - my favortie is the basil cury.
(5)
Suzy G.
Came here for my birthday many years ago, with my family and we had a magnificent meal! Everyone was super friendly and they gave us a free dessert because it was my birthday. I don't recall what we ordered at the time but since it was our first time there, they were kind enough to make some recommendations for us. Everything was delicious! Prices are pretty reasonable too. I really miss this place since I moved out of the city :(
(5)
J. Rudy F.
I cannot recommend Rangoon highly enough. I've not only never had a bad meal here; I've never had a single meal that wavered from the high quality food and efficient and friendly service that I've come to expect from this wonderful, family owned restaurant. 1) It's a great place to bring a mix of vegetarians, vegans, and omnivores, as every has extensive options. 2) The food is always fresh and delicious, made well, and in generous portions without being absurdly big. 3) I would go for their young coconut juice alone. Nothing like that bland Vita-Coco crap you get in a can or juice box; you know they're in the back with a machete pouring this out of a fresh, young coconut. To die for. I do hope that they eventually add delivery service.
(5)
Mary M.
First of all, thank you fellow Yelpers for helping us find this place. It is Labor Day, and I have been watching a marathon of Anthony Bourdain's NO RESERVATIONS all day. After seeing Bourdain's trip to China, my fiance suggested Chinatown for dinner but added "something new," as Chinatown for us usually means David's Mah Lah Wah. I took to Yelp for some suggestions and after checking out a few reviews and menus, I stumbled upon Rangoon's very decent reviews and even more enticing menu. We figured it was time to be adventurous just like Mr. Bourdain, and try something than our standard Chinatown fare. Rangoon is on the verge of Chinatown, on 9th between Cherry and Arch street, down an unassuming street (unlike the brightly lit center of Chinatown) that you would not realize holds a Burmese gem. The dining room is very beautiful, neat and clean, more updated and sleek than some of your other Chinese restaurants. We ordered: chicken satay, thousand layer bread (with curry chicken sauce), and shared an entree of the Night Market Noodles. 1 - Chicken satay - ok, not a revelation but a decent dish with a nice peanut sauce. 2 - thousand layer bread - OH. EM. GEE. (forgive my use of the teenage girl vernacular to describe this dish but it is so fitting). JUST WOW. The bread is super thin and super crispy (an earlier Yelper that said similar to a big flat croissant is not far off) but for me it was all about the chicken curry broth. This may sound ridiculous but it was just so chicken-y! Huge pieces of chicken and potato make this more of a stew than a sauce but nevertheless, delicious. I wanted more. But we had an entree coming. 3 - Rangoon Night Market Noodle - once again, an absolute hit with both my fiance and myself. Perfectly cooked long egg noodles with a few scallions and pork, served with garlic oil and red onions on the side. Just enough of a kick in the oil and also loved that it was served on the side so you could dress the noodles to your whim. Sharing the entree meant we had plenty for a both of us with about a cup leftover for a snack later. Our waitress (whom I believe was one of the owners as well) was attentive and sweet; she asked us if it was a our first time as we were leaving and said next time we would have to try something different. We will definitely be back again but I don't think I could *not* have the thousand layer bread and night market noodles; they were just too good!
(5)
Yo J.
I have mixed feelings about this restaurant. I ordered the Asian tea salad and thousand layer bread (beef) and I feel like the salad could have been a little less heavy it was really oily same goes with the thousand layer bread. The bread soaked up all the oil and it was soggy. I don't know if that's how the bread should be cooked but I didn't like it. I'm glad I only ordered a little bit and didn't let myself get carried away with the food titles and hype. I also ordered the spicy curry chicken on coconut rice and that one was good I liked the little spice going on it wasn't overwhelming. I mean I do appreciate Burmese food but not from here. The food wasn't bad but i don't think I'll be coming back here for awhile unless I feel like giving this restaurant a second chance .
(3)
Enid C.
It was nicer inside than I expected. Also a lot more people than I would typically expect for dinner at a Chinatown restaurant, even on a Saturday night. The thousand layer bread with chicken is hardly anything to call home about. It is similar to the roti canai at Penang/Banana Leaf but slightly thicker, significantly more grease, and a lot less flavor in the curry. It is also not spicy at all (which I guess we should have known since there was no red star for it in the menu), and by the end we ended up adding a scoop of chili oil and then dipping it into some of the other, more flavorful entrees. Maybe this is better with the potato instead (which DID have the spicy red star), but I'd stay away from the chicken. Next time I'd like to give the tea leaf salad a try. The monsoon vegetables were fine though a bit on the mushier side. Pork with mango curry sounded so immensely interesting on paper, but it would have been better if it weren't so overly salted. Still, not bad considering the characteristic Chinatown low price - which unfortunately also comes with the characteristic Chinatown lack of service (though it is better here than most other places). One thing I really liked: They give each table - even a party of two - their own pitcher of water! Maybe not the classiest thing to do, but by golly it is practical.
(3)
Gopal M.
I didn't quite like the food here. Everything was way too oily and felt like the dishes were a poor copy of penang and banana leaf. Would not come again. And they don't accept American express.
(1)
Eve P.
This place does not really serve really BURMESE food at all. It's all modified. They should be serving really homemade curries and such rather than using ready made sauce packets. As a true burmese, I am not impressed at all. I would love to eat the real burmese food especially when i am away from home, not the modified and americanzied version of chinese food at this place.
(3)
Hollan H.
good taste, sth special. Try banana leaf fish
(5)
Ben C.
It was good! It was my first time to try Burmese food. It was not as great as I expected from the reviews (nor for the price), but I enjoyed it. 1000 layer bread (with spicy potato dip): For all the raves about this dish, I was really underwhelmed. The dip was overwhelming. The bread was nice on it's own (a slightly sweet flavor that was invisible with the dip), but a bit to thin / overcooked in places (so overly crispy, rather than a uniform soft/toasted texture). Imagine the difference between a toasted soft tortilla and a tortilla chip--for bread, I prefer the toasted soft tortilla texture :) Jungle chicken: just ok, nothing really notable to me. Chicken was the recommended meat when I asked; as with most places, it was overcooked. Banana leaf fish: by far the best dish we had. The sauce / curry was very flavorful, and the texture of the breaded fish was wonderful to start. Over time, the sauce soaked into the batter, and perhaps they left the skin on and it started to come off, because by the end the texture was a bit slimy. The service was perfect--basically invisible so that I could enjoy the company of a good friend! :)
(3)
M W.
Was so excited to try this place but it went downhill when we tasted the food. It wasn't really what I expected I guess. The noodles were okay and so were the ribs. What made it a bad experience for us was the sitting. Entire room was empty but the servers decided to place a couple two feet next to us. It wouldn't be an issue until the obnoxious boyfriend started gossiping non stop about his friend's marriage... Nope, next.
(1)
Aimee M.
I LOVE THIS PLACE! Their 1000 layer bread with potato curry is amazing. I ordered a second one after I took one bite. This place is a nice change from Chinese food. I went with a big group -- kids, adults, grandparents, they all found things they liked.
(5)
Matthieu K.
I do not know anything about Burmese food. Place was clean, looks like a "standard" Asian-kinda restaurant, and was full enough on a Sat evening to obviously be an "OK" restaurant. Some items came with a SPICY warning, but I did not find anything at all very hot or spicy, which is fine - Americanos don't "do spicy" for the most part. Service was fast and knew the menu well enough to make good suggestions and recommendations, I appreciate thoughtful input and commentary. Food was very well prepared and delicious. Presentation was kind of boring, but it was not expensive, so I had no expectations. Solid all around. Def try it if you are nearby.
(4)
Stephen L.
Loved this place. The shrimp lemon grass soup was awesome! The crab Rangoon wontons were good but not in the top tier of others I have had, but very unique flavor. It's nice and quiet. They leave a pitcher of water on the table which is nice for spicy lovers like me. The jungle chicken was great and was a big portion. They serve their soda out of cans ; ( so no free refills on tap. But overall a great experience.
(4)
Robert B.
The king and still champion, Rangoon Burmese knocks another meal out the park. I used to come here all the time almost a decade ago. The owner, who is the same lady from that decade ago, recognized me upon return. That's an indication of the service you'll receive. I had three great dishes, coconut curry chicken, mango shrimp and the thousand layer bread. I first fell in love with Burmese -- and honestly Rangoon is the only Burmese I've ever had -- as a sweeter version of Thai food. And this meal continued the love affair. The coconut curry chicken has the right balance of sweetness and spiciness from the curry. The mango shrimp has 7-8 pieces -- tails on which is a bit of a pain -- in a great mango sauce. The thousand island bread -- like Malaysian Roti Canai -- is excellent. As for the prices, we came from NYC and found the prices to be much better than the City. Three entrees, desert and two beers came to $50. That's a great bargain. The space is nice. I'd recommend sitting towards the front. And I happen to still love the sweet rice desert. Rice, coconut milk, jello, ice, tapioca, that's a great, but interesting combination that you will not find anywhere else. Again, love this place and you will too.
(5)
The Hulk D.
Food is great, portions are very small. The thousand whatever bread aka roti kanai is subpar compared to Penang as it was cold and unremarkable. To be quite honest, nothing special and the service was very tortoise like.
(3)
Nene C.
Our last meal of our trip to the south and we purposely pass by Philly and ate lunch here. They have lots of yummy food in this place but the best dish is festival fish soup, or N-1, in the menu for $6.5 a bowl. Big eater will need 2 bowls. Ask for more fried garlic and inion to enchant your bowl of noodle. The best burmese festival fish noodle soup in the northeast. Period!
(4)
Sam P.
Very good food. I am a big fan of their appetizers especially the thousand layer bread & samosa! Very reasonably priced as well. Their desserts are ok sometimes but at other times, they serve their ice cream dessert (Faluda) with pieces of ice in it, which makes it not fun therefore the 4 stars. But overall, really nice place!
(4)
Laura Jill S.
When we walked in, the first thing the hostess said to Ed C & me was "The kitchen is almost closed, do you know exactly what you want NOW?" Ummm, rude! But they did seat us (perhaps a little grudgingly), so we hurried through the menu and ordered quickly. (To be fair, we should have paid better attention to their hours.) The benefit of them being ready to close was that we were served super quickly. Everything was really tasty. I had the crispy taro root appetizer (it was like french fries!) and the spicy curry potato. Everything was delish. Also, I tried everything Ed C had too, which was also super tasty, so check his review too. And here's something I really loved. Pitcher of water on the table. Every restaurant with spicy food should take a lesson!
(4)
Margaret C.
I love this place. I've come here twice now, and both times it's been delicious. Plus despite the fact that years pass between visits (we were living on the other side of the country, no reflection on Rangoon)...the owner always remembers my husband - and now me! The hubs always gets the Khao suey (sp?), which the menu calls southern Burmese noodles. Thousand layer bread is a must, and there's this glass noodle and mushroom soup that is my new comfort food. I've tried a couple of the noodle dishes now - Shan rice noodles tonight - and have yet to be disappointed. Plus, you guys, it's totally reasonably priced. Even the drinks - while it's just a limited list of beer & wine (no fancypants lemongrass martini here, which is a good thing), the prices are super cheap. What's not to love?
(5)
Christine V.
LOVE the thousand layer bread with their chicken curry dipping sauce! If you're going to come here, definitely start off with that appetizer. Aside from that, my boyfriend and I ordered a lunch special and the night market noodle to share. We made the mistake of ordering a curry for the lunch special which ended up being the same type of curry used for the dipping sauce for the thousand layer bread. Regardless, it was still good. I remember we didn't enjoy the salad that came with the lunch special though so I'd recommend going with the soup. The noodles were tasty and good to share between two people. It seemed very simple but it did come with a lot of flavor. Good place to come to for dinner with a group where you can do a family style dinner!
(4)
Stephanie K.
My new favorite place for curry &spicy! I used to go to Penang a lot jus for their Indian pancake but here is so much better ! I stop going to Penang bc I don't think their food isnt the same anymore since they change chiefs and I've been a regular there before they even remodel it. But anyways I will be back! Love the atmosphere of this place. The lady who owns it is very nice and sweet and their bathroom have a nice sweet scent to it and it's so pretty pink. Food is good. Everything was good.
(4)
Mel G.
Amazing. The owner is soo friendly. I came here on vday and was not disappointed. The food was delicious. The appetizer was so flavorful Definitely get the thousand layer with curry I got the jungle chicken and finished it really quick! Lol!
(5)
Lydia N.
The jungle chicken (a green Thai style curry) is one of the best I've had. There's a strong lime flavor which is unexpected but amazing. Great portions for take out!
(4)
Ed C.
I recently went here for the first time! Never had Burmese before! I LOVED it! It's sort of like a cross between Indian and Chinese -- which makes sense geographically. I started with the lentil fritters. They were amazing! Crunchy and savory, almost tasted like crab cakes! I wanted to try the Burmese tofu, but they were out of it. For the main course, I had the curry tomato tofu. It was really great. A little spicy and lots of flavor! I liked that the tofu was not fried either, great texture! The atmosphere is typical of any place in Chinatown, but everyone was very friendly and the service was quick. I will definitely be back for more -- so many vegan selections!
(5)
Nin A.
I couldn't help scratching my head upon leaving Rangoon because I read so many good reviews. This restaurant, unfortunately, did not meet the hype. Burmese food is a fusion of Chinese, Indian, and Thai. As much as I love all three, I'm sad to say I enjoyed the experience of trying out this new cuisine way more than the actual food itself. It is however worth noting that the staff members were very warm and friendly. If you are set on going, I recommend: - The jungle chicken (definitely my favorite - it was very tasty) - Thousand Layer Bread with BBQ Beef (our hot potato dip had a strand of hair which was kinda gross but it wouldn't have affected my 3 star overall rating) - Coconut Galanga Soup (flavorful and delicious! It was like a sauce in a Thai food entree) I had the following also but they were just OKAY for my taste: - Glass noodle and mushroom soup - Burmese spare ribs (the sauce and veggies were spicy and had a very stange almost nauseating smell but if you keep eating, you might like it) - Northern Burmese noodle (meh.. I had something similar before.. it was weird because it was tasteless but spicy at the same time - if that makes sense) Come here if you're like me who's on a mission to try out as many different cuisine as possible (there are very few Burmese restaurants in the region apparently). Otherwise, please note that this is not an out-of-this-world spectacular restaurant that deserves to be on top of your list.
(3)
Philippe D.
The food was quite good here. I ordered the thousand island bread with spicy potato curry and it was very spicy! I also had the lunch special coconut chicken curry which was tasty and came with a soup. The restaurant itself has a quiet and peaceful ambiance. Service was fast. I would add that some of the foods are quite sweet, especially the spicy ones.
(4)
Caleb F.
Nice clean atmosphere. Friendly waitstaff. Simply delicious food. Doesn't quite have that flair for me to give it a fifth star, but I would definitely come here again and certainly recommend it to others. Definitely try the thousand-layer bread. We had the vatana bean paste for dipping and it was seriously good. The two of us shared two main dishes: Burmese cold noodle and spicy eggplant. Would recommend both. And would also recommend sharing if you're a small party. You get to try more stuff!
(4)
Victoria C.
I came with a group of 8 on a Friday night, and Rangoon was able to accommodate us with no reservation. We started off with a few appetizers, including the thousand layer bread with bbq beef and chicken curry. I thought they were both really good - the beef comes on three skewers with assorted grilled veggies, and the chicken curry was a bit oily, so combined with the fried bread, it was a bit hefty. The chicken skewers were pretty standard, I wouldn't say they're worth the $7 price tag. Everyone seemed to enjoy the mandalay shrimp rolls, but they're really quite small, probably the length and girth of an index finger (IMO also not worth $7.50, even though there were six). For entrees, we ordered family-style. From the good to the not-so-good: Curry Beef (chunks of well braised beef, slightly spicy); Jungle chicken and pork (I liked the coconut based sauce, served with good amounts of veggies); lemongrass chicken (this is much lighter, the chicken wasn't as tender, but good to offset the heaviness of other dishes); Burmese Inlay fish (large fillet, but there was even more breading); Pagan Beef (tender beef slices, but the sauce was just too peanut- and coconut-milk heavy, I felt like I could feel my arteries clogging); Rangoon House Noodles (good amount of ground pork and sauce, I can't say I'm a big fan of boiled flat rice noodles, even when mixed, so this is a bit biased); pineapple fried rice (there was literally a PAM/butter aftertaste - this was heavy, and not good. I would not order this). We ordered a few desserts as well - the Farluda was a bit too sweet according to some people. I enjoyed the jello crunch ice (although I'd rather get shaved ice in Chinatown), and a few friends enjoyed the thousand layer bread with coconut syrup. It was great to have some Burmese cuisine in Philly, but I would probably stick to a few particular dishes in the future. Service was good.
(3)
Carol C.
I came to this place because I was curious what Burmese food actually was (which, i'm sure many of the Yelp readers are). Based on what we ordered, it seems to be somewhat of a mix between Malaysian, Thai, and Chinese food. Now, don't be fooled by the dirty shady sign outside the door - it's actually quite nice inside. Also, don't come to this place expecting giant obesity-inducing portions of food like other Chinese places. Expect a normal-small amount of food, but made with care. We ordered fish, noodles, salad, chicken, and of course, the 1,000 layer bread. The fish and 1,000 layer bread are the only things i'd recommend. We ordered watercress salad, which sadly, was only the size of my palm. The other dishes were similar to anything you order at other thai/chinese restaurants for a larger portion at the same price. Overall, i'd give this place 3.5, but will bump up to a 4 because unlike other chinatown restaurants, this place is pretty clean.
(4)
Kim P.
I went last night with a small group of friends. The service was good, the food was amazing! We had the country chicken, or something like that, it had chicken , red peppers, and snap peas in a coconut sauce. Perfection! The thousand layer bread was super tasty and a friend had samosas? It was potato based, fried, divine. The coconut cake was the perfect finish. I probably mangled all the names, but you get the point! It was a long walk, but there was a parking lot right across The street for those driving in.
(4)
Jay L.
A solid place for a meal. However this is one of the few places (if not the only place) where the most frequently mentioned dishes in reviews are not ones I would recommend (the tea leaf salad and the jungle chicken). We went there for a dinner on a weeknight. The place was not too busy. The food came quickly. The service was on par with other Chinatown restaurants. The tea leaf salad and jungle chicken both had these unique flavors that I did not love. We finished both, they had interesting flavors, but I would not get either again. I did not like the tea leaves in the tea leaf salad. They add this bitter, fermented flavor. We picked around them at the end. The jungle chicken as a dish was too sweet for me. Despite not agreeing with some of the recommendations on Yelp, the food at Rangoon is still very good and well worth the trip. We had the Thousand Layer Bread with Curry Chicken Dipping Sauce, the Southern Burmese Noodle, Lemongrass beef, and Coconut Chicken Curry. I would definitely go back again, but avoid the bitter tea leaf salad and very sweet jungle chicken, and try everything else.
(4)
Nola C.
Amazing. The coconut chicken noodle soup is my favorite served with fresh cilantro red onion and lime. I love the thousand layer bread and Tara root also as well as the ginger salad. I could go here every day! By far my favorite restaurant in China town.
(5)
Kristian A.
This place is great! I've been to Rangoon and this definitely brought back great memories of my stay. The Thousand Layer with Curry potato was really amazing and the Northern Burmese Noodles we equally as great. I will definitely be returning here on my next visit to Philly.
(5)
Gabby M.
Amazing place! The service was great; super friendly and helpful. I called for takeout and asked for a vegetarian option and they went over them with me and were flexible with the dish. The layer bread is soooo wonderful and tasty! I tried it with the curried potatoes and it was so flavorful and spicy (in the best way). I am definitely going to go back!
(5)
Jenny H.
Really delicious! Burmese food is so good. We had their tea leaf salad, which was really unique and tasty. Chopped lettuce with peanuts, it had a sweet and sour taste, very refreshing with crunchy nuts. We also got their thousand year bread (fried dough, how can you not like it?) with potato curry (curry is key so you can dip the bread!). We also got their jungle chicken which tasted like key lime pie, creamy good- chunks of chicken in this creamy, lime sauce. Their chicken curry was pretty good, but would try something else next time- it was just chunks of chicken in a sauce. Definitely try their tea leaf salad and their thousand year bread!! Their dessert is pretty good too, lots of coconut flavored good stuff!
(4)
Kitty C.
We were intrigued to see what was different about Myanmar food since we are generally fans of South Asian cuisines. It wasn't particularly surprising that it is similar to Thai. One dish would have been enough for both of us because the portions are huge. Service was good. It was busy but not overcrowded.
(4)
Ashish G.
I was introduced to Burmese food 6 months back by one of my friends in DC. The spices used in this cuisine is somewhat similar to Indian food, but a little more spicy. The first time I stepped in Rangoon was 5 months back with my wife and 2 of my friends. I ordered Ginger salad, Thousand layer bread with potato curry, spicy current chicken and chicken fried rice. Everything we ordered was awesome. Potato curry was spicy, but that was exactly what we were looking for. The quantity of the Salad is not much though for the price. The Curry Chicken had very less gravy as well, the rice which comes with it was left unfinished. The thousand layer bread was very delicious and perfectly crisped. We ended the show with the "Falooda"....Yummy...that was like WOW !! Since then it has become one of the favorite restaurant for my wife, and we are visiting quite often now...once a month at least. She is addicted to the Ginger salad, and I am to the Falooda..Sorry, but can't help it Also, the service time needs little improvement. They are very quick in getting the appetizer (10-12 minutes), but the main course usually takes some time (another 20-25 minutes). The tables are little smaller in size, so try avoiding 2 seater if you are going as a couple, as you will find it little congested. Still, they deserve the 4* rating for the delicious food for an average price.
(4)
Mark M.
This place blew me away when I ate here for the first time!!! Since that meal I have came back twice!!! The food was incredibly tasty the waiters were very nice and helpful. I liked this place so much my mouth waters just thinking about eating here again!!! I can't wait to go back!!! Love this place!!!
(5)
Judy L.
Pretty good restaurant for the price. Food came out piping hot and tasted fresh. thousand layer pancake with chicken curry: a bit greasy but flavorful chicken satay: tender. Loved the peanut sauce. northern burmese noodle: not too spicy but had a little kick to it. mango sticky rice is a pass though.
(4)
Elsa U.
Holy Burmese food! If you are vegan, try the jungle tofu it will rock your socks off. I took my mom there with her very carnivorous husband and they were delighted as well.
(5)
Kathryn M.
One of my friends recommended this place because their uncle owns it! I've been going back every time I'm in Philadelphia. Thousand-layer bread and Jungle anything is so delicious, so I rarely order anything else. I usually get take-out but eating there is very pleasant, great service. Can't wait for my next visit!
(5)
Vanita B.
Fresh food, delicious and complex flavors, authentic-seeming, and a bit off the beaten path to make you feel like you're having a new culinary experience (if, like mw, you're new to Burmese food). The chili chicken and the thousand layer bread with spicy potato curry were highlights; the green tea was tasty, too.
(5)
Richard P.
What is Burmese food? To paraphrase a Burmese, "anything cooked and eaten in Burma that is not a Chinese, Thai, and/or Indian dish." Which is to say that it shares the flavor profiles of those three cuisines but that it is distinctively it's own cuisine. It's also worth noting that it's hard to come by Burmese restaurants in the United States, so for that reason alone Rangoon deserves four stars. It is not, unfortunately, up to the quality of San Francisco's sublime Burma Superstar, but as noted above there aren't that many, so you should take what you can get. Rangoon has a solid menu of Burmese dishes - if you're looking for Burmese dishes (as opposed to, say, kung pao chicken), ask the server for suggestions. My opinion of Rangoon is colored by what I've eaten at Burma Superstar (and Burmese food I've eaten in Singapore), but it's still worth eating at. The one thing I will enthusiastically recommend is the sweet rice desert - a beautiful dish of chunks of sweet rice, tapioca, and coconut jello swimming in a bath of chilled coconut milk. It's not like I would be complaining if Rangoon was in my city, instead of Philadelphia.
(4)
John D.
I don't get what the big deal is. Mind you, I am coming from upstate New York, which is not exactly the Asian food capital of the United States (so my standards aren't exceptionally high). I came here for lunch today. The thousand layer bread was gross. Simply gross. It was soooo greasy (pretty much pure grease) that it was almost inedible. I also ordered a chicken basil entree. It was pretty good, but honestly, tastes the same as every other chicken basil dish I've ever had at an Asian restaurant (i.e., it was completely unremarkable) The side salad that came with the chicken dish consisted of a few leaves of lettuce, shredded carrot, and tomato (it was extremely, extremely tiny). The dressing which came with it was pretty ho-hum, typical 'Asian dressing. In short, the high rating for this place is completely unwarranted. If the high ratings are due largely to price, then I would assume there are probably many better nearby options in the same price point.
(2)
Cinthia K.
I wish this place was in NYC. Came here a couple of weekends ago with my friend and my cousin during our trip to Philly. Burmese food is pretty hard to find in NYC, as there is only 1 restaurant that I know of currently that is still open. Seeing that this place was just a few blocks away, I jumped on the opportunity to have some Burmese food again. We all got vegetarian dishes, though I'm the only vegetarian in the bunch. We shared a thousand layer bread starter with potato curry, and it was just amazing. It was basically a roti canai, but with some extra chili peppers thrown into the curry. I had their glass noodle salad, which normally had seafood in it altered to fit my dietary restrictions. It was good, though I wish it was chilled. My cousin got the dynamite tofu, which was absolutely delicious. I would eat that all the time if this place was closer to me! My friend got the sauteed fresh mushrooms, which was also pretty good. The server gave us a huge bowl of rice, which was great with the dynamite tofu in particular as it helped with some of the spiciness. We all left very happy with our meals, and if I were to return to Philly anytime soon, I would definitely check this place out again.
(4)
Milan R.
Chalk another one for yelp ! Like many, i had never tasted Burmese food before. If i were to explain, the food has thai food texture,chinese preperation and Indian taste - a lethal combination if there was ever one ! I ordered tofu kung pao,pea soup,lentil fritters and 'Jungle' chicken. Each dish outdid the other ! The lentil fritters looks and tastes like southern Indian 'vadas' - deep fried lentil batter with curry leaves and spices. The pea soup was creamy,garlicky and mildly spicy. The kung pao tofu is out of this world ! It is the real mccoy of Kungpaos with searing hot whole red chillies and tofu flipped to crisp in a wok. No excess sauce,no gravy and none of that 'PF Chang' ish americanized kung pao. The jungle chicken was a mild yellow curry with ginger,basil,red peppers and shredded chicken. The only downside are the portions which is on the smaller size ( entrees served in appetizer sized plates! ). And ofcourse the terrible and near impossible downtown philly parking situation. So now there are 3 things one cannot/must not miss in Philly - the Ben Franklin bridge, the liberty bell and the 'Rangoon' Burmese restaurant ! Cheers !
(4)
Cynthia T.
Came here only once, and it seems like it has decent good food from what we picked. Service was excellent, since we got the food pretty quick. The decor is very nice all set for their Burmese culture and it has a quiet atmosphere. The prices are definitely reasonable. We had the Burmese house noodles that used chow fun with meat on top, which was very good. We also had the Coconut chicken curry, which was a little dry and didn't quite like that curry sauce. I'll definitely come back to try it out again.
(4)
Anita S.
We were able to find street parking right around the corner, got a seat right away, and enjoyed attentive service. The food was delicious, I'd never had Burmese and found it to be an interest cross between Thai and Indian flavors, and the price was decent. We got: -Thousand Layer Bread with Chicken Curry- delish -String bean and peanut salad- unexpectedly delicious, nice mix of textures -Jungle Chicken- comes in a green curry, was a lot sweeter than Thai curry but tasted great -Northern Burmese Noodles- looks almost like a pad see ewe or another Thai flat noodle dish, but more sour than the Thai version, also a delicious surprise It seemed like the other diners in the night that we were were regulars, I can definitely see why.
(4)
Bridget G.
Every single thing my date and I got was fantastic: thousand layer bread w/ curry potato dipping sauce, tofu coconut curry and the mixed vegetable dish, even the jasmine tea was yummy. So unbelievably flavorful and seasoned to perfection. We couldn't get over it. Service was quick and the owner is super sweet. Went because it was listed as one of Philly's best places for vegans and wow, I will definitely be returning.
(5)
Mr X.
I had 2 appetizers The thousand layers bread and the yellow lentil soup and they were GOURMET quality and I was full! Surprisingly the entree was nothing special and I could have gotten that from a street cart! (had a mix vegetable korma of some sort) I would have given it a 5 but I will give it a 3 just because of that. Nice place for a date, ;p liked the colors and the setup. The manager came exactly at 10 and told us they were closed which came off as pretty rude to me.
(3)
Jenn S.
great place! i love their food. love the flavors/ spices. especially love the thousand layer pancake. meat dishes were great. tea leaf salad was also very well seasoned/ made. would definitely come back.
(4)
Margo v.
Great service. Really enjoyed the tasty food.
(4)
Pete L.
Ordered pagan beef, basil tofu, chili chicken and 1000 layer bread with curry potatoes dip and it was delicious. Reasonable price with a huge selection which can be confusing and overwhelming to pick from. But with little assistance from the server, it turned out great for two of us. Definitely return for more.
(5)
Elizabeth J.
Great place for lunch or dinner. So many choices, but I enjoyed everything that I selected. The thousand layer bread was absolutely amazing. Like a flaky croissant that you dip in amazing curry. So good!
(4)
Kristin W.
We couldn't make a reservation for 3 people (Rangoon requires a minimum of 5 people to make a reservation), but had no trouble walking in on a Saturday night at 8pm. We started with the highly recommended Thousand Layer Bread with Curry Potato Dipping Sauce - a little greasy, but really delicious. We focused on the fairly extensive vegetarian options and selected the Southern Burmese Noodle with Egg and Basil Tofu, both of which had a good flavor. We did not like the Spicy Eggplant as that had spice only concentrated in the peppers sprinkled on top, but otherwise not much flavor.
(3)
Michael H.
This place is a gem, especially for those who like spicy food. The watercress fried salad is a must try, bad for you viens, good for the soul. They make the best vegetarian dishes in town by my measure, starting with the chili tofu. The "thousand layer" bread with the spicy vatana dip is sensual. GO HERE NOW!
(5)
Richard R.
It has been awhile since I have been to Rangoon, but we were in China Town and decided to revisit Rangoon. It is probably 10 or 15 years since we have been here. There is not a particular reason for not coming in so long except for the abundance of South East Asian restaurants that have exploded in Philadelphia and my South Jersey homeland. Not much has changed at Rangoon. The decor is pretty similar and how I remembered. The interior is a bit tired but still clean and spacious. The owner is still the same and actually remembered us. My wife is Asian, so I guess we stand out a little. We had three dishes at this visit: Thousand Layer Bread with Curry Chicken Dipping Sauce (appetizer) Lemongrass Beef A Fried Fish in a curry peanut sauce served on a Banana Leaf The Thousand Layer Bread with Curry Chicken Dipping Sauce reminded me of Roti Canai served at Malaysian restaurants but better. The Roti, or flat bread was unbelievably flavorful. The dipping sauce was equally good making a great combination. The Lemongrass Beef reminded me of Beef Rendang served in Indonesian restaurants. It was tender with a nice, hearty sauce but with more lemon grass then the Indonesian Rendang. This dish could have been a little bit spicier for me. The fried fish was the best dish of the day in an incredibly tasty curry sauce with peppers and baby corn. It was excellent. The service at Rangoon was very good also. We spent just about $35.00 for the 2 dishes and appetizer. Parking is not easy but there are lots near by. The lots are not cheap. Rangoon takes credit cards and has a decent selection of bottled beers. I will be back to Rangoon again soon!
(4)
Arkä M.
Pretty much bland stuff, nothing to say more. Ordered food last night n most of the items didn't have a sense of complimenting each other even after we asked the receptionist.
(3)
Sarah K.
Rangoon is my favorite restaurant in Philadelphia! I've eaten here a million times and I've always had a great experience. The owners and servers are very warm and attentive. The food is amazing and reasonably priced. I'm a vegetarian so I've tried a lot of their veggie options. Here are my favorites Burmese Tofu Salad and Asian Tea Leaf Salad: Light, fresh with lots of sweet and salty flavors going on. Thousand Layer Bread with Curry Potato Sauce: So good. The sauce is available as a full entree too (Spicy Curry Potato). Spicy Green Beans with Tofu: Spicy but quite different from the Chinese/Schezuan dish that I'm also obsessed with. Coconut Tofu: This is yummy. Milder than a coconut curry but still delicious. Northern and Southern Burmese Noodles: If you ask they can make most of the noodle dishes vegetarian. The only dish I haven't liked here is the Mango Tofu which is just too sweet for my tastes.
(5)
Amina W.
Rangoon is a gem on the outskirts of Chinatown that should not be ignored. Seriously, go... RUN there. The thousand layer breads are worth the trip alone... especially the curry potato dipping sauce and vetana bean varieties. The coconut chicken curry was one of the most flavorful dishes I've had in a long time. The ambiance leaves a little to be desired, but if I were to go somewhere just for the ambiance I'm pretty sure I'd never leave my house. The price points are right up my (cheap-ass) alley and you get a whole lot of bang for your little buck. I definitely plan on bringing the whole family to Rangoon ASAP.
(5)
Bill M.
Whenever I find myself needing a break from my usual Chinatown destinations 9I call it Mai Lai Wah and noodle overload!), Rangoon is usually my prime spot of choice; even if it doesn't deliver the something completely different that you would expect from Burmese cuisine. As other have well touched on Rangoon is a little more fusion than you initially expect it to be. But with it delivering plenty of delicious curries, noodle and rice dishes, Mango chickens, and the sweet taste of lemongrass on one menu; it isn't necessarily a bad thing. Its especially a good thing if you're looking for some veggie and seafood dishes, because it had both in a abundance of varying spice levels. Toss in good & quick customer service, and a decent lunch special to merit going in the afternoon; and you have an other good Chinatown destination.
(4)
Channa P.
There is no need to know anything about Burmese food to enjoy this place. Maybe it will help you order more efficiently, but that's about it. My friend and I took like 15 minutes and it's her favorite spot. Below is what you need to know. -It's curry heavy, but in the best kind of way. -You need to go ahead and order that 1,000 layer bread with potatoes -It will not taste like Chinese food even if Kung Pao chicken is on the menu -The Southern Burmese noodles are fab -The place at dinner is pretty empty -And if you order tea the leaves are in the cup. (That one is for my silly friend that got freaked out by loose leaf tea really being loose)
(4)
Me 0.
only good experiences at rangoon. great atmosphere, amazing food
(5)
Gautam T.
Rangoon... One of my go to spots in Chinatown for dinner. I have been here probably 5-6 times and always leave the restaurant happy and full! The service is always friendly and helpful in explaining some of the dishes. The food is always excellent. They have a pretty comprehensive menu that includes sections for poultry, seafood, beef, vegetarian etc etc. I normally go with either poultry or seafood especially the mango shrimp!! Mmmm so delish! What I like most about this place is that the food is really a fusion between so many different Asian countries. For example there are definitely Indian and Thai influences in a lot of the dishes utilizing both the traditional Indian spices but adding in Thai flavors like basil and coconut. When you go also make sure you order the roti kanai as an appetizer, believe me you'll be so happy with it.
(4)
Emily M.
Probably the best Asian food I've ever had. Easy to get I to, barely a wait for food. The lemongrass soup was excellent, as was the Basil Noodles with chicken. I am not from the area, but next time I go to Philly I'm definitely going back.
(5)
AJ A.
Great service during lunch. Lunch specials selection are plenty. Make sure to try the bread with curry dip!
(4)
Abishek G.
Good food and decent prices. As the only Burmese restaurant in Philly, I would recommend that you go and give it a shot. If you like spicy food you will most probably love it here. They also recently got their liquor license so not a BYOB anymore but still great food.
(4)
Vishal S.
This is my go to place whenever i am in philly. The thousand layer bread with chicken, the chilly chicken, fried rice and the soups are amazing. Their service is lightning quick and the quality of the food is also excellent.
(5)
Sara P.
We had not been to Rangoon for a few years, but it is one place which brings back nice memories. The staff had been exceptional, and the sticky rice with mango is memorable. This visit was no different. We were greeted by one of the owners of the restaurant. She introduced herself and asked us each our name. She was attentive the entire meal and ensured that we got just what we wanted. All of us in our group of five had different meals, but none of us was disappointed. The kids had a crab appetizer that seemed to go over very well. They also devoured the pumpkin soup. My husband had the 1000 layer bread, and he was happy with it, despite Erica C.'s review (which I can see from the corner of my eye). I had a nice eggplant/basil dish, one of my favorite combinations. All of us agreed that the portions were small but the price was in line with the quantity. All of us agreed that the sticky rice with mango is one of the best desserts in town.
(4)
Ãmy L.
Got the lunch special: tomato tofu with veg fried rice. It was tasty! The down-side is it was 70% rice and 30% tofu dish. Since it was only $7.50, I guess I'm fine with that breakdown of rice/tofu. But I thought I should mention it since it is Chinatown and comparable places will give me alot more of the dish and much less of the rice... Credit card min of $15.
(3)
Joel G.
pros...let me preface this by saying that i have never had burmese food before. and if this is a good representative of burmese food, than i will say i do so like it. i will also say that there is nothing like 1000 layer bread. it is more like roti or paratha, but it is 1000% delicious. get this with any and all combinations. it something not to miss. was here during my trip to the east coast back in april. this was a great introduction to burmese or myanmar food. great service and the food was super delicious. loved the curries, and the especially the 1000 layer bread. tea salad was also quite flavorful. cons...i'm feeling badly that San Diego doesn't have any burmese restaurants here.
(5)
Brian M.
I have a standing rule to heavily research any place I eat in Chinatown before going. Just in case. This place passed the sniff test. In my research I found that a beloved national dish in Burma (Myanmar) is mohinga, and the closest thing I saw on the menu to this was the Festival Fish Noodle Soup so got that. AWESOME. Warm, thick broth with rice vermicelli, fish, ginger, etc. Very good. They gave me some chilis and veggies to mix in on the side as well. Another popular breakfast item is lahpet, a pickled tea leaf salad. This scared me a bit prior to ordering because I had a bad experience with kombucha (that stuff blows) a few weeks back but I gave it a go. Really god darn good. Crunchy, salad-y, had some bite to it. Oh yes. Order this. Thousand layer bread was excellent (as everyone else said) as was the mint beef kebab. The place really impressed me. Comfortable interior and the staff communicated in broken English. Just the way I like it.
(4)
Alex P.
In the city of Philly Cheesesteaks and a beautiful bell casted in the 18th century, this little place is a treasure in the rough. Thoroughly impressed with this restaurant and second time eating Burmese food. We started the night with Thousand Layer Bread with Chicken curry for dipping as appetizer...wow it's exceptional! Amazing flavor! Then for the main meals we had the Southern Burmese Noodles, Tomato Curry Seafood, and the Lemongrass beef. All were light and not too heavy, but full of flavor. Don't expect too much spice as Burmese food is on the not too spicy scale. Then to finish the meal off we ordered Farluda, which is rose syrup, milk, ice cream, pudding, raisins, tapioca, and jello. Definitely a must! Overall, if you find yourself in Philly and want to try something unique, stop on by Rangoon... I'm sure Commander in Chief Washington would have stopped by too.
(5)
Trishia P.
I never had Burmese food before this, but wow! Words cannot describe how good the food is. The flavors are intense, and lightly spicy. The use of fresh herbs in their food also makes the food super refreshing to the palette. You definitely need to try for yourself! If you love Vietnamese and Thai flavors but also like Chinese food, for sure you will LOVE Burmese! The service was so-so the night I was there because half of the restaurant was reserved for a private party. However, the owner was gracious enough to apologize and offer dessert. While I was there we ordered: -Rangoon House Noodle : The egg noodles are flat and thin and are covered in a lightly spicy red bean sauce, diced chicken, onions and tomatoes. -Basil Beef: Stir fried beef, cooked with a spicy sauce with bamboo slices, mushrooms, onions and topped with fresh cooked basil leafs And our dessert was the Furlada: A sweet drink dessert of milk, rose syrup, pudding, raisins, tapioca and Asian fruit jellos. Topped with ice cream. So sweet and creamy similar to Filipino Halo-Halo or Hawaiian Shave Ice. A great palette cleanser to all the spicy flavors. Definitely, one of my favorite meals of all time. Thanks Chowhounds! A must try in Philly!
(5)
Donovan H.
This is one of my favorite places to get food from when I want some takeout with variety. The thousand layer bread is amazing, and every dish I've ordered has been delicious. Everyone that I take here with me loves it, too!
(5)
Kevin And Kim C.
my husband , my friend and I went here about a month ago. we've never tried Burmese food so we were excited to give it a go, we ordered a noodle bowl which was a lot smaller then imagined. the chicken curry and roti which was just ok. and I forgot what it's called, a dried wide noodle which was delish . we would've ordered more but already ate only two hours before . the menu reminded me a little bit of thai food. we would definitely go back if in the area and would try other items on the menu. its not the typical things you would find elsewhere. main down fall is the parking , basically there is none. we parked across the ally in a paid lot but it was crazy expensive. from what I remembered it was 7 bucks for 30-40 minutes? yes we ate fast :P
(4)
Adhish R.
Great flavor, great food. I felt bad for the chef/staff as we went right before close, but they were kind enough to accommodate us. We got the thousand layer roti w/ curry, jungle curry, fish curry, and some others. All very different, but delicious flavors. The best way to describe Burmese food is a mixture of Indian, South-East Asian and Chinese, or simply Burmese food. It's great. Looking forward to going here more often. Definitely check it out.
(4)
Shereen C.
Had a great dinner at Rangoon. I enjoyed everything I had here, from the scrumptious texture of the 1000 layer bread (similar to roti prata) to the curried flavours of the Jungle tofu. Good food, good service, good ambiance.
(4)
Chelsea B.
I'll admit that it started out pretty awkward because the restaurant only had a few tables filled when we arrived at around 6:45pm, and man was it was quiet. There also seemed to be some confusion as to who our server was, because after waiting a good five minutes with no one approaching us we began looking around and two guys made some kind of facial expression to decide whose section we were in. Then, all was well. This was my first time trying Burmese food, and everything was just delicious. We started out with the thousand layer bread and the curry chicken dip, and, as pretty much everyone on Yelp has said, it was great. The dip had chunks of potato and very moist chicken in it, and the flavor was fantastic. I could have eaten about four times that amount. For my entree I asked if they could do the pagan beef with chicken and they obliged, no problem. The dish came out with broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, carrots, and chicken in a delicious coconut-peanut sauce with a big side of rice, and everything was just spot on. The bf ordered the chili chicken and he loved it--personally I thought the spicy mint flavor was a little too much, but he was making oohs and ahhs and mmms across the table. If you like spicy this is one for you. Overall, this place is just no fuss. Really good food that comes out fast, they give you a pitcher of ice water so no waiting for refills, they don't bother you in the least, and no fighting for a table. We will definitely be going back.
(4)
Grant T.
Great for vegetarian. Crispy watercress salad is like fried kale--delicious, savory, spicy. The king pao tofu rocks--they use dried chiles and has an amazingly savory sauce. Great place!
(5)
Jameson W.
I can't understand less than a 5 star for this place. My second favorite place in Philly! Everything is good. Service is nice. Decor nice. And the prices are reasonable, except for the lunch menu which is unreasonably CHEAP. I love this place and have eaten here a lot. Best dishes: wow, this is tough. My favorite is the Chili chicken. It's just amazing. Second favorite is everything in the basil sauce. Yum. And make sure you've tried the thousand layer bread (I prefer it with potato curry option). Go to Rangoon!
(5)
Nicky K.
Rangoon is one of my go to restaurants in Philly as I love the food at Rangoon! I really enjoy coming here and ordering several dishes to share. It's a great place to come to with a small or large group. My favorite dishes here are the Chicken Satay, Thousand Layer Bread, Burmese Tofu Salad, Mango Chicken and Banana Leaf Fish. The Banana Leaf Fish is my absolute favorite - the fish is crispy and covered in delicious coconut sauce. I make sure to order this fish every time I eat at Rangoon. I'm sure I will be coming back here in a couple of weeks.
(4)
Shannon H.
Rangoon has been a go-to for me for what feels like forever. I love the onion-pea soup on a cold day; it has a mild but balanced flavor and just enough spice. I love the lentil fritters and crispy watercress salad, as well as the thousand-layer bread with curry potatoes. The bread is a delicious, flaky paratha-style bread and the curry potatoes are chunky and just a little bit spicy. The tomato curry tofu and the dynamite tofu are both very good (and make great leftovers for lunch the next day).
(4)
George G.
Food was great, Had the spicy eggplant, not too bad but not a lot of taste. The bbq ribs with basil sauce was great. It was tangy and spicy and not like any ribs i ever ate. The chicken ganlang coconut soup was amazing. Like a thai curry without all the spiciness. Also the best thing to get there is the thousland layer bread.
(3)
Oren A.
I'm in town for a convention and went looking for something I don't eat as often in Cali. Rangoon was a quick walk from the hotel and got pretty good reviews, I figured I'd give it a shot. Restaurant was pretty quiet, and I got a seat right away. The server poured me a water and left the pitcher on the table...not used to that. It's fine when you have the room, but I didn't think it was a sign of great service. I ordered my shrimp lemongrass soup. A small somewhat sloppily poured bowl arrived (see pix). Another sign of service quality. The soup was tasty, a strong/sour/savory lemongrass, tomato, and chicken broth with some small mushrooms and a lonely shrimp floating. The main course arrived a few minutes later...accompanied by a chipped bowl of white rice. I'm not asking for Lennox china and crystal goblets, but chipped dishes should be tossed (cost of doing business). The mango chicken was fine at first taste, but got sweeter with every bite until I felt like I was eating dessert for dinner. The chicken was tasty, mango seemed fresh and firm, ingredients were fine....but the cloyingly sweet sauce was overpowering.
(3)
Stephanie C.
Ok. I am seriously biased, I know. But when an amazing Philly restaurant goes out of its way to celebrate your rich culture, food, at VERY reasonable prices..how can I not give this a five star? I am Burmese. I also live in New York..which means the best Burmese food (apart from my mother's cooking down in NJ) happens inside of a local's home somewhere in Queens (which, you CAN order..by the way). This is the the best Burmese (yes Burmese! Not Thai, not Chinese, not Indian..though as many of those who know Burmese food know that the cuisine borrows from all these..and if you're new to Burmese food, yes you can have your chicken satay and jungle chicken but then this review is not for you) resto on the East Coast. I've come here a handful of times before with my family (they sort of know my mom's family) but last I was here- a few years ago- it wasn't nearly as popular. I came to Philly for the weekend with my bf and we easily got a seat for 2 around 7:30 on a Sat night. It was pretty busy but the space has grown, and can definitely support a lot of people. It's also very rich with Burmese decor- lacquer wear tea seats and Buddha statues are rampant. The menu is adorned with info on the Burmese heritage. The owners, which are 3 Burmese ladies, are so sweet and serve you themselves. We had Christine- and she spoke to me in Burmese (well she spoke, I listened and nodded) The food: Thousand layer bread with curried chicken- This is our take on Roti Canai (for the Malaysians in the house) and if you like Southeast Asian cuisine, this is nothing you haven't seen before. It's still delicious though- a thin layer of crispy fried paratha (kind of like a scallion pancake if you know Chinese/Korean food), with a side of chicken curry. The chicken was so tender (dark meat) and rich in a non spicy curry sauce. The Asian Tea Leaf Salad- YOU MUST GET THIS. You will not experience anything else like this in terms of Asian food- imported, dried tea leaves retain their strong flavor in this salad that's mixed with cabbage (a Rangoon twist as my Mom doesn't use cabbage), peanuts, some other kind of nuts (not sure which- something imported), and shrimp paste which gives it its kick. A very unique and tea-esque/salty delight. The Spicy Chicken Curry with the most fluffy, and bad-for-you white rice. Note: this has bones. They ask you beforehand if this is ok but that's quite traditional for Burmese curry because we believe the dark thigh meat is the juiciest (beware there is also like chicken neck in this, thankfully my bf is adventurous). The meat is pretty spicy and falls right on the bone. Con: It's also very oily (as all Burmese curries). The rice is really simple, but fragrant and yummy. Ono Ca-Swah- a chicken coconut milk broth noodle soup- I'm calling it the Burmese name because I don't remember how this was written in English. It's very good but I prefer my Mom's, which has more lemongrass, but that's just my Mom. You can expect grounded chicken atop a rich coconut milk broth (that's not so thick it makes you sick), with thick spaghetti noodles. You can top this with coriander, lime wedges, and dry hot chili flakes. Yum. Finally, dessert: FARLUDA! Here, this is made it into a milkshake-esque thing. It's hard to experience.. but, it's ice cream combined with rose syrup, jello-type of thin strips, tapioca, fruits (not in this one though), infused with coconut milk (this was regular milk I think though). We shared one tall glass. If I could order the entire menu, I would. I love Burmese food and am so proud Rangoon goes out of its warm to show others how warm and wonderful our heritage is. Service is very polite and FAST- we got our dishes out in less than 15 minutes and we ate in less an than hour. Dinner came to $40. Don't miss it!
(5)
Jenny L.
It's been over a week since I went to Rangoon and I find myself still savoring the memories of the deliciousness we had on that Saturday afternoon. This is my 1st time trying Burmese food and I wasn't sure what to expect, so we ordered the classic dishes: Asian tea leaf salad, thousand layer bread, festival fish soup, and jungle beef. The flavors are similar to Malaysian / Thai / Vietnamese. There was a nutty, crunchy goodness to the Asian tea leaf salad that I couldn't quite pin point and it was uniquely Burmese though you must be okay with the idea of chewing a bit of tea leaf to enjoy this (it also contains peanuts and sesame). None of the other dishes were overwhelming, everything was nicely balanced. The staff were pleasant and efficient. It's a big restaurant capable of handling large parties and they also had several tables for 2 (which is a plus). We went before the dinner rush and had a very good meal. I would definitely stop by again when I'm in Philly.
(4)
David W.
I really liked this place on my one visit there. The service was fine. I ordered chicken and vegetables in a coconut sauce and found it really satisfying. Price was only $12+ after the taxes. Granted, this review is only based on one visit so take it for what it's worth. But I intend to go back there.
(4)
S D.
Overall really good food. Service leaves a lot to be desired for. Come for the food and nothing else. Thousand layer bread with potato and chicken keema are amazing!
(4)
Christina J.
Man oh man, where to start. I've been hearing good things about Rangoon on both Yelp and from my foodie friends. I finally got the chance to go today for lunch and went. We ordered the Burmese Wontons and Thousand Layer Bread (i think that's it) with curried potato to dip it in for appetizers. For our meals, I ordered the pork fried rice and my friend got the rangoon house noodles with half the normal amount of spice. For him to do that, it HAS to be really hot because he loves spicy food. Anyways, our food was spot on. The wontons came with this sweet albeit inappropriate looking white coconut sauce and hefty sprinkles of sesame seeds. My only qualm with them is that they needed more pork. Other than that, they were perfect. The thousand layer bread was really good. I didn't expect it to be fried. Very good texture and the curried potato sauce had a nice kick. When our entrees arrived, everything looked amazing. My fried rice was NOT yellow, which really gets under my skin. Yellow rice is not Asian. It is a part of Latin cuisine. Anyways, my pork fried rice was flavorful and full of veggies and eggs. The house noodles were different though very delicious. Ground chicken with white, flat noodles, vegetables and a red sauce. Everything was great. The prices were not bad. My friend picked up the tab so I would have no problem going back, trying something different, and picking up the tab next time. We did not have desert but I hear their mango sticky rice is really good. Next time you're in Chinatown, hit up Rangoon. It was my first time eating Burmese cuisine and I loved it.
(4)
G C.
The thousand layer bread with curry chicken sauce was good. Crisp, buttery, reminded me of Banana Leaf's roti canai. The sauce could be thicker but it was still good. Ordered the Mandalay Nungyi noodle which was okay. Parts of it was a bit too creamy. The portions here are smaller than what you would expect for the price, but these days large portions aren't so good anyways.
(3)
Priyanka R.
MY FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN PHILLY, hands down! This place may seem kind of small and quaint from the outside, but when you walk in, it is still not highly impressive. Forget all that. In this case, do not judge a book by its cover. The food here is SO GOOD, that I wish NY had a comparable Burmese restaurant. The thousand layer bread is like heaven on earth, you can get it with potato curry or chicken curry. My advice, just get two orders of it, and try both. You'll be licking the plate clean either way. They have fantastic vegetarian & non-vegetarian options. Try the coconut water, it is fresh, and does not taste like the Vita-Coco stuff you can buy in the stores. The jungle chicken & mango chicken are both AMAZING, and their noodles are made with flavors you cannot even imagine. It's like a party for your taste buds. The appetizers are actually my favorite, just order one of everything, and when you're done, order it ALL AGAIN. Even if you don't have room in your stomach, trust me you'll just want more. This is the best of the best! If you have not been here already, close your computer, get out of your lazy chair, and make your way to Philly's Chinatown... you'll be glad you did. You can thank me later!
(5)
Danny K.
Food real good and the place is do nice My wife and I like foods here. The service is great.
(5)
Steve T.
Great food. Had chili chicken entree and shrimp lemongrass soup. The entree was so flavorful with just the right amount of spice. Will definitely come back!
(5)
Natalee F.
I've been going to Rangoon for years and I've been meaning to give them some Yelp love. I highly recommend this place! My favorite things are: -Of course, the thousand layer bread with the curry potato dipping sauce. You should not walk out of this restaurant without eating this. No excuses. This is the ultimate comfort food. LIght, flaky, crispy, spicy, filling. -Hot Burmese tea. Flavorful and made with sweetened condensed milk. Thick, drinkable deliciousness. -Pumpkin soup! When it's cold outside I crave this. Spicy and flavorful pumpkin broth with sweet fried onions on top. -Mango Tofu - Sweet and savory at the same time. -I can't remember the name, but any version of the soft flat fried noodles. There always seems to be sufficient seating, no matter what size party you come in with. Service is friendly, warm, and prompt. I like the last few pages of the menu that show pictures of and give information about the culture of Burma. I don't really have any other Burmese restaurants to compare this with, but it's been a go to dinner spot for me for at least 8 years.
(5)
Dredge K.
me like a bit too chinesey for my taste but consistent and not expensive
(4)
Alick W.
Stopped in here to get a quick bite because I saw they had some good lunch specials. I was getting take out but Rangoon has a pretty big and nice dining area. I ordered the coconut curry chicken lunch special with white rice which was pretty good. I saw on the menu that it used to include a soup or egg roll with the special but they have gotten rid of that. I ordered it to go and I think it took less than 5 minutes to come out. It's hard to give a full review only getting something to go, but Rangoon has peaked my interest enough that I want to go back and try some of their other dishes.
(4)
Benjamin R.
Fantastic authentic Burmese cuisine! I lived in Yangon for a few months and it's near impossible to find authentic Asian food in the Philadelphia area. I can't wait to go back. I'd suggest exploring the menu. It may look repetitive, but everything has a great flavor. I shared four or five dishes with my table and loved everything.
(5)
Edward R.
This place is amazing. Lives up to the hype. The pumpkin chicken was so good and the 1000 layer bread with potato curry was amazing.
(5)
Sara S.
This was a solid, lovely meal. Was it the most amazing food I've ever had? Sadly- no. Yes- I did order the Thousand Layer Bread with the coconut curry. Yes- It was phenomenal. Yes- The owner/hostess upfront was extremely cute and accommodating. Sadly, no- this wasn't a 5 star experience. I would have given it realistically a 3.75 because everything was tasty, just not overwhelmingly, mind blowingly spectacular. Not every meal can be. NBD. Perhaps I was expecting the depth of flavor of Vietnamese food, or the spiced nuance of Indian food or the eclectic combination of both; sadly I didn't get Anything close. Everything had the daunting sheen of too much oil as well. The plus sides: Friendly, very attentive service Clean Awesome Coconut wate(juice)! Excellent rice! Thousaaaaaaand Layer bread and potato currry!! Nom! It's worth a go. You won't hate it and it is tasty, I was just expecting a little more.
(3)
John F.
Went for dinner. Food is pretty good... but some items seem overpriced for the portion size. Seems that lunch might be the better deal here.
(4)
George A.
Really good alternative to those that gone the Banana Leaf route already. The thousand layer bread and chicken curry is a must try. My kids would eat that as their meal if they could. Chili chicken or beef is also a regular favorite for us. Service is the one thing lacking here, but the food will keep you coming back for more.
(4)
Shawna W.
Watercress salad was good. A little more dressing than I prefer but very interesting and tasty. The thousand layer bread with curry potato was delicious! Also got the crispy basil fish. I was expecting it to be a whole fried fish and no breading. It was alright but it got soggy when with the sauce on it. Maybe I just had too high of expectations. Overall it was good. I came back a second time and enjoyed it much more. My Burmese friend ordered the some sort of beef curry dish and it was so good!
(4)
Barak B.
Got fritters for appetizer. It was so-so. Also had the mint chicken kabob again the meat was fine but not enough spices and flavor. I was kinda disappointed because I really love Burmese food. This was actually my second time here and I decided to give it a second chance. Don't think will give it a 3rd chance.
(3)
Albert S.
The food here is fantastic. The Thousand Layer Bread is awesome. Had the Southern Burmese Noodles which were not heavy tasting at all. Very light and tasty. We also had the pineapple scallops which were fantastic. Service was attentive and good.
(5)
Michelle P.
I stopped by Rangoon on a recent work trip. I was dull and ordered the tea leaf salad and thousand layer bread based on reviews. The thousand layer bread is basically the Burmese version of roti canai, but made with coconut milk. It was good, though a tad pricey compared to what I'm used to with roti canai. The tea salad was a tad bland (though not bitter) and a few of the split peas were as hard as rocks. They seem a bit stingy on the tea leaves in contrast to some of the Bay Area restaurants. If I end up in this area again I would try some other dishes given the less interesting options in the neighborhood.
(3)
Katia B.
I went into this restaurant with 9 people and no one was impressed (or wanted to finish their meal). The food was greasy (not in the yummy way) and one of us found a piece of plastic in the food. I was really surprised because usually yelp is really accurate for me (this place had 4 stars). Coconut curry is pretty bad - but the pumpkin soup was decent.
(2)
Brian C.
I must admit, I'm not a leading expert on Burmese food. In fact, I'm not sure I've tried many other Burmese restaurants besides Rangoon. What I do know is that the food here is good. I enjoy the thousand layer bread. It is a lot like roti canai you can get at malaysian places, and the curry dipping sauce is similar too. I like pulling apart the flaky and chewy dough and dipping it in curry. I had the jungle chicken, which was also very good. I love the coconut green curry and the assortment of various fresh vegetables in the dish. It's flavorful but still has that crisp bite to it. Overall, the food here is definitely satisfying, and sometimes when you're in the mood for Burmese, this hits the spot.
(4)
Ann V.
I haven't really expanded on my menu choices here so I can really only comment on two items. The Coconut Tofu and the Thousand Layer Bread The bread kind of reminds me the Roti Canai you find at any malaysian restaurant. Tastes very similar, but just isn't as delicious. The coconut tofu was good but it wasn't exploding in flavor. It's good if you want something light. I guess if there were another Burmese restaurant in the area, I would be able to better assess if this place is actually good or not.
(3)
Amar R.
My wife and I walked into this restaurant without knowing what Burmese food was. Our waitress was an extremely sweet and helpful lady who helped us understand the menu and recommended our appetizers and main course. The thousand layer bread with potato sauce was incredible. It is spicy..so let them know. Loved the food and will definitely go back
(5)
Reeba I.
Food quality and taste, price, and service all deserve 5 stars! We had the Thousand Layer Bread, which believe me, is to die for. We also ordered Coconut Chicken Curry with Vegetable Fried Rice and Cabbage Ginger soup. Ahhhh-mazing. I ordered the Rangoon Night Market Noodles, they were perfect. Not spicy, but very flavorful. The sauce that came with my noodles tasted perfect with my thousand layer bread. I am so glad I came here, I recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Chinatown in Philadelphia!
(5)
Meishka M.
In all seriousness this might be the best restaurant in Philadelphia...seriously. I have dreams about this food...and they are good dreams! I dream of Tea leaf salad...so perfect in every way, It is not to be missed. The thousand layer bread with curry potato dip is equally as delicious. My girlfriend and I usually spar over the last piece of bread...it is that good. For entrees I usually order the chicken with pickled cabbage...the mix of sour and spicy is so good, I usually have a hard time ordering anything else. The beer can be a bit pricey...but they have all the standards. After writing this review I think I need to go there tomorrow!
(5)
Lisa E.
Totally different menu than I have experienced at other places in Chinatown! First, the staff was fabulous and welcoming - such a nice thing to come across! Ordered: - Thousand Layer Bread With Bar-B-Q Beef - String Bean & Peanut Salad - Coconut Curry Chicken - Banana Leaf Fish Everything was amazingly delicious. I definitely need to go back and try more of the salads and some soups.
(4)
Zack L.
Great lunch spot. Surprisingly inexpensive. Genuinely burmese. I think it has a $15 dollar minimum for credit cards. Also, despite my autocorrect, the 1000 layer bread is not a 1000 layer breast. Both dishes sound neat, but the 1000 layer bread is wonderful appetizer. A must. I don't think they serve the other one.
(4)
Ben W.
I recently had to plan a large group dinner and a couple of my friends suggested Rangoon. I had heard of the place but never had the chance to try it out. And I'm really glad I did! I originally had a group of 23, but due to scheduling errors, only 10 of us showed up. They were very accommodating and the servers were all very nice. Right from when we sat down, they starting serving us. Our first course was a spring ginger salad minus the shrimp. I absolutely love Burmese salads and this was no disappointment. The ginger was so strong but oh so good. And there were many other add-ins that gave it a nice crunch too. We were next served the thousand layer bread with potato curry. It reminded me a lot of Malaysian roti canai. The bread was nice and flaky and the curry had just the right spice level. Not too filling but a great tasting appetizer. Next came all the main dishes. I don't remember all the names, but we had chili shrimp, coconut curry chicken, vegetarian delight, and vegetarian Northern Burma fried noodle. The chili shrimp was fantastic. It was slightly overcooked, but the breading on the outside was just right and didn't drown out the meat. The seasoning and sauces was spot on. Loved every crunch. The coconut curry chicken was nothing special. I've had curry at multiple places and this one didn't really stand out. Vegetarian delight was same old, same old. Just your standard stir fried veggies with tofu in a mixture of sauces. Unfortunately, the Northern Burma fried noodles were awful. There was almost no flavor. I wasn't sure if they just didn't add enough seasoning, or if the chili sauce they used overpowered what little flavor it had. Either way, the noodles were a little painful to eat, with nothing but the "spicy" flavor greeting your mouth. And the add-ins weren't exciting either. The food wasn't that great, but the good dishes were pretty solid and there's a lot on the menu I'd love to go back and try. And the service was awesome and speedy. Pros: Service, variety of menu (so many options!) Cons: some bland flavors, a little pricey for portions Dishes to try: any of their salads, Chili Shrimp Dishes to skip: Northern Burma Fried Noodles, Vegetarian Delight
(3)
Tara L.
Burmese in Philadelphia just a few blocks from the convention center meant I went there twice while in Philly for a conference. I was not impressed with the beef in my lunch dish and wouldn't order anything made with beef again but the appetizer thousand layer pancake was the best I've ever had with the chicken curry or potato curry. The dessert thousand layer pancake was second only to this little place (now closed...sad) in the East Village.
(4)
Michael A.
Based off of a recommendation, my friend and I stopped by for dinner on a Saturday night. The ambiance was lively but not loud or crowded, and our server was prompt and friendly. The food was simply incredible. Bold, rich flavors, nice balance of spice, wide range of menu options. Burmese is this amazing combination of Chinese and Indian, and Rangoon does it exceptionally well and at an affordable price. Enjoy!
(4)
David B.
I went here with my friend Anuj and some other peeps. Anuj only eats vegetables and he was happy because Rangoon has a ton of choices for people who only eat vegetables...Anuj says people like him are called "vegetarians." Whatever. The menu is extensive, which made me hesitant at first. In my experience places with huge menus often serve dishes that all taste very similar and bland. This was not the case at Rangoon! The food was flavorful, not greasy, well-prepared, and inexpensive. To top it off the wait staff is really friendly...they didn't even laugh at Anuj when I explained to them that he only eats vegetables. The table shared a "Thousand Layer Bread with Curry Potato Dip" and "Mango Salad." The mango salad had a nice balance between the sweetness of the mango and the savoriness of the onions, peanuts, besan, sesame, and garlic oil dressing. I would recommend this dish to those looking to branch out a bit. The Thousand Layer Bread was GREAT and I would highly recommend it. It is light and thin and the dip is thick and flavorful with plenty of potato chunks. I ordered the lemon grass beef (marinated beef, lemon grass, and potatoes cooked in a curry sauce). This was good. The beef was well cooked, the curry sauce was spicy and thanks to the lemongrass had a freshness to it. One of my friends ordered the spicy kung pao beef (stir fried beef with ginger, onions, scallions, and dried chilli in a special blend of spices). As you'd expect, this was pretty spicy. The beef was well cooked and you could definitely taste the scallions, which is a good thing. It was better than my lemon grass beef. Also, this restaurant has a hilariously terribly designed website. I suggest going there: rangoonrestaurant.com
(4)
Emma T.
I've been here a few times, and it's been great every time. Well-priced, large meals, which are good to share with your table. They waiters are always very friendly. Burmese food might be described as a mix of Chinese, Thai, and Indian. However you want to describe it, it's delicious. All of the dishes I have tried at Rangoon are very flavorful and the meat is tender. An absolute must is the 1000 layer bread in the appetizer section. I have no idea what constitutes the 1000 layers, but it is incredible. The only thing I tried at Rangoon that I didn't like was a dessert called farluda. I have no idea whether it's good farluda and I just didn't like it, or whether it could have been better. At any rate, it's a parfait glass filled with rose syrup, tapioca pudding, gelatinous worm things, and ice cream. It's as gross as it sounds.
(4)
Jenny W.
Got two items based on Yelp reviews. 1. Thousand layer bread with potato. - Definitely get this! so much better than the chicken. I thought this was going to be like Roti canai, but it is sweeter, thicker and crispier. I love it! the potato dipping sauce was fantastic, spicy and very unique. Definitely 5 star worthy. 2. The tea leaf salad - kind of disappointing. It is bitter as hell. It is also pricey for the price and portion. The bitterness of the tea overpowered the flavor of the salad. 2 star. Overall, I would go back to this place to try other things. But definitely not getting the tea leaf salad. muck!
(3)
Vince E.
Recommended by Melissa W and friends. Rangoon is legit Burmese, and not like you can find in LA. The waitress explained it like this, almost like thai, chinese, and indian combined, if you can imagine. So I put my fate into her hands that afternoon. Thousand layer bread, galanga onion chicken salad, a spicy chicken noodle, chili chicken. The salad was great. Just like in chinese food, you have the galanga/onion salsa, imagine that tossed into a chicken salad! Then the spicy chicken noodle was so hot, but delicious, we worked our way through tissue after tissue, because our nose kept running, but we kept eating. The restaurant is in chinatown, but actually quite nice inside with a bit of mood and atmosphere. A good company lunch/dinner spot, or a place to take your parents. Definitely a must try.
(4)
Elizabeth D.
We ended up here on a Friday night with a very large group of 12. I have never had Burmese food before and so I was a little apprehensive, but i stuck with a few recommended dishes and had a great dinner! The thousand layer bread (ubiquitous in every review) was delicious. For a newbie, like me, I would describe it like phyllo pastry. Crispy and thin. The vatana dip was amazing - great flavor and topped with crispy onions. The kung pao shrimp had terrific flavor and the sauce was awesome, but despite the menu mark, was not spicy at all. Their house Chardonnay was actually pretty decent (and a steal for the price). This is a great place for big groups who are looking for somewhere inexpensive to eat in Chinatown. The menu has something for everyone and it's cheap!
(4)
Jessica V.
Perhaps we ordered the wrong items, but I was really disappointed. The service was sub-par, and the food was average Chinese - nothing special or unique as I had hoped. We had the coconut curry chicken and the mango shrimp. The latter tasted mostly like sweet & sour from any Chinese restaurant. It was certainly edible and not necessarily offensive, but not fantastic either.
(2)
Kate H.
Thousand layer bread and coconut curry chicken were excellent. Most customers were clearly regulars and the staff welcomed them like family.
(4)
Susan B.
I was ecstatic to find a restaurant that served Burmese food. I remember the first time I had Ohno Kwautskwe from a friend and how good it was and was looking forward to having some again. I had the Creamy Coconut Chicken Noodle Soup entree and my boyfriend had the Mango Chicken. While the chicken noodle soup my friend made was much, much better, Rangoon does a really good version of it. Rangoon goes a little bit heavier on the coconut and lighter of the spice. The Mango Chicken was very good. It had the right about of sweet and acid. We also shared an appetizer of Crispy Triangles: their version of potato samosas. Those were tasty too, but nothing spectacular about them.
(4)
Khanh V.
The food is great here and I love the Faluda dessert. I always get the thousand layer bread. The explosive tofu is good as well. Rangoon has a great tastes and is good for vegetarians. If you come here and know what to order and you should be good.
(4)
Hilary P.
It's been a while since I last ate here (on the company dime, no less) but the thought of the tea leaf salad and thousand layer bread still haunts me. Their entrees are all well and good, but between those two and the papaya salad, I'd be fine with an array of appetizers. Plus, the service is quick and the menu makes for good reading material.
(4)
Rita C.
This place was fantastic! I went with three of my girlfriends the other night and I was blown away by how good the food was here. First of all, the menu is pretty diverse; there are a ton of things on there, so it's easy to find something that everyone will like. Secondly, all of the dishes are pretty inexpensive - I don't think there was an item on the menu over $20 (most of the selections were around $10-$12). Thirdly and most importantly, the food was delicious...did I already say that? There were a lot of reviews for the Asian Tea Leaf salad and the Thousand Layer Bread - so we ordered both of those. The Tea Leaf salad was definitely not my favorite and seemed really over-seasoned and over-worked. On the other hand, the Thousand Layer Bread (which is not 1,000 layers) was delicious. We had it with the curry chicken dip and it was really good. We also had the crab rangoon, which were. . . pretty basic. This place is BYOB but be warned that there is a $12 corking fee for each bottle of wine you bring. I thought I could outsmart them by bringing a giant bottle, but the waitress was too quick for me and told us that since it was a large bottle, it would cost $24. That's probably the only bad thing I have to say about this place. I definitely recommend it!
(4)
Sophie U.
Tasty, tasty Rangoon. I first experienced this establishment a few years ago when I was still in college, but I don't remember enough to really talk about that. I went there with the boy in late May so he could have a taste of what is said to be the only Burmese restaurant in town (as of a few years ago, at least). We got the Thousand Layer Bread with Curry Chicken Dip to share; it was delicious. The curry had a great flavor and the bread was wonderfully crispy. We also shared the Golden Triangles, which are basically curry potatoes in thin fried shells. The dipping sauce was awesome. My entree was the Pagan Beef, with an insanely good peanut sauce... just thinking about it now makes me salivate. The boy had the Jungle Chicken, which I remember being tasty as well. The service was fine. I find the atmosphere to be a bit odd; it's kinda quiet for an Asian restaurant!
(4)
Jennifer P.
Southern Burmese noodle and beef mint kebab was amazing!
(5)
Nina B.
When I'm happy, I go to Rangoon. When I'm sad, I go to Rangoon. When I'm in Chinatown, I go to Rangoon. When I'm not at Rangoon, I want to be at Rangoon. The staff is friendly, the food is great (GREAT), the prices are reasonable, and I love that they serve tea in those mugs with lids (because they steep it in your mug, not in a pot). In fact, this place inspired me to go out and buy one of those mugs for myself. I highly recommend the Jungle dishes (Jungle Tofu, Jungle Chicken, etc.) and pretty much any other spicy dish on the menu. If you want something sweet, go with a Mango dish. Then you'll always want to be at Rangoon, too.
(5)
Marisha D.
When we were in Philly, my husband and I were looking for yummy place to eat. Rangoon came up during our Yelp search, having never had Burmese food before, we decided to give it a try. Our food was delicious! We had the thousand layer bread with chicken sauce, Shan noodle and a beef curry dish. Best meal in Philly so far :)
(5)
Julie G.
Rangoon is a staple for us. They have decently-priced Burmese food, which I think can be described as a fusion of the more-common Thai and Indian. I like their Basil Tofu, and Jungle Tofu, and my other-half always gets their Thousand Layer Bread and Curry (its delicious). I don't think I've ever had a dish I don't like. If spicy is your thing, their Chili Tofu is awesome. Whilst I'm not a vegetarian, Rangoon does exceptional tofu. However, most of their dishes come in a poultry, beef, seafood and tofu version (i.e., they also have Jungle and Basil Chicken, Beef and Seafood). Their drinks are also really good (fresh coconut juice is heavenly) and their soup is outstanding. I'm always too full for dessert, but their offerings are typical Thai/Burmese (sweet rice, coconut and mango things etc). The restaurant is decorated in dark woods, burgundy and gold. Even though there is a lot of seating, each table feels intimate. The restaurant is mostly quiet, but can get a little louder on busy weekend nights, or business lunches, however, it is never "loud." Servers are promt and they always leave a jug of water on the table, which we love! The restaurant was started by three friends twenty years ago. These friendly, savvy women still run the place: one focuses on the front of house, another focuses on the kitchen, and the third is the main business-person. The three combined have created a fantastic dining experience with a pleasant atmosphere and excellent food.
(5)
Emily B.
It's like Thai and Indian food had a baby! And yes, you must get the 1000 layer bread with either the chicken or potato sauce. Firecracker Fritters satisfy your need for heat. I've always have a fantastic meal here no matter what entree I try. So good!
(5)
Sasha F.
$6.50 lunch special. What a great deal and meal. Rangoon has some of the best tofu / vegetarian dishes in Philadelphia. We usually get Coconut Tofu with salad and fried rice... the fried rice is not greasy just a few added peas and carrots. 5 stars for Thousand Layer Bread... I order it plain and give it a little salt. Similar to a big round flat croissant. Some eat it with sugar for dessert. Rangoon "Secret Hang out of PBS".
(5)
Mike V.
First time having Burmese food. If you haven't had it, think thai/indian/chinese fusion and you'd be close. The coconut galanga soup was outstanding. I tried the thousand layer bread with ootato curry sauce. It's clearly where the phrase 'hot mess' came from! If you haver ever had Ethiopian food, this bread is a crispier version of that. I finished off my meal with th mint beef kabob. Very spicy, but I like it like that. Solid lunch choice for something different. Next time I'll try the specials!
(3)
Lauryn Z.
I love Rangoon - one of my favorite restaurants in Philly...I've been here many times and am finally getting around to writing a review! The Food. Always consistent, delicious, fresh, and cooked to your desired spice level. If you ask for it spicy, they will deliver. The flavors are always spot on - think a combination of Indian, Chinese, and Thai, as other reviewers here have previously mentioned. Favorites include: Thousand Layer Bread with Curry Potato Dip, Spicy String Bean with Tofu, and Spicy Red Bean Chicken. The Service. Friendly and on point. Servers are attentive and water glasses are filled regularly (important when eating spicy food!). The Decor. Nothing special here, the restaurant is clean and decor is simple and somewhat traditional. The prices here are very reasonable and they do serve beer (both Asian and domestic varieties). Portions appeared a bit smaller when we got take out- I recommend dining in. This restaurant closes earlier than a lot of the other places in Chinatown- 9:00 PM on weekdays so its not a late night option. Highly Recommended.
(5)
Ellis M.
Tried this place when looking for something new for a date night last night. Good reviews on yelp and a type of food we'd never tried led us here. Definitely not disappointed. The Burmese flavors are familiar and yet wholly different from anything you've had before. You get the earthy spice of India with the acidity and sweetness of Thai plus a ton of coriander. So much coriander. Anyway, here's what we got: Thousand Layer Bread with potato curry (as recommended) - delicious. The bread tastes like an unleavened croissant. Dip it in a lovely, warming, savory curry. Yumtown. Mango tofu for me - sweet with huge pieces of mango, a little spicy. Tofu cooked just right with crunchy peppers and onions Beef with red bean sauce for my boyfriend - he said it was quite spicy and earthy. Wholly different from the light sweetness of my dish. On top of that, the service was great. They left a pitcher of water on the table (I love!). Food came out quickly. Dining room decorated nicely. And the menu has a little bit of a historical guide to Burma (Myanmar) in the back. Wonderful! We will return.
(4)
Krissy M.
Thousand Layer Bread + Potato Curry = Spicy and Yummy! I had the cold Burmese noodles and hubs ordered the Pineapple fish - great meals both! The prices are reasonable, the staff was very friendly and attentive and the decor was tasteful without going overboard. I'd also recommend the coconut juice :)
Rangoon is great. It's inexpensive, the menu is extensive, the staff is friendly, and the food is unusual without being weird. You can take anybody here who is willing to eat anything remotely Asian and they will eat something and love it. There are good vegan options. Lunch specials are big and cost something like seven bucks. The "thousand layer bread" is awesome. Every single time I eat at Rangoon, I think, "I don't eat here often enough."
(4)
Dei D.
Thousand layer bread with curried potato dip was delicious! In fact, it is an absolute must have whenever I'm in China Town. While I've had the thousand layer bread with curried chicken, it was good, but not a force to be reckoned with as far as the curried potato. The thousand later bread alone without any accompanying side dishes is also delicious. The bread is made up of several buttery layers of goodness that has air in between. You can even pull the layers apart. Can you say Mmm, Mmm, good?
(5)
Tim K.
Came in close to closing time. Delicious, met one of the owners, and left thinking more people should be eating here!
(5)
Heather S.
Stopped in for lunch and followed of the the Yelp suggestions: thousand layer bread with potato curry dipping sauce - very good. tea leaf salad - never had it before, very interesting and tangy, good! A noodle dish that was spicy and excellent - something like Northern noodles. Good place for a quick stop - clearly popular as there was a good mix of people. The waitstaff were very friendly too and nicely located in the midst of Philly's china town.
(4)
Samantha S.
The Festival chicken was amazing and it came out fast!
(4)
Kay K.
Accidentally found this gem while my friends and I were roaming around in chinatown. I have seen this place every time I visited Philly but never thought it would be a Burmese restaurant since it is not exactly in the restaurant area. As a native from Burma, I can guarantee this place is 100% legit. I have tried burmese restaurants in new york city, but they weren't as good as Rangoon. My friends and I tried a thousand layers bread with chicken curry, burmese lo mein, coconut rice and spicy chicken curry, panthay noodle which is influenced by chinese and indian cuisines and as for dessert, we got the burmese farlooda. Out of all the dishes, my favorites were thousand layer bread with chicken curry, and coconut rice with spicy chicken curry. If you have never tried Burmese food, I recommend you try those two dishes. They definitely highlights the essence of burmese cuisine. Burmese lo mein and panthay noodle were good but not a must have. My friends who have never tried Burmese food before absolutely loved the dishes. The prices are very reasonable as well. The amount of food is generous and extraordinary. We all left the place full and satisfied. The staff is friendly. They aren't always attentive to you but always within reach if you need something. The atmosphere is nice and peaceful. I absolutely recommend this place to whoever visiting Philadelphia, no matter whether you are native burmese or not. You wouldn't regret coming here.
(5)
Kristin W.
We came here last night after our neighbor recommended it. I had the grumps and really didn't want to go out but I was really glad I gave this place a shot! This was the first time I've had Burmese and it was like all of the things I love mashed together - Thai, Chinese, Indian, etc. I ordered the Coconut Tofu and P. ordered the Mango Chicken. Service was super fast and before we knew it, our food was on the table. I love, love, loved the Coconut Tofu! It was rich and creamy with out being overly filling. For someone who loves coconut like I do, it was heaven. I did try the Mango Chicken and while it was good, I have never liked Mango Chicken so I guess I'm not the best person to ask. P seemed to really enjoy it though, which was good because then he won't try to eat my food. ANYWAY, I am excited to go back and try more and I highly recommend Rangoon for all of your Burmese food needs.
(4)
Danny L.
After reading all of the glowing reviews, I was expecting more from this place but I guess I set my expectations a little too high. The food isn't bad by any means. I thought my golden rice was pretty tasty and found my spicy curry chicken just A-ok. I was disappointed in the thousand layer bread that is getting so much love here on yelp. It just tastes like a thicker and greasier roti. I prefer the lighter one from Penang' one street down but that's me. To each their own.
(3)
Merv R.
Came here during superbowl Sunday and we were the second couple at the place. Never having eaten at a burmese restaurant, we were surprised to see familiar ingredients in most of their dishes having had numerous Thai, Malaysian and Chinese dishes. We started with the appetizer sampler which consists of a spring roll, potato samosa and some fried onion slivers. We also had an order of the fried tofu salad which looked interestingly different. The tofu salad was hearty on it's own, good enough to be it's own dish and had a decent heat to it, but not overpowering. I did find the red onions a little pungent, perhaps thinly sliced shallots would have been better. The main course was beef mint and basil fish. The beef was unfortunately a bit on the chewy side (it was overcooked) but the flavor was excellent. The peppers complimented the sauce but the overall feeling at the end left me with a simple "steak and peppers" dish. The fish however was excellent. The coated fish fillet was nicely cooked, maybe a little heavy on the cornstarch, but it soaked up a ton of the beautiful juices the thai basil imparted. More peppers came with this dish, and bamboo shoots added a crunch to the soft white fish. As a side note, the "canny" taste of the bamboo shoots was quite strong. Perhaps the fish sauce in the sauce enhanced it. Dessert comprised of agar jelly, tapioca pearls and sticky rice in a chilled coconut milk. That definitely cleansed the palate of any savory flavors left behind. The service could definitely be better. The whole time we were there, we were kinda being watched and talked about (at least that's what it looked like). The server was only attentive at the very beginning when we ordered and when the check was presented. I guess they'd rather be home watching the superbowl, ha! Decent food, service could be a tad better, overall I would give it a 6.5-7 out of 10
(3)
Andrew S.
Delicious food, great service, no problem sharing a bunch of portions and appetizers between a table of 10 (making it kind of like Burmese dim sum).
(5)
Brad P.
Rangoon is a pretty cool place. They have a very large menu with some information about their history and Burma(for those who only know it as the place that J. Peterman escaped to in that one Seinfeld episode where Elaine proposed the idea of the urban sombrero). I tried the thousand layer bread with potato dip, jungle chicken, and kung pao chicken. The thousand layer bread was good. It had a nice spicy kick to it and I look forward to returning in order to try it with the chicken curry dip. the Jungle chicken is basically an excellent thai green curry but with more lime flavor in it. Highly recommended. The Kung Pao chicken was underwhelming. It was too heavy on the soy sauce and did not meet expectations set by the previously mentioned items.
(4)
Sarah E.
Many, many, moons ago, I had a very good friend whom I lived with who was Burmese. Subsequently, that meant a constant supply of delicious Burmese food on the dinner table. Mohinga (traditional fish noodle soup), prawn balachao (dried shrimp and spices that's pretty much delicious on anything), and coconut chicken curry to name a few dishes. But as time inevitable jogs on, we went our separate ways and the food that once was settled into my memories. Enter Rangoon Restaurant. Order anything here. Go on, anything. I can almost guarantee that it will be delicious as I have never had a bad dish here. Everything is authentic as it can get without traveling the 28 hours to get to Burma. The severs are friendly and the family that owns it are extremely nice. I recommend the festival fish soup (it's the national dish of Burma, and the soup I mentioned before), the tea leaf salad (which is so good it rarely survives on the plate long), and the Pagan Beef ( a deliciously creamy and peanuty curry). Go now. Seriously people. You can thank me later.
(5)
Amity C.
I've been going to Rangoon since the mid '90s and it has never, ever disappointed! It's one of my favorite restaurants of all-time, and I seriously worry about what I will do if the owners ever decide to retire! After what's probably a hundred visits by now, I've settled on my favorite dishes and I love that they never change the menu. Why mess with perfection? My favorite dishes are the thousand layer bread with vatana bean dip, summer chicken salad, chili monk fish, and kung pao chicken. And farluda for dessert is a must! I call it "a party in a glass." :) Rangoon also has a great story behind it of how it was founded by three women friends. I think that core of friendship is reflected in the ambience, which is warm, inviting, and relaxed. The decor is pretty but not trendy, which makes it a very comfortable place to just settle in and have a great meal, without worrying about dressing up or being seen.
(5)
Neil G.
Hands down one the best restaurants in Philadelphia. The ambiance is casual and relaxed. Food is authentic, and flavorful. It's inexpensive and quick customer service. I order Rangoon at least twice a week if not more, and always bring large parties. I recommend getting the coconut chicken noodle soup, thousand layer bread with potato curry (a little bit spicy) or the coconut chicken curry, lentil fritters, mango salad, and ginger salad. Be prepared to have your mind blown!
(5)
Edi D.
I've traveled to Philly for work for the past 6 months and therefore dine out a lot. I found this restaurant through yelp searches and IT IS A GEM!!!!! In terms of taste, quality, and environment, this restaurant is now on my list of top 5. I wasn't going to order the Thousand Layer Bread since it sounded like unnecessary carbs but boy am I glad I did. It was like bliss in my mouth. We ordered ours with potato curry and it was nice and spicy as promised. What can I say, it was heaven. We then split the mango chicken, garlic noodles, and crispy beef. All of them were delicious and satisfying but I'd say the best of those dishes is the mango chicken. They place a large bowl of rice and a pitcher of water on your table and you're set to go! I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a great meal at a very reasonable price.
(5)
Walter K.
Rangoon is supposed to be one of the best Burmese restaurants around, and can supposedly compete with NYC (although no one's overflowing with Burmese joints). I had been looking forward to this visit a lot. This was just a quick lunch stop, and Rangoon is a perfect place for such a trip. They provide good, amazingly fast service. We were in and out in under 45 minutes. The atmosphere is similar to many Chinatown restaurants. I went with a traditional Burmese dish. Overall, Burmese food is more chewy and messy than the rest of south east asia. It's more like the cuisine of northern Thailand, which makes sense when you look at it geographically. The food is spicy, in a slow steady way that sticks with you. I loved it. My dish had large floppy noodles with shrimp, chicken and bean sprouts. It was all served with a light glaze over everything, which made the dish. I would recommend one of the noodle or rice dishes, although there are many other (chinese, ect) "regular" offerings. On another trip, I would like to try some of the traditional appetizers. Bottom Line: Rangoon is definitely a good stop in Chinatown, especially for their lunch special. But I think I prefer other restaurants and Asian foods (especially dim sum!). Nonetheless, this spot is definitely worth checking out. It's good food, and a great way to get some variety on your plate.
(3)
Anand T.
This is a really great restaurant in philly. I loved every thing about this place. Came here with my family and we started out with the roti canai which is delish, for my main dish I got the banana leaf fish which was good. I would definitely come here, this is a great restaurant for family outings.
(5)
Mohammad Ali K.
Get the Jungle Tofu dish if u like coconut Tofu. Tasty and refreshing. Very friendly staff and I would certainly go again and recommend to my friends to go.
(5)
James B.
I love this place. The "golden triangles" (curry potato samosas with a spicy masaman-like dipping sauce) , the thousand-layer bread with vatana bean dip, the house noodles, the "jungle" dishes... It's all fantastic. If you like Indian food, and thai food, and Chinese food, you will probably like Burmese food, too. Them golden triangles, though. Holy moly, they're good...
(5)
Jumi Y.
Do you have a place that you associate with a friend? Rangoon is one of those places for me. Throughout the several years I have been in Philly, one of my friends and I always somehow ended up here for dinner and ended up talking for hours about life here. Beside the sappy memories, Rangoon's food is just great. I've had one or two things that I have not enjoyed, but the majority of the food has been delish. My favorites in particular are the tofu in black sauce, kung pao tofu/chicken, and basil noodles. I can't remember the name of the appetizer I always get (sad, huh?) but it's something fritters that are crunchy and spicy. The thousand layer bread is really good, but I agree with the people who say it's a bit on the greasy side. Their tofu appetizer is really good, too. The staff is also uber nice and remember your face after awhile. It's like a Burmese-style Cheers. Not really. It's a bit pricey compared to the other Chinatown restaurants, but that means main dishes are in the 10-12 price range.
(4)
Christina C.
The 1000 layer bread was very good! Tea leaf salad was not great, had much better in other restaurants.
(3)
Shreekant P.
Distant family grew up in Burma, so have had some Burmese. Rangoon is a great place to try some authentic Burmese dishes. They do have the Mohinga and my favorite Ohn No Khao Swe (N2 on the menu). You could just randomly pick out of the menu and they are all good. Some notables, Thousand Layer Bread for starters, N2 (of course!) which is the coconut/chicken broth noodle soup, the chili Monk fish, and noodles with Basil (N17). The Burmese tea is delicious Chai! The family is very nice, the wait staff are helpful. The service can be slow.
(4)
M J.
After having Burmese salad everyday while I was in Chaing Mai, Thailand (it was a non profit cafe for Burmese refugees), I was working up a mean craving for it after I had been back for a few months. Finally, it struck me (yup it took months for me to think of it!) I googled Burmese food Philadelphia and found this place! and aaaahhhhh yeeesssss!!!!! They have the Burmese Green tea leaf salad!!! it is called asian tea leaf salad on the menu. I strongly suggest trying it if you go, it is so unique, and you can't get it or anything similar in any other cuisine... it is a BURMESE SPECIALTY. My favorites: 1. Asian Tes Leaf Salad (ask for no shrimp and no fish sauce if you are vegan/veggie) 2. coconut rice 3. Potato Curry service is very friendly, but sometimes they forget to bring out some food you order.
(5)
Anjali M.
I really enjoy the food here at Rangoon. It's really hard for me describe what Burmese food is because I could say it's like Malaysian and Indian food but then we could argue that Malaysian food is like Indian food and Chinese food and so on and so forth. Just know that any asian food is most likely good food :) It's a tad overpriced but it's still enjoyable. My family and I have been there two times and the second time definitely wasn't as good as the first. Oh well. I'm giving four stars because I think they will still get good business and the food is definitely good. Service may be slow at times but you eventually get what you want.
(4)
Joe A.
I have to admit that my knowledge of Burmese food is limited entirely to Rangoon. If Rangoon is the typical Burmese restaurant then book me a flight to Myanmar! Rangoon is really a great place to eat. The restaurant is clean and has a nice Burmese decor. The owner is usually the hostess and she always greats you with a warm smile and welcoming attitude. There are some dishes that are excellent. First the thousand layer bread with vantana beans is delicious; warm, slightly greasy but in a good way, and when smeared with the bean dip, it is a great appetizer. The golden triangles are a curry filled puff pastry which is also excellent. Some of the best choices at Rangoon are their salads especially the string bean salad with peanuts and the ginger salad, both are a interesting combination of sweet, sour and salty. All of the entrees we have tried have been really good especially some of the vegetarian choices, which are spicy and interesting. The only major flaw is the service which is very attentive but the have a terrible habit of bringing out your appetizers and entrees at the same time. There is a bit of a language issue with some of the servers, so instead of causing a scene or making people uncomfortable, we found that the solution is to order your appetizers first and don't place your entrees order until you have finished your appetizers. The kitchen is very fast so there is no inordinate delay and you get to savor your appetizers without feeling rushed. I rarely eat desserts after a big dinner at Rangoon but my extremely picky sister, who loves Rangoon is freak for their coconut rice pudding. Rangoon has a full liquor menu and allows your to BYOB but does charge a corkage fee. We skip the bring your own and have a Singha or two or a glass of the house wines which are reasonably priced.
(5)
RINNA L.
I mean - I have to give this place five stars on the fact that it is the ONLY Burmese restaurant in Philly. So yes - as good as it gets. I fell in love with Burmese food while visiting a friend in Oakland, and I've been dying to get my hands on more. My GF and I finally made the trek to Rangoon last weekend and it was awesome. The thousand?hundred? (i forget) layer bread is amazing. The salad I got was awesome and that Jungle curry sauce - wow. I would drink that in milkshake form if it came that way. Overall - totally recommended.
(5)
Melissa W.
Rangoon is great. I've never had Burmese cuisine before this, and this place was delightful. It may be a tiny bit more expensive (we're talking a couple dollars here) than most places in Chinatown, but it's the only Burmese restaurant and definitely very unique. It almost makes me want to brave the military junta and travel to Myanmar. Try the chili beef. You won't regret it.
(4)
Tagli B.
Seated right away in a perfect table in the back corner. Quickly offered drinks and apps that arrived immediately. The thousand layer bread was delicious liked the potato one the best -3 orders for 6 of us plus some Fire Cracker Fritters. All good. Loved the Jungle Chicken, Kung pau Shrimp- not anything like chinese. Attentive service throughout, without rushing us. Overall an excellent meal
(4)
Kuv S.
My mother's side of the family is from Burma, and we are all still very much so at heart. Mom is a doctor, and has spent much of her career helping immigrant Burmese woman adjust to life in the states, so for me, growing up, I was inundated with Burmese dish after Burmese dish made by authentic homemakers and I am confident there is not a dish I do not know (sometimes, when it comes to the wilder side, I wish I didn't know;) So recently, when I came to phili for a family friends' - of the same medical background -wedding, and about 30 of us, burmese-indian-americans got together for a sunday brunch at Rangoon, I welcomed the opportunity to reconnect with some dishes from my youth. In our group, a handful of uncles were local physicians and from the moment we walked in, we got the royal treatment as everyone from the owner to waiters had at one point or another sought some advise or treatment. We were served everything, and "a best of" at that. Of the apps I enjoyed the burmese samosa and rangoon salad. My foodie friends from chicago - who are in fact opening a food truck, will review shortly :) loved the fried onion and firecraker lentil fritters. The calamari and papaya salad were great to nibble on, and I saw much delight with the shrimp soup, and my coconut soup was amazing. Always the rebel, my good friend and older bro ordered the kung pao (yes, chinese, but fitting as burma has so many chinese residents) and sure enough that turned out to be awesome. The chili monk was delish, and I do remember someone ordering more curry fish. Of the true to burma mains, southern burmese noodles and northern burmese noodle dishes are equal parts yum. In summation, I highly recommend Rangoon and applaud their hospitality and service. The meal was very Burmese - simple, and contained a lot of heart. Thanks for a most memorable brunch :)
(5)
Kemi A.
This place ROCKS. Tried it today just cause i was in the 'hood and wanted something not too expensive. Worked out great. Seated fast, fast service, great food and great price. I ordered the spicy fried rice (there is a pic of it in the pic section). Crazy delicious. Coconut rice is sweet which goes well if u are eating it with spicy meal. I would like to go back to try the thousand layer stuff which I've heard is really good too.
(4)
Richard S.
Delicious, authentic-tasting Burmese food at a reasonable price. We visited around 6 PM on a Wednesday night, and it wasn't crowded at all - certainly quiet enough to chat softly. The thousand-layer bread and jungle tofu were quite tasty. Would definitely eat again!
(5)
Luca S.
REAL Chinese food. great service, amazing food. JUST GO AND TRY IT
(5)
Nicole E.
I've never had a bad experience at Rangoon. The staff always remembers me and my friends and greets us with smiles. Service was always reasonable and it was easy to get in and out for lunch and dinner services. If you go - you must try the String Bean Salad (which has won awards) and the Spring Ginger Salad is also great (and I don't like ginger). The best way to eat at Rangoon is to get plates for the table and try a little bit of everything, I have never been disappointed in one dish and I've eaten here too many times to count!
(5)
Angela K.
Very good, I haven't had better Burmese in New York. There are two spots in San Francisco that may have this place beat, but its certainly the best Burmese in Philly.. and the best I've had on the East Coast so far. Plenty of vegetarian options.. :) I liked the Thousand Layer Bread when dipped/eaten with curry.. It's thin and flaky like a flattened croissant.. don't think traditional layers. Its pretty rich & oily but goes well with soupy & spicy dishes. It's like a cross between a flat croissant, naan, and Chinese scallion pancakes. Most similar to the scallion pancakes.. just flakier and without the scallion. I also liked the Crispy Lentil Fritters & Spicy Green Bean Tofu. I liked the ginger in Tea Leaf Salad, although its not my favorite dish, I don't mind sharing one and having a few bites. The curries were good, not amazing, but I'm a sucker for spicy coconut curries and went home happy. The are very quick with the food.. so take your time ordering your meal after appetizers. My water did not get refilled as often as I like, but I tend to drink excessive amounts of water at restaurants, especially when eating spicy and greasy foods.
(4)
Nat P.
Consistently good eats in Chinatown! I love this place. Been going here for a few years now and still haven't been disappointed by the food or service. Recently I went for dinner with a friend and was quickly whisked in to an empty table since it was a slow week night. The space is pretty big, lots of tables, and good for groups as well. Decor is tasteful and theme related. Over the years it doesn't seem to have the traffic it used to, but however it still manages to get a steady crowd on most nights. The menu is pretty extensive. If you aren't familiar with Burmese food, don't be afraid to try things. There are lots to choose from, noodles, poultry, seafood, you name it. Just expect lots of flavor and spice if that's what you ask for. We had the thousand layer bread with chicken curry (a must), and pork dumplings for appetizers. Shan rice noodles, Basil Pork, and Ngapali pineapple shrimp for entrees. The shrimp dish wasn't so good to me, it was a little too sweet. On the other hand, the basil pork is always so good to me. But by far the standout was the shan rice noodles. Basically it has sauteed chicken, sesame, and peanuts with sesame oil. We got it spicy as well and I just couldn't stop going back to it. There is so much good stuff going on here that most dishes will be winners. For example another favorite is mango shrimp or chicken. It's just so well balanced with flavor and heat if you ask for it. Expect good service from a friendly staff. Enjoy!
(4)
Monica L.
Rangoon is a pretty good Burmese restaurant in Chinatown that I go to for lunch a lot because it is near work. When people ask me what "Burmese" cuisine is like, I say it's kind of like a mix between Chinese and Thai. They have a great lunch special menu for around $7 that includes an soup or a salad, steamed or fried rice, and a main dish. I usually go for the Coconut Chicken Curry because it is creamy and has a yummy taste - very comforting - but today I switched it up and got the Chicken Basil which was also quite good and had a nice little kick to it. The service is usually pretty speedy, too, which helps when you need to be in and out in an hour. Overall, a solid little place.
(3)
Dave H.
The best Burmese restaurant in Philadelphia's Chinatown that I'm aware of. I think their web site also states they're the only Burmese restaurant in Chinatown...! I've dined there a few times (once with 10 people, another time with three people) and always have received friendly service from the staff, no matter the size of our group. Rangoon's dishes are full of flavor and authentic-tasting (but I can't evaluate with confidence, not having eaten too much Burmese - tastes like Thai!). Their papaya salad can be made spicy (I like spicy) and many of their dishes often are. I've had many dishes there and every one is pretty much on target, to my tastes. The only negative is that their servings seem to be stingy for the price, so if you're sharing, you may only get a few bites. During dinner the place is typically filled and you'll have to wait for a seat. Unlike other Chinatown restaurants, credit cards are accepted, and a good thing too, as the place isn't cheap. For you alcoholics out there, they have a liquor license. Wholeheartedly recommended.
(4)
Jason S.
Recommended by friends (who joined me on my trip through Philadelphia), Rangoon looks like a "typical" Asian place in Chinatown from both the outside and the inside, but the food is very good. The staff was helpful and attentive. I had the delicious Village Style soup and we shared a number of appetizers (the Golden Triangles are very good, and their dipping sauces are unique without being overpowering). One companion observed that her tofu didn't look like tofu - it had an odd color and shape - but she said it tasted great, so it's just prepared in a different manner. I am not someone who generally likes Southeast Asian cuisine - or, rather, I usually only find one or two dishes that I want to try since I don't eat seafood and avoid a lot of other common foods from this region. But the menu at Rangoon is extensive and I could probably go back for a week and not order the same thing more than once. The chicken mint kebab entree was solid and filling, and I also tried a bite of the pumpkin chicken - pumpkin is not really my thing, but it had a nice heartiness to it and my other friend cleaned his plate, and I was glad to try it. There are many vegetarian/vegan options, and one friend said that they had even made her vegan 1000 layer bread on a previous visit. I should also say that I was traveling with luggage and had to meet three different sets of friends (I am not in the city all that often), and one couple had a baby, and the staff never blinked an eye and were totally accommodating. Parking can be tough - it's Chinatown - but it's worth the visit. One group of friends had recently moved from Texas and they all said they loved it, it was their first time with Burmese food.
(4)
Alan L.
Wonderful first time experience for Burmese cuisine. The Coconut Galanga soup is amazing with a small spicy aftertaste to cleanse your palate for the main course. Galanga is akin to ginger in taste. The Burmese Tofu Salad was a perfect light course sprinkled with sesame seeds and a very tasty dressing. I indulged in the 6 layer bread with Curry Potato dipping sauce. Beware, I took too much of a hearty bite and ended up burning the back of my throat with the soups spicy goodness. Once forewarned I worked my way around the bite and enjoyed the bread and curry. I must confess I went all in, and had the Rice Pudding with Mango. Yum. Hope to be back soon when I am in Philadelphia.
(4)
Bruce B.
Rangoon is supposed to be an Burmese restaurant, well I've never been to Burma before but I think their menu is more fusion than not. Rangoon is a nice, clean, comfy spot run by family. I was here once before about 10 years ago and the mother who runs the restaurant asked me where have I been when I ate there recently. I thought she was taking a stab in the dark but she asked about the young lady I was with and said 'have a seat Bruce'. Go figure! I sat down and I remembered something I had to have.... The Thousand Layer Bread! Rangoon has the best version of that Andalusian Bread that's crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside with a lot of flaky crust. It is amazing. I ordered a appetizer called Vatana which is a curry stew with potatoes and chicken and a plate of-you guessed it, Thousand Layer Bread. I wolfed that dish down and immediately ordered another of the same. I know, I know 2 of the same appetizers ain't cool but it was so damn good. Next I ordered the Jungle Chicken which was Chicken breast stir fryed with a ton of fresh, crisp veggies, served with steamed rice. It was delicious and filling. The menu at Rangoon is humongous, reminiscent of those large menu's at the old school Chinese restaurants back in the day. I'm sure anyone with an appetite and a few bucks can find something to tickle their fancy here.
(4)
Seema F.
Rangoon is one of my favorite southeast Asian restaurants. First of all, Burmese food is very hard to find, and this is the only one in the city (that I know of). South and Southeast Asian food is like a perfect gradient going from India to China. If Thai is a perfect mix of Chinese and Indian then I suppose Burmese is the mix of Thai and Indian with a tad more South Indian. I've never ordered anything I haven't liked. Like Thai and South Indian cusinine, Burmese uses a lot of coconut milk. It may not be that great for you in huge quanitites but it is DELICIOUS. The dishes I often stick to are: - Thousand Layer Bread with curry (Indian inspired layered roti with yellow curry) - Coconut Galanga Soup (similar to Tom Kah but a little more flavor and spice) - Rangoon House Noodle - Lemon Grass Beef - Basil Beef/Pork (like Seth A. said--anything with basil is spicy and delicious) The decor has improved in the past few years (I believe they got rid of the pink decor that every Asian place seems to like). It also draws a huge Indian crowd, which I guess is the closest to a Burmese crowd I can hope for. If you love Indian and Thai food, you'll love Rangoon.
(5)
Karen B.
quickest workday lunch around. you'll get a complete sit-down meal in half an hour. the lunch specials rock: $6.50 for most choices -- includes soup or a salad plus either fried or steamed rice. my only complaint about rangoon is that the stuff labeled "hot & spicy" often isn't very hot & spicy (at least by my definition). i like my food blazing and was looking forward to some heat when i went here but barely found any! everything is still very good, though. as other yelpers have mentioned, the thousand-layer bread is a great app.
(4)
Clara L.
Disclaimer: For full disclosure, the first time I had Rangoon, it was free. Free things always taste better. But, everytime I return, it is really delicious food. Tip: When eating a new ethnic food, it is always best when someone a) is from the country of the restaurant and b) is on a first name basis with the owner of the restaurant. My Burmese boss ordered food from the restaurant and put it on his tab. Amazing! The Burmese food presented by Rangoon is a cross between Szechuan and Indian cuisine, with perhaps an American twist to it. First start your meal with either the Asian Tea Leaf Salad or the Green Bean and Peanut Salad. The veggies are fresh, crunchy, dressed with an amazing dressing with soy sauce, sesame and a roasted grain that gives the salad texture and nuttiness. Vegetables never had it so good. The other appetizers are just as fantastic. Try the Crispy Tofu. They are delightfully soft pillows of tofu that are deep fried so they are golden brown and crispy on the outside. They come with asian spring roll dipping sauce, which is generic. But, they take it to a whole new level. The Thousand Layer Bread is more buttery and richer than the Indonesian/ Malaysian roti canai. Get it with the potato. It's spicier than the chicken. Like most Asian restaurants, family style is always the best. I always order the spicy Chili eggplant. It's made with Chinese eggplant. (Not the obnoxiously big and ugly American eggplant.) If you like noodles/ pad thai, try the Northern Burmese Noodle which is flat Chinese rice noodle with veggies, chicken and shrimp. Kung Pao Chicken/ Pork/ Beef is unlike any kung pao chicken I've had at any Chinese American place. It's my Burmese bosses' fave. Delicious. If you don't like spicy, the Chicken/ Pork/ Beef in Black Bean Sauce is wonderfully salty and savory. Service is very quick. Your appetizer comes out within five minutes of ordering. Rice comes with every entree in big bowls. Unlike many other places in Chinatown, they a) take credit card and b) won't give you an evil eye if you split the check on two credit cards. If you want to pick up, which I have done as well, service is very fast. Bottom Line: Great Food, Fast Service, Great Price.
(5)
Sal W.
Had the Chilli Chicken ($11.85 incl tax) and the taste was exceptional. Unfortunately, it was slightly deep fried, but it was still good even with that characteristic. A ton of rice was provided but it had a lot of hard pieces which implied that it didn't just come out of the rice cooker. They provide a pitcher of water for your table, so you don't have to worry about getting service for water refills. The restaurant was very crowded on this Friday night and it was pretty noisy. Food Quality/Taste = 5 Stars Portion Size Given Price = 4 Stars Price = 3 Stars Service = N/A? Experience with Staff = 3 Stars Decor = 3 Stars
(4)
T. C.
I've been obsessed with finding a burmese place in Philly since I moved here. I spent a lot of time in the Bay Area and became a huge fan of burma superstar. I was so excited when I found a place in Philly. Rangoon was pretty good. I rounded up from 3.5 stars to 4 because of how nice the people were there. We ordered the thousand layer bread with potato curry...totally delish. The eggplant and the jungle chicken were also quite good. The steamed fish dish was mediocre, as was the northern burmese noodles. As a whole, all of the dishes were decent, though the serving size was kinda small for the price. I would return, but wasn't nearly as delicious as burma superstar.
(4)
Casey F.
Burmese food is a wonderful combination of all the flavors I associate with Asia - especially Thai and Chinese. I trekked over here from S. Broad street while here on business - one gets sick of bar food after awhile. The restaurant is on 9th St, one block over from the main drag. Inside it's pretty standard, not too crowded at 8PM on a Wednesday. Based on the reviews here, I ordered the pumpkin soup, thousand layer bread with lavana beans, tofu salad, and monsoon vegetables. The spices/dressing on the tofu salad were great - lots of kaffir lime flavor, but I wish it had more than just tofu in the salad. The Burmese place I go to in Boston has a tofu salad with a little shredded cabbage and peanuts, and slightly more creamy tofu. The thousand layer bread was cold/chewy by the time I got it, but slightly sweet flavored. Pumpkin soup - a bit bland. Reminded me of Indian Dal more than anything. Filling but not over the top in flavor. Monsoon veggies had a unique flavor I couldn't put my finger on. They were good but mushy. Next time I'm in Philly, I might go back to this place, but I have a new appreciation for the delicacy of flavors at YoMa in Boston.
(3)
Monica K.
The food was delicious! The "dynamite tofu" and "chili chicken" were the dishes I was really impressed with, the chicken lo mein was sub par. The prices were very reasonable and the bathroom was even clean!
(4)
Erica M.
I'm not sure if I went on an off-night, but I was not impressed by this place. The thousand layer bread with chicken curry dip was a complete disappointment - it was basically a flat piece of super greasy naan and the dip didn't even taste like curry and it was very oily. The chicken coconut curry entree had no flavor..I swear they didn't put any coconut OR curry in it. The only reason this place got any stars is for their Jungle Tofu, which was AMAZING! The flavor was really unique...curry, coconut, lemongrass. It was fresh and delicious! And the service was great too.
(3)
Tommy L.
One of the worst restaurants in Chinatown. To start, my Rangoon Appetizer Favorites was greasy. My Chilli Seafood dish was too salty. My Mandalay Nungyi Noodle was room temperature and the noodles were over cooked.
(1)
Hardy B.
Nicely priced lunch specials the mint sauce is delicious! Definitely coming back for more
(4)
Paul L.
Typically, I go to Banana Leaf when I am in Philadelphia. On this trip, I traded off Malaysia for Burma. The food was good, the server was extremely friendly, and the prices were competitive with many of the other Southeast Asian restaurants in the area.
(4)
Fred C.
To give credit where due, I must state that the food here is excellent. During my second visit we were a party of six, and our orders included more than a dozen dishes, all of which were top-drawer. Because I like this restaurant very much, I am doubly distressed by the following negatives: First, it seems impossible to prevent the servers from putting almost the entire dinner on the table at the same time. I've spoken to the manager about the problem and he professed understanding, but this didn't stop the young server from bringing our entrees while we were still working on appetizers. Perhaps it's a language issue, or perhaps some strange oriental disease. The second issue is the restaurant's corkage charge, which I find so onerous that it may preclude my patronizing them again. Since they have paid for a wine and beer license, I have no quarrel with anything they wish to charge customers for bringing their own. But since they don't offer hard spirits, a $12 charge for patrons, opening their own Scotch is, in my opinion, obscene. I don't know how many diners share my view, but the fact that the restaurant was only about 20% occupied during Sunday dinner hours might be an indication.
(3)
Jess M.
Had dinner here the other night with friends - decided on it as we passed by since none of us had ever had Burmese food. Good decision - very similar to other Asian cuisine, but some fun variations in a lovely but casual setting. We ordered the crab meat dumplings (crab rangoon) and the crispy tofu as apps - the crab rangoon (my fave) was all I hoped it would be: creamy, crunchy wonton, delicious. The crispy tofu was raved about by my dining companions but not really my cup of tea. The actual cup of green tea I ordered was great, though. Actual tea leaves remained loose at the bottom of the cup, which I do believe made it more bitter as I neared the bottom of the cup. For my entree I got the Northern Burmese Noodles, fat rice noodles with shrimp, chicken, bean sprouts and scallions in a slightly spicy sauce. Very tasty, though I would've preferred thinner noodles, but it was delicious and not very spicy as the menu indicates. One of my dining companions order Southeast Asian Noodles (pad thai by any other name) which was so very good, especially compared to a recent not as great attempt at making pad thai at home. The other ordered the Sweet & Sour Chicken which was fine, but not something I'd normally do cartwheels over anyway. The menu, in additions to being pages and pages of food has a section in the back explaining how the restaurant got its start as well as info on Myanmar and Burmese food and culture. It was interesting to read through. Would certainly return and recommend.
(4)
Gustavo B.
I have been to Rangoon a couple of times. The food and the service have been consistent. Its an interesting place, where you can eat Burmese food as well as Chinese and Thai, I believe. They have a wide selection of hearty and delicious soups that make such a good starter for this freezing weather. Their curry dishes are, for the most part, very good, and so is the thousand layer bread. I also particularly enjoy their coconut flavored dishes. The only complaint I have is that some dishes can be a bit too oily for my taste and stomach. I would recommend this restaurant. Yes, I would certainly go back.
(3)
Hayley Sara B.
Everytime I come here, I can't stop repeating Dr. Evil's monologue from Austin Powers: "Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons...In the spring we'd make meat helmets." F'amazing. The food here is pretty darn good too. I came with a group, so I got to try a variety of dishes. I admit that I succumbed to peer pressure and ordered the thousand layer bread and tea leaf salad, because EVERYONE on yelp seemed to be doing it. The bread was tasty, but *very* greasy, and the tea leaf salad, while unique, didn't blow me away. What did blow me away were the Rangoon Crab Meat Dumplings. I'm not one to order Crab Rangoon - I like to keep dairy out of my asian fare - and I was nervous about the grease factor post-thousand layer bread. But these were DELICIOUS. Delicate and wonderfully cooked, the inside had just the right amount of spice and cream cheese. This appetizer was the clear winner - go for it. I ordered the jungle tofu as an entree. I had been craving green curry all day, but was weary that there would be too much coconut in the sauce. Rangoon did a really nice job - sauce was excellent, light and well seasoned, with few a peppers for kick. My dish could have had more veggies, but no complaints other than that. I also tried bites of the Spicy Rice Sticks and Burmese Cold Noodles (Let Thoke). The Rice Sticks were a carb lover's heaven - the next time I'm hungover, I'm biking over to Rangoon and doing a face plant into a plate of these. Cold Noodles were good as well, but LOADED with either dried shrimp or shrimp paste - beware if you're not a shrimp fan. Rangoon is nice - it's not as cheap as some other places in Chi-town, nor is it BYO, but it has a really interesting menu that I'm looking forward to exploring further!
(3)
Dianna L.
Visited for the second time. The banana leaf fish is very good!
(5)
Connie S.
Burmese restaurant in the heart of Chinatown, which is rather upscale as far as restaurants in Chinatown go (white tablecloths, those fancy water glasses - not pretentious, but certainly not a hole-in-the-wall). I had never eaten Burmese food before, but it bears many similarities to Malaysian food, which I think of as a delicious hybrid of Thai, Indonesian, Chinese, and Indian cuisines. Overall I was pleased to try a few Burmese dishes that were wholly distinct from dishes found in other Asian restaurants, but super impressive. Important things to note: Portion sizes are reasonable but modest, and dishes marked as spicy really have very little heat. The much-hyped Thousand Layer Bread (we got it with Curry Potato Dip) is somewhat overrated-- just a denser version of the crisped golden 'bread' that is the Malaysian roti canai. But I guess you should try it at least once to be able to make your own judgment about it, since it's known to be a specialty of Rangoon's. As for the rest of our dinner... my favorites: - Shan Rice Noodle: chewy and delicate rice noodles with chicken, sesame, peanuts,sesame oil; good light texture and flavor - Curry Spare Ribs: pork cooked with lentil beans; the meat was tender, and I'll love lentil stew no matter what I'd skip: - Firecracker Lentil Fritter: appetizer of deep-fried ground lentils and spices; not all that flavorful - Eggplant Pin Sein: eggplant sauteed with garlic, onion, and basil; nothing out of the ordinary, and inconsistently cooked Not too long a wait for our food, and the servers were super nice. The manager (possibly the owner?) even came around to make sure everything was to our liking. All in all, solid dishes and good times at Rangoon.
(3)
Michael E.
**worth a 25 minute trip** I had never had Burmese food before, but I was told it was a mix between Indian and Thai styles (both of which I LOVE!), so I was totally game to experiment! Rangoon is in the Chinatown section of Philly very close to the Troc. It looks like a hole in the wall, and sadly people might pass it by. The food is great! We over ordered in anticipation of excellence so we'd have lots of leftovers for lunch this week! I believe the most expensive dish we ordered was $12 so cost is not prohibitive to getting a good taste around the menu. Based on other reviews on Yelp we tried the 1000 layer bread with potato curry dip, firecracker lentil fritters, the jungle chicken, beef with pickled cabbage, and northern Rangoon noodles. The bread is very similar to what you'd expect if you ordered Naan but the curry potato dip was absolutely divine, unique, and unexpected. We will definitely order this time and time again. The beef with pickled cabbage was my favorite and I'm salivating just thinking about eating the leftovers later tonight! My girlfriend liked the Rangoon noodles best (they were a very very close second for me). They also had an Indian beer, King Fisher, which I'd never had, in addition to Singha (a great Thai beer), Tsing Tao, and Sapporo. I love Asian beers. The service is genuine and attentive - the waitstaff really seemed to appreciate that we were eating at their establishment. Note if you like spicy food and are also visibly American - you MUST tell them that you want it Burmese spicy. This is a great place to bring a bunch of people who love Asian food. We've already started making plans for a return trip.
(4)
Ling P.
I've been to Rangoon twice, but never again. The cuisine can be tasty, however it really depends on what you order. I've had the Rangoon House Noodle dish, which was alright. My BF ordered the Coconut Chicken, which tasted like dessert because it was overly sweet. As I was eating my dish, I felt something on my knee. I was in a deep conversation with the BF, so I didn't pay much attention to what it was when I attempted to brush it off. I finally realized it was a huge brown roach. I didn't want to cause a scene, so I tried brushing it off me with my linen napkin. It ended up crawling behind me, so I calmly got up and went straight to the bathroom to perform my version of the Harlem shake. My appetite vanished as I returned to the table and my goosebumps wouldn't go away. I couldn't focus and I started getting paranoid. It was the second time I saw a roach. The first time, it was nowhere near my table. The staff was busy, so I didn't bother notifying them discreetly and kept to myself. Not only did the roach scare the living shinanigans out of me, it changed my perspective of how unsanitary the kitchen must be to have these roaches lingering around in the dining room. The 2 stars are for the service and the mediocre taste of the food, but my roach experience just had to take away the 3 stars. Yuck!
(2)
tyler d.
Ate here for lunch, food was fantastic. I got the Lemon Curry Beef with Vegetable Fried Rice. Amazing!
(4)
Yonatan R.
I loved this place. The Mango Tofu is just outrageously good. I will most definitely visit it again and soon...
(5)
D L.
great and cheap. very tasty
(4)
Tom T.
We're not from Philadelphia (in town for the Philles game), but we are big fans of Burmese food. Our other experience is Burmese Superstar in San Francisco. Rangoon did not disappoint. The thousand layer bread and tea leaf salad were great. For the amount of food, the price was very good. Highly recommended.
(4)
Eric F.
If I were immortal, I would eat at Rangoon every day and never tire of it. The menu is huge, and I've never hit a dud. The prices are great. Service is good. Just go there already!
(5)
Harrison L.
One of the hidden gems of Chinatown. Great for both spicy and mild tastes, this restaurant showcases the food of Myanmar (Burma) as it is a crossroads between several Asian cuisines. One can find the influences of China, Thailand, Viet Nam and even India both in name and flavor across the menu. Less adventurous diners will find Chinese-American classics like sweet and sour and kung po. Lovers of Indian food will find curries and even samosa. As far as the more unique and regional dishes, my personal favorites are: pumpkin soup shrimp and lemongrass soup thousand layer bread with potato curry mango chicken jungle chicken. There are also a great number of vegetarian dishes. Try the crispy tofu appetizer. And pretty much every stir fry dish has a tofu option. Desserts are a must try and really showcase the pan-Asian mixture of cultures. There is a decent selection of beer and wine as well. I only wish they were open later!
(5)
g m.
I love this place. The kung pao chicken and vegetarian keema are my favorite. I love their use of fresh cilantro and the spices. It's just so good I want some right now!
(5)
kate s.
i really really want to tell you that i love this place. so bad that would a compliment to the sauces be ok? the chicken tasted bad. can be oily...and the cauliflower was perhaps way way way overdone...like two days overdone...if you can forget all of that and just savor the smells and the taste..its great. The coconut rice is amazing don't forget to order that for your sick friends! they really have a great basic flavor pallet down they just need to step up the quality control....so it seems fresher. i'm sorry....
(3)
Rahul S.
The quality/freshness of food, especially fish seems to have dropped. Still one of the better Asian restaurants in philly but not as great as it used to be.
(4)
Karma B.
Best Asian food in Philly.
(5)
Derrick C.
friendly service....recommend the coconut curry chicken ,crispy burmese tofu
(5)
Gaetanina M.
Seriously as good as it gets. I live around the corner and this is the place I always think of first. The Pinapple Rice is to die for as it the South East Asia Noodle or any noodle dish for that matter. Highly recommend coming here.
(5)
Utteeyo D.
Try their thousand layered parota with potato curry; also the faluda. Very good food, affordable as well. Friendly servers and open for a long time for lunch.
(4)
Jonas K.
This was my first time eating burmese food. It is a gem in Philly Chinatown. Many other locations can be loud with brash wait staff. Not at Rangoon. The staff was ever so polite and smiling. The helped us choose a mango salad, fried lotus root, and chicken satay. Some kitchen confusion resulted in a papaya salad as well as a mango salad brought to the table. Then entrees of a cold noodle dish and beef curry. The food was milder than both Thai and Indian, a surprise as the country is smack in between these cultures. I will gladly return to try new dishes at Rangoon.
(4)
liz l.
Definitely a fan! went last night and got a table immediately. the service was great, and the food was delicious. we started with fried taro (yum) and tea leaf salad. both were great and went really well together -- the tea leaf salad is kind of a shredded cabbage salad with tea leaves in the dressing, with peanut and sesame and the flavors come together increadibly well. my date had the burmese cold noodle, she liked them a lot, i thought they were ok. i had the monsoon vegetable, which was very hearty and had a great flavor. at the end of our meal, we decided to come back again tonight to eat more of the items on the menu that we hadn't gotten to try yet!
(4)
Vinh T.
yeah 5 for food, service, decor and price :D
(5)
Erin A.
This is my go-to happy place for super yummy food. It is probably my favorite place in Philly to eat. It has nice decor by Chinatown standards but its not like eating on Walnut St, which means you can go there anytime. I love the jungle chicken the most! Mmmm, may have to go get some for lunch today...
(5)
Panda P.
This place is great! The only thing that was not 5+ stars was the coconut rice which was good but I've had better. Everything else that I had I would gladly eat again. I only wish my stomach was bigger so I could have fit more in. Everyone should eat here.
(5)
Sally f.
the food is amazing and well priced. the owner is a sweetheart who always remembers me. they are accomodating for group parties and unbelievably fast with orders even when its crowded. every lunch comes with fantastic soup.
(5)
Josh E.
I really would like to give this place 2.5 stars. Dinner was disappointing - the 1000-layer bread is very tasty, but the entrees were a little bland. I later went back for the lunch special though and that was satisfying and exceeded my then-lowered expectations. For under $9, I got a small salad and coconut stir fry with brown rice.
(3)
john r.
this is my favorite Burmese restaurant, period. the food and service are great and i wish i still lived nearby. really anything here is delicious so there's not much else to say. get the 1000 layer bread?
(5)
Zare K.
Tried two favorite dishes from Burmese food experiences elsewhere, the tea leaf salad and the night market noodles. The salad was soggy and had a bitter aftertaste. The noodles were dull and underflavored, lacking the intense and savory taste and toothsome texture that made me love them originally. I left disappointed with cravings unsatisfied.
(2)
matthew l.
When Rangoon opened with a splash about 15 years ago on Race street, the young owner was pretty enough to have been Miss Rangoon and nice enough to be Miss Congeniality and her food was outstanding. Today, she is older but still pretty and nicer than ever. Rangoon is a place that will never disappoint you. The family cares and there is always one of them on site. The food is cosmopolitan and representative of all the great flavors that southeast Asia offers, with the lentil fritter more Indian than anything but excellent. Which is understandable as that part of the globe is at the confluence of so many cultures. The coconut milk, taro, chilis, galangel, coriander, lemongrass are ingredients that are becoming less intimidating even for the most conservative among us and here are always used with a deft hand as if someone sitting in her dining room sniffing and sweating over a chili laden dish not a scene she would like to convey. The heat in the dishes is always civil but packed with flavor. The 1000 Layer Bread a must and for curry fans, none more elegant than those at Rangoon. Parking lot across the street and you can get lucky with a meter on Arch between 8th and 9th but parking in Chinatown becoming increasingly difficult.
(4)
Marcus W.
Have you ever wondered what the food in Heaven would taste like? If you have than head to Chinatown, Philadelphia's best neighborhood when it comes to consistently good food at an affordable price in this reviewer's opinion. The food at Rangoon, is simply transcendent. I've been going since the Summer of 2001 and have never had a bad meal. Now I've eaten at several good restaurants in Philly but the one I always go back to for a meal that not only nourishes the stomach, as well as the soul is Rangoon. Located right across from a recently built condo called the Pearl, think modern Dharma initiative architecture, you can't miss the large green and gold sign with the former name of Myanmar (formerly Burma) written in letters so large they may be visible from space. Once inside Christine, and the staff are efficient and friendly. Willing to explain Burmese cuisine, think a happy marriage between Thai and Indian. For appetizers start with the Thousand Layer Bread with either Vatana Bean Dip, Barbecued Beef, curried chicken or potato dip. Despite it's name the surprisingly thin fried dough bread is a crunchy, slightly greasy treat that really compliments any of the available sides, think of it as the Burmese culinary equivalent of a Swiss army knife. Entrees such as the curried beef, Chili Monkfish, mango chicken, or any of the assorted rice dishes are well seasoned and flavorful. However, be warned if you order any dishes, whether it's meat, fish or vegetarian, and don't pay for the coconut rice you will have gotten to the gates of Heaven only to have St.. Peter deny you access. Coconut rice is a must with any entree! For desert try the Thousand Layer Bread with coconut syrup, which will leave you wondering where has coconut syrup been all your life. So try Rangoon and only tell those you truly love and respect about it. After all Heaven wouldn't be that great if you had to make reservations.
(5)
Seth A.
Ah rangoon. This is where I learned the essencial rule of Burmese cuisine: Anything with the word "basil" in it is delicious! Tired of crappy greasy americanized asian food? This stuff tastes great and healthy (it probably actually is healthy too). Pretty cheap too, with a nice set up. One of my favorite regular joints to goto in China town.
(4)
Daphne M.
It may look like a bit of a hole-in-the-wall, but appearances are deceiving. Rangoon offers the rare treat of Burmese cuisine, something you can't find in even many major cities in this country, and it does a fine job of it, too. Burmese does remind one of Indian and Chinese cuisines, with some Thai influences in their rather heavy use of coconut and ginger. The menu is extensive, assuring that even the vegetarian diner has a truly mind-boggling array of choices. The fried rice is truly the best I have ever had. Some of the dishes are a bit salty, but in the case of this restaurant I don't think it's a major detraction from the tastiness. As a vegetarian reviewer who's not fond of overly spicy food, I highly recommend the village pea soup and tomato tofu curry, especially if you mix the latter with a generous portion of their *amazing* and simple coconut rice. But try a little bit of everything, too! You should never have to eat the same thing twice at this restaurant. I should also note that the service has always been unobtrusive but friendly, and extremely fast. More people need to appreciate this hidden gem.
(4)
Jennifer W.
I just love Rangoon. It doesn't matter what I have had there, it is always delicious. I recommend going for lunch, as the lunch specials are terrific. The salad comes with a delicious sesame dressing. I have had the Coconut Curry Chicken and the Sweet and Sour chicken. YOU MUST order the 1000 layer bread with any of the dips. Just to die for. Very reasonably priced, lunch specials a steal! Service is also lovely.
(5)
Julie B.
Fortunately the only Burmese restaurant in town is excellent. Been going for years and have brought many out of town visitors here. Lots of veggie options, great service. Try the crispy burmese tofu, thousand layer bread with vatana, and the onion pea soup. Skip dessert and go to one of the local bakeries in chinatown instead. It is the only weak part of the menu.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Matt S.
Years ago I visited Philly for work and stumbled upon this place. Had a very nice dinner of shared plates with my colleagues and enjoyed the meal tremendously. I moved here recently and decided to return to this place which had made such a nice impression. I had no memory of what I had enjoyed so much the first time, so I took everyone's advice from here and started with the thousand layer bread and potato curry -- it was fantastic. I should have had a full meal of it. After that my wife ordered the Pad Thai-like dish and I ordered a spicy spare pork rib dish. Both were a little disappointing in their own ways. The Pad Thai like dish was a little too bland and the ribs were a little too dry, tough, and sinew-y. Aside from the textural issue, the ribs had potential to be really good. I really liked the flavor, which started with a nice minty sweetness and finished with some hot chili flavor. The toughness though was sort of a deal breaker. I want spare rib meat to fall off the bone. I had two options to get the edible parts in my mouth: make up for the fact that they did not provide me with a knife and try to use my spoon and fork to salvage some of the meat; OR tear it off with my teeth like a cave man. I went the cave man route and really wished I had a wet nap at the end of the meal like they'd give you at a BBQ place. So +3 for the bread (yum!). +1 for a friendly waitress, fast service, and available tables on a Friday +1 for affordability -1 for the bland noodle dish -1 for the tough spare ribs All in all: 3 stars. I'd still go back because based on my first experience there years ago I'm sure that there are other great dishes on the menu that I just missed this time. Both of our neighboring tables had things that looked delicious.
(3)F R.
I could eat food from Rangoon every day. A lot of people compare it to a combination of Indian and Thai food, which makes sense since that is where it is geographically. The vegetarian keema is somewhat like a giant wide samosa. Really tasty, perfectly spice, and filling. The kung pao tofu is pretty good. Smokey, nothing like Chinese kung pao. The mango tofu is like sweet and sour, and I like that the tofu isn't fried. The golden triangles are like the vegetarian keema and really good.
(5)Kat R.
Between myself and two friends, we got three appetizers (crab rangoon, golden tempura fingers, thousand layer bread with vatana dip), the asian tea leaf salad, and three entrees (night market noodle, mandalay nungyi noodle, and red bean tofu). All were delicious, but I particularly enjoyed the tea leaf salad which was a billion different tastes and textures in each bite, the thousand layer bread which was golden, flaky, crispy, and yummy, and the mandalay nungyi noodle dish which was just plain delicious. The only reason I didn't give this place five stars was that while our dishes were brought swiftly, after we were served our food, the wait staff pretty much disappeared.
(4)Jen C.
I have passed this place about a million times over the last five years I've worked in Chinatown & it just never looked very inviting. When a client recommended it as a lunch meeting destination, I was a bit hesitant. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. The decor is simple but interesting and offers a relaxed setting in a typically loud & bustling part of the city. The menu is huge and has plenty to offer for meat lovers and vegetarians alike. I tried the tomato tofu rice dish on a recommendation and loved it. It was very flavorful with a spicy kick without being overwhelming. I was so pleased that I have since brought my coworkers back for a second round & gave the potato curry dish a spin...it was equally as satisfying, even to a meat lover like myself. Portions are reasonably large. I recommend checking out their lunch specials which are very modestly priced around $6.50-$8.50 and include a salad (which comes with a sesame dressing which is very unique and extremely tasty) or soup along with your entree. Definitely a big thumbs up to this Chinatown gem.
(4)Shawn N.
Yum! My partner and I are staying near the Convention Center, had a hankering for something in Chinatown, but didn't want to roll the dice on a random pick. After some Googling, I came across reviews for this place and we were not disappointed. Of course, the thousand layer bread with potato curry was delicious (although a bit greasy!) My partner hates curry but loved this dish. We also had chicken with mixed veggies and spicy stringbean with tofu. Both were delicious, with the right amount of spice. I'd definitely recommend this place!
(4)Lauren H.
I get to Rangoon a few times a year, and always for the same reason - celebrating the birthday or the departure of a coworker. It was a birthday this time. The lunch special is hard to beat. For $6.50 I got a bowl of sweet and sour soup along with my basil tofu (with a side of steamed rice). Instead of the soup, you can opt for a salad with sesame dressing, but the salad is rather meager so I always order soup. I've had a few of the lunch specials and the basil tofu/chicken are my favorite - the right mix of spiciness and flavor. Service is quick and efficient. The entrees came out before my table was finished with our soup and salad, which I'm not a fan of, but I can't complain because speedy service is a plus for those of us stopping by on our lunch hours. With a decent-sized dining room, this place is great for groups. Rangoon won't win any prizes for decor (though there are a few interesting wood carvings hanging on the walls), but it's clean and orderly without feeling sterile.
(4)K. A. N. A. K.
Love Rangoon. I always get thousand-layer bread, chicken satay, night market noodles and some meditation of a salad.
(5)Mai T.
For some reason I didn't think I'd try ethnic food on my trip out to Philly. I was pleasantly surprised when my friend chose this place. The food is yummy and the staff are so nice. The place is located in this jenky street of Chinatown (though I've never been to a non-jenky Chinatown) and the decor and atmoshere is much better on the inside than the outside. We had their award-winning fried tofu that was battered in lentils and dipped in a sweet/spicy sauce. Surprisingly yummy, though a bit dense. I had the chicken cocunut curry which is similar to a Thai curry, but much milder. My friend had the beef and lemongrass stew, which was packed with flavor, though the beef was a bit dry. The sweet icetea was delightful--fresh, mildly sweet, and with no milk. Overall, a good place. I'd come here often if I lived here.
(4)T H.
Maybe 3.5 stars? This is probably the only place where you can get Mohinga noodles in the Philadelphia area. Their menu does not call it that way but "Festival Fish Noodle Soup" is it. Very good! Other items are also good (although the portions are smaller than what you get at other restaurants in the area).
(4)Cindy K.
I love this place and if anyone asks what my favorite restaurant in the city is, I would say this one (in Philadelphia: throw a rock, hit a great restaurant). The green tea leaf salad and the thousand layer bread are wonderful and what I get almost every time I go. My friends' dishes are always incredibly fresh. The decor is beautiful and the service is prompt and sweet without being interruptive.
(5)Rachel C.
The fish noodle soup never fails to be tasty warm goodness! I also recommend the thousand layer bread.
(4)Chloé G.
Rangoon serves fantastic, flavorful, amazing Burmese food with impeccable service! I have nothing but fondness for that place and have been quite a few times. The thousand-layer bread with potato curry dip = blows my mind! Reminds me of homemade roti yum! Also a must-try is the tea leaf salad! I usually end up getting the pork in mango curry ... and then all of my friends end up eating from what i get haha. Another nice touch -- the communal feel of having a big bowl or bowls of rice at the table. Will continue to go back again and again!
(5)Louis T.
Rangoon's consistently good, veggie and fish-only friendly, and the service is pretty fast. What I'm saying is that this is a plus spot on a cold day when you're walking by or with a seminar group.
(4)Cecilia L.
i think the food overall was pretty good, but the drinks i got are toooo sweet.
(3)Emily A.
I've passed Rangoon a bunch of times and even went there with my family years ago. It had been so long ago, that it was almost like trying it for the first time. I ordered the Mango Salad and the coconut tofu. First came the mango salad, it was very colorful, slivers of green mango mixed with red onion, cilantro, sesame seeds and fried onions on top. I definitely have to make this at home! it was so good! Light but filling and all the different tastes melted together perfectly! Then came the coconut tofu. A beautiful plate of tofu, cauliflower and carrots in a light orange peach colored coconut curry sauce. I pretty much love coconut milk with anything and I'm also a huge fan of curry, so I knew this couldn't be bad! Luckily my instincts were right, because it was awesome! I only need a little bit of rice to balance the flavors, but honestly if i did without the rice it would have been just as good. Unfortunately my friend Moe didn't have the same luck as I did. He ordered the Chopped Watercress Salad and Curried Potatoes. I pictured the watercress salad to be more on the raw side with radish or another crispy vegetable and a really good dressing, but instead it was a a thick mixture of watercress, fried tofu and cabbage and carrots in a super sweet sauce that was somehow all cooked together. I wouldn't say it was horrible but a couple of bites was all I needed. The potatoes would have been excellent had they not been by themselves in the curried sauce. A little boring for my taste and really spicy. They would have been great mixed with a darker green vegetable or even Broccoli, instead of just potatoes by themselves. I'm definitely coming back to try more Burmese food! Hopefully my choices will be as good as this time.
(4)Hilary S.
This place never a disappointment. I have loved every dish I have tried and they have a great vegetarian selection. I had heard about this place for years. But i never tried it until one night I was craving Crab Rangoon. I could not find them anywhere in my area (Chinatown) but then I remembered Rangoon. I figured if the place was named what I craved, they would have it. That night, Rangoon easily took the top spot as one of my favorite restaurants in Chinatown. Between the Basil Tofu, Mango Chicken and the Night Market Noodle; I always leave satisfied. Top my night off with Sweet Rice in Coconut milk and I am golden. To top it off, the staff is very pleasant and always have a smile all. They are polite and well attentive when dining in. Well decorated on the inside too, so it would be a great spot for a quite date.
(5)Sean T.
Rangoon has a very special place in my heart. When I didn't drive, I would take the 8th and Market train to this spot just to eat and go back home (lol). Those were my college days. The service there is ALWAYS courteous and normally very friendly. Thousand layer bread with potato, a favorite... Asian spring rolls, a nice kick to the sauce and they are pleasantly crispy.. if you like blooming onions, etc.. fried onions are good. Crab rangoon, tasty. Love all the basil, mango, and jungle dishes. Mango can be kinda thick at times, if you don't like that. Love their fish, the balance between crispy fish smothered in sauces and curries is really enjoyable, don't hesitate eating! Basil tofu is a good choice for a vegetarian. So many good things to choose from at this restaurant. And if its your birthday... go, the birthday music is hysterical. lol
(5)Shanna M.
It's been less than 24hrs since Rangoon and I met... I think my heart finally stopped pounding and the butterflies have subsided, my hands are still a bit clamy though. I mean I just never thought that I could meet a genuinely nice restaurant . What did little old me do to deserve such a wonderful gift in my life? All i know is that it makes me want to be a better person, someone who they can be proud of and carry on their legacy with honor. I was kinda shy when we first met but by the time I had finished my appetizer (thousand layer bread with curry chicken dipping sauce) I knew this was the beginning of a beautiful relationship and we were meant to be in each others lives. By the time I finished my entree (Basil noodles) I knew that it was the closest thing to love at first bite that I have ever experienced!
(5)Cara N.
Um, can you say "yummy"?? I ate at Rangoon tonight with some friends, two of whom ARE Burmese, so I knew this place was gonna be good. Honey, we ATE! We ordered the works, starting with the Asian Tea Leaf salad and the Spring Ginger salad (you want to talk about GOOD?!?). Both salads were really flavorful and tasty. Next we ordered Thousand Layer Bread with the Curry Potato dip, which was also very tasty. Contrary to it's name, the bread is like a thin croissant...all nice and buttery. For my entree, I ordered the Chili Beef, at the waitress' recommendation (I couldn't decide between the Spicy Kung Pao Beef or the Chili Beef), and it was also really good. We all shared our food, so I also tasted the Jungle Shrimp (which I'll be ordering next time), one of the soups (I forget which one), as well as one of the noodle dishes, and I was pleased with everything. For dessert, I had the Farluda, which is a mixture of coconut milk, rice, jello and some sort of custard. It was really sweet, and I was kind of enjoying it until I got to the custard...I've always hated custard because of its texture. All in all, I was thoroughly pleased with Rangoon and with my food, and I'll definitely go back.
(4)Ginger B.
The food was very tasty, and when they say "Burmese" they actually mean it. The menu was pretty new and interesting to someone who had never had Burmese food before. The pumpkin soup was great and had a different, delicate flavor. My garlicky noodles were very good, and my dining partner's shrimp balachao was very good too. Our only complaints were that, (unless you happen to be in the area) parking will cost you... and my partner, who was raised in a Burmese family, said the food could've been spicier and more flavorful. But overall the food was very good and interesting, and we plan to go back!
(4)Nissan S.
Thousand layer bread with curry sauce was delicious. The rest was ok. But it was a new experience for me and close to my hotel (within a 3 block walk). Just don't do the walk alone at night.
(4)Liz M.
I'd make the 2 hour drive to Philly just to go to Rangoon. The potato curry dip and the lentil fritters are delicious. It's easy to see why this place is always packed.
(5)Richard L.
The food is very good, and in my case, filling. They have a good selection and the service is prompt.
(3)Christopher R.
I've been wanted to visit Rangoon for years based on recommendations from friends but it took me until now to finally make it out there. While I was satisfied with my meal & found the cuisine interesting, I am not sure I would make it a point to seek out Burmese food again. Its not that anything was particularly bad (except the soup) but that the meal was incredibly inconsistent. Thousand Layer Bread with Curry Potato Dip: Excellent. The bread made me think of a greasy, slightly chewy, thin sheet of naan. Based on that description, it could be either great or awful but definitely enjoyed it. (The girl tried one bite and then declined to eat more of it, so I recognize its not everyone's thing.) The curry potato dip had just the right amount of spice and flavor to it. I could taste both the dip and the bread in every bite, which is about where the balance should be struck. I could eat this every day for a long, long time before getting sick of it. Then I'd take a hiatus and get right back to it. Yellow Pea Soup: Very mediocre. I was expecting something thicker and more flavorful but what I got was a tepid broth with some unidentifiable and bland particulate matter settled at the bottom. Is this the Burmese version of gruel or something? Coconut Curry Chicken: Sweet and flavorful, from what I sampled. The girl said the flavors reminded her of Nigerian cooking but I cannot verify that. In any case, and excellent entree & worth trying. Chicken Mint Kabab: I have mixed feelings about this. I enjoyed it and thought there was a nice spice to the dish. But I'm not sure WHY I enjoyed it or what the flavor accompanying the spice actually was. In other words, I don't think I can articulate the chef's "theory of the dish," which is something I think you should be able to do with good food. I'm going to have to reserve judgment on this for now. Also, one of the pieces of chicken still had some bone attached. Service was relatively fast and efficient... for the first half of the meal. However, when it came time to pay the check, our waiter was distracted for a full twenty minutes with another customer who was trying to decide what to order for take-out. We tried to make contact with every possible employee so we could resolve the check and make our exit, to no avail. We finally just decided to make due with what we had, resulting in slightly meager tip. Hey, they earned it.
(3)Eileen V.
First time eating Burmese food. My husband and I loved it. Samosas, rangoons, thousand layer bread with chicken dip, chicken Keema, and country chicken were all excellent! Not everything is spicy so for those with a milder palate, don't be discouraged!
(5)Dan S.
Nice for lunch near the convention center. Clean, friendly, and reasonably priced. Some of the dishes seemed more like generic Asian food than Burmese. Everything was quite tasty though. I disagree win anyone who says that the 1000 layer bread is a must have, I did not find it compelling.
(3)Atif I.
Burmese food has influences from India (curry and lentil dishes), China (stir fries, noodles, spring rolls) and Thailand (spicy, sweet and sour coconut milk and tamarind sauces) but still retains unique preparation techniques and flavors. Rangoon makes some concession to the local palate, but nevertheless serves a flavorful meal. The dishes say "hot and spicy", but the taste usually remains mild. Given the adjustments, Rangoon enjoys an eclectic clientele and as a result is usually packed. Servers are somewhat strained, and while service levels are adequate they are not exceptional. You could do well by starting with the thousand layer bread with curry chicken or potato dip. Inspired from the Indian Paratha, variants are also present in Malay food. The string bean or ginger salads (both with sesame seeds) are also popular. In entrees, you have a number of excellent options in chicken. I've really liked the Chicken Qeema (sauteed, minced chicken over homemade bread); Chili Chicken (crispy, diced chicken with bell peppers and onions) which is spicy, but different from the Chinese version of the dish; Chicken Mint Kebab (Marinated chicken) --- all are delicious. Vegetarians should enjoy the Mango Tofu and the Tomato Curry Tofu. The Noodle dishes are uniformly well made, but the seafood doesn't deliver consistently. Frankly, there's no real reason to try desserts in a cuisine originating east of India. Rangoon serves an interesting Faluda: Rose water, milk, Jelly, Tapioca pearls with vanilla ice cream. But, why stuff yourself when you could instead savor the wonders of Capogiro or Scoop De Ville?
(4)Anita S.
Appetizers and soups. That's as far as I've gotten in the menu. Tea-leaf salad, festival soup (very strong, an acquired taste), ginger salad, golden triangles home-made tofu (I could eat these like Pringles), thousand-layer bread - all my standards are so good that it's impossible to make it to the entrees! You also must know that it is owned by three ladies who are all as cute as dumplings and as sweet as the spiced tea they serve.
(4)Ian R.
OK, so I've only been here once, but what an awesome experience. Super-duper cheap, awesome food. The 1,000 layer bread is as good as everyone says, and the noodle dish I ordered was outrageously good. Wash it down with an Asian beer. Don't make it to Philly all that often, but I am definitely returning to this place.
(5)christina j.
My first Burmese experience and I am glad it was here. We sampled a bunch of items which were, shrimp lemongrass soup, crab rangoon, mandalay shrimp roll, basil chicken, thousand layer bread. Everything was tasty and full of flavor. Prices are reasonable and the waiter was friendly. I would definitely visit again.
(3)Sean G.
It had been quite sometime since I last visited this place - so I was glad my friend suggested dining here, especially when he reminded me of the thousand layer bread. We got two orders of thousand layer bread with both curry potato dip and vatana dip (I preferred the curry dip) - the bread was delicious, although I wish it were warmer when it was served. Since it was lunch, I took advantage of the lunch special (quite a deal at $6.50) and chose the coconut tofu with white rice. It was delicious and not as rich tasting as I thought it would be (which is a good thing). The special also came with a negligible salad with seasame seed dressing on the side. There's a good selection of vegetarian options - Monsoon Vegetable and Jungle Tofu are on my to-do list for next time...
(3)Scottie B.
Good food, at a price. I enjoyed Rangoon, it's your typical semi-obscure Asian food restaurant. Kitschy decor, attentive service, a mixture of authentic and bastardized food. Burmese food was fairly similar to Thai and Malaysian, so it didn't open up my dining world but it was a bit sweeter so it was nice change. Dishes come large enough for one or easy to share for two. But a lunch for two there shouldn't cost $40. Maybe if it was a bit more upscale, or we got alcohol, but for the food we ate there's gotta be a place nearby with the same quality.
(4)Allen R.
Rangoon has a meal for everyone. I love their special twists on food. I feel it is unlike any other restaurant in Chinatown Philadelphia area (it's Burmese food). I like the waitstaff there - they are fast, efficient, and no pressure. Rangoon is my wife's favorite restaurant in Philadelphia, so I have been here many times. We have had many guests with us and I think everyone who never had Burmese food was pleasantly surprised how much they enjoyed their meal. I am not a big meat eater, so I recommend the pumpkin soup, spicy string beans, and bean curd salads. My wife loves the potato curry dip - it keeps her coming back! Rangoon is a restaurant that I would bring people from out of town - especially those that enjoy ethnic restaurants.
(4)Le Raccoon X.
Disappointed! The thousand layer bread and spicy potato curry were just decent enough. The main thing they had going for them was the fact that I was hungry. The primary flavor in the curry was SALTY -- baaaawreeeng! Their counterparts at Penang are far superior, and they pale in comparison even to their cousins at Rising Tide! The tea leaf salad was a mishmash of things that should have refreshed my tastebuds. Instead, it was another salty assault on my system that made me chug-a-lug my water! Most disappointing of all was the mango chicken. Do you know what it ended up looking and tasting like? SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN -- an inferior version of the typical take-out fare, with its emaciated slivers of chicken and overly saturated and overly sweet veggies. I paid $11.50 for take-out that wasn't even tasty. It came with white rice, but I opted instead to pay for a serving of coconut rice, and boy was I disappointed and once again ripped off ($3.25!). The coconut rice at Cafe de Laos was superior in both flavor and texture. Also, I tried a small piece of my friend's chicken curry -- what the heck, man. Salty yet again.
(1)Toral Z.
Excellent food, great chill tofu.
(5)Magda T.
I would have given it a 3.5, if I could. They almost could get a 4, but not quite there . As a vegetarian, the options are always limited but at Rangoon there are enough to give you choice. The appetizers were excellent: the green tea salad was great, nice and crunchy; the Thousand Layer Bread with Homemade bread & a curry potato dipping sauce seemed more like the Malaysian roti (think roti canai) and as such was very nice; the Crispy Lentil Fritter, mixed lentil grounded with onion, mint & chili spices were excellent too--had a nice spice to them. One of us had the pea soup and said it was outstanding. The weakness came from the entrees; Monsoon vegetables were good but not overwhelmingly inspiring for our palates (you might like the dish); the jungle tofu was nice, but again, nothing exciting; the one entree that was quite exciting and excellent, was Vegetarian Keema. Service was great! So maybe they do deserve a 4?
(3)Justin C.
Recently visited this place based on a recommendation from Lyla, a lovely minister we met on the ferry to Camden. The food here was really fantastic, and while the Thousand Layers bread didn't actually have 1,000 layers, it was one of the highlights of the meal. The squash tempura was nicely battered, and was also delicious. My entree, the house noodles were perfect, dense yet silky, with a great tomato-based sauce. My only regret? The leftovers got smashed in my backpack and we didn't get to eat them later.
(4)Kate C.
Rangoon is my favorite restaurant in Chinatown, but I sometimes have trouble getting other people to eat there. They'll say "What is Burmese food like?" and I struggle in giving an answer...I'm all "uh, you know, it's a sort of Chinese/Indian food hybrid that is actually sort of similar to Thai food?" Fortunately, the menu does a good job of explaining the cuisine (and also provides a lot of pretty pictures of the Myanmar countryside, along with information about the country's history and culture). My inability to accurately describe the cuisine aside, I've loved pretty much everything I've tried at Rangoon. Start your meal with the thousand-layer bread (a misnomer...there aren't really 1,000 layers) and then move on to one of the salads (I've heard that tea leaf salad is the most authentic Burmese dish) or entrees. There's a long list of vegetarian entrees, including my favorites: monsoon vegetables (heavy on the cauliflower, which I love), jungle tofu (green curry), and mango tofu (has a nice sweet and spicy thing going on), but there's more than enough to satisfy the most demanding carnivore too. Ok, I lied about liking everything I've tried at Rangoon. Once I made the mistake of ordering the "jello crunch ice" dessert. Yeah, crushed ice, rope-y gummy-worm like strings of jello, coconut milk and peanuts do not a delicious dessert make. But everything else is great! If you haven't been to Rangoon in a few years, you may not know that they've spiffed up the decor a lot. It's actually pretty fancy-looking now. Check it out!
(5)Kacie M.
Rangoon is great. The only reason that I cannot give it a full five stars is because the food is inconsistent. I'll go once and a dish will be amazing. Then I will eat the same thing again the next time I visit and it will only be so-so. However, there's always something wonderful and it keeps me coming back. I've never had anything there that I thought was awful (well, there are these dumpling things I thought were not so wonderful, but maybe they were having an off day). My most favorite things at Rangoon are the ginger salad and the thousand layer bread with coconut sauce. So wonderful. So good. Always. I've never had bad thousand layer bread. Furthermore, I've never had bad service, which is very important to me. I ate there last night and our server was very sweet, gracious, and attentive. I'm not wild about the remodel. The space feels a little less personal and I miss all those wonderful paintings. But the minimalist approach does give it a very clean look. All in all, the food is good, often great (but no guarantees!).. They have a decent selection of wine and beer, plus a few fun drinks, like tamarind juice, etc. The prices and portions are both very reasonable and the service and setting are always very nice.
(4)Erin G.
Mmmm, Burmese. A cross between Thai and Indian - you can hardly get better. Though the restaurant can sometimes feel empty, and oddly spaced, and the service can occasionally be a little slow (especially with a really large group) the food is delicious. And the vegetarian selections are more than acceptable. Unlike some restaurants in Chinatown, you won't get heaps and heaps of food, but you'll get a fair serving for a fair price, and a much nicer atmosphere than you'll get in many spots in the area.
(4)patricia c.
This was my first time trying out Burmese cuisine and it was great! The staff was nice. I tried the thousand layer bread w/the potatoe curry and the coconut chicken curry. They were both really good. I got extremely stuffed so I had to bag it up. It's a pretty good deal if you go during their lunch special. You can't beat the prices.
(4)Rich T.
Great lunch experience on the edge of Chinatown in Philly. The Thousand Layer Bread was great as an appetizer, but what really hit the home run was the curry potato dipping sauce the bread came with. I had a great noodle dish and my wife had the vegetarian string beans with garlic sauce, which was to die for. Burmese food is a different twist on the Asian cuisines the American palate is more used to - but a really nice twist. Check this place out - you'll like it.
(5)Charles T.
I have been patronizing Rangoon for over 12 years. I love this place and have never had a bad dish here. When people ask me about the food, I tell them that it's the original fusion cuisine that blends Chinese, Indian and a bit of Thai. I particularly like the mango salad, watercress salad, tea leaf salad, ginger salad, Rangoon Night Market noodles, spicy seafood, and pork in mango curry. Staff is helpful and friendly, food arrives promptly, and the price can't be beat.
(5)Jennifer S.
I've come to this restaurant over five times, and this is because it is the cleanest, most unique, and definitely one of the top three tastiest restaurants in Chinatown. I'm not sure what authentic Burmese food taste likes, but the food here strikes me as a combination of Thai, Malaysian, and Indian cuisine. The menu is humongous - the second I flip through the pages I am bursting with mixed emotions of hunger, excitement, and pure agony over the necessity to decide what to eat from what seems like hundred of delicious options. Don't let the potential for an emotional meal scare you away. I recommend the following dishes: - Thousand layer bread with Potato curry (tried the Beef curry, not as tasty for some reason) - Rangoon house noodles - Jungle Beef - Pineapple fried rice (best I've eaten, even though I know this is not Burmese) - Southeast Asia Noodles (pretty much like Pad Thai so probably not an authentic experience either) The lentil fritters are really spicy, especially when you bite into the jalapeno bits so it's not really my thing. I also tried the crab meat dumplings which seemed a bit too Americanized because of the cream cheese and minimal bits of crab - definitely not something I would ever order again.
(5)Sara L.
My first visit to Rangoon over the weekend was overall a positive experience, but not the earth-shaking wonder that I was hoping for based on the Yelp hype. I went back and forth between 3 and 4 stars, going with 4 because I am eager to return for more. My first impression of the interior is that they are frustratingly close to having SUCH a nice atmosphere. Simply dimming their lights and adding a little music would solidify a 4th star. As it is, the Burmese artwork is nice, but the too-bright lights make it feel somewhat tacky. The service was friendly - I am pretty sure one of the owners was waiting on us. We had brought a bottle of wine, but took a peek at their list anyway and found it to be pretty dismal - fairly cheap selections, and many would not have paired well with the food. We opted to have our self-supplied Riesling opened and were slightly chagrined to learn that 1.5 liters have a $24 corking fee. Our server was very upfront and almost apologetic about this. In the future I will probably either bring a regular sized bottle of wine, or just go with their beers - a pretty standard line-up including Tsing tao, Heineken and Yeungling for reasonable prices. We started the meal with the 1000 layer bread with potato curry dip, and crab rangoons. The bread was tasty, but WAY too greasy for me. The dip, on the other hand, I could have eaten like a soup. The rangoons were tasty, very flavorful with fresh coriander. For entrees, we had the Chicken Mint Kebab and the Jungle Shrimp. The kebab was yummy, but the presentation was not quite what I expected; i.e. not in kebab format at all. The spices were delicate and well-blended, and the tomato based sauce was flavorful. I expect this dish might be much better when local tomatoes are in season. The Jungle Shrimp was the star of the night. The tart lime flavor in the sauce was quite pronounced, but it was well-balanced by the sweet creamy coconut milk. The whole thing risked being cloying, but diced jalapenos provided just the right kick. The fun mix of veggies and mushrooms were sauteed to tender crisp perfection. The shrimp were on the small side and slightly overcooked; I would probably get the Jungle Chicken in the future. I am already looking forward to a return trip here. I suspect that (too-bright lighting be damned) it will enter my regular rotation.
(4)Adam M.
Say it with me.... I WILL ORDER THE THOUSAND LAYER BREAD! For the money, this is my favorite place in Philly. I usually stay at the downtown Marriott a couple times a year and me and my wife always go here every time. We walk through the gallery so you barely have to go outside. Service is always great and the food comes out fast. Dont judge it from the outside.
(5)Justine D.
Definitely amazing food! Another place i've only been to once (and my only taste of Burmese food) but it was so delicious! The lentil fritters are perfect if you like some heat, the fried pork wontons are delicious (though the coconut sauce is a bit sweet) and the thousand layer bread drenched in anything (steak, tomatoes and potatoes for dinner, in coconut syrup for dessert) is delicious! When I had almost reached the corner, I heard a huge commotion and turned around and they were waving and clapping at me! Why, you may ask? Because I left my purse behind. I love them just for that!
(5)Deeparnab C.
Philadelphia's Chinatown is spotted with many delicious joints, and Rangoon at the corner of 9th and Arch is definitely one of them. The first thing that strikes as one enters this Burmese restaurant is the expanse and decor of the restaurant. Mini chandeliers adorn the ceilings, while the walls are decorated with Oriental tapestries; a comforting ambience as an efficient server seats you at your table. Rangoon is the only Burmese restaurant that I have been to or know of, and I was quite interested to try the Burmese cuisine. As one would imagine, it is similar to that of their Thai neighbors, but with a tamarind twist. The menu seemed pretty extensive (thick), with many soups, appetizers, salads, vegetarian and non-vegetarian entrees, with the last two pages contained articles on Burmese culture and food. (It reminded me of the brochure on Syldavia in King Ottokar's Sceptre.) We ordered the pumpkin soup and fried lentil fritters as starters, with the jungle beef curry and sauteed string beans with tofu as the main entree. The pumpkin soup was well made, although, the vegetable itself seemed a bit lifeless. The soup was made quite interesting with a sprinkle of deep fried onions, and maybe garlic. Definitely a dish worth trying out at home. The fried lentil fritters were precisely dal vadas from back home and the spicy tamarind chutney with which they were served was pretty delish. The fritters themselves were a bit uninteresting for my Indian palate. "Jungle Beef Curry" was a melange of stir fried beef cooked in a coconut milk gravy with red and green peppers, mushrooms, and lemon grass. My first reaction was to declareit too sweet, however, I think it was the tamarind's zing which I mistook for sweetness. At the end, I really liked the curry. The string beans were cooked in a tamarind sauce with fried onions and garlic, and was quite heavenly. The beans needed a bit more salt for my taste, but the soft tofu just melted in ones mouth. Summary: Definitely recommended, and a great deal for your dollar.
(4)Cherie C.
Cuisine of Burma, now known as Myanmar. Service is quick, and dishes come out as they are ready. That means you won't all get your meal at the same time. I recommend sharing. Situated between China and India, the food features influences from both countries. Samosas are wrapped in spring roll-type skins and come with Chinese-style sauce. The mango shrimp were very good. My meal, Rangoon house noodles, was a bit salty and not very spicy (despite a menu designation of "spicy"). I'd visit again, but I can't help but think that I'd enjoy Burmese food more if I tried it elsewhere.
(3)Jean L.
Anyone who's remotely close to me will know that I adore Indian and Thai... so imagine my delight in discovering Burmese. Sadly, Rangoon is far--119 miles to be exact. Thus, keep in mind that it has been a while since I've been there. What I remember is their Thousand Layer Bread. Looking at what the other reviewers have to say about it, I'd agree with them. I don't guarantee many things to others for fear they'd bet on it, but I'd bet you'd like this. It's flaky, pastry-like bread that you use to scoop up your choice dip... and the sauce is wonderfully flavorful. I don't remember for sure, but I believe I had it with the curry potato dip and I think I could definitely see the Indian influence (naan and vindaloo with potatoes). Essentially, this ties with Kaddo Bowrani (Afghan food) for the best appetizer of my life.
(4)Shenans ..
The service was AWFUL. We came during lunch and ordered an appetizer to share (Crab Rangoons, very tasty) and a lunch special each. The lunch specials were supposed to come with rice and either salad or soup. After the appetizer our lunch came. We wanted hot sauce. We waited and waited and waited to try to locate *anyone* who worked there to get some. We waited some more. Finally, with my food almost completely cold I got up from my table and hunted someone down. My food was pretty good. I had the basil tofu and it reminded me of this noodle dish I used to love out in San Francisco. My boy got potato and chicken curry and the sauce was all broken and oily when it arrived. They never gave us the soup and salad that the lunch special was supposed to be served with. The apologized profusely. I forgave them but my boy, angered over the hot sauce incident, did not.
(3)E L.
I have tried a different dish every time I've gone here, and they are all delicious. The tea leaf salad is a very interesting combination of flavors! The portions are very generous, and while the waitstaff is a little hit-or-miss in terms of service, the food is so good that I just don't care (also doesn't hurt that the wine is cheap). I have gone in there with a large party before and they were very accommodating. You should definitely try this restaurant!!!
(5)Michael K.
Burmese food is hard to find anywhere in this country except on the west coast and Philly is not really an Asian food city except for a few good Vietnamese places. Rangoon is as good as SE Asian food gets. Forget the generic, interchangeable and over-sugared Thai restaurants, which are our era's equivalent of bad 70s Chinese food. The menu includes lots of things -- curries, lemongrasses, etc -- that will be familiar from Thai, Laotian, far southern Chinese cuisines, but also a number of flavorings that are quite unique. The mango and chile pork was exceptional, with none of the cloying sweetness you get with typical mango dishes (Patak's mango chutney it's not); the tea leaf salad is a great appetizer, as is the crispy taro root (effectively taro french fries, but it is Philly...). Also, any restaurant that can cook with okra and not turn it to jelly knows what it's doing. The atmosphere is close to zero, the service is indifferent at best, but at $25/head (including four drinks) for four people, it's better value for money than you have any right to expect, and a reminder of how privileged Philadelphians are to consistently get A-/B+ food for a fifth of NYC or San Francisco prices, with some dishes rising to the best world class cities can offer.
(4)C K.
The food was ok, but considering a few days before I went to another similar restaurant in Chinatown and the food was cheaper and better... I can't really say I'll be coming back to it. The friend I was with said the service was a lot better last time but when it was terrible this time. They took forever to come to our table, never took a drink order, and when it came time to pay the check, they were all sitting at a table reading the newspaper, not paying attention to any of the customers. They seem like nice people, but if I'm going to pay more for food, I expect better service to come with it.
(2)Anna Marie C.
i've been here a couple of times (it's such a trek to chinatown, especially in the winter!)...and it's quite tasty. the thousand layer bread...i could just eat orders and orders of that. the main courses are tasty...i'd go with the night market noodles.
(4)Jamie C.
I've been going to Rangoon for several years now, so this isn't a one time thing. The atmosphere of the restaurant is nothing special, but that's about where the mediocrity ends. The food has a very "home cooking" element to it, both in presentation and taste, which has made it something of a comfort food for me. If you've never had burmese food, the easiest way to describe it is that it has many elements of thai food but with subtle but profound differences in flavor-- like if thai and indian food had babies on a tropical island. I've yet to have anything here that I downright didn't like, though favorites are the banana leaf fish and jungle- anything.
(4)Fran S.
Rangoon makes me happy. It is one of the few restaurants where I have never gotten a bad meal or even a mediocre one. I don't think they have off nights in their kitchen. The food is delicious and the staff is lovely. They will accommodate special requests and adjust spice levels to your taste. The spring ginger salad is the bomb! This is my favorite comfort food and I am always sated. I highly recommend the thousand layer bread with vantana bean and the coconut tofu is delicious. I have introduced a lot of people to Rangoon and no one has even been disappointed. Give it a try.
(5)Ted M.
the best restaurant i've ever been to in philly, by far. granted, i'm an out-of-towner, and mostly stick to the cheesesteak joints when eating in philly, but i've eaten enough fine foods in this city to make this claim. my family and i went the night after christmas after a successful family outing, so we were in good spirits, but also very, very hungry. we were seated very quickly by a friendly host, and attended to promptly by our excellent waitress. service started out great and continued to be A+ throughout our meal. our appetizers were golden triangles, chicken satay and lentil fritters. all were excellent, and the accompanying sauces really helped to highlight each one's unique flavor. the lentil fritters are particularly recommended, and the portions were quite large given the price. for dinner, we all ordered separate plates and shared. i had the chili chicken, and considered this the best, but we also had the veggie delight, chicken cutlet with vegetables, mango chicken, beef mint kebab and spicy red bean chicken. while each dish featured virtually the same ingredients, the spices and sauces really served to highlight each one and differentiate it from the others. portions were large enough that we initially worried we had ordered too much food, but it was delicious enough that we were able to finish everything on everyone's plate without issue. my new favorite restaurant in philly - and i may never eat my favorite new york burmese again, because it just doesn't stack up to rangoon.
(5)Michael C.
Great food. mmmm. It wasn't as spicy as I thought it would be. The menu had all the spicy items in a bold red font. Maybe that made me think it would be hotter. We hung out for a while, and the staff was attentive, but didn't push us out. They weren't that crowded, but did have a rotating group of patrons. Even with all the other places to eat in China town, this is becoming my favorite.
(4)K E.
Amazing. Many things in common with Thai food, but still different. The shrimp lemongrass soup and thousand layer bread (curry potato dip) were incredible. I also live that I didn't have to request spicy, yet it was still spicy. Delish. Definitely will be back.
(5)Sarah Q.
Great prices, good service, and excellent food! Loved the mango chicken and thousand layer bread with curry potatoes. Not as wild about the jungle chicken, but maybe that's because I loved the mango so much...will definitely be back!
(4)Courtney J.
We were pleasantly surprised by Rangoon's decor. From the outside it appears to be a H.I.T.W. but inside was clean and even a little bit fancy. The service was very friendly and fast, but that might be because the dining room was less than half full. Hopefully it's the same on a busy night... We probably could have skipped the appetizers. We tried the crispy onions (greasy), golden triangles or samoosa, and spring rolls (both average). The thousand layer bread was good, but my husband thought the roti and curry sauce at Penang was better. The entrees were much better. We ordered everything spicy and it was the perfect kind of spicy (hot enough, but not too hot so you can't taste the food). My favorite dish that I want more of is the spicy curry chicken. It's cooked on the bone so it's extra tasty (it's a little more work to eat though so don't order this if you're lazy). The menu is so vast and there is much more to try that I will definitely go back to Rangoon for my Burmese fix.
(3)Jason M.
This is not so much a review as it is a lament to a lost lover. I have found your counterpart 3000 miles away in a little shitty burb on the edge of LA county. They too have the 1000 layer bread w/curry that I've missed so much since I left you, but between us yours is much better. It was love at first bite when you took pork and married it with curry. Pork with pickled mango curry, so salty, so porky, so good. And your coconut rice? I don't understand why all rice isn't made this way. My new love too has a tea leaf salad that is like crystal meth in the veins. But it's not about her, it's about you my dear. Though I am far away I will make time for you when I come back. love, me
(5)Ti L.
I could make an entire meal out of their thousand layer bread with chicken curry (or any of the sauces). But then again, next time I will, because my southern burmese noodle dish was... well... mushy. The place is unassuming outside and in, but a nice place to kick back with a group of friends. The story of the owners is a must-read in the menu.
(3)Christie Y.
This is my comfort food in Philly. Thousand layer bread is possibly the best thing ever and the jungle chicken is well worth the hour drive for. The service is very friendly, it is always spotless and the owner makes it a point to give a very warm welcome to regulars. I moved away for a few years and thought often and fondly of Rangoon.
(5)Jae R.
I have been here about three times. The food is very similar to Thai cuisine. Sweet flavors and some intensely seasoned dishes. Interesting dessert called thousand layers cake. It's sticky rice texture but pancake look-alike.
(3)KC L.
The food is good. But for some reason the food is similar to Penang or any of the Malaysian Restaurant. They have the Thousand Layer Bread with Potato Sauce similar to the ROTI CANAI which is better it has the Chicken in their dipping sauce. I think this place is better than Penang but I don't understand the difference? The people there are nice. But they're a little slow. Both in service and between the ears.
(4)Stephen S.
Our Burmese friends drug us here and we love it. The Ginger salad is crazy different delicious - one of my favs. The thousand layer bread with curry dipping sauce is a staple. These flaky delicious pancakes are the best IMHO, save for the ones at Penang. We regularly stop in here and order Southern Burmese noodle as a take-out while getting an extreme buzz from the sweet Burmese tea. Very friendly staff.
(4)Mallory P.
Wow, yes! Any place that makes their own tofu is okay in my book! We had a great meal, complete with appetizers and tea for about $30. It was all excellent. And the service was oh-so-fast! It's also kind of a large restaurant, so we didn't have to wait at all to be seated, even though there were quite a few people there. Mmm, yes! I will dine there again. Soon.
(5)Chris L.
Well, I never had Burmese food before, but there's always a first time for everything! This is probably the only Burmese place that I know of in Philly, but interestingly enough, the food totally reminds me of Thai/Malaysian food. I mean their Thousand Layer Bread totally reminded me of the Roti Canai that I always order from the Malaysian restaurants (but it's just as decent!). They also had some familiar Thai food similarities with curry dishes. I tried some of the chicken and beef... definitely not bad at all! Since I'm a fan of Thai and Malaysian, why not Burmese? Hopefully I'll find something that's unique on another visit :)
(4)Krista B.
This place has some of the best food in the city- A MUST if you are in Chinatown... The service is great- the restuarant is very clean and well-taken care of, and they serve beer. It's the food, however, that will keep you coming back for more. My favorites are the thousand layer bread with vatana dip, the chili chicken, and the shan rice noodles. They also do killer curries that I highly recommend. We eat here (or get takeout) at least weekly.
(4)Shelley S.
I went in a group of four on the recommendation from a friend. Overall, the food was ok but not great, but maybe I ordered the wrong things. Atmosphere was typical Asian restaurant...a little on the nice side. Service was good. We were a slow table and they let us take our time. It might've been frustrating if we were in a hurry. They also left a pitcher of water on the table which I prefer. Food was hit or miss. We got the thousand layer thing which was great. I got the mango shrimp which was WAY too sweet. I tried some of the dishes of my friends and they were good but nothing mind-blowing. Overall a decent experience. I would come back if someone else wants to go, but I wouldn't go out of my way.
(3)R M.
Chicago does not have a Burmese restaurant, so I went to Philly. Tea leaf salad. Awesome. Hard to find. Go try it.
(4)Donna L.
Once you get past the hole-in-the-wall external appearance, you would realize how pretty the restaurant is inside. My friend and I went here and ordered the set meal from their lunch menu. She had the salad. Which was great with the sesame seed dressing. I had the soup which is okay but pretty much what my mom makes at home. For appetizers, we shared an order of THousand Layer Bread with Chicken Curry Sauce, which is really really good. I had the Coconut Curry Chicken for my entree. I liked the sauce and rice ratio. My friend ordered the Mango Something Pork which was good but had no mango in sight or taste. The price was nice, coming out to be 12 dollars per person.
(4)R S.
papaya salad, tamarind juice and chilly tofu - fan of all three I am sure will discover more there as and when time goes by.... Good not so cheap eat, parking can be a bit of a pain to find but good food compensates it all They are more than excited to serve water to you, so excited that you have to wait till they finish filing your glass up and only then can you sit on your seat (pun intended) ..was a 1st for me....
(4)Jay C.
Very good Burmese cuisine! There aren't very many Burmese restaurants around so when we get the chance, we try it. Just happened to be in Philadelphia for the day and saw this on yelp. Definitely worth a try!
(4)nate C.
It's too bad this meal wasn't much better because the food was almost really good. We ordered the crab rangoons to start and 2 lunch specials that come with a soup or salad, for a reasonable price. the crab rangoons were good but a little fishy. probably a little past their prime. then they brought out our main courses completely forgeting about our soup and salad. my dish,the coconut curry chicken would have been really good if the sauce wasn't broken. instead it was just a greasy mess. But before I ate it I was going to need some hot sauce. That ended up being a major task in itself since the waiter refused to come back to our table. we waited and waited. I even made eye contact with the man a few times from across the room and he could clearly see that i was not eating. so why didn't he come over? finaly a good fifteen minutes later my girlfriend had to get up and hunt someone down, once we finished our dishes we then asked about our soup and salad and then they brought them out. go to Szechuan Tasty House
(1)whitney h.
Rangoon offers delicious Burmese food at fair prices. The service is very friendly.I have been going for years and never had a bad meal. The food is a combo of Thai and Indian so really what could go wrong. I recommend the golden triangles and evil jungle princess tofu.
(4)Roman S.
I loved the Thousand Layer bread, Crispy Taro root, Asian tea leaf salad and chicken w/ pickled cabbage. The Rangoon house salad was fresh, but the dressing didn't seem to fit. The tofu green curry and sauteed fresh mushrooms were well cooked, but otherwise unremarkable. I don't know exactly what distinguishes Burmese cuisine from its other southeast Asian counterparts, but the menu carried alot of dishes popular at Thai restaurants. Based on what my party ordered, I would recommend going to a Thai place for a Thai dish. The service at the restaurant was prompt and friendly. Some people may find it tacky, but I really appreciate that they left us a pitcher of water.
(4)Reiko S.
Like the food here. Just knew that Burmese have a bit different kind of food than other Asian country. I thought it just curry curry & curry. Love the Jungle Pork very much!!! That's the main reason I like the place. Kinda expensive for that portion but it taste different. It smell so yummy! Taste so creamy lemon leaves. Never eat this kind of food! And the second best food for me is the Tea Leaves Salad! So expensive! But it worth the price! The Thousand Layer Bread is nothing special. Malaysian Roti Canai have better taste.
(5)Jinyoung K.
Good food. Loved thethousand layer bread!!!!! But hey, i thought kebab was supposed to ne some sort of a wrap! Instead, its just a kind of a curry here so don't get confused!
(5)Suman B.
Nice people...great food...I will go back again and again... potato curry and fritters are out now this world. Ready to customize most of the dishes for vegetarians. Kudos.
(5)Jamie S.
Skip the entrees. The best things here are the apps and salads. Get the Burmese tofu (made from chickpea), the green tea leaf salad, and the thousand layer pancake. Not BYO.
(4)Esther D.
This is the only restaurant in Philadelphia I've happily returned to time and time again, so far. I've never been disappointed by the food. That is what makes a great food story: when you can introduce the taste of Burma to a friend or loved one for the first time and it tastes, smells and looks exactly like the first time you tried it. Definitely recommend!
(5)Judy L.
Just go for the Thousand Layer Bread. I personally ate about 3 of them by themselves. Not a huge fan of the curry dipping sauce. I used it to dip in my Jungle Chicken. The Jungle Chicken is a sweeter version of Thai yellow curry. Very mild and well rounded. The bread I like in the smaller pancake style and the big roti style. Go for the bread!
(4)Amanda C.
I know what you're thinking - WE HAVE TO COME HERE TO GET THE THOUSAND LAYER BREAD! Everyone's obsessed with it! It's the best thing to hit Philly since rock and roll music! Or cheesesteaks! And yes, I will agree, the thousand layer bread is great. We ordered it, and did not regret it. The chicken curry topping perfectly complimented the crispy folds of the bread, which was almost like a cross between a pastry and a tortilla. In fact, I wish we'd gotten more, since this was one of the big highlights of an otherwise decent but not overwhelmingly fantastic meal. Other items that made it on the wow list included the crispy watercress salad (NOT for the faint of tongue - it is spicy as heck), the banana leaf fish (another fried dish, but truly tasty) and the festival rice with chicken curry loaded on top. I only had one bite, but I seem to remember that we enjoyed the night market noodles too. We were unsure about the rest. Spring rolls and crab rangoon were fine, but nothing out of the ordinary. The chicken satay came out a bit cold, but the flavor was nice. We were not fans of the lemon chicken or pagan beef - very little spice or savory flavor - just kind of bland. A first for me - we tried a falooda for dessert, an exotic mix of rose syrup, vermicelli, tapioca pearls and pieces of gelatin with milk or water. They threw a little ice cream in there to top it off, too. I was enchanted with it's fourth of July flair - it was colored red, white and blue. Strange though it was, we did enjoy it. Service here was inconsistent. Sometimes, I felt well taken care of, other times, no one checked in for 25 minutes. We did, however, always have a pitcher of water on the table, which was great when eating the spicier dishes. I would return, with the knowledge of what to order again and what I might try next time around. Not sure who would join me in returning, but I want to give this place another chance to up their wow factor.
(3)Christopher h.
The thousand layer bread with curry potato sauce for dipping was amazing. I also recommend the Burmese Samosas. The onion pea soup was delicious. If you're vegetarian you will love this place!
(5)Amanda N.
Wow another new favorite restaurant in Philly. You know it's good when it's all you can think about the following week. I really can't wait to come back. The thousand layer bread was so tasty with the potato curry/gravy-like sauce. But the highlight were the salads for our group. We couldn't decide between the classic Burmese tea salad vs their renowned award winning water cress salad so we got both! So glad we did as both were very good but the watercress (deep fried!) salad was to die for. The tea salad was surprisingly really comparable to Burma Superstar in California-- and no two hour wait yay! We got the night market noodles as well as another noodle dish both of which were solid. Affordable prices were a huge plus too. I'm tired of over paying for subpar Asian food on the east coast. Such a refreshing and fun meal while exploring a new restaurant. Only downside was the expensive corkage fee for our BYO wine which we ended up opting not to open/pay.
(5)Jay W.
Let's start with what everyone talks about: The Jungle Pork was very good, even if it is a little bit of a strange flavor. The sauce tastes like a lime/cream sauce (which I would think would curdle, but doesn't happen at all). I don't really know how else to describe it, but people are right. It's very good. The same can be said about the Thousand Layer Bread. Excellent, soft, flaky pancake with potato curry sauce. Very similar (if not exactly the same) as roti canai. The sauce had just the right amount of heat. The Banana Leaf Fish was crispy fish with a nicely spiced sauce served with vegetables. The sauce paired with the crispy fish worked perfectly. I tried the plum wine, it was too sweet for my taste.
(4)Marilyn B.
Burmese food is so delicious and not frequently found. I love Rangoon and always will be thankful to my friends who introduced it. I never get to eat here any more because my husband ordered his food "a little spicy" and couldn't eat it. He's Korean and they eat spicy food. Do not make my husband's mistake: Burmese spicy is more than you can handle. Also be aware the dipping sauce for the 1000 layer bread (heaven) is not vegetarian. Servers are efficient but pleasant. Sometimes kitchen is a bit slow. Tables readily available. Maybe people don't know it's there, off at the edge of Chinatown on a dark block. Take an extra bite for me because I'll never get back there, it seems.
(4)Spencer L.
Sorry I will give this little Burmese bistro 3 stars. My man and I drove there this afternoon. Everything went so well, the romantic vibe, friendly and informative servers. But the taste were salty, way salty than I could bear. We had Northern Burmese noodle, Southern Burmese noodle and Kung pao chicken. They were salty, I don't like them.
(2)Margaux M.
This is my absolute my favorite restaurant in Philadelphia, and by far the most underrated, but that's kind of ok because it's never too crowded and we always get a table right away! I've been going here since I was little, for about 10 years. I'be gone here for graduation dinners, going away dinners, birthday dinners etc because I love it so much... The people are so nice and the food is the best. We ALWAYS get thousand layer bread, it comes with curries and lentils but if you just get the plain thousand layer bread, I suggest getting a side of peanut sauce! They have the best peanut sauce i've ever had, I could eat that stuff by itself.The country chicken is probably my favorite. I am never ever disappointed with Rangoon, it's always a treat to go there!
(5)Jennifer A.
I've been dying to try this place after finding it on yelp. I dragged my family here and really emphasized on the good reviews I've read. We had the thousand layer bread w/non spicy curry, jungle beef, mango chicken, coconut chicken curry, & beef broccoli. The bread was really good but overpriced. $6 for so little, but I'm comparing it to New York prices. Basically, every dish was a small portion. My family was so disappointed in the proportion. Rice is given on a big pot, and im assuming it was free refills. I was really impressed with the taste, even the beef broccoli had some unique taste in it. I loved the bubble gum pink bathroom walls. I'd come back here when in Philly.
(4)Kase M.
Very friendly service. First time here and we started with the thousand layer bread with potato and its delicious! It's a lot like roti with chicken curry from Penang. I love! The fried watercress salad was a beautiful surprise to my taste buds. The tangy lime vinaigrette is unforgettable! The dynamite tofu was okay. It's fried tofu with a spicy sweet sauce. Vegetarian delight would be another average plate. Stir fry veggies with tofu. Nice simple dish. The basil noodles was a great choice. It has a nice light flavor. Rice noodles slightly stir fried with mushrooms and peppers. It's not heavy like the typical stir fried noodles. All in all I love this place. Great service, great food and I would definitely recommend to friends. Great spot for vegetarians.
(5)Dave S.
If you have out of town visitors and want to go to Chinatown this place is a sure success. Easy nominal pay parking across the street, consistent food, friendly service. Burmese cuisine is not easy to come by!!! Thousand layer bread and Pagan Beef are my favorites. Along with the samosas that have a little kick to them. Coming here for years!
(4)Kris L.
It was quiet on a Saturday night with scattered diners. We started with the thousand layer bread and I wasn't sure of any of the dipping sauces. The waiters did not speak enough english to explain the sauces to me...so we went sauceless. and the bread was DELISH! Crispy, oily, soft, and doughy. LOVED it. My entree was the inlay fish in sweet chili sauce...we noted reviews saying the breaking was thick and they were happy to do the fish steamed for us. Amazingly flavorful. The hubs got the chicken cutlet...it was horrid. Fatty pieces of chicken and thick breading with flavorless clear sauce on top. It was so bad my husband went hungry instead of eating around the fat. Overall an attempt to venture into Burmese food with mixed results.
(2)Andi S.
The food at this place is absolutely delectable. This was my first time eating Burmese cuisine and it will not be my last. The best way I can describe what I ate was that it reminded me a little bit of Ethiopian as well as Thai cuisine. I unfortunately do not remember the names of what I ordered as it was a while ago. I am due back soon.
(5)Danan R.
It's hidden on the outskirts of Chinatown, and is actually a decently sized restaurant that is pretty busy on weekend evenings. We came for a late dinner at 8 pm on Saturday and it was pretty much full. The food itself is decent and a cross between Thai and Malaysian, with a nice selection of stir fries and curries, as well as some distinctive appetizers. We had the following: 1. Tea leaves salad: This was a house specialty and different, with a combination of shredded cabbage, sesame, peanuts, tea leaves, and tomatoes. I couldn't find the dried shrimp, though. 2. Thousand layer bread with curry potato: Pretty standard but smaller than Banana Leaf's or Penang's versions, and a bit thick and less crispy. The dipping suace was pretty good, though, and relatively spicy. 3. Eggplant pin sein: An okay dish with relatively greasy stir-fried eggplant, garlic, onion, and basil in a soy-based sauce. Probably the least favorite dish of the group. 4. Sauteed fresh mushrooms: Savory blend of button mushrooms, onions, peppers and scallions in a light garlic sauce. A nice, lighter option. 5. Mango chicken: Very solid with plenty of chicken breast slices and fresh mango in a sweet sauce. 6. Northern Burmese noodle: A drunken noodle-like dish with thick, flat rice noodles, shrimp, chicken, scallions, and bean sprouts in a sicy sauce. Solid. 7. Jungle beef: Rangoon's version of a green curry beef with a medley of pepper slices. I really liked the creamy curry, which has a stronger coconut flavor than the versions found at other Thai and Malaysian restaurants. Service was very good and the food came in less than 10 minutes. Hot tea is $1, but the prices are pretty reasonable and it came to about $100 for everything, including tap and tip, and the portions were enough to feed 5 perfectly.
(3)Vinny P.
I just don't love this place. I've been here several times and meh has been my experience. The menu is huge which I find daunting and unappealing. The food from what I've experienced seems bland to me. The lentil fritters did have a little bit of spice to them but my monsoon vegetables did not. Maybe I've just been here in large groups and it's difficult for them to accommodate such parties. I just don't see this as a real destination for me.
(2)Crystine W.
If you are ever in search of something new and exotic, I really recommend Rangoon. I have only had Burmese once before, but this visit to Rangoon blew that other experience away by lightyears. We enjoyed our way through: Thousand Layer Bread with Vatana Bean, A Golden Rice, B Coconut Rice, B Jungle Curry (Tofu), A Crispy Tofu Appetizer, B Tamarind Juice, B Young Coconut Juice, B On their own, the Golden Rice and Coconut Rice weren't anything special, but combine the 2 together with the Jungle Curry on top, and you've got a plate full of flavor! Service was very friendly and fast. No wonder why they came so highly recommended!
(4)H J.
Actually 3 1/2 stars Good service, very warm friendly. First time for Burmese, but longtime Thai, Indian, Vietnamese, Korean, Ethiopian food lover. My 2 cents... Coconut Galanga Soup was tasty, many interesting layers, but WAY too sweet. Shrimp Lemongrass Soup was superb. Definitely a little kick in the heat dept. Nice balance Thousand Layer Bread with Curry Chicken Dipping Sauce: Liked the curry, but the bread was sopping wet with grease. Mango Salad, String Bean and Peanut Salad both good. Crispy Watercress Salad was deep fried, tasty, but really greasy. Basil Chicken was very good Jungle Chicken was good but once again pretty sweet for my taste Kung Pao Chicken was excellent. By far the most flavor. Lots of char flavor Lemongrass Beef also very good Definitely see the Thai and Indian, perhaps Ethiopian influences blended here. Nice vibe. Liked it, but a bit too much sweetness in a few dishes for my taste. There is some heat for sure, but I like that.
(3)Albert M.
The prices were a bit high for Chinatown and the portions were too small, but the food was fabulous!!! All of our dishes had great flavor. The Thousand Layer Bread and the Mint Kebabs are highly recommended.
(4)The T.
This place is amazing. Thank you to the lady for introducing me to it. I come every time when in Philly. Who would think Burmese food is off the charts. Well, it is here at least. My favorite? Festival rice (Biryani). The 1000 bread is great too. As is the tea leaf salad. As is the beef curry. As is the samosa. Just go already. Price is even more than reasonable.
(5)Ramon L.
It reminds me of asian restaurants from the late 90s/early 00s as it looks like it hasn't been renovated since that time. I came in for lunch and the old lady who helped us out was very nice and it felt like we were at my aunty's place. We ordered the crispy watercress salad and some thick rice noodle dish. Both were quite tangy and good and filled an asian-food shaped hole in my belly. The food tasted like it was made in a home kitchen, which I really appreciated as it felt like a family member was making it for us. This place is great if you want a casual, home-y feel, and are willing to try Burmese. Though it's not the best Burmese restaurant I've tried before, I think it's the best option I've had in Philadelphia. I'd definitely come back again.
(4)Kayla W.
Three words: Thousand layer bread Be sure that your appetizer is The thousand layer bread its delicious! They have three different ones to choose from but definitely get the Curry potato. Who knew a dish so simple could be something so delicious. Its just a bread almost like a toasted tortilla that has a buttery taste that you rip up with every bite. You simply take the bread and dip it into the sauce of your choosing or eat it like a burrito. This place is very small but it has a lot of heart and you are immediately greeted the moment you walk into the door. Another plus? The service is fast, just as quick as they seat you, you'll be ready to pay for the bill. And nowadays who wants to break their pocket? You definitely won't be doing that at Rangoon. The prices are reasonable and the serving sizes are spot on.
(5)Shirley A.
My boyfriend and I decided to randomly yelp a place nearby and this place showed up on our search. When you enter, the restaurant is quiet and dimmed but you can make out the decorations inside. It sort of feels like you're in between India and countries of Southern Asia, very interesting mix. We ordered the thousand layer bread, coconut curry chicken and festival rice. The thousand layer bread came out a bit oily and thicker than the pancake at Vietnamese/Malaysian restaurants but it had the right amount of crisp to it. Dip that into the curry potato chicken dish and you will get heaven! The potatoes could have been cooked a little longer so it could be a little softer but the curry was delicious, not spicy at all! It is a more Asian styled curry so usually a bit of powder and coconut milk/oil infused. Note, this comes with a side of rice. The festival rice was my favorite dish. The rice is cooked with butter so that says all. The chicken was very moist and soft, comes out kinda like pulled pork/shredded style. Overall this dish was very flavorful. I would recommend this place. However, the service is kind of slow.
(4)Y N.
My family and I ate here lots of times and we were never disappointed. Great food, fast and friendly service. I'm not sure if there are other Burmese restaurants in Philadelphia, but this one is a winner. Happy eating!
(4)Bria D.
My friend Rolando suggested that our lab go to Rangoon for celebratory Burmese food after we finished our conference presentations. I was not disappointed. None of the rest in our party seemed to be either, with the possible exception of the 11 month old who learned too late that the spicy green beans were, indeed, spicy. Okra shrimp=awesome. I want more.
(4)Sara H.
rangoon is truly one of my favorite restaurants in philadelphia, hands down. not only is the food delicious (several examples come to mind: the firecracker lentil fritters--seriously, eat these. they're insanely good...the golden triangles, the vatana beans, the monsoon vegetables (tamarind sauce = heck yeah), the pumpkin soup, the veggie spring rolls, and on and on and on) it's the sort of place that meat eaters and veggie eaters alike can enjoy. if it were possible to live above rangoon and come downstairs for at least one meal a day, i would do it. if they were willing to let me set up camp in the back corner of the spacious dining room, i'd do that instead. truly a hidden gem (often overlooked, methinks) in chinatown, it's worth a visit x 100.
(5)Rhett B.
This place is great if you are in the Chinatown area. The 1,000 layer bread is the stuff dreams are made of. In addition, the curry's are to die for. I recommend going during the week because it is less busy. You will have no problems with service; just finding a seat. The good prices makes this one of the best bargains in town. They have BYOB, but there is a corking fee. I suggest just getting your drinks there.
(5)Bobby P.
I love Burmese food, and normally I'd go with a 4 stars for Rangoon, but we must have gone on an off night because our meal yesterday was really just average. The fried tofu appetizer had an interesting mix of creamy smooth tofu with a crispy fried shell, reminding me of creme brulee, but it isn't nearly as flavorful as the lentil fritters (which also have a better texture and spicy kick). The lemongrass soup would have also been a better choice - great balance of flavor and heat! I would also stay away from the thousand layer bread, which is too greasy and never lives up to the hype. The monsoon vegetables were described as an appetizing mix of vegetables (broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, etc.) with tofu in a tamarind sauce. I didn't taste any tamarind, which was very disappointing because that's the reason we ordered it! We could probably order something extremely similar at any Chinese takeout spot. It wasn't bad, just not very good or different. The chili monk fish has an awesome, spicy sauce with some kind of fermented paste. I don't know if its fish, shrimp, or whatever but the fermented flavor really makes this go. I also really like monk fish, but I didn't enjoy this particular preparation, in which morsels were breaded and deep fried, then thrown in with the sauce and vegetables. The sauce soaked into the breading to create a funky, soggy coating that I'd rather avoid. If this was our first time here I'd begrudgingly go with 2 stars, but I'll award an extra star for lifetime achievement. Next time I'll go for some other dish with that chili sauce and they'll get the 4 star status they're capable of. You can't go wrong with any of the basil dishes either (chicken/beef/etc.).
(3)Leah G.
If there is any restaurant in Philadelphia with a longer menu than Rangoon, you'll need to show me. The menu has page after page after page of options. I often groan about finding restaurants to please both omnivorous and non-omnivorous friends . . . well this is certainly a restaurant that can do just that. We started with the Thousand layer bread with vatana dip and with the curry chicken dip. The vatana dip was the better choice. As we all ordered the thousand layer bread because we read about it on yelp, I feel the need to impress upon the yelp readers that you should order it with the vatana dip. Next we had crab meat dumplings. This was my favorite dish . . . most likely because of my love for cream cheese. We also tried the Burmese wantons which were too sweet for my salt/spice loving palate. I had the jungle squid for my entree. Almost everyone at our table ordered a jungle-related entree, whether it was tofu, shrimp, squid or one of the thousand and a half other options Rangoon has. They were all quite good. I just wish that my dish had been spicier. Everything about the meal was a little too sweet for me. I prefer curry with a kick. That being said. An all around good meal, and our entire table concurred we would give Rangoon 4 stars.
(4)Chris C.
One of my favorite restaurants in Philly. It is super clean, the staff is wonderful and the food is out of this world. Started off with the Thousand Layer Bread with chicken curry dip. Ahhh, it melts in your mouth. It's buttery, crispy and light. Perfection! The curry is also good and a bit spicy. Also had the crispy tofu for an appetizer. I never had anything like it. I couldn't stop eating it and I frequently crave it. It's little layers of tofu fried to a crisp in triangular shapes. You have to try it! They have won awards for this dish! For an entree, I had the Jungle Chicken. The sauce is creamy and tangy with a little kick to it. The chicken was tender. Also had the coconut rice - also delicious!
(5)Rebecca S.
I have been going to Rangoon for over ten years, and just enjoyed yet another spectacular meal there tonight. I do not know of any other restaurant that has maintained the same level of outstanding quality for so long. I recommend the thousand layer bread with bean dip, Pagan beef, country chicken, all of the salads, and the fried wontons. They also serve very good wines and beer. The owner is a lovely lady who personally waits tables and remembers all of her customers. Rangoon is the only Burmese restaurant in a 100 mile radius of Philly and they deserve all the praise in the world for continuing to serve up mind blowing, delicious food at very reasonable prices. I can't wait to go back and sample even more fantastic dishes!
(5)Kelly K.
Attentive service and nice dining space. Delicious tofu salad and the curry chicken with coconut rice was really yummy.
(4)Andy S.
I was torn between 3 and 4 stars...lets call it 3.5. I wanted to eat here for a while so perhaps my expectations were a tad high...I have nothing specific to point out as a negative, but overall, the meal was decidedly good, but not great..."a-ok", as they say in Yelp-land. The service was very cordial, the atmosphere very sedate despite being rather crowded. The meal was tasty but unmemorable...I am writing this a month or so afterwards and I couldn't tell you what I ate it...I liked it, but unlike other amazing establishments I am not pining for my return visit. I might go back, or I might not. I wanted some spice, and got none. The meal was slightly different than other SE Asian meals I've had but largely similar and ultimately unremarkable. I've checked off "Burmese" from my non-existent list and have nothing bad to say. Overall the cuisine shares traits with other ethnic offerings, but does not really stand out on its own. If I want Thai, I could find better spots. Indian, doubly so. Chinese? Long list. I would have no problem going again, but I won't make a great effort to do so. Worth checking out for sure, as they do their thing well and it might be right up your alley. Just not entirely up mine.
(3)Vickie H.
I came here with my sisters and my boyfriend on Sept 4th. My boyfriend and I split the bill using both our credit cards that came out to $19 each. This was the only time in Philly my boyfriend and I used our cards together. The next day when I checked my transactions, I see a charge of $18 from Apple's iTunes in Philly. My boyfriend had the exact same charge on his account. We never, and I repeat, never bought anything from iTunes or even did anything closely related to Apple while visiting this city. It was obvious that the waiter who took our cards had used it for other purposes. As I stated before, paying our dinner bill was the ONLY time my boyfriend and I used our cards together. This is completely disappointing to me. We reported the fraud charges to our cc company and currently disputing the charges. I really liked the food here too but what the hell was the waiter thinking? Where is the integrity in this?
(1)Alvenne G.
This is one of the best Asian restaurants I have ever visited in Philadelphia! The serving size is generous, and their food was delicious! I highly recommend this restaurant to those who crave for home food(Asians) and also those who wants to experience Burmese delicacies.
(5)Surya N.
My favoritest restaurant ever. End of story. Amazing food. Amazing staff. Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmy
(5)Shane T.
First true taste of Burmese, I'm about it. If I had to bullshit it, I'd say it's a mix between thai and indian, so you already know it's got some serious potential. Accidently got a dish very similar to pad thai, peanut sauce, crushed peanuts, nice noodles, etc. etc. Like everyone else has said, the thousand-layer bread and curry potato sauce is amazing. Seems like it packs out pretty easy, we were the only table in the place around 7, 8pm Christmas night and the place was filled out completely.
(4)Pinky And The B.
We really liked Rangoon and we want to thank those of you with suggestions here on what to order. We ordered 1.The Jungle Chicken 2. Asian tea leaf salad 3. Rangoon house noodles 4.thousand layer bread and curry potato dip 5.coconut rice Our friend who is a Burmese food virgin ordered the crab dumplings and some other dish that we did not try. We ordered these based on the reviews so thanks! We are writing this review for those of you who like to try Burmese in different cities. We have had Burmese in NYC for years. Both at Village Mingala now closed and also Cafe Mingala which is still open. We have also been to Mynamar in Falls church Va. We want to go back before we review that one but did upload the only photo there. I want to address a few of the reviews saying Rangoon was better than the Burmese we had here. I would not give it a blanket statement saying it is better. But I would say that the menu at Rangoon was so full and their selection was far greater than any Burmese place we have been to. It is also light years cleaner than any place in NY for Burmese. Although our Burmese restaurants are not in China town I wanted to also point out that Rangoon was much cleaner than any restaurant in any one of our four China towns here in NYC. Some of the menu items were better than here and visa versa. We will go back for sure when in Philly again. However I would not drive 2 hours to Philly just to go. We will however drive 5 hours to Falls church VA. to go to their Burmese place because it was much more flavorful than any we have been to but their menu is very limited. Rangoon's strongest pluses were the variety in the menu and clean restaurant and very considerate service. The Jungle chicken was great. None of the other Burmese places we have been to have anything like it as far as I know. For those who have not tried it it is a chicken dish with green curry but the predominant flavor is lime. It is really delicious. The Asian tea salad was not as good as the salads we have here at our Burmese place because it did not have that special zing it was missing the citrus, could not even find the tea leaves and it had too many peanuts. It was more like a Thai salad than Burmese. The coconut rice was almost a tie it was great but still not quite as coconuty as the coconut rice here in NYC and as you see in our review of Village Mingala the rice is the only thing we mention. The thousand layer bread was good. At the other Burmese places we have been they have thousand layer "pancake" which is much thicker and more caloric so I liked the one at Rangoon because it was light almost like an Indian naan. We loved the Jungle chicken but the highlight of the meal was probably the potato curry dip that came with the thousand layer bread. It was much more flavorful than the curry dip we have tried here! The seasoning was distinctly Burmese. The Rangoon house noodles were okay but much better in Falls church Va at Mynamar. All in all it was great meal. I would suggest Rangoon to anyone! They are a great place to try Burmese if you never had it and if you have like us the variety is so great that you could go back many times and not try everything on the menu.
(4)Tiffany S.
1,000 layer bread was great, as was the basil chicken I ordered. Staff was attentive and friendly, prices were relatively reasonable! You'll enjoy it!
(5)Hana B.
Its like the skies opened up and in a glowing beam of otherworldly light, this food-of-the-Burmese-gods descended to earth to be laid upon my table for me to savour and devour! Thank thank THANK YOU Yelp for showing me the way! Authentic Burmese food is hard enough to find as it is, but better-than-my-grandma's Burmese food? Awe-some (the old meaning) We ordered the shrimp-lemon grass soup, lentil fritters and the Asian tea-leaf salad to start. The soup was spicy with a very fresh zing of lemon-grass, watch out for the chopped tiny green chilies, you don't wanna be gulping water for the rest of the night, instead of preserving precious food-space in your stomach. The lentil fritters were golden crisp on the outside, soft but pleasingly textured inside, perfect with a chilli-tamarind sauce. The Asian tea-leaf salad was my favourite dish. It had fermented tea-leaves (called la-phey in Burmese) with fried sesame seeds, garlic flakes, peanuts, tossed together with some iceberg lettuce and tomatoes. Complex and divine. The main courses we ordered were battered fried fish with green chutney - perfectly crisp and tangy and served with julienned carrots and iceberg lettuce, a flavour explosion in every bite. The Jungle Beef was tender morsels of sliced beef cooked in a spicy coconut milk sauce, that was just the slightest bit sweet. The combination of ingredients complemented each other very well. Even though the dish on the whole was less intense in comparison to the others, it was very flavourful. Oh AND excellent, knowledgeable and prompt service. I will be back next month.. after a plane ride and some driving. Yes. It IS worth it.
(5)Josh G.
This is really a 3.5, but I'll give them some extra credit after my pleasant visit last night for dinner. After we ordered a new dish that we didn't enjoy, they didn't make us pay for it at all. AWESOME. Overall, the food is fantastic. I've never had Burmese food outside of this restaurant, so I can't comment on the authenticity. Nothing jumps out as original or unique, but rather seems to pull from several neighboring cuisines. There are noodle/rice dishes, as well as some spicy curries and lemongrass soups. Start your meal with one of three appetizers...the thousand layer bread, the crispy onions, or the spicy lentil fritters. All have a somewhat distinct flavor, albeit all can little on the oily side. We have enjoyed the bread with the potato curry, but all seem to be good choices. As for entrees, the jungle tofu and the basil chicken are our favorite dishes. The jungle tofu is a curry-esque dish with a somewhat unique flavor that isn't too spicy. We've also enjoyed the night-market noodles, which have a nice mix of flavors. Point off for some slightly slow service and a little too much oil from time to time with the appetizers.
(4)Lisa R.
The food was fan-freaking-tastic! We thought we had over ordered when we got the tea leaf salad, thousand layer bread, crab rangoons and basil noodles, but portions here are on the smaller side. Every dish was amazing! This was a rec from Yelp. So, thank you, Yelpers!
(4)Lynda Z.
I fell in love with Roti Bread while on a trip to Los Angeles last year. Since then, my friend has been on a personal mission to find the best Roti Bread in the area. So far, I think she's found it! Rangoon is a great little Burmese Restaurant just around the corner from the hustle and bustle of main street China Town. It's worth a trip around the entire neighborhood to find some hidden gems. They called their version of the Roti Bread "Thousand Layer Bread" and they serve it with either a mild coconut chicken sauce or a spicy curry potato sauce. I have tried both and prefer the spicy potato sauce, which has quite the little kick to it. The layer bread is served much thinner than the one I had in LA, but tastes just as good. They also serve a thicker version of the bread as a base for the Grilled beef skewers, which I like, but doesn't come with either of the sauces. They'll charge you extra for the sauce, but its worth it. I have also had their lunch special with is the same spicy potato sauce served with rice (brown, white or jasmine). I thought that it was pretty good, but seemed even more spicy than the dipping sauce for the bread. And, if you're watching your weight, you may not want 2 starches on one plate lol. I didn't mind that little tidbit. I really like this place. There seems to be a family that runs it. There's an older lady that's always there and smiles as soon as you walk in the door. Go have some yumminess.
(3)Soyoung K.
I totally heart you. I've been going to Rangoon for a while and though my lazy ass isn't making enough efforts to go there as often as I should, it still has a special place in my heart. I couldn't have enough of their thousand layer bread appetizer and coconut curry chicken. yum.yum.yum! I've tried other things on the menu but I have to say, Rangoon totally got the curry down right. How can I resist curry that actually smells nice not like somebody's BO? On top of that, it's so cheap! Plus it's very clean and the waitstaff are very accommodating and friendly.
(4)Scott R.
Good, interesting, and well worth a visit ... if not quite as good as I was expecting from all the reviews. Excellent: the tea leaf salad. It was beautiful. Good: the Jungle Tofu (not much different from a Thai Basil dish), the curry dipping sauce, the Mango Chicken (for the most part), the reasonable bill, and the friendly service. Underwhelming: the Thousand Layer bread (greasy) and the orange sauce on the Mango Chicken (some subtle, intriguing flavors, but in the end, too thick/heavy like any old Chinese sweet and sour) I'd go back. Not tomorrow. But after I tried a few other Chinatown destinations, I'd go back.
(3)Steve S.
Been going here for many years now - and it's still as good as the first time. The flavors and textures are extraordinary. Our recent meal for 4 was awesome! Like others have said, whatever you order it will be delicious and you will go back again and again. The service has always been above average in promptness and pleasantness. And the prices are very reasonable. Enjoy!
(5)Brenda C.
Walking from the paid parking lot towards the Pholadelhphia Flower Show, we glanced towards 9th St and I saw Rangoon. Hmm Burmese Restaurant. Fellow Yelpers gave it good reviews and I am in the mood to heed yelp advise. It was great advise! Rangoon had very friendly and helpful staff. The place was clean and the decor while minimal was impactful. The artwork was delightful. We had the thousand layer bread, a tad oily, but otherwise very tasty with the potato curry dip. The String Bean and Peanut Salad was nice, cool, crunchy and flavorful. Sweetie and I both chose vegetarian dishes and both worked well together. He had the Tofu and Veggies with Mango Sauce and I had Tofu and Veggie Curry. We both chose Mild, as this was our first time to eat here. It was mild enough that we would venture for the hot next time we come over. But I did bite into a piece of hot pepper and my ears were on fire! Hahaha, it was delightfully hot (I love hot food) but I did gulp down my Tamarind Juice! Had to wait for a few minutes before I could start eating again. But all in all it was great food. We had the Rice Pudding with Mango and it was not overly sweet.
(4)Marcel M.
Overall everything we ate was very good including Mango Chicken, Banana Leaf Fish, Coconut Rice, Pineapple Rice and Golden Triangles. The Jungle Beef was not that good. Beef was very chewy. The 1000 layer bread is not to be missed whether you decide to eat it alone or with the Vatana or the curry dipping sauce. The bread is truly a piece of heaven or even heaven itself. I don't know what they do to it or how it's made per say but it's a cross between a crepe and naan.
(4)Janet S.
Whenever we visit a new Country or City we hunt out the Burmese food, these eateries are far and few between and vary tremendously. Rangoon was super friendly, but then all Burmese seem to be that way, super helpful in providing new places/phone numbers to find Burmese Produce and delighted with our requests for off the menu items such as chinbaum, which was excellent; a dark green sour vegetable with shrimp and bamboo shoots, and the more traditional tea leaf salad, which had just the right amount of tea in it, not too much, not too little, We also tried the thousand layer bread and potato curry sauce appetizer which was also very good and Mohinga soup which was tasty but not the best ever. We tried not to eat too much as we had a few eateries to visit in Philly but Lordy we finished it all.
(4)Lydia T.
Oh my goodness! Rangoon! You made me eat my words. I was expecting nothing speacial and left completely satisfied. Thank you! Ordered": Chili Seafood- a spicy(ish) red sauce (ordered medium hot) with tender cooked scallops, shrimp and calamari and TON of finely chopped white onions. Mango Fish: Terrific,sweet but very savory. Pineapple Fish: Almost similar to a yellow curry dish, pretty great. Coconut Rice: Not too sweet, perfect compliment to all of the dishes. PLEASE go there for your birthday dinner. The song they play is amazing to say the least.
(4)Eric C.
Bordering on psychedelic, it is so good. Some of the best food I have ever eaten. We went back the next night. Very good, but not as good. Tea leaf salad...Oh My!
(5)Rob S.
The thousand layer bread (I only saw one layer!) with curry dipping sauce was tasty. The Asian tea leaf salad was unique and very good. The Jungle sauce (we got tofu) was disappointing to me. Not enough spice or flavor to the curry. I tried my friend's mango chicken which I thought was more flavorful but is sort of like a sweet & sour sauce as another Yelper here pointed out. It's not too expensive, but not too cheap. No complimentary tea, etc. (You can gets cups of "Burmese" green or Jasmine tea for $1.00.) Beers are something like $4.50 with the standard, not-so-great Asian imports... A bit expensive I think? Service was excellent, fast and friendly. But I would not necessarily go out of my way to come back.
(3)Elise E.
I had the been dish I've ever eaten here, and it was a potato curry. Just potatoes and spices. Amazing. The food here is a delicious cross between Thai and Indian - so lots of curries, vibrant flavors, and delicious spices. Definitely try the 1000-layer bread, which is like an Indian paratha. Mmmmm!!!! And try the potato curry!!!!
(5)Attila B.
This place is definitely 5 stars. 5* - Service 5* - Food 5* - Environment 5* - Price I love this place, although I haven't ever been to any other Burmese restaurants, so I can't compare this food to anything. Possibly some of the freshest, cleanest, and tastiest food I have eaten in Philly. My favorite is the beef with string beans and the thousand layer bread, but everything on the menu is awesome!
(5)Sss S.
Consistently great food with courteous service. I've never had a bad experience here. I stick to the Chili chicken with the thousand layer bread with Vatana dip. Other good options are the chicken keema or almost any of their noodle dishes if you're into that sort of thing. The food is served relatively quickly so it might not be the best place if you want to hang out for a while and enjoy a long conversation.
(4)Seth T.
I've been here more times than I can count. I can't really vouch for the "Burmeseness" of their cuisine. I've never been to Burma, and I've been been to another Burmese restaurant. Some of the dishes don't seem much different from what you'd find in a Chinese or Thai restaurant. I kind of doubt that Kung Pao chicken is "Burmese", but does it really matter? In general, the food tastes like a fusion of Chinese and Indian style cooking. Lots of curry. My wife is a devotee of the Jungle tofu, which she says is excellent. I don't really care for green curry, coconut milk, or tofu myself, so I'm not the one to judge that dish. The Burmese spare ribs, however, are deelicious; especially when you take the sauce that collects at the bottom of the dish and spoon it over some rice. Sweet and spicy, covered with fresh green herbs. I'll come back for it again and again. A+
(4)Richie K.
I've been to Rangoon any number of times and it wasn't until I recently ate at a Burmese place in Maryland that I thought to myself, "Man, you should probably write a review!" I'll level with you. Before Rangoon, I never had a favorite spot in Chinatown. I used to eat at Ho Sai Gai and a handful of other places. After trying Rangoon, I stopped bothering. Weird, I know, but here's the thing. SEPA is inundated with decent Chinese options so you can get the food anywhere. Burmese, on the other hand... So, first the good. I've never had a bad meal whether I was starting with Thousand Layer Bread or skipping right to an entree. Jungle anything is killer. Mango anything is awesome. The soup is great. The location is stellar. Now, the not so good. They charge a corkage fee which is crazy high, the minimum amount required to use your credit card sometimes makes it difficult if you're eating alone, and some of the sauces are a bit sweeter than I would like. Mostly though, I miss this place tremendously and wish they'd open a satellite location in North Carolina.
(4)Danielle H.
Great place! We walked over from the Flower Show and were not disappointed. *Plenty of Vegetarian options. I had the Vegetable Monsoon. It was very flavorful and absolutely the right amount of food. *Thousand Layer Coconut cake for dessert - great blend of salty and sweet, and I'm not usually a fan of coconut. The only thing we didn't like was the "Mango Salad". We're not sure where the mango flavor was -- we had to confirm that they brought us the right thing -- and it was waaay too salty. Otherwise, nice joint. Plenty of room.
(4)Andy K.
Rangoon has some of the best food Philly has to offer. For starters, I recommend you get the Thousand Layer Bread with Curry Chicken Dipping Sauce. The thin, flaky bread pairs perfectly with the flavorful curry. You won't be disappointed. Following the stellar opening act, the Beef Keema had a strong showing. The beef had a lot of Southeast Asian flavors going on and also came out on a heavenly thousand layer-like bread. Finally we had the Rangoon House Noodle, which was the least impressive of the three but still pretty good. Other than the noodles' sticky texture, there wasn't anything mind-blowing about this dish. Rangoon is the sort of place that makes me wish I had discovered Burmese food sooner.
(5)Molly F.
I picked up take out from Rangoon on my first trip to Chinatown. The restaurant was 15 minutes from closing but still had a few people in it on a Friday night and the staff was very friendly. The thousand layer bread with curry is great, I could have just gotten two of those and been very happy. I ordered the North Burmese Noodles as well, and they were tasty and the lime really enhanced the plate but it wasn't super memorable, and didn't fill the takeout container, so they're too small to be eaten alone. I think they would've been better if I'd remembered to ask for them to be accurately spicy, but for the portion they should be a smidge cheaper.
(4)Sarah P.
I've had lunch here a few times as it is close to my office. Today I went and had the Northern Burmese Noodles ($9) which were yummy, but not very large as I was still hungry after. After seeing rave reviews on yelp about the crab dumplings, I ordered them and was disappointed that they tasted overwhelmingly like cream cheese with a faint resemblance of the sea. What was really disappointing about them was that it looked like they used crabstick (imitation crab) and not real crab. After seeing that florescent pink color I lost my appetite and ended up going elsewhere for dessert. Another weird thing I found was that they don't offer chopsticks at the restaurant AT ALL. When I requested them to eat my noodles I was told that they don't use them. Seems like they tend to cater more to the office crowd looking for a cheap lunch rather than an authentic experience.
(3)Melly M.
I've never had Burmese food before, and decided to give it a try since I found some great reviews on Yelp. This little gem is on the outskirt of Chinatown, easy to find following directions on Google Maps. I was there a little early for dinner time, there were few tables already occupied. Nice music playing in the background. Friendly staff and got me started off with thousand layer bread with chicken curry, it was tasty! I got a watercress salad later (Asian field of greens), not sure what kind dressing they used, probably some oil type, it was flavorful and I really enjoyed that! Price is a little high but definitely worth a visit if you've never been to a Burmese restaurant!
(4)Jenny C.
Never had Burmese food before, so I can't speak to authenticity but what I tasted was delicious. I recommend: - Asian tea leaf salad: Chopped up bits of tea leaf give this salad a unique taste. Peanuts give it a nice crunch. Refreshing choice paired against the rest of the meal. - Thousand layer bread with chicken curry: Flaky, thin, pairs well with the curry - Thousand layer bread with beef kebab: Tender pieces of beef with lots of flavor. A must try if you like kebabs The Northern Burmese noodle was OK. Needed more flavor. Tastes like beef chow fun at your typical Chinese restaurant. Service was great!
(4)Taylor D.
I'm giving this 3 stars because while the food is very very good the prices for the portion size are not very good. Especially when compared with other fantastic restaurants in the Chinatown neighborhood. We ordered the thousand layer bread with chicken curry, crab rangoons, Pork in pickled mango, Jungle curry, and Northern Burmese Noodles between three of us and we basically cleaned all the plates. It really wasn't enough food for the price...BUT the food is quite tasty. So if you have a petite appetite this might be the place for you!
(3)Carolen M.
As my family wanted a near by dinner place that they don't usually get in Montana, I found this gem of a Burmese place near Franklin Park after we watched the holiday light and music show. There are plenty of tables and not very packed when we went as it was fairly early for dinner and a weekday. We ordered a good amount of food including the tea leaf salad which was a bit pricey, but on par with ones I've had in the past. Tea salad is pretty much a must get in a Burmese place. It's so many textures and flavors that you never would expect. But make sure you have fairly good teeth as it's quite crunchy. I would not recommend getting the pork in pickled mango as it was very very salty. The Rangoon night market noodles were quite good. I didn't try the shrimp roll, but my bf said it had something interesting inside that differed from most shrimp rolls you'd get say in a Chinese restaurant. The thousand layer bread which is pretty much a roti was tasty esp with the chicken curry sauce. For being the only Burmese place in Philly, I think it's good that they have one so that folks can experience the food of Burma. Also a good break from your sandwiches, pizza, etc.
(3)Senoj M.
This place never disappoints! I've been multiple times and the food is always fresh and delicious! Don't be afraid to ask about the customer favorites, they are always great! The service is always good and pleasant and quick. I recently tried the (F5) Burma Inlay Fish! It's a crispy fish with chunky chili sauce and basil! Amazing!!! Omg please try this. The fish was fresh (didn't taste "fishy") and the sauce was complex with different spices that wasn't overbearing! The basil was a nice touch of fresh herb! Please please try this!!! Also they have a great Spicy (bone in) Chicken Curry! That was amazing!! And don't forget, get some Roti!!!
(5)Alice E.
Some of the best Burmese food I have ever had! So cheap and delicious! The fried watercress salad was amazing- get it!
(5)Erin F.
I must say this is the best restaurant in Chinatown. We had the thousand layer bread with potato curry (it IS spicy), tea leave salad (delicious flavors), jungle chicken (green curry, sweet), and Burmese spare ribs (delicious! Light spice). Service was pleasant and not over bearing. The ambiance is nice yet casual. It would be a great place for a large group as well. We will definitely be back! The yelp reviews were spot on, thanks for the tips!
(4)Fam B.
The food is great here, which is why they are getting a THREE. Try the Jungle Chicken and Chili Chicken--both great dishes! The service, however, is NOT that great--I would give them a TWO for this. Whenever I go here in a group, it takes a very long time for them to check in on us so we can order drinks/food. They don't check in with us and it is difficult to get any of our questions answered. Also, when you get the bill, it's written in code so it's really difficult to split bills.
(3)Michelle L.
For what it is -- I love it. The dishes have been hit or miss every visit but I always go back for 2 things: 1. Tea leaf salad- the tea leaves offer a unique but addictive flavor, very refreshing -- I could eat it every day. (let it sit for a little bit before eating, this will soften up some of the nuts in the dish -- i always fear i'll break a tooth on them) 2. Thousand layer bread - like roti canai but a little oilier (i definitely don't mind) I think our last visit we had the Jungle Chicken Curry. It was a little sweeter than the curries that I'm used to but it wasn't bad. The service at Rangoon is fine! No complaints, nothing over the top! Discovered this place over the summer and I've been back about 4 times since and will continue to come for my tea leaf salad/thousand bread fix!
(4)Kedar D.
Rangoon didn't impress me that much. While Burmese food is a rarity, it's not necessarily that interesting on a whole, given how much overlap it has with Thai, Indian and Chinese cuisines---for vegans, you'll find a couple of potato dishes, maybe something with tofu, and then some fried pastry/breaded things. All told, you'll have maybe five or six interesting, purely Burmese options; the rest of the menu consists of anything you could find at any Chinese or Thai or Indian joint. The service was slow and inattentive, but at least it was friendly. Ambiance is nice and good for a date. I started off with a firecracker lentil fritter appetizer ($5.50) that was decent at first, but got boring after a few bites. The combination of mint and chili in the dish was unusual, though, and worked well. In retrospect, I should have ordered the tea leaf salad (which is made with shrimp according to the menu, but vegans and vegetarians might be able to leave the shrimp off) which is a Burmese delicacy. For my main course I had the chili tofu ($10) that offered an interesting mix of East Asian and South Asian flavors (a bit of tamarind, a bit of soy sauce), but the portion size was tiny and I cleaned off the plate in no time. The vegan dishes are not labeled and you'll have to ask questions to make sure what you're ordering is vegan. For example, all of the "thousand layer bread" dishes, which sounded really tasty, are made with butter. Sadly, Rangoon does not offer brown rice. Always a disappointment. In conclusion, Rangoon doesn't really cut it for me.
(2)Vinayak B.
Ended up here one day since there was an extremely long wait at Sang Kee Duck House. Pretty decent food, good service. The thousand layer bread with coconut syrup was very unique.
(4)Fan L.
Solid, if unspectacular. Basil noodles were good, reminded me a lot of drunken noodles. Wifey + a friend both had the Northern burmese noodle which was decent. A lot of Yelpers recommended the thousand layer bread, but honestly it's basically that frozen green onion pancake that you can get at any asian supermarket albeit with a delicious curry sauce.
(3)Esteban W.
JUNGLE CHICKEN, 1000 LAYER BREAD AND A BEER. Very little to compare to, bread was good and food was filling, but I have never had Burmese food before... someone had to show me on Google Maps where Burma was. Overall the food was great, but at $30 for one dinner (appetizer, dish and beer) - yikes.
(3)Kathleen D.
Burmese food can be so flavorful. Dishes are touched with the essences of Chinese, Thai, and Indian cuisines; yet the fusion of it all manifests Burmese cooking special and unique. I like it. Rangoon has a voluminous menu so choosing the components of your meal can take a while. I order a Singha beer and good ole Bri goes for a Kingfisher. Both go so well with the gorging in store. Since we favor the hotter and spicier foods of the world, we stick with the red star selections, though we've been all over this menu. For starters, we definitely prefer the thousand-layer bread with potato to the chicken version. The potato curry is a little spicier and, to me, is just tastier. As others have noted, the thousand layer bread tends to retain some oil, so though thin and soft, it can feel a bit heavy and greasy at times. Lentil "firecracker" fritters are little fried cakes of ground lentils, chiles, mint and scallions. Paired with tangy tamarind dipping sauce, these are a lovely little snack. Perfect with a nice Singha, I tell you! At Rangoon one, such as myself, could completely have a multi-appetizered meal alone. In fact, I seem to enjoy the appetizers here the most. More than the entrees, really. There are also the samosa-y "golden triangles," and the "crispy Burmese tofu," after all. The crispy tofu isn't the white soybean tofu that might immediately spring to mind when the word, "tofu," is mentioned. Burmese style tofu, we discovered, is made from yellow lentils. It's somewhat grainy and when fried it's almost like the consistency of crispy-fried polenta cakes. Kind of. If we order the thousand-layer bread with potato curry, I like to dip these little fried tofu pieces in that sauce as well... I also drizzle drops and drops of chile oil over them too. All starters aren't fried, fried, and fried though. Rangoon's salads are freshy, tangy deliciousness. The spring ginger salad is shredded gingery (of course) cabbage, peanuts, sesame, herbs, fried shallots and lime. It's topped with crumbles of dried shrimp. The tea leaf salad is very tasty too and very similarly dressed. Tea leaf salad, very good stuff. On our most recent visits to Rangoon, we've gone more of the variety of snacks route. We stop in for some apps and beers and then we're on our way, but we've also gotten down with some entrees and noodles in the past. Rangoon house noodles are spicy flat rice noodles served with an interesting mix of minced chicken, onions, tomatoes, all combined with what's described as a "red bean sauce." A-OK. "Burmese chicken lo mein," is very similar, though of course this dish features lo-meiny noodles. I'm more partial to these two noodle stylins versus the "Basil noodle," even though I'm am basil fiend. Though the "Night Market Noodles," are not hot and spicy at all, I'll add these to my tasty noodle list. They're garlicky egg noodles topped with pork and scallions. Yeah, we've hit up some noodles. I've been ramblin too long here, so I'll add at this point, that of all the many, many entrees Chili beef would have to be our favorite. Bell peppers, onions, and beef are stir-fried up in a hot chile garlic sauce. Tasty, tasty business. I have to admit that some visits have been better than others. Some dishes are better than others; sometimes inconsistent. The fact that we return and that there are still selections that we want to try is a good sign, I think. Service is very pleasant and attentive. Rangoon is definitely worth a try. I DO wish that they'd have a little music playing or something... Sometimes it's strangely quiet! There IS the chance that I wish there was more background noise just so that no one would hear me singing old Mission of Burma songs, but that's just me liking themes and being a dummy.
(3)Yiwen S.
sometimes reading good reviews about a restaurant before going there to eat is in effect setting yourself up for disappointment. in the same way that you come to expect epicness when everyone and their mothers tell you a movie is great.. when people tell you that a restaurant is really really good, you naturally walk in expecting to have your mind blown. unfortunately, mind not blown. nevertheless, the meal was still good. my friend and i shared the thousand layer bread with curry chicken dip, as per everyone's suggestion. i like it, though the name is a bit deceiving, no? i've had taiwanese mooncakes with far more layers than this thin crispy bread holds. i'd imagine that if naan and green onion pancakes had some sort of a morphed love child, it'd be the thousand layer bread. for the entree, i had the northern burma fried noodle. it's basically spicy stir fried noodles with chicken and shrimp. pardon my ignorance, but my burmese food tasted a lot like thai/laotian food but with a bit more of a spicy kick. how am i supposed to distinguish between all these similar tastes?! but anyways, bottom line is: it was a good meal, relatively cheap, good service for chinatown.. and if i'm ever hungry and in the area again (and i'm not craving chinese food), i'd come back. 3.5 stars.
(4)Shilpa B.
Nice quiet spot for a date with delicious food! There were so many options on the menu that looked interesting and yummy that it was hard to decide. We ordered the thousand layer bread with chicken curry and jungle tofu. Yum! Definitely coming back.
(5)Matthew F.
One of my favorite places to eat in the city, a must go for asian food lovers. The sevice is quick and pleasant - you can get in and out for lunch in 30 minutes. Food is fairly priced and super tasty. Whenever I bring clients here, 100% of the time they love the food, never a miss. My wife and I have tried several dishes and haven't had a bad one - my favortie is the basil cury.
(5)Suzy G.
Came here for my birthday many years ago, with my family and we had a magnificent meal! Everyone was super friendly and they gave us a free dessert because it was my birthday. I don't recall what we ordered at the time but since it was our first time there, they were kind enough to make some recommendations for us. Everything was delicious! Prices are pretty reasonable too. I really miss this place since I moved out of the city :(
(5)J. Rudy F.
I cannot recommend Rangoon highly enough. I've not only never had a bad meal here; I've never had a single meal that wavered from the high quality food and efficient and friendly service that I've come to expect from this wonderful, family owned restaurant. 1) It's a great place to bring a mix of vegetarians, vegans, and omnivores, as every has extensive options. 2) The food is always fresh and delicious, made well, and in generous portions without being absurdly big. 3) I would go for their young coconut juice alone. Nothing like that bland Vita-Coco crap you get in a can or juice box; you know they're in the back with a machete pouring this out of a fresh, young coconut. To die for. I do hope that they eventually add delivery service.
(5)Mary M.
First of all, thank you fellow Yelpers for helping us find this place. It is Labor Day, and I have been watching a marathon of Anthony Bourdain's NO RESERVATIONS all day. After seeing Bourdain's trip to China, my fiance suggested Chinatown for dinner but added "something new," as Chinatown for us usually means David's Mah Lah Wah. I took to Yelp for some suggestions and after checking out a few reviews and menus, I stumbled upon Rangoon's very decent reviews and even more enticing menu. We figured it was time to be adventurous just like Mr. Bourdain, and try something than our standard Chinatown fare. Rangoon is on the verge of Chinatown, on 9th between Cherry and Arch street, down an unassuming street (unlike the brightly lit center of Chinatown) that you would not realize holds a Burmese gem. The dining room is very beautiful, neat and clean, more updated and sleek than some of your other Chinese restaurants. We ordered: chicken satay, thousand layer bread (with curry chicken sauce), and shared an entree of the Night Market Noodles. 1 - Chicken satay - ok, not a revelation but a decent dish with a nice peanut sauce. 2 - thousand layer bread - OH. EM. GEE. (forgive my use of the teenage girl vernacular to describe this dish but it is so fitting). JUST WOW. The bread is super thin and super crispy (an earlier Yelper that said similar to a big flat croissant is not far off) but for me it was all about the chicken curry broth. This may sound ridiculous but it was just so chicken-y! Huge pieces of chicken and potato make this more of a stew than a sauce but nevertheless, delicious. I wanted more. But we had an entree coming. 3 - Rangoon Night Market Noodle - once again, an absolute hit with both my fiance and myself. Perfectly cooked long egg noodles with a few scallions and pork, served with garlic oil and red onions on the side. Just enough of a kick in the oil and also loved that it was served on the side so you could dress the noodles to your whim. Sharing the entree meant we had plenty for a both of us with about a cup leftover for a snack later. Our waitress (whom I believe was one of the owners as well) was attentive and sweet; she asked us if it was a our first time as we were leaving and said next time we would have to try something different. We will definitely be back again but I don't think I could *not* have the thousand layer bread and night market noodles; they were just too good!
(5)Yo J.
I have mixed feelings about this restaurant. I ordered the Asian tea salad and thousand layer bread (beef) and I feel like the salad could have been a little less heavy it was really oily same goes with the thousand layer bread. The bread soaked up all the oil and it was soggy. I don't know if that's how the bread should be cooked but I didn't like it. I'm glad I only ordered a little bit and didn't let myself get carried away with the food titles and hype. I also ordered the spicy curry chicken on coconut rice and that one was good I liked the little spice going on it wasn't overwhelming. I mean I do appreciate Burmese food but not from here. The food wasn't bad but i don't think I'll be coming back here for awhile unless I feel like giving this restaurant a second chance .
(3)Enid C.
It was nicer inside than I expected. Also a lot more people than I would typically expect for dinner at a Chinatown restaurant, even on a Saturday night. The thousand layer bread with chicken is hardly anything to call home about. It is similar to the roti canai at Penang/Banana Leaf but slightly thicker, significantly more grease, and a lot less flavor in the curry. It is also not spicy at all (which I guess we should have known since there was no red star for it in the menu), and by the end we ended up adding a scoop of chili oil and then dipping it into some of the other, more flavorful entrees. Maybe this is better with the potato instead (which DID have the spicy red star), but I'd stay away from the chicken. Next time I'd like to give the tea leaf salad a try. The monsoon vegetables were fine though a bit on the mushier side. Pork with mango curry sounded so immensely interesting on paper, but it would have been better if it weren't so overly salted. Still, not bad considering the characteristic Chinatown low price - which unfortunately also comes with the characteristic Chinatown lack of service (though it is better here than most other places). One thing I really liked: They give each table - even a party of two - their own pitcher of water! Maybe not the classiest thing to do, but by golly it is practical.
(3)Gopal M.
I didn't quite like the food here. Everything was way too oily and felt like the dishes were a poor copy of penang and banana leaf. Would not come again. And they don't accept American express.
(1)Eve P.
This place does not really serve really BURMESE food at all. It's all modified. They should be serving really homemade curries and such rather than using ready made sauce packets. As a true burmese, I am not impressed at all. I would love to eat the real burmese food especially when i am away from home, not the modified and americanzied version of chinese food at this place.
(3)Hollan H.
good taste, sth special. Try banana leaf fish
(5)Ben C.
It was good! It was my first time to try Burmese food. It was not as great as I expected from the reviews (nor for the price), but I enjoyed it. 1000 layer bread (with spicy potato dip): For all the raves about this dish, I was really underwhelmed. The dip was overwhelming. The bread was nice on it's own (a slightly sweet flavor that was invisible with the dip), but a bit to thin / overcooked in places (so overly crispy, rather than a uniform soft/toasted texture). Imagine the difference between a toasted soft tortilla and a tortilla chip--for bread, I prefer the toasted soft tortilla texture :) Jungle chicken: just ok, nothing really notable to me. Chicken was the recommended meat when I asked; as with most places, it was overcooked. Banana leaf fish: by far the best dish we had. The sauce / curry was very flavorful, and the texture of the breaded fish was wonderful to start. Over time, the sauce soaked into the batter, and perhaps they left the skin on and it started to come off, because by the end the texture was a bit slimy. The service was perfect--basically invisible so that I could enjoy the company of a good friend! :)
(3)M W.
Was so excited to try this place but it went downhill when we tasted the food. It wasn't really what I expected I guess. The noodles were okay and so were the ribs. What made it a bad experience for us was the sitting. Entire room was empty but the servers decided to place a couple two feet next to us. It wouldn't be an issue until the obnoxious boyfriend started gossiping non stop about his friend's marriage... Nope, next.
(1)Aimee M.
I LOVE THIS PLACE! Their 1000 layer bread with potato curry is amazing. I ordered a second one after I took one bite. This place is a nice change from Chinese food. I went with a big group -- kids, adults, grandparents, they all found things they liked.
(5)Matthieu K.
I do not know anything about Burmese food. Place was clean, looks like a "standard" Asian-kinda restaurant, and was full enough on a Sat evening to obviously be an "OK" restaurant. Some items came with a SPICY warning, but I did not find anything at all very hot or spicy, which is fine - Americanos don't "do spicy" for the most part. Service was fast and knew the menu well enough to make good suggestions and recommendations, I appreciate thoughtful input and commentary. Food was very well prepared and delicious. Presentation was kind of boring, but it was not expensive, so I had no expectations. Solid all around. Def try it if you are nearby.
(4)Stephen L.
Loved this place. The shrimp lemon grass soup was awesome! The crab Rangoon wontons were good but not in the top tier of others I have had, but very unique flavor. It's nice and quiet. They leave a pitcher of water on the table which is nice for spicy lovers like me. The jungle chicken was great and was a big portion. They serve their soda out of cans ; ( so no free refills on tap. But overall a great experience.
(4)Robert B.
The king and still champion, Rangoon Burmese knocks another meal out the park. I used to come here all the time almost a decade ago. The owner, who is the same lady from that decade ago, recognized me upon return. That's an indication of the service you'll receive. I had three great dishes, coconut curry chicken, mango shrimp and the thousand layer bread. I first fell in love with Burmese -- and honestly Rangoon is the only Burmese I've ever had -- as a sweeter version of Thai food. And this meal continued the love affair. The coconut curry chicken has the right balance of sweetness and spiciness from the curry. The mango shrimp has 7-8 pieces -- tails on which is a bit of a pain -- in a great mango sauce. The thousand island bread -- like Malaysian Roti Canai -- is excellent. As for the prices, we came from NYC and found the prices to be much better than the City. Three entrees, desert and two beers came to $50. That's a great bargain. The space is nice. I'd recommend sitting towards the front. And I happen to still love the sweet rice desert. Rice, coconut milk, jello, ice, tapioca, that's a great, but interesting combination that you will not find anywhere else. Again, love this place and you will too.
(5)The Hulk D.
Food is great, portions are very small. The thousand whatever bread aka roti kanai is subpar compared to Penang as it was cold and unremarkable. To be quite honest, nothing special and the service was very tortoise like.
(3)Nene C.
Our last meal of our trip to the south and we purposely pass by Philly and ate lunch here. They have lots of yummy food in this place but the best dish is festival fish soup, or N-1, in the menu for $6.5 a bowl. Big eater will need 2 bowls. Ask for more fried garlic and inion to enchant your bowl of noodle. The best burmese festival fish noodle soup in the northeast. Period!
(4)Sam P.
Very good food. I am a big fan of their appetizers especially the thousand layer bread & samosa! Very reasonably priced as well. Their desserts are ok sometimes but at other times, they serve their ice cream dessert (Faluda) with pieces of ice in it, which makes it not fun therefore the 4 stars. But overall, really nice place!
(4)Laura Jill S.
When we walked in, the first thing the hostess said to Ed C & me was "The kitchen is almost closed, do you know exactly what you want NOW?" Ummm, rude! But they did seat us (perhaps a little grudgingly), so we hurried through the menu and ordered quickly. (To be fair, we should have paid better attention to their hours.) The benefit of them being ready to close was that we were served super quickly. Everything was really tasty. I had the crispy taro root appetizer (it was like french fries!) and the spicy curry potato. Everything was delish. Also, I tried everything Ed C had too, which was also super tasty, so check his review too. And here's something I really loved. Pitcher of water on the table. Every restaurant with spicy food should take a lesson!
(4)Margaret C.
I love this place. I've come here twice now, and both times it's been delicious. Plus despite the fact that years pass between visits (we were living on the other side of the country, no reflection on Rangoon)...the owner always remembers my husband - and now me! The hubs always gets the Khao suey (sp?), which the menu calls southern Burmese noodles. Thousand layer bread is a must, and there's this glass noodle and mushroom soup that is my new comfort food. I've tried a couple of the noodle dishes now - Shan rice noodles tonight - and have yet to be disappointed. Plus, you guys, it's totally reasonably priced. Even the drinks - while it's just a limited list of beer & wine (no fancypants lemongrass martini here, which is a good thing), the prices are super cheap. What's not to love?
(5)Christine V.
LOVE the thousand layer bread with their chicken curry dipping sauce! If you're going to come here, definitely start off with that appetizer. Aside from that, my boyfriend and I ordered a lunch special and the night market noodle to share. We made the mistake of ordering a curry for the lunch special which ended up being the same type of curry used for the dipping sauce for the thousand layer bread. Regardless, it was still good. I remember we didn't enjoy the salad that came with the lunch special though so I'd recommend going with the soup. The noodles were tasty and good to share between two people. It seemed very simple but it did come with a lot of flavor. Good place to come to for dinner with a group where you can do a family style dinner!
(4)Stephanie K.
My new favorite place for curry &spicy! I used to go to Penang a lot jus for their Indian pancake but here is so much better ! I stop going to Penang bc I don't think their food isnt the same anymore since they change chiefs and I've been a regular there before they even remodel it. But anyways I will be back! Love the atmosphere of this place. The lady who owns it is very nice and sweet and their bathroom have a nice sweet scent to it and it's so pretty pink. Food is good. Everything was good.
(4)Mel G.
Amazing. The owner is soo friendly. I came here on vday and was not disappointed. The food was delicious. The appetizer was so flavorful Definitely get the thousand layer with curry I got the jungle chicken and finished it really quick! Lol!
(5)Lydia N.
The jungle chicken (a green Thai style curry) is one of the best I've had. There's a strong lime flavor which is unexpected but amazing. Great portions for take out!
(4)Ed C.
I recently went here for the first time! Never had Burmese before! I LOVED it! It's sort of like a cross between Indian and Chinese -- which makes sense geographically. I started with the lentil fritters. They were amazing! Crunchy and savory, almost tasted like crab cakes! I wanted to try the Burmese tofu, but they were out of it. For the main course, I had the curry tomato tofu. It was really great. A little spicy and lots of flavor! I liked that the tofu was not fried either, great texture! The atmosphere is typical of any place in Chinatown, but everyone was very friendly and the service was quick. I will definitely be back for more -- so many vegan selections!
(5)Nin A.
I couldn't help scratching my head upon leaving Rangoon because I read so many good reviews. This restaurant, unfortunately, did not meet the hype. Burmese food is a fusion of Chinese, Indian, and Thai. As much as I love all three, I'm sad to say I enjoyed the experience of trying out this new cuisine way more than the actual food itself. It is however worth noting that the staff members were very warm and friendly. If you are set on going, I recommend: - The jungle chicken (definitely my favorite - it was very tasty) - Thousand Layer Bread with BBQ Beef (our hot potato dip had a strand of hair which was kinda gross but it wouldn't have affected my 3 star overall rating) - Coconut Galanga Soup (flavorful and delicious! It was like a sauce in a Thai food entree) I had the following also but they were just OKAY for my taste: - Glass noodle and mushroom soup - Burmese spare ribs (the sauce and veggies were spicy and had a very stange almost nauseating smell but if you keep eating, you might like it) - Northern Burmese noodle (meh.. I had something similar before.. it was weird because it was tasteless but spicy at the same time - if that makes sense) Come here if you're like me who's on a mission to try out as many different cuisine as possible (there are very few Burmese restaurants in the region apparently). Otherwise, please note that this is not an out-of-this-world spectacular restaurant that deserves to be on top of your list.
(3)Philippe D.
The food was quite good here. I ordered the thousand island bread with spicy potato curry and it was very spicy! I also had the lunch special coconut chicken curry which was tasty and came with a soup. The restaurant itself has a quiet and peaceful ambiance. Service was fast. I would add that some of the foods are quite sweet, especially the spicy ones.
(4)Caleb F.
Nice clean atmosphere. Friendly waitstaff. Simply delicious food. Doesn't quite have that flair for me to give it a fifth star, but I would definitely come here again and certainly recommend it to others. Definitely try the thousand-layer bread. We had the vatana bean paste for dipping and it was seriously good. The two of us shared two main dishes: Burmese cold noodle and spicy eggplant. Would recommend both. And would also recommend sharing if you're a small party. You get to try more stuff!
(4)Victoria C.
I came with a group of 8 on a Friday night, and Rangoon was able to accommodate us with no reservation. We started off with a few appetizers, including the thousand layer bread with bbq beef and chicken curry. I thought they were both really good - the beef comes on three skewers with assorted grilled veggies, and the chicken curry was a bit oily, so combined with the fried bread, it was a bit hefty. The chicken skewers were pretty standard, I wouldn't say they're worth the $7 price tag. Everyone seemed to enjoy the mandalay shrimp rolls, but they're really quite small, probably the length and girth of an index finger (IMO also not worth $7.50, even though there were six). For entrees, we ordered family-style. From the good to the not-so-good: Curry Beef (chunks of well braised beef, slightly spicy); Jungle chicken and pork (I liked the coconut based sauce, served with good amounts of veggies); lemongrass chicken (this is much lighter, the chicken wasn't as tender, but good to offset the heaviness of other dishes); Burmese Inlay fish (large fillet, but there was even more breading); Pagan Beef (tender beef slices, but the sauce was just too peanut- and coconut-milk heavy, I felt like I could feel my arteries clogging); Rangoon House Noodles (good amount of ground pork and sauce, I can't say I'm a big fan of boiled flat rice noodles, even when mixed, so this is a bit biased); pineapple fried rice (there was literally a PAM/butter aftertaste - this was heavy, and not good. I would not order this). We ordered a few desserts as well - the Farluda was a bit too sweet according to some people. I enjoyed the jello crunch ice (although I'd rather get shaved ice in Chinatown), and a few friends enjoyed the thousand layer bread with coconut syrup. It was great to have some Burmese cuisine in Philly, but I would probably stick to a few particular dishes in the future. Service was good.
(3)Carol C.
I came to this place because I was curious what Burmese food actually was (which, i'm sure many of the Yelp readers are). Based on what we ordered, it seems to be somewhat of a mix between Malaysian, Thai, and Chinese food. Now, don't be fooled by the dirty shady sign outside the door - it's actually quite nice inside. Also, don't come to this place expecting giant obesity-inducing portions of food like other Chinese places. Expect a normal-small amount of food, but made with care. We ordered fish, noodles, salad, chicken, and of course, the 1,000 layer bread. The fish and 1,000 layer bread are the only things i'd recommend. We ordered watercress salad, which sadly, was only the size of my palm. The other dishes were similar to anything you order at other thai/chinese restaurants for a larger portion at the same price. Overall, i'd give this place 3.5, but will bump up to a 4 because unlike other chinatown restaurants, this place is pretty clean.
(4)Kim P.
I went last night with a small group of friends. The service was good, the food was amazing! We had the country chicken, or something like that, it had chicken , red peppers, and snap peas in a coconut sauce. Perfection! The thousand layer bread was super tasty and a friend had samosas? It was potato based, fried, divine. The coconut cake was the perfect finish. I probably mangled all the names, but you get the point! It was a long walk, but there was a parking lot right across The street for those driving in.
(4)Jay L.
A solid place for a meal. However this is one of the few places (if not the only place) where the most frequently mentioned dishes in reviews are not ones I would recommend (the tea leaf salad and the jungle chicken). We went there for a dinner on a weeknight. The place was not too busy. The food came quickly. The service was on par with other Chinatown restaurants. The tea leaf salad and jungle chicken both had these unique flavors that I did not love. We finished both, they had interesting flavors, but I would not get either again. I did not like the tea leaves in the tea leaf salad. They add this bitter, fermented flavor. We picked around them at the end. The jungle chicken as a dish was too sweet for me. Despite not agreeing with some of the recommendations on Yelp, the food at Rangoon is still very good and well worth the trip. We had the Thousand Layer Bread with Curry Chicken Dipping Sauce, the Southern Burmese Noodle, Lemongrass beef, and Coconut Chicken Curry. I would definitely go back again, but avoid the bitter tea leaf salad and very sweet jungle chicken, and try everything else.
(4)Nola C.
Amazing. The coconut chicken noodle soup is my favorite served with fresh cilantro red onion and lime. I love the thousand layer bread and Tara root also as well as the ginger salad. I could go here every day! By far my favorite restaurant in China town.
(5)Kristian A.
This place is great! I've been to Rangoon and this definitely brought back great memories of my stay. The Thousand Layer with Curry potato was really amazing and the Northern Burmese Noodles we equally as great. I will definitely be returning here on my next visit to Philly.
(5)Gabby M.
Amazing place! The service was great; super friendly and helpful. I called for takeout and asked for a vegetarian option and they went over them with me and were flexible with the dish. The layer bread is soooo wonderful and tasty! I tried it with the curried potatoes and it was so flavorful and spicy (in the best way). I am definitely going to go back!
(5)Jenny H.
Really delicious! Burmese food is so good. We had their tea leaf salad, which was really unique and tasty. Chopped lettuce with peanuts, it had a sweet and sour taste, very refreshing with crunchy nuts. We also got their thousand year bread (fried dough, how can you not like it?) with potato curry (curry is key so you can dip the bread!). We also got their jungle chicken which tasted like key lime pie, creamy good- chunks of chicken in this creamy, lime sauce. Their chicken curry was pretty good, but would try something else next time- it was just chunks of chicken in a sauce. Definitely try their tea leaf salad and their thousand year bread!! Their dessert is pretty good too, lots of coconut flavored good stuff!
(4)Kitty C.
We were intrigued to see what was different about Myanmar food since we are generally fans of South Asian cuisines. It wasn't particularly surprising that it is similar to Thai. One dish would have been enough for both of us because the portions are huge. Service was good. It was busy but not overcrowded.
(4)Ashish G.
I was introduced to Burmese food 6 months back by one of my friends in DC. The spices used in this cuisine is somewhat similar to Indian food, but a little more spicy. The first time I stepped in Rangoon was 5 months back with my wife and 2 of my friends. I ordered Ginger salad, Thousand layer bread with potato curry, spicy current chicken and chicken fried rice. Everything we ordered was awesome. Potato curry was spicy, but that was exactly what we were looking for. The quantity of the Salad is not much though for the price. The Curry Chicken had very less gravy as well, the rice which comes with it was left unfinished. The thousand layer bread was very delicious and perfectly crisped. We ended the show with the "Falooda"....Yummy...that was like WOW !! Since then it has become one of the favorite restaurant for my wife, and we are visiting quite often now...once a month at least. She is addicted to the Ginger salad, and I am to the Falooda..Sorry, but can't help it Also, the service time needs little improvement. They are very quick in getting the appetizer (10-12 minutes), but the main course usually takes some time (another 20-25 minutes). The tables are little smaller in size, so try avoiding 2 seater if you are going as a couple, as you will find it little congested. Still, they deserve the 4* rating for the delicious food for an average price.
(4)Mark M.
This place blew me away when I ate here for the first time!!! Since that meal I have came back twice!!! The food was incredibly tasty the waiters were very nice and helpful. I liked this place so much my mouth waters just thinking about eating here again!!! I can't wait to go back!!! Love this place!!!
(5)Judy L.
Pretty good restaurant for the price. Food came out piping hot and tasted fresh. thousand layer pancake with chicken curry: a bit greasy but flavorful chicken satay: tender. Loved the peanut sauce. northern burmese noodle: not too spicy but had a little kick to it. mango sticky rice is a pass though.
(4)Elsa U.
Holy Burmese food! If you are vegan, try the jungle tofu it will rock your socks off. I took my mom there with her very carnivorous husband and they were delighted as well.
(5)Kathryn M.
One of my friends recommended this place because their uncle owns it! I've been going back every time I'm in Philadelphia. Thousand-layer bread and Jungle anything is so delicious, so I rarely order anything else. I usually get take-out but eating there is very pleasant, great service. Can't wait for my next visit!
(5)Vanita B.
Fresh food, delicious and complex flavors, authentic-seeming, and a bit off the beaten path to make you feel like you're having a new culinary experience (if, like mw, you're new to Burmese food). The chili chicken and the thousand layer bread with spicy potato curry were highlights; the green tea was tasty, too.
(5)Richard P.
What is Burmese food? To paraphrase a Burmese, "anything cooked and eaten in Burma that is not a Chinese, Thai, and/or Indian dish." Which is to say that it shares the flavor profiles of those three cuisines but that it is distinctively it's own cuisine. It's also worth noting that it's hard to come by Burmese restaurants in the United States, so for that reason alone Rangoon deserves four stars. It is not, unfortunately, up to the quality of San Francisco's sublime Burma Superstar, but as noted above there aren't that many, so you should take what you can get. Rangoon has a solid menu of Burmese dishes - if you're looking for Burmese dishes (as opposed to, say, kung pao chicken), ask the server for suggestions. My opinion of Rangoon is colored by what I've eaten at Burma Superstar (and Burmese food I've eaten in Singapore), but it's still worth eating at. The one thing I will enthusiastically recommend is the sweet rice desert - a beautiful dish of chunks of sweet rice, tapioca, and coconut jello swimming in a bath of chilled coconut milk. It's not like I would be complaining if Rangoon was in my city, instead of Philadelphia.
(4)John D.
I don't get what the big deal is. Mind you, I am coming from upstate New York, which is not exactly the Asian food capital of the United States (so my standards aren't exceptionally high). I came here for lunch today. The thousand layer bread was gross. Simply gross. It was soooo greasy (pretty much pure grease) that it was almost inedible. I also ordered a chicken basil entree. It was pretty good, but honestly, tastes the same as every other chicken basil dish I've ever had at an Asian restaurant (i.e., it was completely unremarkable) The side salad that came with the chicken dish consisted of a few leaves of lettuce, shredded carrot, and tomato (it was extremely, extremely tiny). The dressing which came with it was pretty ho-hum, typical 'Asian dressing. In short, the high rating for this place is completely unwarranted. If the high ratings are due largely to price, then I would assume there are probably many better nearby options in the same price point.
(2)Cinthia K.
I wish this place was in NYC. Came here a couple of weekends ago with my friend and my cousin during our trip to Philly. Burmese food is pretty hard to find in NYC, as there is only 1 restaurant that I know of currently that is still open. Seeing that this place was just a few blocks away, I jumped on the opportunity to have some Burmese food again. We all got vegetarian dishes, though I'm the only vegetarian in the bunch. We shared a thousand layer bread starter with potato curry, and it was just amazing. It was basically a roti canai, but with some extra chili peppers thrown into the curry. I had their glass noodle salad, which normally had seafood in it altered to fit my dietary restrictions. It was good, though I wish it was chilled. My cousin got the dynamite tofu, which was absolutely delicious. I would eat that all the time if this place was closer to me! My friend got the sauteed fresh mushrooms, which was also pretty good. The server gave us a huge bowl of rice, which was great with the dynamite tofu in particular as it helped with some of the spiciness. We all left very happy with our meals, and if I were to return to Philly anytime soon, I would definitely check this place out again.
(4)Milan R.
Chalk another one for yelp ! Like many, i had never tasted Burmese food before. If i were to explain, the food has thai food texture,chinese preperation and Indian taste - a lethal combination if there was ever one ! I ordered tofu kung pao,pea soup,lentil fritters and 'Jungle' chicken. Each dish outdid the other ! The lentil fritters looks and tastes like southern Indian 'vadas' - deep fried lentil batter with curry leaves and spices. The pea soup was creamy,garlicky and mildly spicy. The kung pao tofu is out of this world ! It is the real mccoy of Kungpaos with searing hot whole red chillies and tofu flipped to crisp in a wok. No excess sauce,no gravy and none of that 'PF Chang' ish americanized kung pao. The jungle chicken was a mild yellow curry with ginger,basil,red peppers and shredded chicken. The only downside are the portions which is on the smaller size ( entrees served in appetizer sized plates! ). And ofcourse the terrible and near impossible downtown philly parking situation. So now there are 3 things one cannot/must not miss in Philly - the Ben Franklin bridge, the liberty bell and the 'Rangoon' Burmese restaurant ! Cheers !
(4)Cynthia T.
Came here only once, and it seems like it has decent good food from what we picked. Service was excellent, since we got the food pretty quick. The decor is very nice all set for their Burmese culture and it has a quiet atmosphere. The prices are definitely reasonable. We had the Burmese house noodles that used chow fun with meat on top, which was very good. We also had the Coconut chicken curry, which was a little dry and didn't quite like that curry sauce. I'll definitely come back to try it out again.
(4)Anita S.
We were able to find street parking right around the corner, got a seat right away, and enjoyed attentive service. The food was delicious, I'd never had Burmese and found it to be an interest cross between Thai and Indian flavors, and the price was decent. We got: -Thousand Layer Bread with Chicken Curry- delish -String bean and peanut salad- unexpectedly delicious, nice mix of textures -Jungle Chicken- comes in a green curry, was a lot sweeter than Thai curry but tasted great -Northern Burmese Noodles- looks almost like a pad see ewe or another Thai flat noodle dish, but more sour than the Thai version, also a delicious surprise It seemed like the other diners in the night that we were were regulars, I can definitely see why.
(4)Bridget G.
Every single thing my date and I got was fantastic: thousand layer bread w/ curry potato dipping sauce, tofu coconut curry and the mixed vegetable dish, even the jasmine tea was yummy. So unbelievably flavorful and seasoned to perfection. We couldn't get over it. Service was quick and the owner is super sweet. Went because it was listed as one of Philly's best places for vegans and wow, I will definitely be returning.
(5)Mr X.
I had 2 appetizers The thousand layers bread and the yellow lentil soup and they were GOURMET quality and I was full! Surprisingly the entree was nothing special and I could have gotten that from a street cart! (had a mix vegetable korma of some sort) I would have given it a 5 but I will give it a 3 just because of that. Nice place for a date, ;p liked the colors and the setup. The manager came exactly at 10 and told us they were closed which came off as pretty rude to me.
(3)Jenn S.
great place! i love their food. love the flavors/ spices. especially love the thousand layer pancake. meat dishes were great. tea leaf salad was also very well seasoned/ made. would definitely come back.
(4)Margo v.
Great service. Really enjoyed the tasty food.
(4)Pete L.
Ordered pagan beef, basil tofu, chili chicken and 1000 layer bread with curry potatoes dip and it was delicious. Reasonable price with a huge selection which can be confusing and overwhelming to pick from. But with little assistance from the server, it turned out great for two of us. Definitely return for more.
(5)Elizabeth J.
Great place for lunch or dinner. So many choices, but I enjoyed everything that I selected. The thousand layer bread was absolutely amazing. Like a flaky croissant that you dip in amazing curry. So good!
(4)Kristin W.
We couldn't make a reservation for 3 people (Rangoon requires a minimum of 5 people to make a reservation), but had no trouble walking in on a Saturday night at 8pm. We started with the highly recommended Thousand Layer Bread with Curry Potato Dipping Sauce - a little greasy, but really delicious. We focused on the fairly extensive vegetarian options and selected the Southern Burmese Noodle with Egg and Basil Tofu, both of which had a good flavor. We did not like the Spicy Eggplant as that had spice only concentrated in the peppers sprinkled on top, but otherwise not much flavor.
(3)Michael H.
This place is a gem, especially for those who like spicy food. The watercress fried salad is a must try, bad for you viens, good for the soul. They make the best vegetarian dishes in town by my measure, starting with the chili tofu. The "thousand layer" bread with the spicy vatana dip is sensual. GO HERE NOW!
(5)Richard R.
It has been awhile since I have been to Rangoon, but we were in China Town and decided to revisit Rangoon. It is probably 10 or 15 years since we have been here. There is not a particular reason for not coming in so long except for the abundance of South East Asian restaurants that have exploded in Philadelphia and my South Jersey homeland. Not much has changed at Rangoon. The decor is pretty similar and how I remembered. The interior is a bit tired but still clean and spacious. The owner is still the same and actually remembered us. My wife is Asian, so I guess we stand out a little. We had three dishes at this visit: Thousand Layer Bread with Curry Chicken Dipping Sauce (appetizer) Lemongrass Beef A Fried Fish in a curry peanut sauce served on a Banana Leaf The Thousand Layer Bread with Curry Chicken Dipping Sauce reminded me of Roti Canai served at Malaysian restaurants but better. The Roti, or flat bread was unbelievably flavorful. The dipping sauce was equally good making a great combination. The Lemongrass Beef reminded me of Beef Rendang served in Indonesian restaurants. It was tender with a nice, hearty sauce but with more lemon grass then the Indonesian Rendang. This dish could have been a little bit spicier for me. The fried fish was the best dish of the day in an incredibly tasty curry sauce with peppers and baby corn. It was excellent. The service at Rangoon was very good also. We spent just about $35.00 for the 2 dishes and appetizer. Parking is not easy but there are lots near by. The lots are not cheap. Rangoon takes credit cards and has a decent selection of bottled beers. I will be back to Rangoon again soon!
(4)Arkä M.
Pretty much bland stuff, nothing to say more. Ordered food last night n most of the items didn't have a sense of complimenting each other even after we asked the receptionist.
(3)Sarah K.
Rangoon is my favorite restaurant in Philadelphia! I've eaten here a million times and I've always had a great experience. The owners and servers are very warm and attentive. The food is amazing and reasonably priced. I'm a vegetarian so I've tried a lot of their veggie options. Here are my favorites Burmese Tofu Salad and Asian Tea Leaf Salad: Light, fresh with lots of sweet and salty flavors going on. Thousand Layer Bread with Curry Potato Sauce: So good. The sauce is available as a full entree too (Spicy Curry Potato). Spicy Green Beans with Tofu: Spicy but quite different from the Chinese/Schezuan dish that I'm also obsessed with. Coconut Tofu: This is yummy. Milder than a coconut curry but still delicious. Northern and Southern Burmese Noodles: If you ask they can make most of the noodle dishes vegetarian. The only dish I haven't liked here is the Mango Tofu which is just too sweet for my tastes.
(5)Amina W.
Rangoon is a gem on the outskirts of Chinatown that should not be ignored. Seriously, go... RUN there. The thousand layer breads are worth the trip alone... especially the curry potato dipping sauce and vetana bean varieties. The coconut chicken curry was one of the most flavorful dishes I've had in a long time. The ambiance leaves a little to be desired, but if I were to go somewhere just for the ambiance I'm pretty sure I'd never leave my house. The price points are right up my (cheap-ass) alley and you get a whole lot of bang for your little buck. I definitely plan on bringing the whole family to Rangoon ASAP.
(5)Bill M.
Whenever I find myself needing a break from my usual Chinatown destinations 9I call it Mai Lai Wah and noodle overload!), Rangoon is usually my prime spot of choice; even if it doesn't deliver the something completely different that you would expect from Burmese cuisine. As other have well touched on Rangoon is a little more fusion than you initially expect it to be. But with it delivering plenty of delicious curries, noodle and rice dishes, Mango chickens, and the sweet taste of lemongrass on one menu; it isn't necessarily a bad thing. Its especially a good thing if you're looking for some veggie and seafood dishes, because it had both in a abundance of varying spice levels. Toss in good & quick customer service, and a decent lunch special to merit going in the afternoon; and you have an other good Chinatown destination.
(4)Channa P.
There is no need to know anything about Burmese food to enjoy this place. Maybe it will help you order more efficiently, but that's about it. My friend and I took like 15 minutes and it's her favorite spot. Below is what you need to know. -It's curry heavy, but in the best kind of way. -You need to go ahead and order that 1,000 layer bread with potatoes -It will not taste like Chinese food even if Kung Pao chicken is on the menu -The Southern Burmese noodles are fab -The place at dinner is pretty empty -And if you order tea the leaves are in the cup. (That one is for my silly friend that got freaked out by loose leaf tea really being loose)
(4)Me 0.
only good experiences at rangoon. great atmosphere, amazing food
(5)Gautam T.
Rangoon... One of my go to spots in Chinatown for dinner. I have been here probably 5-6 times and always leave the restaurant happy and full! The service is always friendly and helpful in explaining some of the dishes. The food is always excellent. They have a pretty comprehensive menu that includes sections for poultry, seafood, beef, vegetarian etc etc. I normally go with either poultry or seafood especially the mango shrimp!! Mmmm so delish! What I like most about this place is that the food is really a fusion between so many different Asian countries. For example there are definitely Indian and Thai influences in a lot of the dishes utilizing both the traditional Indian spices but adding in Thai flavors like basil and coconut. When you go also make sure you order the roti kanai as an appetizer, believe me you'll be so happy with it.
(4)Emily M.
Probably the best Asian food I've ever had. Easy to get I to, barely a wait for food. The lemongrass soup was excellent, as was the Basil Noodles with chicken. I am not from the area, but next time I go to Philly I'm definitely going back.
(5)AJ A.
Great service during lunch. Lunch specials selection are plenty. Make sure to try the bread with curry dip!
(4)Abishek G.
Good food and decent prices. As the only Burmese restaurant in Philly, I would recommend that you go and give it a shot. If you like spicy food you will most probably love it here. They also recently got their liquor license so not a BYOB anymore but still great food.
(4)Vishal S.
This is my go to place whenever i am in philly. The thousand layer bread with chicken, the chilly chicken, fried rice and the soups are amazing. Their service is lightning quick and the quality of the food is also excellent.
(5)Sara P.
We had not been to Rangoon for a few years, but it is one place which brings back nice memories. The staff had been exceptional, and the sticky rice with mango is memorable. This visit was no different. We were greeted by one of the owners of the restaurant. She introduced herself and asked us each our name. She was attentive the entire meal and ensured that we got just what we wanted. All of us in our group of five had different meals, but none of us was disappointed. The kids had a crab appetizer that seemed to go over very well. They also devoured the pumpkin soup. My husband had the 1000 layer bread, and he was happy with it, despite Erica C.'s review (which I can see from the corner of my eye). I had a nice eggplant/basil dish, one of my favorite combinations. All of us agreed that the portions were small but the price was in line with the quantity. All of us agreed that the sticky rice with mango is one of the best desserts in town.
(4)Ãmy L.
Got the lunch special: tomato tofu with veg fried rice. It was tasty! The down-side is it was 70% rice and 30% tofu dish. Since it was only $7.50, I guess I'm fine with that breakdown of rice/tofu. But I thought I should mention it since it is Chinatown and comparable places will give me alot more of the dish and much less of the rice... Credit card min of $15.
(3)Joel G.
pros...let me preface this by saying that i have never had burmese food before. and if this is a good representative of burmese food, than i will say i do so like it. i will also say that there is nothing like 1000 layer bread. it is more like roti or paratha, but it is 1000% delicious. get this with any and all combinations. it something not to miss. was here during my trip to the east coast back in april. this was a great introduction to burmese or myanmar food. great service and the food was super delicious. loved the curries, and the especially the 1000 layer bread. tea salad was also quite flavorful. cons...i'm feeling badly that San Diego doesn't have any burmese restaurants here.
(5)Brian M.
I have a standing rule to heavily research any place I eat in Chinatown before going. Just in case. This place passed the sniff test. In my research I found that a beloved national dish in Burma (Myanmar) is mohinga, and the closest thing I saw on the menu to this was the Festival Fish Noodle Soup so got that. AWESOME. Warm, thick broth with rice vermicelli, fish, ginger, etc. Very good. They gave me some chilis and veggies to mix in on the side as well. Another popular breakfast item is lahpet, a pickled tea leaf salad. This scared me a bit prior to ordering because I had a bad experience with kombucha (that stuff blows) a few weeks back but I gave it a go. Really god darn good. Crunchy, salad-y, had some bite to it. Oh yes. Order this. Thousand layer bread was excellent (as everyone else said) as was the mint beef kebab. The place really impressed me. Comfortable interior and the staff communicated in broken English. Just the way I like it.
(4)Alex P.
In the city of Philly Cheesesteaks and a beautiful bell casted in the 18th century, this little place is a treasure in the rough. Thoroughly impressed with this restaurant and second time eating Burmese food. We started the night with Thousand Layer Bread with Chicken curry for dipping as appetizer...wow it's exceptional! Amazing flavor! Then for the main meals we had the Southern Burmese Noodles, Tomato Curry Seafood, and the Lemongrass beef. All were light and not too heavy, but full of flavor. Don't expect too much spice as Burmese food is on the not too spicy scale. Then to finish the meal off we ordered Farluda, which is rose syrup, milk, ice cream, pudding, raisins, tapioca, and jello. Definitely a must! Overall, if you find yourself in Philly and want to try something unique, stop on by Rangoon... I'm sure Commander in Chief Washington would have stopped by too.
(5)Trishia P.
I never had Burmese food before this, but wow! Words cannot describe how good the food is. The flavors are intense, and lightly spicy. The use of fresh herbs in their food also makes the food super refreshing to the palette. You definitely need to try for yourself! If you love Vietnamese and Thai flavors but also like Chinese food, for sure you will LOVE Burmese! The service was so-so the night I was there because half of the restaurant was reserved for a private party. However, the owner was gracious enough to apologize and offer dessert. While I was there we ordered: -Rangoon House Noodle : The egg noodles are flat and thin and are covered in a lightly spicy red bean sauce, diced chicken, onions and tomatoes. -Basil Beef: Stir fried beef, cooked with a spicy sauce with bamboo slices, mushrooms, onions and topped with fresh cooked basil leafs And our dessert was the Furlada: A sweet drink dessert of milk, rose syrup, pudding, raisins, tapioca and Asian fruit jellos. Topped with ice cream. So sweet and creamy similar to Filipino Halo-Halo or Hawaiian Shave Ice. A great palette cleanser to all the spicy flavors. Definitely, one of my favorite meals of all time. Thanks Chowhounds! A must try in Philly!
(5)Donovan H.
This is one of my favorite places to get food from when I want some takeout with variety. The thousand layer bread is amazing, and every dish I've ordered has been delicious. Everyone that I take here with me loves it, too!
(5)Kevin And Kim C.
my husband , my friend and I went here about a month ago. we've never tried Burmese food so we were excited to give it a go, we ordered a noodle bowl which was a lot smaller then imagined. the chicken curry and roti which was just ok. and I forgot what it's called, a dried wide noodle which was delish . we would've ordered more but already ate only two hours before . the menu reminded me a little bit of thai food. we would definitely go back if in the area and would try other items on the menu. its not the typical things you would find elsewhere. main down fall is the parking , basically there is none. we parked across the ally in a paid lot but it was crazy expensive. from what I remembered it was 7 bucks for 30-40 minutes? yes we ate fast :P
(4)Adhish R.
Great flavor, great food. I felt bad for the chef/staff as we went right before close, but they were kind enough to accommodate us. We got the thousand layer roti w/ curry, jungle curry, fish curry, and some others. All very different, but delicious flavors. The best way to describe Burmese food is a mixture of Indian, South-East Asian and Chinese, or simply Burmese food. It's great. Looking forward to going here more often. Definitely check it out.
(4)Shereen C.
Had a great dinner at Rangoon. I enjoyed everything I had here, from the scrumptious texture of the 1000 layer bread (similar to roti prata) to the curried flavours of the Jungle tofu. Good food, good service, good ambiance.
(4)Chelsea B.
I'll admit that it started out pretty awkward because the restaurant only had a few tables filled when we arrived at around 6:45pm, and man was it was quiet. There also seemed to be some confusion as to who our server was, because after waiting a good five minutes with no one approaching us we began looking around and two guys made some kind of facial expression to decide whose section we were in. Then, all was well. This was my first time trying Burmese food, and everything was just delicious. We started out with the thousand layer bread and the curry chicken dip, and, as pretty much everyone on Yelp has said, it was great. The dip had chunks of potato and very moist chicken in it, and the flavor was fantastic. I could have eaten about four times that amount. For my entree I asked if they could do the pagan beef with chicken and they obliged, no problem. The dish came out with broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, carrots, and chicken in a delicious coconut-peanut sauce with a big side of rice, and everything was just spot on. The bf ordered the chili chicken and he loved it--personally I thought the spicy mint flavor was a little too much, but he was making oohs and ahhs and mmms across the table. If you like spicy this is one for you. Overall, this place is just no fuss. Really good food that comes out fast, they give you a pitcher of ice water so no waiting for refills, they don't bother you in the least, and no fighting for a table. We will definitely be going back.
(4)Grant T.
Great for vegetarian. Crispy watercress salad is like fried kale--delicious, savory, spicy. The king pao tofu rocks--they use dried chiles and has an amazingly savory sauce. Great place!
(5)Jameson W.
I can't understand less than a 5 star for this place. My second favorite place in Philly! Everything is good. Service is nice. Decor nice. And the prices are reasonable, except for the lunch menu which is unreasonably CHEAP. I love this place and have eaten here a lot. Best dishes: wow, this is tough. My favorite is the Chili chicken. It's just amazing. Second favorite is everything in the basil sauce. Yum. And make sure you've tried the thousand layer bread (I prefer it with potato curry option). Go to Rangoon!
(5)Nicky K.
Rangoon is one of my go to restaurants in Philly as I love the food at Rangoon! I really enjoy coming here and ordering several dishes to share. It's a great place to come to with a small or large group. My favorite dishes here are the Chicken Satay, Thousand Layer Bread, Burmese Tofu Salad, Mango Chicken and Banana Leaf Fish. The Banana Leaf Fish is my absolute favorite - the fish is crispy and covered in delicious coconut sauce. I make sure to order this fish every time I eat at Rangoon. I'm sure I will be coming back here in a couple of weeks.
(4)Shannon H.
Rangoon has been a go-to for me for what feels like forever. I love the onion-pea soup on a cold day; it has a mild but balanced flavor and just enough spice. I love the lentil fritters and crispy watercress salad, as well as the thousand-layer bread with curry potatoes. The bread is a delicious, flaky paratha-style bread and the curry potatoes are chunky and just a little bit spicy. The tomato curry tofu and the dynamite tofu are both very good (and make great leftovers for lunch the next day).
(4)George G.
Food was great, Had the spicy eggplant, not too bad but not a lot of taste. The bbq ribs with basil sauce was great. It was tangy and spicy and not like any ribs i ever ate. The chicken ganlang coconut soup was amazing. Like a thai curry without all the spiciness. Also the best thing to get there is the thousland layer bread.
(3)Oren A.
I'm in town for a convention and went looking for something I don't eat as often in Cali. Rangoon was a quick walk from the hotel and got pretty good reviews, I figured I'd give it a shot. Restaurant was pretty quiet, and I got a seat right away. The server poured me a water and left the pitcher on the table...not used to that. It's fine when you have the room, but I didn't think it was a sign of great service. I ordered my shrimp lemongrass soup. A small somewhat sloppily poured bowl arrived (see pix). Another sign of service quality. The soup was tasty, a strong/sour/savory lemongrass, tomato, and chicken broth with some small mushrooms and a lonely shrimp floating. The main course arrived a few minutes later...accompanied by a chipped bowl of white rice. I'm not asking for Lennox china and crystal goblets, but chipped dishes should be tossed (cost of doing business). The mango chicken was fine at first taste, but got sweeter with every bite until I felt like I was eating dessert for dinner. The chicken was tasty, mango seemed fresh and firm, ingredients were fine....but the cloyingly sweet sauce was overpowering.
(3)Stephanie C.
Ok. I am seriously biased, I know. But when an amazing Philly restaurant goes out of its way to celebrate your rich culture, food, at VERY reasonable prices..how can I not give this a five star? I am Burmese. I also live in New York..which means the best Burmese food (apart from my mother's cooking down in NJ) happens inside of a local's home somewhere in Queens (which, you CAN order..by the way). This is the the best Burmese (yes Burmese! Not Thai, not Chinese, not Indian..though as many of those who know Burmese food know that the cuisine borrows from all these..and if you're new to Burmese food, yes you can have your chicken satay and jungle chicken but then this review is not for you) resto on the East Coast. I've come here a handful of times before with my family (they sort of know my mom's family) but last I was here- a few years ago- it wasn't nearly as popular. I came to Philly for the weekend with my bf and we easily got a seat for 2 around 7:30 on a Sat night. It was pretty busy but the space has grown, and can definitely support a lot of people. It's also very rich with Burmese decor- lacquer wear tea seats and Buddha statues are rampant. The menu is adorned with info on the Burmese heritage. The owners, which are 3 Burmese ladies, are so sweet and serve you themselves. We had Christine- and she spoke to me in Burmese (well she spoke, I listened and nodded) The food: Thousand layer bread with curried chicken- This is our take on Roti Canai (for the Malaysians in the house) and if you like Southeast Asian cuisine, this is nothing you haven't seen before. It's still delicious though- a thin layer of crispy fried paratha (kind of like a scallion pancake if you know Chinese/Korean food), with a side of chicken curry. The chicken was so tender (dark meat) and rich in a non spicy curry sauce. The Asian Tea Leaf Salad- YOU MUST GET THIS. You will not experience anything else like this in terms of Asian food- imported, dried tea leaves retain their strong flavor in this salad that's mixed with cabbage (a Rangoon twist as my Mom doesn't use cabbage), peanuts, some other kind of nuts (not sure which- something imported), and shrimp paste which gives it its kick. A very unique and tea-esque/salty delight. The Spicy Chicken Curry with the most fluffy, and bad-for-you white rice. Note: this has bones. They ask you beforehand if this is ok but that's quite traditional for Burmese curry because we believe the dark thigh meat is the juiciest (beware there is also like chicken neck in this, thankfully my bf is adventurous). The meat is pretty spicy and falls right on the bone. Con: It's also very oily (as all Burmese curries). The rice is really simple, but fragrant and yummy. Ono Ca-Swah- a chicken coconut milk broth noodle soup- I'm calling it the Burmese name because I don't remember how this was written in English. It's very good but I prefer my Mom's, which has more lemongrass, but that's just my Mom. You can expect grounded chicken atop a rich coconut milk broth (that's not so thick it makes you sick), with thick spaghetti noodles. You can top this with coriander, lime wedges, and dry hot chili flakes. Yum. Finally, dessert: FARLUDA! Here, this is made it into a milkshake-esque thing. It's hard to experience.. but, it's ice cream combined with rose syrup, jello-type of thin strips, tapioca, fruits (not in this one though), infused with coconut milk (this was regular milk I think though). We shared one tall glass. If I could order the entire menu, I would. I love Burmese food and am so proud Rangoon goes out of its warm to show others how warm and wonderful our heritage is. Service is very polite and FAST- we got our dishes out in less than 15 minutes and we ate in less an than hour. Dinner came to $40. Don't miss it!
(5)Jenny L.
It's been over a week since I went to Rangoon and I find myself still savoring the memories of the deliciousness we had on that Saturday afternoon. This is my 1st time trying Burmese food and I wasn't sure what to expect, so we ordered the classic dishes: Asian tea leaf salad, thousand layer bread, festival fish soup, and jungle beef. The flavors are similar to Malaysian / Thai / Vietnamese. There was a nutty, crunchy goodness to the Asian tea leaf salad that I couldn't quite pin point and it was uniquely Burmese though you must be okay with the idea of chewing a bit of tea leaf to enjoy this (it also contains peanuts and sesame). None of the other dishes were overwhelming, everything was nicely balanced. The staff were pleasant and efficient. It's a big restaurant capable of handling large parties and they also had several tables for 2 (which is a plus). We went before the dinner rush and had a very good meal. I would definitely stop by again when I'm in Philly.
(4)David W.
I really liked this place on my one visit there. The service was fine. I ordered chicken and vegetables in a coconut sauce and found it really satisfying. Price was only $12+ after the taxes. Granted, this review is only based on one visit so take it for what it's worth. But I intend to go back there.
(4)S D.
Overall really good food. Service leaves a lot to be desired for. Come for the food and nothing else. Thousand layer bread with potato and chicken keema are amazing!
(4)Christina J.
Man oh man, where to start. I've been hearing good things about Rangoon on both Yelp and from my foodie friends. I finally got the chance to go today for lunch and went. We ordered the Burmese Wontons and Thousand Layer Bread (i think that's it) with curried potato to dip it in for appetizers. For our meals, I ordered the pork fried rice and my friend got the rangoon house noodles with half the normal amount of spice. For him to do that, it HAS to be really hot because he loves spicy food. Anyways, our food was spot on. The wontons came with this sweet albeit inappropriate looking white coconut sauce and hefty sprinkles of sesame seeds. My only qualm with them is that they needed more pork. Other than that, they were perfect. The thousand layer bread was really good. I didn't expect it to be fried. Very good texture and the curried potato sauce had a nice kick. When our entrees arrived, everything looked amazing. My fried rice was NOT yellow, which really gets under my skin. Yellow rice is not Asian. It is a part of Latin cuisine. Anyways, my pork fried rice was flavorful and full of veggies and eggs. The house noodles were different though very delicious. Ground chicken with white, flat noodles, vegetables and a red sauce. Everything was great. The prices were not bad. My friend picked up the tab so I would have no problem going back, trying something different, and picking up the tab next time. We did not have desert but I hear their mango sticky rice is really good. Next time you're in Chinatown, hit up Rangoon. It was my first time eating Burmese cuisine and I loved it.
(4)G C.
The thousand layer bread with curry chicken sauce was good. Crisp, buttery, reminded me of Banana Leaf's roti canai. The sauce could be thicker but it was still good. Ordered the Mandalay Nungyi noodle which was okay. Parts of it was a bit too creamy. The portions here are smaller than what you would expect for the price, but these days large portions aren't so good anyways.
(3)Priyanka R.
MY FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN PHILLY, hands down! This place may seem kind of small and quaint from the outside, but when you walk in, it is still not highly impressive. Forget all that. In this case, do not judge a book by its cover. The food here is SO GOOD, that I wish NY had a comparable Burmese restaurant. The thousand layer bread is like heaven on earth, you can get it with potato curry or chicken curry. My advice, just get two orders of it, and try both. You'll be licking the plate clean either way. They have fantastic vegetarian & non-vegetarian options. Try the coconut water, it is fresh, and does not taste like the Vita-Coco stuff you can buy in the stores. The jungle chicken & mango chicken are both AMAZING, and their noodles are made with flavors you cannot even imagine. It's like a party for your taste buds. The appetizers are actually my favorite, just order one of everything, and when you're done, order it ALL AGAIN. Even if you don't have room in your stomach, trust me you'll just want more. This is the best of the best! If you have not been here already, close your computer, get out of your lazy chair, and make your way to Philly's Chinatown... you'll be glad you did. You can thank me later!
(5)Danny K.
Food real good and the place is do nice My wife and I like foods here. The service is great.
(5)Steve T.
Great food. Had chili chicken entree and shrimp lemongrass soup. The entree was so flavorful with just the right amount of spice. Will definitely come back!
(5)Natalee F.
I've been going to Rangoon for years and I've been meaning to give them some Yelp love. I highly recommend this place! My favorite things are: -Of course, the thousand layer bread with the curry potato dipping sauce. You should not walk out of this restaurant without eating this. No excuses. This is the ultimate comfort food. LIght, flaky, crispy, spicy, filling. -Hot Burmese tea. Flavorful and made with sweetened condensed milk. Thick, drinkable deliciousness. -Pumpkin soup! When it's cold outside I crave this. Spicy and flavorful pumpkin broth with sweet fried onions on top. -Mango Tofu - Sweet and savory at the same time. -I can't remember the name, but any version of the soft flat fried noodles. There always seems to be sufficient seating, no matter what size party you come in with. Service is friendly, warm, and prompt. I like the last few pages of the menu that show pictures of and give information about the culture of Burma. I don't really have any other Burmese restaurants to compare this with, but it's been a go to dinner spot for me for at least 8 years.
(5)Dredge K.
me like a bit too chinesey for my taste but consistent and not expensive
(4)Alick W.
Stopped in here to get a quick bite because I saw they had some good lunch specials. I was getting take out but Rangoon has a pretty big and nice dining area. I ordered the coconut curry chicken lunch special with white rice which was pretty good. I saw on the menu that it used to include a soup or egg roll with the special but they have gotten rid of that. I ordered it to go and I think it took less than 5 minutes to come out. It's hard to give a full review only getting something to go, but Rangoon has peaked my interest enough that I want to go back and try some of their other dishes.
(4)Benjamin R.
Fantastic authentic Burmese cuisine! I lived in Yangon for a few months and it's near impossible to find authentic Asian food in the Philadelphia area. I can't wait to go back. I'd suggest exploring the menu. It may look repetitive, but everything has a great flavor. I shared four or five dishes with my table and loved everything.
(5)Edward R.
This place is amazing. Lives up to the hype. The pumpkin chicken was so good and the 1000 layer bread with potato curry was amazing.
(5)Sara S.
This was a solid, lovely meal. Was it the most amazing food I've ever had? Sadly- no. Yes- I did order the Thousand Layer Bread with the coconut curry. Yes- It was phenomenal. Yes- The owner/hostess upfront was extremely cute and accommodating. Sadly, no- this wasn't a 5 star experience. I would have given it realistically a 3.75 because everything was tasty, just not overwhelmingly, mind blowingly spectacular. Not every meal can be. NBD. Perhaps I was expecting the depth of flavor of Vietnamese food, or the spiced nuance of Indian food or the eclectic combination of both; sadly I didn't get Anything close. Everything had the daunting sheen of too much oil as well. The plus sides: Friendly, very attentive service Clean Awesome Coconut wate(juice)! Excellent rice! Thousaaaaaaand Layer bread and potato currry!! Nom! It's worth a go. You won't hate it and it is tasty, I was just expecting a little more.
(3)John F.
Went for dinner. Food is pretty good... but some items seem overpriced for the portion size. Seems that lunch might be the better deal here.
(4)George A.
Really good alternative to those that gone the Banana Leaf route already. The thousand layer bread and chicken curry is a must try. My kids would eat that as their meal if they could. Chili chicken or beef is also a regular favorite for us. Service is the one thing lacking here, but the food will keep you coming back for more.
(4)Shawna W.
Watercress salad was good. A little more dressing than I prefer but very interesting and tasty. The thousand layer bread with curry potato was delicious! Also got the crispy basil fish. I was expecting it to be a whole fried fish and no breading. It was alright but it got soggy when with the sauce on it. Maybe I just had too high of expectations. Overall it was good. I came back a second time and enjoyed it much more. My Burmese friend ordered the some sort of beef curry dish and it was so good!
(4)Barak B.
Got fritters for appetizer. It was so-so. Also had the mint chicken kabob again the meat was fine but not enough spices and flavor. I was kinda disappointed because I really love Burmese food. This was actually my second time here and I decided to give it a second chance. Don't think will give it a 3rd chance.
(3)Albert S.
The food here is fantastic. The Thousand Layer Bread is awesome. Had the Southern Burmese Noodles which were not heavy tasting at all. Very light and tasty. We also had the pineapple scallops which were fantastic. Service was attentive and good.
(5)Michelle P.
I stopped by Rangoon on a recent work trip. I was dull and ordered the tea leaf salad and thousand layer bread based on reviews. The thousand layer bread is basically the Burmese version of roti canai, but made with coconut milk. It was good, though a tad pricey compared to what I'm used to with roti canai. The tea salad was a tad bland (though not bitter) and a few of the split peas were as hard as rocks. They seem a bit stingy on the tea leaves in contrast to some of the Bay Area restaurants. If I end up in this area again I would try some other dishes given the less interesting options in the neighborhood.
(3)Katia B.
I went into this restaurant with 9 people and no one was impressed (or wanted to finish their meal). The food was greasy (not in the yummy way) and one of us found a piece of plastic in the food. I was really surprised because usually yelp is really accurate for me (this place had 4 stars). Coconut curry is pretty bad - but the pumpkin soup was decent.
(2)Brian C.
I must admit, I'm not a leading expert on Burmese food. In fact, I'm not sure I've tried many other Burmese restaurants besides Rangoon. What I do know is that the food here is good. I enjoy the thousand layer bread. It is a lot like roti canai you can get at malaysian places, and the curry dipping sauce is similar too. I like pulling apart the flaky and chewy dough and dipping it in curry. I had the jungle chicken, which was also very good. I love the coconut green curry and the assortment of various fresh vegetables in the dish. It's flavorful but still has that crisp bite to it. Overall, the food here is definitely satisfying, and sometimes when you're in the mood for Burmese, this hits the spot.
(4)Ann V.
I haven't really expanded on my menu choices here so I can really only comment on two items. The Coconut Tofu and the Thousand Layer Bread The bread kind of reminds me the Roti Canai you find at any malaysian restaurant. Tastes very similar, but just isn't as delicious. The coconut tofu was good but it wasn't exploding in flavor. It's good if you want something light. I guess if there were another Burmese restaurant in the area, I would be able to better assess if this place is actually good or not.
(3)Amar R.
My wife and I walked into this restaurant without knowing what Burmese food was. Our waitress was an extremely sweet and helpful lady who helped us understand the menu and recommended our appetizers and main course. The thousand layer bread with potato sauce was incredible. It is spicy..so let them know. Loved the food and will definitely go back
(5)Reeba I.
Food quality and taste, price, and service all deserve 5 stars! We had the Thousand Layer Bread, which believe me, is to die for. We also ordered Coconut Chicken Curry with Vegetable Fried Rice and Cabbage Ginger soup. Ahhhh-mazing. I ordered the Rangoon Night Market Noodles, they were perfect. Not spicy, but very flavorful. The sauce that came with my noodles tasted perfect with my thousand layer bread. I am so glad I came here, I recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Chinatown in Philadelphia!
(5)Meishka M.
In all seriousness this might be the best restaurant in Philadelphia...seriously. I have dreams about this food...and they are good dreams! I dream of Tea leaf salad...so perfect in every way, It is not to be missed. The thousand layer bread with curry potato dip is equally as delicious. My girlfriend and I usually spar over the last piece of bread...it is that good. For entrees I usually order the chicken with pickled cabbage...the mix of sour and spicy is so good, I usually have a hard time ordering anything else. The beer can be a bit pricey...but they have all the standards. After writing this review I think I need to go there tomorrow!
(5)Lisa E.
Totally different menu than I have experienced at other places in Chinatown! First, the staff was fabulous and welcoming - such a nice thing to come across! Ordered: - Thousand Layer Bread With Bar-B-Q Beef - String Bean & Peanut Salad - Coconut Curry Chicken - Banana Leaf Fish Everything was amazingly delicious. I definitely need to go back and try more of the salads and some soups.
(4)Zack L.
Great lunch spot. Surprisingly inexpensive. Genuinely burmese. I think it has a $15 dollar minimum for credit cards. Also, despite my autocorrect, the 1000 layer bread is not a 1000 layer breast. Both dishes sound neat, but the 1000 layer bread is wonderful appetizer. A must. I don't think they serve the other one.
(4)Ben W.
I recently had to plan a large group dinner and a couple of my friends suggested Rangoon. I had heard of the place but never had the chance to try it out. And I'm really glad I did! I originally had a group of 23, but due to scheduling errors, only 10 of us showed up. They were very accommodating and the servers were all very nice. Right from when we sat down, they starting serving us. Our first course was a spring ginger salad minus the shrimp. I absolutely love Burmese salads and this was no disappointment. The ginger was so strong but oh so good. And there were many other add-ins that gave it a nice crunch too. We were next served the thousand layer bread with potato curry. It reminded me a lot of Malaysian roti canai. The bread was nice and flaky and the curry had just the right spice level. Not too filling but a great tasting appetizer. Next came all the main dishes. I don't remember all the names, but we had chili shrimp, coconut curry chicken, vegetarian delight, and vegetarian Northern Burma fried noodle. The chili shrimp was fantastic. It was slightly overcooked, but the breading on the outside was just right and didn't drown out the meat. The seasoning and sauces was spot on. Loved every crunch. The coconut curry chicken was nothing special. I've had curry at multiple places and this one didn't really stand out. Vegetarian delight was same old, same old. Just your standard stir fried veggies with tofu in a mixture of sauces. Unfortunately, the Northern Burma fried noodles were awful. There was almost no flavor. I wasn't sure if they just didn't add enough seasoning, or if the chili sauce they used overpowered what little flavor it had. Either way, the noodles were a little painful to eat, with nothing but the "spicy" flavor greeting your mouth. And the add-ins weren't exciting either. The food wasn't that great, but the good dishes were pretty solid and there's a lot on the menu I'd love to go back and try. And the service was awesome and speedy. Pros: Service, variety of menu (so many options!) Cons: some bland flavors, a little pricey for portions Dishes to try: any of their salads, Chili Shrimp Dishes to skip: Northern Burma Fried Noodles, Vegetarian Delight
(3)Tara L.
Burmese in Philadelphia just a few blocks from the convention center meant I went there twice while in Philly for a conference. I was not impressed with the beef in my lunch dish and wouldn't order anything made with beef again but the appetizer thousand layer pancake was the best I've ever had with the chicken curry or potato curry. The dessert thousand layer pancake was second only to this little place (now closed...sad) in the East Village.
(4)Michael A.
Based off of a recommendation, my friend and I stopped by for dinner on a Saturday night. The ambiance was lively but not loud or crowded, and our server was prompt and friendly. The food was simply incredible. Bold, rich flavors, nice balance of spice, wide range of menu options. Burmese is this amazing combination of Chinese and Indian, and Rangoon does it exceptionally well and at an affordable price. Enjoy!
(4)David B.
I went here with my friend Anuj and some other peeps. Anuj only eats vegetables and he was happy because Rangoon has a ton of choices for people who only eat vegetables...Anuj says people like him are called "vegetarians." Whatever. The menu is extensive, which made me hesitant at first. In my experience places with huge menus often serve dishes that all taste very similar and bland. This was not the case at Rangoon! The food was flavorful, not greasy, well-prepared, and inexpensive. To top it off the wait staff is really friendly...they didn't even laugh at Anuj when I explained to them that he only eats vegetables. The table shared a "Thousand Layer Bread with Curry Potato Dip" and "Mango Salad." The mango salad had a nice balance between the sweetness of the mango and the savoriness of the onions, peanuts, besan, sesame, and garlic oil dressing. I would recommend this dish to those looking to branch out a bit. The Thousand Layer Bread was GREAT and I would highly recommend it. It is light and thin and the dip is thick and flavorful with plenty of potato chunks. I ordered the lemon grass beef (marinated beef, lemon grass, and potatoes cooked in a curry sauce). This was good. The beef was well cooked, the curry sauce was spicy and thanks to the lemongrass had a freshness to it. One of my friends ordered the spicy kung pao beef (stir fried beef with ginger, onions, scallions, and dried chilli in a special blend of spices). As you'd expect, this was pretty spicy. The beef was well cooked and you could definitely taste the scallions, which is a good thing. It was better than my lemon grass beef. Also, this restaurant has a hilariously terribly designed website. I suggest going there: rangoonrestaurant.com
(4)Emma T.
I've been here a few times, and it's been great every time. Well-priced, large meals, which are good to share with your table. They waiters are always very friendly. Burmese food might be described as a mix of Chinese, Thai, and Indian. However you want to describe it, it's delicious. All of the dishes I have tried at Rangoon are very flavorful and the meat is tender. An absolute must is the 1000 layer bread in the appetizer section. I have no idea what constitutes the 1000 layers, but it is incredible. The only thing I tried at Rangoon that I didn't like was a dessert called farluda. I have no idea whether it's good farluda and I just didn't like it, or whether it could have been better. At any rate, it's a parfait glass filled with rose syrup, tapioca pudding, gelatinous worm things, and ice cream. It's as gross as it sounds.
(4)Jenny W.
Got two items based on Yelp reviews. 1. Thousand layer bread with potato. - Definitely get this! so much better than the chicken. I thought this was going to be like Roti canai, but it is sweeter, thicker and crispier. I love it! the potato dipping sauce was fantastic, spicy and very unique. Definitely 5 star worthy. 2. The tea leaf salad - kind of disappointing. It is bitter as hell. It is also pricey for the price and portion. The bitterness of the tea overpowered the flavor of the salad. 2 star. Overall, I would go back to this place to try other things. But definitely not getting the tea leaf salad. muck!
(3)Vince E.
Recommended by Melissa W and friends. Rangoon is legit Burmese, and not like you can find in LA. The waitress explained it like this, almost like thai, chinese, and indian combined, if you can imagine. So I put my fate into her hands that afternoon. Thousand layer bread, galanga onion chicken salad, a spicy chicken noodle, chili chicken. The salad was great. Just like in chinese food, you have the galanga/onion salsa, imagine that tossed into a chicken salad! Then the spicy chicken noodle was so hot, but delicious, we worked our way through tissue after tissue, because our nose kept running, but we kept eating. The restaurant is in chinatown, but actually quite nice inside with a bit of mood and atmosphere. A good company lunch/dinner spot, or a place to take your parents. Definitely a must try.
(4)Elizabeth D.
We ended up here on a Friday night with a very large group of 12. I have never had Burmese food before and so I was a little apprehensive, but i stuck with a few recommended dishes and had a great dinner! The thousand layer bread (ubiquitous in every review) was delicious. For a newbie, like me, I would describe it like phyllo pastry. Crispy and thin. The vatana dip was amazing - great flavor and topped with crispy onions. The kung pao shrimp had terrific flavor and the sauce was awesome, but despite the menu mark, was not spicy at all. Their house Chardonnay was actually pretty decent (and a steal for the price). This is a great place for big groups who are looking for somewhere inexpensive to eat in Chinatown. The menu has something for everyone and it's cheap!
(4)Jessica V.
Perhaps we ordered the wrong items, but I was really disappointed. The service was sub-par, and the food was average Chinese - nothing special or unique as I had hoped. We had the coconut curry chicken and the mango shrimp. The latter tasted mostly like sweet & sour from any Chinese restaurant. It was certainly edible and not necessarily offensive, but not fantastic either.
(2)Kate H.
Thousand layer bread and coconut curry chicken were excellent. Most customers were clearly regulars and the staff welcomed them like family.
(4)Susan B.
I was ecstatic to find a restaurant that served Burmese food. I remember the first time I had Ohno Kwautskwe from a friend and how good it was and was looking forward to having some again. I had the Creamy Coconut Chicken Noodle Soup entree and my boyfriend had the Mango Chicken. While the chicken noodle soup my friend made was much, much better, Rangoon does a really good version of it. Rangoon goes a little bit heavier on the coconut and lighter of the spice. The Mango Chicken was very good. It had the right about of sweet and acid. We also shared an appetizer of Crispy Triangles: their version of potato samosas. Those were tasty too, but nothing spectacular about them.
(4)Khanh V.
The food is great here and I love the Faluda dessert. I always get the thousand layer bread. The explosive tofu is good as well. Rangoon has a great tastes and is good for vegetarians. If you come here and know what to order and you should be good.
(4)Hilary P.
It's been a while since I last ate here (on the company dime, no less) but the thought of the tea leaf salad and thousand layer bread still haunts me. Their entrees are all well and good, but between those two and the papaya salad, I'd be fine with an array of appetizers. Plus, the service is quick and the menu makes for good reading material.
(4)Rita C.
This place was fantastic! I went with three of my girlfriends the other night and I was blown away by how good the food was here. First of all, the menu is pretty diverse; there are a ton of things on there, so it's easy to find something that everyone will like. Secondly, all of the dishes are pretty inexpensive - I don't think there was an item on the menu over $20 (most of the selections were around $10-$12). Thirdly and most importantly, the food was delicious...did I already say that? There were a lot of reviews for the Asian Tea Leaf salad and the Thousand Layer Bread - so we ordered both of those. The Tea Leaf salad was definitely not my favorite and seemed really over-seasoned and over-worked. On the other hand, the Thousand Layer Bread (which is not 1,000 layers) was delicious. We had it with the curry chicken dip and it was really good. We also had the crab rangoon, which were. . . pretty basic. This place is BYOB but be warned that there is a $12 corking fee for each bottle of wine you bring. I thought I could outsmart them by bringing a giant bottle, but the waitress was too quick for me and told us that since it was a large bottle, it would cost $24. That's probably the only bad thing I have to say about this place. I definitely recommend it!
(4)Sophie U.
Tasty, tasty Rangoon. I first experienced this establishment a few years ago when I was still in college, but I don't remember enough to really talk about that. I went there with the boy in late May so he could have a taste of what is said to be the only Burmese restaurant in town (as of a few years ago, at least). We got the Thousand Layer Bread with Curry Chicken Dip to share; it was delicious. The curry had a great flavor and the bread was wonderfully crispy. We also shared the Golden Triangles, which are basically curry potatoes in thin fried shells. The dipping sauce was awesome. My entree was the Pagan Beef, with an insanely good peanut sauce... just thinking about it now makes me salivate. The boy had the Jungle Chicken, which I remember being tasty as well. The service was fine. I find the atmosphere to be a bit odd; it's kinda quiet for an Asian restaurant!
(4)Jennifer P.
Southern Burmese noodle and beef mint kebab was amazing!
(5)Nina B.
When I'm happy, I go to Rangoon. When I'm sad, I go to Rangoon. When I'm in Chinatown, I go to Rangoon. When I'm not at Rangoon, I want to be at Rangoon. The staff is friendly, the food is great (GREAT), the prices are reasonable, and I love that they serve tea in those mugs with lids (because they steep it in your mug, not in a pot). In fact, this place inspired me to go out and buy one of those mugs for myself. I highly recommend the Jungle dishes (Jungle Tofu, Jungle Chicken, etc.) and pretty much any other spicy dish on the menu. If you want something sweet, go with a Mango dish. Then you'll always want to be at Rangoon, too.
(5)Marisha D.
When we were in Philly, my husband and I were looking for yummy place to eat. Rangoon came up during our Yelp search, having never had Burmese food before, we decided to give it a try. Our food was delicious! We had the thousand layer bread with chicken sauce, Shan noodle and a beef curry dish. Best meal in Philly so far :)
(5)Julie G.
Rangoon is a staple for us. They have decently-priced Burmese food, which I think can be described as a fusion of the more-common Thai and Indian. I like their Basil Tofu, and Jungle Tofu, and my other-half always gets their Thousand Layer Bread and Curry (its delicious). I don't think I've ever had a dish I don't like. If spicy is your thing, their Chili Tofu is awesome. Whilst I'm not a vegetarian, Rangoon does exceptional tofu. However, most of their dishes come in a poultry, beef, seafood and tofu version (i.e., they also have Jungle and Basil Chicken, Beef and Seafood). Their drinks are also really good (fresh coconut juice is heavenly) and their soup is outstanding. I'm always too full for dessert, but their offerings are typical Thai/Burmese (sweet rice, coconut and mango things etc). The restaurant is decorated in dark woods, burgundy and gold. Even though there is a lot of seating, each table feels intimate. The restaurant is mostly quiet, but can get a little louder on busy weekend nights, or business lunches, however, it is never "loud." Servers are promt and they always leave a jug of water on the table, which we love! The restaurant was started by three friends twenty years ago. These friendly, savvy women still run the place: one focuses on the front of house, another focuses on the kitchen, and the third is the main business-person. The three combined have created a fantastic dining experience with a pleasant atmosphere and excellent food.
(5)Emily B.
It's like Thai and Indian food had a baby! And yes, you must get the 1000 layer bread with either the chicken or potato sauce. Firecracker Fritters satisfy your need for heat. I've always have a fantastic meal here no matter what entree I try. So good!
(5)Sasha F.
$6.50 lunch special. What a great deal and meal. Rangoon has some of the best tofu / vegetarian dishes in Philadelphia. We usually get Coconut Tofu with salad and fried rice... the fried rice is not greasy just a few added peas and carrots. 5 stars for Thousand Layer Bread... I order it plain and give it a little salt. Similar to a big round flat croissant. Some eat it with sugar for dessert. Rangoon "Secret Hang out of PBS".
(5)Mike V.
First time having Burmese food. If you haven't had it, think thai/indian/chinese fusion and you'd be close. The coconut galanga soup was outstanding. I tried the thousand layer bread with ootato curry sauce. It's clearly where the phrase 'hot mess' came from! If you haver ever had Ethiopian food, this bread is a crispier version of that. I finished off my meal with th mint beef kabob. Very spicy, but I like it like that. Solid lunch choice for something different. Next time I'll try the specials!
(3)Lauryn Z.
I love Rangoon - one of my favorite restaurants in Philly...I've been here many times and am finally getting around to writing a review! The Food. Always consistent, delicious, fresh, and cooked to your desired spice level. If you ask for it spicy, they will deliver. The flavors are always spot on - think a combination of Indian, Chinese, and Thai, as other reviewers here have previously mentioned. Favorites include: Thousand Layer Bread with Curry Potato Dip, Spicy String Bean with Tofu, and Spicy Red Bean Chicken. The Service. Friendly and on point. Servers are attentive and water glasses are filled regularly (important when eating spicy food!). The Decor. Nothing special here, the restaurant is clean and decor is simple and somewhat traditional. The prices here are very reasonable and they do serve beer (both Asian and domestic varieties). Portions appeared a bit smaller when we got take out- I recommend dining in. This restaurant closes earlier than a lot of the other places in Chinatown- 9:00 PM on weekdays so its not a late night option. Highly Recommended.
(5)Ellis M.
Tried this place when looking for something new for a date night last night. Good reviews on yelp and a type of food we'd never tried led us here. Definitely not disappointed. The Burmese flavors are familiar and yet wholly different from anything you've had before. You get the earthy spice of India with the acidity and sweetness of Thai plus a ton of coriander. So much coriander. Anyway, here's what we got: Thousand Layer Bread with potato curry (as recommended) - delicious. The bread tastes like an unleavened croissant. Dip it in a lovely, warming, savory curry. Yumtown. Mango tofu for me - sweet with huge pieces of mango, a little spicy. Tofu cooked just right with crunchy peppers and onions Beef with red bean sauce for my boyfriend - he said it was quite spicy and earthy. Wholly different from the light sweetness of my dish. On top of that, the service was great. They left a pitcher of water on the table (I love!). Food came out quickly. Dining room decorated nicely. And the menu has a little bit of a historical guide to Burma (Myanmar) in the back. Wonderful! We will return.
(4)Krissy M.
Thousand Layer Bread + Potato Curry = Spicy and Yummy! I had the cold Burmese noodles and hubs ordered the Pineapple fish - great meals both! The prices are reasonable, the staff was very friendly and attentive and the decor was tasteful without going overboard. I'd also recommend the coconut juice :)
(4)Dara S.
This was on my list for being highly rated and near the convention center. I went because I had never heard of this genre of food. This was one of my best meals, if not my best, during my three day visit to Philadelphia. I got the Thousand Layer Bread with a Curry Potato Dipping Sauce and the Coconut Galanga Soup. The bread looked like it would taste greasy but was delicious, and the dipping sauce was spicy and rich. The soup was thick and complex. The atmosphere was all right - minimal décor - it was mid-afternoon so pretty quiet. I loved that there were five men gathered at a table shelling peas. All of the servers were inattentive and appeared to hate their jobs.
(4)Ricardo S.
Rangoon is great. It's inexpensive, the menu is extensive, the staff is friendly, and the food is unusual without being weird. You can take anybody here who is willing to eat anything remotely Asian and they will eat something and love it. There are good vegan options. Lunch specials are big and cost something like seven bucks. The "thousand layer bread" is awesome. Every single time I eat at Rangoon, I think, "I don't eat here often enough."
(4)Dei D.
Thousand layer bread with curried potato dip was delicious! In fact, it is an absolute must have whenever I'm in China Town. While I've had the thousand layer bread with curried chicken, it was good, but not a force to be reckoned with as far as the curried potato. The thousand later bread alone without any accompanying side dishes is also delicious. The bread is made up of several buttery layers of goodness that has air in between. You can even pull the layers apart. Can you say Mmm, Mmm, good?
(5)Tim K.
Came in close to closing time. Delicious, met one of the owners, and left thinking more people should be eating here!
(5)Heather S.
Stopped in for lunch and followed of the the Yelp suggestions: thousand layer bread with potato curry dipping sauce - very good. tea leaf salad - never had it before, very interesting and tangy, good! A noodle dish that was spicy and excellent - something like Northern noodles. Good place for a quick stop - clearly popular as there was a good mix of people. The waitstaff were very friendly too and nicely located in the midst of Philly's china town.
(4)Samantha S.
The Festival chicken was amazing and it came out fast!
(4)Kay K.
Accidentally found this gem while my friends and I were roaming around in chinatown. I have seen this place every time I visited Philly but never thought it would be a Burmese restaurant since it is not exactly in the restaurant area. As a native from Burma, I can guarantee this place is 100% legit. I have tried burmese restaurants in new york city, but they weren't as good as Rangoon. My friends and I tried a thousand layers bread with chicken curry, burmese lo mein, coconut rice and spicy chicken curry, panthay noodle which is influenced by chinese and indian cuisines and as for dessert, we got the burmese farlooda. Out of all the dishes, my favorites were thousand layer bread with chicken curry, and coconut rice with spicy chicken curry. If you have never tried Burmese food, I recommend you try those two dishes. They definitely highlights the essence of burmese cuisine. Burmese lo mein and panthay noodle were good but not a must have. My friends who have never tried Burmese food before absolutely loved the dishes. The prices are very reasonable as well. The amount of food is generous and extraordinary. We all left the place full and satisfied. The staff is friendly. They aren't always attentive to you but always within reach if you need something. The atmosphere is nice and peaceful. I absolutely recommend this place to whoever visiting Philadelphia, no matter whether you are native burmese or not. You wouldn't regret coming here.
(5)Kristin W.
We came here last night after our neighbor recommended it. I had the grumps and really didn't want to go out but I was really glad I gave this place a shot! This was the first time I've had Burmese and it was like all of the things I love mashed together - Thai, Chinese, Indian, etc. I ordered the Coconut Tofu and P. ordered the Mango Chicken. Service was super fast and before we knew it, our food was on the table. I love, love, loved the Coconut Tofu! It was rich and creamy with out being overly filling. For someone who loves coconut like I do, it was heaven. I did try the Mango Chicken and while it was good, I have never liked Mango Chicken so I guess I'm not the best person to ask. P seemed to really enjoy it though, which was good because then he won't try to eat my food. ANYWAY, I am excited to go back and try more and I highly recommend Rangoon for all of your Burmese food needs.
(4)Danny L.
After reading all of the glowing reviews, I was expecting more from this place but I guess I set my expectations a little too high. The food isn't bad by any means. I thought my golden rice was pretty tasty and found my spicy curry chicken just A-ok. I was disappointed in the thousand layer bread that is getting so much love here on yelp. It just tastes like a thicker and greasier roti. I prefer the lighter one from Penang' one street down but that's me. To each their own.
(3)Merv R.
Came here during superbowl Sunday and we were the second couple at the place. Never having eaten at a burmese restaurant, we were surprised to see familiar ingredients in most of their dishes having had numerous Thai, Malaysian and Chinese dishes. We started with the appetizer sampler which consists of a spring roll, potato samosa and some fried onion slivers. We also had an order of the fried tofu salad which looked interestingly different. The tofu salad was hearty on it's own, good enough to be it's own dish and had a decent heat to it, but not overpowering. I did find the red onions a little pungent, perhaps thinly sliced shallots would have been better. The main course was beef mint and basil fish. The beef was unfortunately a bit on the chewy side (it was overcooked) but the flavor was excellent. The peppers complimented the sauce but the overall feeling at the end left me with a simple "steak and peppers" dish. The fish however was excellent. The coated fish fillet was nicely cooked, maybe a little heavy on the cornstarch, but it soaked up a ton of the beautiful juices the thai basil imparted. More peppers came with this dish, and bamboo shoots added a crunch to the soft white fish. As a side note, the "canny" taste of the bamboo shoots was quite strong. Perhaps the fish sauce in the sauce enhanced it. Dessert comprised of agar jelly, tapioca pearls and sticky rice in a chilled coconut milk. That definitely cleansed the palate of any savory flavors left behind. The service could definitely be better. The whole time we were there, we were kinda being watched and talked about (at least that's what it looked like). The server was only attentive at the very beginning when we ordered and when the check was presented. I guess they'd rather be home watching the superbowl, ha! Decent food, service could be a tad better, overall I would give it a 6.5-7 out of 10
(3)Andrew S.
Delicious food, great service, no problem sharing a bunch of portions and appetizers between a table of 10 (making it kind of like Burmese dim sum).
(5)Brad P.
Rangoon is a pretty cool place. They have a very large menu with some information about their history and Burma(for those who only know it as the place that J. Peterman escaped to in that one Seinfeld episode where Elaine proposed the idea of the urban sombrero). I tried the thousand layer bread with potato dip, jungle chicken, and kung pao chicken. The thousand layer bread was good. It had a nice spicy kick to it and I look forward to returning in order to try it with the chicken curry dip. the Jungle chicken is basically an excellent thai green curry but with more lime flavor in it. Highly recommended. The Kung Pao chicken was underwhelming. It was too heavy on the soy sauce and did not meet expectations set by the previously mentioned items.
(4)Sarah E.
Many, many, moons ago, I had a very good friend whom I lived with who was Burmese. Subsequently, that meant a constant supply of delicious Burmese food on the dinner table. Mohinga (traditional fish noodle soup), prawn balachao (dried shrimp and spices that's pretty much delicious on anything), and coconut chicken curry to name a few dishes. But as time inevitable jogs on, we went our separate ways and the food that once was settled into my memories. Enter Rangoon Restaurant. Order anything here. Go on, anything. I can almost guarantee that it will be delicious as I have never had a bad dish here. Everything is authentic as it can get without traveling the 28 hours to get to Burma. The severs are friendly and the family that owns it are extremely nice. I recommend the festival fish soup (it's the national dish of Burma, and the soup I mentioned before), the tea leaf salad (which is so good it rarely survives on the plate long), and the Pagan Beef ( a deliciously creamy and peanuty curry). Go now. Seriously people. You can thank me later.
(5)Amity C.
I've been going to Rangoon since the mid '90s and it has never, ever disappointed! It's one of my favorite restaurants of all-time, and I seriously worry about what I will do if the owners ever decide to retire! After what's probably a hundred visits by now, I've settled on my favorite dishes and I love that they never change the menu. Why mess with perfection? My favorite dishes are the thousand layer bread with vatana bean dip, summer chicken salad, chili monk fish, and kung pao chicken. And farluda for dessert is a must! I call it "a party in a glass." :) Rangoon also has a great story behind it of how it was founded by three women friends. I think that core of friendship is reflected in the ambience, which is warm, inviting, and relaxed. The decor is pretty but not trendy, which makes it a very comfortable place to just settle in and have a great meal, without worrying about dressing up or being seen.
(5)Neil G.
Hands down one the best restaurants in Philadelphia. The ambiance is casual and relaxed. Food is authentic, and flavorful. It's inexpensive and quick customer service. I order Rangoon at least twice a week if not more, and always bring large parties. I recommend getting the coconut chicken noodle soup, thousand layer bread with potato curry (a little bit spicy) or the coconut chicken curry, lentil fritters, mango salad, and ginger salad. Be prepared to have your mind blown!
(5)Edi D.
I've traveled to Philly for work for the past 6 months and therefore dine out a lot. I found this restaurant through yelp searches and IT IS A GEM!!!!! In terms of taste, quality, and environment, this restaurant is now on my list of top 5. I wasn't going to order the Thousand Layer Bread since it sounded like unnecessary carbs but boy am I glad I did. It was like bliss in my mouth. We ordered ours with potato curry and it was nice and spicy as promised. What can I say, it was heaven. We then split the mango chicken, garlic noodles, and crispy beef. All of them were delicious and satisfying but I'd say the best of those dishes is the mango chicken. They place a large bowl of rice and a pitcher of water on your table and you're set to go! I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a great meal at a very reasonable price.
(5)Walter K.
Rangoon is supposed to be one of the best Burmese restaurants around, and can supposedly compete with NYC (although no one's overflowing with Burmese joints). I had been looking forward to this visit a lot. This was just a quick lunch stop, and Rangoon is a perfect place for such a trip. They provide good, amazingly fast service. We were in and out in under 45 minutes. The atmosphere is similar to many Chinatown restaurants. I went with a traditional Burmese dish. Overall, Burmese food is more chewy and messy than the rest of south east asia. It's more like the cuisine of northern Thailand, which makes sense when you look at it geographically. The food is spicy, in a slow steady way that sticks with you. I loved it. My dish had large floppy noodles with shrimp, chicken and bean sprouts. It was all served with a light glaze over everything, which made the dish. I would recommend one of the noodle or rice dishes, although there are many other (chinese, ect) "regular" offerings. On another trip, I would like to try some of the traditional appetizers. Bottom Line: Rangoon is definitely a good stop in Chinatown, especially for their lunch special. But I think I prefer other restaurants and Asian foods (especially dim sum!). Nonetheless, this spot is definitely worth checking out. It's good food, and a great way to get some variety on your plate.
(3)Anand T.
This is a really great restaurant in philly. I loved every thing about this place. Came here with my family and we started out with the roti canai which is delish, for my main dish I got the banana leaf fish which was good. I would definitely come here, this is a great restaurant for family outings.
(5)Mohammad Ali K.
Get the Jungle Tofu dish if u like coconut Tofu. Tasty and refreshing. Very friendly staff and I would certainly go again and recommend to my friends to go.
(5)James B.
I love this place. The "golden triangles" (curry potato samosas with a spicy masaman-like dipping sauce) , the thousand-layer bread with vatana bean dip, the house noodles, the "jungle" dishes... It's all fantastic. If you like Indian food, and thai food, and Chinese food, you will probably like Burmese food, too. Them golden triangles, though. Holy moly, they're good...
(5)Jumi Y.
Do you have a place that you associate with a friend? Rangoon is one of those places for me. Throughout the several years I have been in Philly, one of my friends and I always somehow ended up here for dinner and ended up talking for hours about life here. Beside the sappy memories, Rangoon's food is just great. I've had one or two things that I have not enjoyed, but the majority of the food has been delish. My favorites in particular are the tofu in black sauce, kung pao tofu/chicken, and basil noodles. I can't remember the name of the appetizer I always get (sad, huh?) but it's something fritters that are crunchy and spicy. The thousand layer bread is really good, but I agree with the people who say it's a bit on the greasy side. Their tofu appetizer is really good, too. The staff is also uber nice and remember your face after awhile. It's like a Burmese-style Cheers. Not really. It's a bit pricey compared to the other Chinatown restaurants, but that means main dishes are in the 10-12 price range.
(4)Christina C.
The 1000 layer bread was very good! Tea leaf salad was not great, had much better in other restaurants.
(3)Shreekant P.
Distant family grew up in Burma, so have had some Burmese. Rangoon is a great place to try some authentic Burmese dishes. They do have the Mohinga and my favorite Ohn No Khao Swe (N2 on the menu). You could just randomly pick out of the menu and they are all good. Some notables, Thousand Layer Bread for starters, N2 (of course!) which is the coconut/chicken broth noodle soup, the chili Monk fish, and noodles with Basil (N17). The Burmese tea is delicious Chai! The family is very nice, the wait staff are helpful. The service can be slow.
(4)M J.
After having Burmese salad everyday while I was in Chaing Mai, Thailand (it was a non profit cafe for Burmese refugees), I was working up a mean craving for it after I had been back for a few months. Finally, it struck me (yup it took months for me to think of it!) I googled Burmese food Philadelphia and found this place! and aaaahhhhh yeeesssss!!!!! They have the Burmese Green tea leaf salad!!! it is called asian tea leaf salad on the menu. I strongly suggest trying it if you go, it is so unique, and you can't get it or anything similar in any other cuisine... it is a BURMESE SPECIALTY. My favorites: 1. Asian Tes Leaf Salad (ask for no shrimp and no fish sauce if you are vegan/veggie) 2. coconut rice 3. Potato Curry service is very friendly, but sometimes they forget to bring out some food you order.
(5)Anjali M.
I really enjoy the food here at Rangoon. It's really hard for me describe what Burmese food is because I could say it's like Malaysian and Indian food but then we could argue that Malaysian food is like Indian food and Chinese food and so on and so forth. Just know that any asian food is most likely good food :) It's a tad overpriced but it's still enjoyable. My family and I have been there two times and the second time definitely wasn't as good as the first. Oh well. I'm giving four stars because I think they will still get good business and the food is definitely good. Service may be slow at times but you eventually get what you want.
(4)Joe A.
I have to admit that my knowledge of Burmese food is limited entirely to Rangoon. If Rangoon is the typical Burmese restaurant then book me a flight to Myanmar! Rangoon is really a great place to eat. The restaurant is clean and has a nice Burmese decor. The owner is usually the hostess and she always greats you with a warm smile and welcoming attitude. There are some dishes that are excellent. First the thousand layer bread with vantana beans is delicious; warm, slightly greasy but in a good way, and when smeared with the bean dip, it is a great appetizer. The golden triangles are a curry filled puff pastry which is also excellent. Some of the best choices at Rangoon are their salads especially the string bean salad with peanuts and the ginger salad, both are a interesting combination of sweet, sour and salty. All of the entrees we have tried have been really good especially some of the vegetarian choices, which are spicy and interesting. The only major flaw is the service which is very attentive but the have a terrible habit of bringing out your appetizers and entrees at the same time. There is a bit of a language issue with some of the servers, so instead of causing a scene or making people uncomfortable, we found that the solution is to order your appetizers first and don't place your entrees order until you have finished your appetizers. The kitchen is very fast so there is no inordinate delay and you get to savor your appetizers without feeling rushed. I rarely eat desserts after a big dinner at Rangoon but my extremely picky sister, who loves Rangoon is freak for their coconut rice pudding. Rangoon has a full liquor menu and allows your to BYOB but does charge a corkage fee. We skip the bring your own and have a Singha or two or a glass of the house wines which are reasonably priced.
(5)RINNA L.
I mean - I have to give this place five stars on the fact that it is the ONLY Burmese restaurant in Philly. So yes - as good as it gets. I fell in love with Burmese food while visiting a friend in Oakland, and I've been dying to get my hands on more. My GF and I finally made the trek to Rangoon last weekend and it was awesome. The thousand?hundred? (i forget) layer bread is amazing. The salad I got was awesome and that Jungle curry sauce - wow. I would drink that in milkshake form if it came that way. Overall - totally recommended.
(5)Melissa W.
Rangoon is great. I've never had Burmese cuisine before this, and this place was delightful. It may be a tiny bit more expensive (we're talking a couple dollars here) than most places in Chinatown, but it's the only Burmese restaurant and definitely very unique. It almost makes me want to brave the military junta and travel to Myanmar. Try the chili beef. You won't regret it.
(4)Tagli B.
Seated right away in a perfect table in the back corner. Quickly offered drinks and apps that arrived immediately. The thousand layer bread was delicious liked the potato one the best -3 orders for 6 of us plus some Fire Cracker Fritters. All good. Loved the Jungle Chicken, Kung pau Shrimp- not anything like chinese. Attentive service throughout, without rushing us. Overall an excellent meal
(4)Kuv S.
My mother's side of the family is from Burma, and we are all still very much so at heart. Mom is a doctor, and has spent much of her career helping immigrant Burmese woman adjust to life in the states, so for me, growing up, I was inundated with Burmese dish after Burmese dish made by authentic homemakers and I am confident there is not a dish I do not know (sometimes, when it comes to the wilder side, I wish I didn't know;) So recently, when I came to phili for a family friends' - of the same medical background -wedding, and about 30 of us, burmese-indian-americans got together for a sunday brunch at Rangoon, I welcomed the opportunity to reconnect with some dishes from my youth. In our group, a handful of uncles were local physicians and from the moment we walked in, we got the royal treatment as everyone from the owner to waiters had at one point or another sought some advise or treatment. We were served everything, and "a best of" at that. Of the apps I enjoyed the burmese samosa and rangoon salad. My foodie friends from chicago - who are in fact opening a food truck, will review shortly :) loved the fried onion and firecraker lentil fritters. The calamari and papaya salad were great to nibble on, and I saw much delight with the shrimp soup, and my coconut soup was amazing. Always the rebel, my good friend and older bro ordered the kung pao (yes, chinese, but fitting as burma has so many chinese residents) and sure enough that turned out to be awesome. The chili monk was delish, and I do remember someone ordering more curry fish. Of the true to burma mains, southern burmese noodles and northern burmese noodle dishes are equal parts yum. In summation, I highly recommend Rangoon and applaud their hospitality and service. The meal was very Burmese - simple, and contained a lot of heart. Thanks for a most memorable brunch :)
(5)Kemi A.
This place ROCKS. Tried it today just cause i was in the 'hood and wanted something not too expensive. Worked out great. Seated fast, fast service, great food and great price. I ordered the spicy fried rice (there is a pic of it in the pic section). Crazy delicious. Coconut rice is sweet which goes well if u are eating it with spicy meal. I would like to go back to try the thousand layer stuff which I've heard is really good too.
(4)Richard S.
Delicious, authentic-tasting Burmese food at a reasonable price. We visited around 6 PM on a Wednesday night, and it wasn't crowded at all - certainly quiet enough to chat softly. The thousand-layer bread and jungle tofu were quite tasty. Would definitely eat again!
(5)Luca S.
REAL Chinese food. great service, amazing food. JUST GO AND TRY IT
(5)Nicole E.
I've never had a bad experience at Rangoon. The staff always remembers me and my friends and greets us with smiles. Service was always reasonable and it was easy to get in and out for lunch and dinner services. If you go - you must try the String Bean Salad (which has won awards) and the Spring Ginger Salad is also great (and I don't like ginger). The best way to eat at Rangoon is to get plates for the table and try a little bit of everything, I have never been disappointed in one dish and I've eaten here too many times to count!
(5)Angela K.
Very good, I haven't had better Burmese in New York. There are two spots in San Francisco that may have this place beat, but its certainly the best Burmese in Philly.. and the best I've had on the East Coast so far. Plenty of vegetarian options.. :) I liked the Thousand Layer Bread when dipped/eaten with curry.. It's thin and flaky like a flattened croissant.. don't think traditional layers. Its pretty rich & oily but goes well with soupy & spicy dishes. It's like a cross between a flat croissant, naan, and Chinese scallion pancakes. Most similar to the scallion pancakes.. just flakier and without the scallion. I also liked the Crispy Lentil Fritters & Spicy Green Bean Tofu. I liked the ginger in Tea Leaf Salad, although its not my favorite dish, I don't mind sharing one and having a few bites. The curries were good, not amazing, but I'm a sucker for spicy coconut curries and went home happy. The are very quick with the food.. so take your time ordering your meal after appetizers. My water did not get refilled as often as I like, but I tend to drink excessive amounts of water at restaurants, especially when eating spicy and greasy foods.
(4)Nat P.
Consistently good eats in Chinatown! I love this place. Been going here for a few years now and still haven't been disappointed by the food or service. Recently I went for dinner with a friend and was quickly whisked in to an empty table since it was a slow week night. The space is pretty big, lots of tables, and good for groups as well. Decor is tasteful and theme related. Over the years it doesn't seem to have the traffic it used to, but however it still manages to get a steady crowd on most nights. The menu is pretty extensive. If you aren't familiar with Burmese food, don't be afraid to try things. There are lots to choose from, noodles, poultry, seafood, you name it. Just expect lots of flavor and spice if that's what you ask for. We had the thousand layer bread with chicken curry (a must), and pork dumplings for appetizers. Shan rice noodles, Basil Pork, and Ngapali pineapple shrimp for entrees. The shrimp dish wasn't so good to me, it was a little too sweet. On the other hand, the basil pork is always so good to me. But by far the standout was the shan rice noodles. Basically it has sauteed chicken, sesame, and peanuts with sesame oil. We got it spicy as well and I just couldn't stop going back to it. There is so much good stuff going on here that most dishes will be winners. For example another favorite is mango shrimp or chicken. It's just so well balanced with flavor and heat if you ask for it. Expect good service from a friendly staff. Enjoy!
(4)Monica L.
Rangoon is a pretty good Burmese restaurant in Chinatown that I go to for lunch a lot because it is near work. When people ask me what "Burmese" cuisine is like, I say it's kind of like a mix between Chinese and Thai. They have a great lunch special menu for around $7 that includes an soup or a salad, steamed or fried rice, and a main dish. I usually go for the Coconut Chicken Curry because it is creamy and has a yummy taste - very comforting - but today I switched it up and got the Chicken Basil which was also quite good and had a nice little kick to it. The service is usually pretty speedy, too, which helps when you need to be in and out in an hour. Overall, a solid little place.
(3)Dave H.
The best Burmese restaurant in Philadelphia's Chinatown that I'm aware of. I think their web site also states they're the only Burmese restaurant in Chinatown...! I've dined there a few times (once with 10 people, another time with three people) and always have received friendly service from the staff, no matter the size of our group. Rangoon's dishes are full of flavor and authentic-tasting (but I can't evaluate with confidence, not having eaten too much Burmese - tastes like Thai!). Their papaya salad can be made spicy (I like spicy) and many of their dishes often are. I've had many dishes there and every one is pretty much on target, to my tastes. The only negative is that their servings seem to be stingy for the price, so if you're sharing, you may only get a few bites. During dinner the place is typically filled and you'll have to wait for a seat. Unlike other Chinatown restaurants, credit cards are accepted, and a good thing too, as the place isn't cheap. For you alcoholics out there, they have a liquor license. Wholeheartedly recommended.
(4)Jason S.
Recommended by friends (who joined me on my trip through Philadelphia), Rangoon looks like a "typical" Asian place in Chinatown from both the outside and the inside, but the food is very good. The staff was helpful and attentive. I had the delicious Village Style soup and we shared a number of appetizers (the Golden Triangles are very good, and their dipping sauces are unique without being overpowering). One companion observed that her tofu didn't look like tofu - it had an odd color and shape - but she said it tasted great, so it's just prepared in a different manner. I am not someone who generally likes Southeast Asian cuisine - or, rather, I usually only find one or two dishes that I want to try since I don't eat seafood and avoid a lot of other common foods from this region. But the menu at Rangoon is extensive and I could probably go back for a week and not order the same thing more than once. The chicken mint kebab entree was solid and filling, and I also tried a bite of the pumpkin chicken - pumpkin is not really my thing, but it had a nice heartiness to it and my other friend cleaned his plate, and I was glad to try it. There are many vegetarian/vegan options, and one friend said that they had even made her vegan 1000 layer bread on a previous visit. I should also say that I was traveling with luggage and had to meet three different sets of friends (I am not in the city all that often), and one couple had a baby, and the staff never blinked an eye and were totally accommodating. Parking can be tough - it's Chinatown - but it's worth the visit. One group of friends had recently moved from Texas and they all said they loved it, it was their first time with Burmese food.
(4)Alan L.
Wonderful first time experience for Burmese cuisine. The Coconut Galanga soup is amazing with a small spicy aftertaste to cleanse your palate for the main course. Galanga is akin to ginger in taste. The Burmese Tofu Salad was a perfect light course sprinkled with sesame seeds and a very tasty dressing. I indulged in the 6 layer bread with Curry Potato dipping sauce. Beware, I took too much of a hearty bite and ended up burning the back of my throat with the soups spicy goodness. Once forewarned I worked my way around the bite and enjoyed the bread and curry. I must confess I went all in, and had the Rice Pudding with Mango. Yum. Hope to be back soon when I am in Philadelphia.
(4)Bruce B.
Rangoon is supposed to be an Burmese restaurant, well I've never been to Burma before but I think their menu is more fusion than not. Rangoon is a nice, clean, comfy spot run by family. I was here once before about 10 years ago and the mother who runs the restaurant asked me where have I been when I ate there recently. I thought she was taking a stab in the dark but she asked about the young lady I was with and said 'have a seat Bruce'. Go figure! I sat down and I remembered something I had to have.... The Thousand Layer Bread! Rangoon has the best version of that Andalusian Bread that's crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside with a lot of flaky crust. It is amazing. I ordered a appetizer called Vatana which is a curry stew with potatoes and chicken and a plate of-you guessed it, Thousand Layer Bread. I wolfed that dish down and immediately ordered another of the same. I know, I know 2 of the same appetizers ain't cool but it was so damn good. Next I ordered the Jungle Chicken which was Chicken breast stir fryed with a ton of fresh, crisp veggies, served with steamed rice. It was delicious and filling. The menu at Rangoon is humongous, reminiscent of those large menu's at the old school Chinese restaurants back in the day. I'm sure anyone with an appetite and a few bucks can find something to tickle their fancy here.
(4)Seema F.
Rangoon is one of my favorite southeast Asian restaurants. First of all, Burmese food is very hard to find, and this is the only one in the city (that I know of). South and Southeast Asian food is like a perfect gradient going from India to China. If Thai is a perfect mix of Chinese and Indian then I suppose Burmese is the mix of Thai and Indian with a tad more South Indian. I've never ordered anything I haven't liked. Like Thai and South Indian cusinine, Burmese uses a lot of coconut milk. It may not be that great for you in huge quanitites but it is DELICIOUS. The dishes I often stick to are: - Thousand Layer Bread with curry (Indian inspired layered roti with yellow curry) - Coconut Galanga Soup (similar to Tom Kah but a little more flavor and spice) - Rangoon House Noodle - Lemon Grass Beef - Basil Beef/Pork (like Seth A. said--anything with basil is spicy and delicious) The decor has improved in the past few years (I believe they got rid of the pink decor that every Asian place seems to like). It also draws a huge Indian crowd, which I guess is the closest to a Burmese crowd I can hope for. If you love Indian and Thai food, you'll love Rangoon.
(5)Karen B.
quickest workday lunch around. you'll get a complete sit-down meal in half an hour. the lunch specials rock: $6.50 for most choices -- includes soup or a salad plus either fried or steamed rice. my only complaint about rangoon is that the stuff labeled "hot & spicy" often isn't very hot & spicy (at least by my definition). i like my food blazing and was looking forward to some heat when i went here but barely found any! everything is still very good, though. as other yelpers have mentioned, the thousand-layer bread is a great app.
(4)Clara L.
Disclaimer: For full disclosure, the first time I had Rangoon, it was free. Free things always taste better. But, everytime I return, it is really delicious food. Tip: When eating a new ethnic food, it is always best when someone a) is from the country of the restaurant and b) is on a first name basis with the owner of the restaurant. My Burmese boss ordered food from the restaurant and put it on his tab. Amazing! The Burmese food presented by Rangoon is a cross between Szechuan and Indian cuisine, with perhaps an American twist to it. First start your meal with either the Asian Tea Leaf Salad or the Green Bean and Peanut Salad. The veggies are fresh, crunchy, dressed with an amazing dressing with soy sauce, sesame and a roasted grain that gives the salad texture and nuttiness. Vegetables never had it so good. The other appetizers are just as fantastic. Try the Crispy Tofu. They are delightfully soft pillows of tofu that are deep fried so they are golden brown and crispy on the outside. They come with asian spring roll dipping sauce, which is generic. But, they take it to a whole new level. The Thousand Layer Bread is more buttery and richer than the Indonesian/ Malaysian roti canai. Get it with the potato. It's spicier than the chicken. Like most Asian restaurants, family style is always the best. I always order the spicy Chili eggplant. It's made with Chinese eggplant. (Not the obnoxiously big and ugly American eggplant.) If you like noodles/ pad thai, try the Northern Burmese Noodle which is flat Chinese rice noodle with veggies, chicken and shrimp. Kung Pao Chicken/ Pork/ Beef is unlike any kung pao chicken I've had at any Chinese American place. It's my Burmese bosses' fave. Delicious. If you don't like spicy, the Chicken/ Pork/ Beef in Black Bean Sauce is wonderfully salty and savory. Service is very quick. Your appetizer comes out within five minutes of ordering. Rice comes with every entree in big bowls. Unlike many other places in Chinatown, they a) take credit card and b) won't give you an evil eye if you split the check on two credit cards. If you want to pick up, which I have done as well, service is very fast. Bottom Line: Great Food, Fast Service, Great Price.
(5)Sal W.
Had the Chilli Chicken ($11.85 incl tax) and the taste was exceptional. Unfortunately, it was slightly deep fried, but it was still good even with that characteristic. A ton of rice was provided but it had a lot of hard pieces which implied that it didn't just come out of the rice cooker. They provide a pitcher of water for your table, so you don't have to worry about getting service for water refills. The restaurant was very crowded on this Friday night and it was pretty noisy. Food Quality/Taste = 5 Stars Portion Size Given Price = 4 Stars Price = 3 Stars Service = N/A? Experience with Staff = 3 Stars Decor = 3 Stars
(4)T. C.
I've been obsessed with finding a burmese place in Philly since I moved here. I spent a lot of time in the Bay Area and became a huge fan of burma superstar. I was so excited when I found a place in Philly. Rangoon was pretty good. I rounded up from 3.5 stars to 4 because of how nice the people were there. We ordered the thousand layer bread with potato curry...totally delish. The eggplant and the jungle chicken were also quite good. The steamed fish dish was mediocre, as was the northern burmese noodles. As a whole, all of the dishes were decent, though the serving size was kinda small for the price. I would return, but wasn't nearly as delicious as burma superstar.
(4)Casey F.
Burmese food is a wonderful combination of all the flavors I associate with Asia - especially Thai and Chinese. I trekked over here from S. Broad street while here on business - one gets sick of bar food after awhile. The restaurant is on 9th St, one block over from the main drag. Inside it's pretty standard, not too crowded at 8PM on a Wednesday. Based on the reviews here, I ordered the pumpkin soup, thousand layer bread with lavana beans, tofu salad, and monsoon vegetables. The spices/dressing on the tofu salad were great - lots of kaffir lime flavor, but I wish it had more than just tofu in the salad. The Burmese place I go to in Boston has a tofu salad with a little shredded cabbage and peanuts, and slightly more creamy tofu. The thousand layer bread was cold/chewy by the time I got it, but slightly sweet flavored. Pumpkin soup - a bit bland. Reminded me of Indian Dal more than anything. Filling but not over the top in flavor. Monsoon veggies had a unique flavor I couldn't put my finger on. They were good but mushy. Next time I'm in Philly, I might go back to this place, but I have a new appreciation for the delicacy of flavors at YoMa in Boston.
(3)Monica K.
The food was delicious! The "dynamite tofu" and "chili chicken" were the dishes I was really impressed with, the chicken lo mein was sub par. The prices were very reasonable and the bathroom was even clean!
(4)Erica M.
I'm not sure if I went on an off-night, but I was not impressed by this place. The thousand layer bread with chicken curry dip was a complete disappointment - it was basically a flat piece of super greasy naan and the dip didn't even taste like curry and it was very oily. The chicken coconut curry entree had no flavor..I swear they didn't put any coconut OR curry in it. The only reason this place got any stars is for their Jungle Tofu, which was AMAZING! The flavor was really unique...curry, coconut, lemongrass. It was fresh and delicious! And the service was great too.
(3)Tommy L.
One of the worst restaurants in Chinatown. To start, my Rangoon Appetizer Favorites was greasy. My Chilli Seafood dish was too salty. My Mandalay Nungyi Noodle was room temperature and the noodles were over cooked.
(1)Hardy B.
Nicely priced lunch specials the mint sauce is delicious! Definitely coming back for more
(4)Paul L.
Typically, I go to Banana Leaf when I am in Philadelphia. On this trip, I traded off Malaysia for Burma. The food was good, the server was extremely friendly, and the prices were competitive with many of the other Southeast Asian restaurants in the area.
(4)Fred C.
To give credit where due, I must state that the food here is excellent. During my second visit we were a party of six, and our orders included more than a dozen dishes, all of which were top-drawer. Because I like this restaurant very much, I am doubly distressed by the following negatives: First, it seems impossible to prevent the servers from putting almost the entire dinner on the table at the same time. I've spoken to the manager about the problem and he professed understanding, but this didn't stop the young server from bringing our entrees while we were still working on appetizers. Perhaps it's a language issue, or perhaps some strange oriental disease. The second issue is the restaurant's corkage charge, which I find so onerous that it may preclude my patronizing them again. Since they have paid for a wine and beer license, I have no quarrel with anything they wish to charge customers for bringing their own. But since they don't offer hard spirits, a $12 charge for patrons, opening their own Scotch is, in my opinion, obscene. I don't know how many diners share my view, but the fact that the restaurant was only about 20% occupied during Sunday dinner hours might be an indication.
(3)Jess M.
Had dinner here the other night with friends - decided on it as we passed by since none of us had ever had Burmese food. Good decision - very similar to other Asian cuisine, but some fun variations in a lovely but casual setting. We ordered the crab meat dumplings (crab rangoon) and the crispy tofu as apps - the crab rangoon (my fave) was all I hoped it would be: creamy, crunchy wonton, delicious. The crispy tofu was raved about by my dining companions but not really my cup of tea. The actual cup of green tea I ordered was great, though. Actual tea leaves remained loose at the bottom of the cup, which I do believe made it more bitter as I neared the bottom of the cup. For my entree I got the Northern Burmese Noodles, fat rice noodles with shrimp, chicken, bean sprouts and scallions in a slightly spicy sauce. Very tasty, though I would've preferred thinner noodles, but it was delicious and not very spicy as the menu indicates. One of my dining companions order Southeast Asian Noodles (pad thai by any other name) which was so very good, especially compared to a recent not as great attempt at making pad thai at home. The other ordered the Sweet & Sour Chicken which was fine, but not something I'd normally do cartwheels over anyway. The menu, in additions to being pages and pages of food has a section in the back explaining how the restaurant got its start as well as info on Myanmar and Burmese food and culture. It was interesting to read through. Would certainly return and recommend.
(4)Gustavo B.
I have been to Rangoon a couple of times. The food and the service have been consistent. Its an interesting place, where you can eat Burmese food as well as Chinese and Thai, I believe. They have a wide selection of hearty and delicious soups that make such a good starter for this freezing weather. Their curry dishes are, for the most part, very good, and so is the thousand layer bread. I also particularly enjoy their coconut flavored dishes. The only complaint I have is that some dishes can be a bit too oily for my taste and stomach. I would recommend this restaurant. Yes, I would certainly go back.
(3)Hayley Sara B.
Everytime I come here, I can't stop repeating Dr. Evil's monologue from Austin Powers: "Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons...In the spring we'd make meat helmets." F'amazing. The food here is pretty darn good too. I came with a group, so I got to try a variety of dishes. I admit that I succumbed to peer pressure and ordered the thousand layer bread and tea leaf salad, because EVERYONE on yelp seemed to be doing it. The bread was tasty, but *very* greasy, and the tea leaf salad, while unique, didn't blow me away. What did blow me away were the Rangoon Crab Meat Dumplings. I'm not one to order Crab Rangoon - I like to keep dairy out of my asian fare - and I was nervous about the grease factor post-thousand layer bread. But these were DELICIOUS. Delicate and wonderfully cooked, the inside had just the right amount of spice and cream cheese. This appetizer was the clear winner - go for it. I ordered the jungle tofu as an entree. I had been craving green curry all day, but was weary that there would be too much coconut in the sauce. Rangoon did a really nice job - sauce was excellent, light and well seasoned, with few a peppers for kick. My dish could have had more veggies, but no complaints other than that. I also tried bites of the Spicy Rice Sticks and Burmese Cold Noodles (Let Thoke). The Rice Sticks were a carb lover's heaven - the next time I'm hungover, I'm biking over to Rangoon and doing a face plant into a plate of these. Cold Noodles were good as well, but LOADED with either dried shrimp or shrimp paste - beware if you're not a shrimp fan. Rangoon is nice - it's not as cheap as some other places in Chi-town, nor is it BYO, but it has a really interesting menu that I'm looking forward to exploring further!
(3)Dianna L.
Visited for the second time. The banana leaf fish is very good!
(5)Connie S.
Burmese restaurant in the heart of Chinatown, which is rather upscale as far as restaurants in Chinatown go (white tablecloths, those fancy water glasses - not pretentious, but certainly not a hole-in-the-wall). I had never eaten Burmese food before, but it bears many similarities to Malaysian food, which I think of as a delicious hybrid of Thai, Indonesian, Chinese, and Indian cuisines. Overall I was pleased to try a few Burmese dishes that were wholly distinct from dishes found in other Asian restaurants, but super impressive. Important things to note: Portion sizes are reasonable but modest, and dishes marked as spicy really have very little heat. The much-hyped Thousand Layer Bread (we got it with Curry Potato Dip) is somewhat overrated-- just a denser version of the crisped golden 'bread' that is the Malaysian roti canai. But I guess you should try it at least once to be able to make your own judgment about it, since it's known to be a specialty of Rangoon's. As for the rest of our dinner... my favorites: - Shan Rice Noodle: chewy and delicate rice noodles with chicken, sesame, peanuts,sesame oil; good light texture and flavor - Curry Spare Ribs: pork cooked with lentil beans; the meat was tender, and I'll love lentil stew no matter what I'd skip: - Firecracker Lentil Fritter: appetizer of deep-fried ground lentils and spices; not all that flavorful - Eggplant Pin Sein: eggplant sauteed with garlic, onion, and basil; nothing out of the ordinary, and inconsistently cooked Not too long a wait for our food, and the servers were super nice. The manager (possibly the owner?) even came around to make sure everything was to our liking. All in all, solid dishes and good times at Rangoon.
(3)Michael E.
**worth a 25 minute trip** I had never had Burmese food before, but I was told it was a mix between Indian and Thai styles (both of which I LOVE!), so I was totally game to experiment! Rangoon is in the Chinatown section of Philly very close to the Troc. It looks like a hole in the wall, and sadly people might pass it by. The food is great! We over ordered in anticipation of excellence so we'd have lots of leftovers for lunch this week! I believe the most expensive dish we ordered was $12 so cost is not prohibitive to getting a good taste around the menu. Based on other reviews on Yelp we tried the 1000 layer bread with potato curry dip, firecracker lentil fritters, the jungle chicken, beef with pickled cabbage, and northern Rangoon noodles. The bread is very similar to what you'd expect if you ordered Naan but the curry potato dip was absolutely divine, unique, and unexpected. We will definitely order this time and time again. The beef with pickled cabbage was my favorite and I'm salivating just thinking about eating the leftovers later tonight! My girlfriend liked the Rangoon noodles best (they were a very very close second for me). They also had an Indian beer, King Fisher, which I'd never had, in addition to Singha (a great Thai beer), Tsing Tao, and Sapporo. I love Asian beers. The service is genuine and attentive - the waitstaff really seemed to appreciate that we were eating at their establishment. Note if you like spicy food and are also visibly American - you MUST tell them that you want it Burmese spicy. This is a great place to bring a bunch of people who love Asian food. We've already started making plans for a return trip.
(4)Ling P.
I've been to Rangoon twice, but never again. The cuisine can be tasty, however it really depends on what you order. I've had the Rangoon House Noodle dish, which was alright. My BF ordered the Coconut Chicken, which tasted like dessert because it was overly sweet. As I was eating my dish, I felt something on my knee. I was in a deep conversation with the BF, so I didn't pay much attention to what it was when I attempted to brush it off. I finally realized it was a huge brown roach. I didn't want to cause a scene, so I tried brushing it off me with my linen napkin. It ended up crawling behind me, so I calmly got up and went straight to the bathroom to perform my version of the Harlem shake. My appetite vanished as I returned to the table and my goosebumps wouldn't go away. I couldn't focus and I started getting paranoid. It was the second time I saw a roach. The first time, it was nowhere near my table. The staff was busy, so I didn't bother notifying them discreetly and kept to myself. Not only did the roach scare the living shinanigans out of me, it changed my perspective of how unsanitary the kitchen must be to have these roaches lingering around in the dining room. The 2 stars are for the service and the mediocre taste of the food, but my roach experience just had to take away the 3 stars. Yuck!
(2)tyler d.
Ate here for lunch, food was fantastic. I got the Lemon Curry Beef with Vegetable Fried Rice. Amazing!
(4)Yonatan R.
I loved this place. The Mango Tofu is just outrageously good. I will most definitely visit it again and soon...
(5)D L.
great and cheap. very tasty
(4)Tom T.
We're not from Philadelphia (in town for the Philles game), but we are big fans of Burmese food. Our other experience is Burmese Superstar in San Francisco. Rangoon did not disappoint. The thousand layer bread and tea leaf salad were great. For the amount of food, the price was very good. Highly recommended.
(4)Eric F.
If I were immortal, I would eat at Rangoon every day and never tire of it. The menu is huge, and I've never hit a dud. The prices are great. Service is good. Just go there already!
(5)Harrison L.
One of the hidden gems of Chinatown. Great for both spicy and mild tastes, this restaurant showcases the food of Myanmar (Burma) as it is a crossroads between several Asian cuisines. One can find the influences of China, Thailand, Viet Nam and even India both in name and flavor across the menu. Less adventurous diners will find Chinese-American classics like sweet and sour and kung po. Lovers of Indian food will find curries and even samosa. As far as the more unique and regional dishes, my personal favorites are: pumpkin soup shrimp and lemongrass soup thousand layer bread with potato curry mango chicken jungle chicken. There are also a great number of vegetarian dishes. Try the crispy tofu appetizer. And pretty much every stir fry dish has a tofu option. Desserts are a must try and really showcase the pan-Asian mixture of cultures. There is a decent selection of beer and wine as well. I only wish they were open later!
(5)g m.
I love this place. The kung pao chicken and vegetarian keema are my favorite. I love their use of fresh cilantro and the spices. It's just so good I want some right now!
(5)kate s.
i really really want to tell you that i love this place. so bad that would a compliment to the sauces be ok? the chicken tasted bad. can be oily...and the cauliflower was perhaps way way way overdone...like two days overdone...if you can forget all of that and just savor the smells and the taste..its great. The coconut rice is amazing don't forget to order that for your sick friends! they really have a great basic flavor pallet down they just need to step up the quality control....so it seems fresher. i'm sorry....
(3)Rahul S.
The quality/freshness of food, especially fish seems to have dropped. Still one of the better Asian restaurants in philly but not as great as it used to be.
(4)Karma B.
Best Asian food in Philly.
(5)Derrick C.
friendly service....recommend the coconut curry chicken ,crispy burmese tofu
(5)Gaetanina M.
Seriously as good as it gets. I live around the corner and this is the place I always think of first. The Pinapple Rice is to die for as it the South East Asia Noodle or any noodle dish for that matter. Highly recommend coming here.
(5)Utteeyo D.
Try their thousand layered parota with potato curry; also the faluda. Very good food, affordable as well. Friendly servers and open for a long time for lunch.
(4)Jonas K.
This was my first time eating burmese food. It is a gem in Philly Chinatown. Many other locations can be loud with brash wait staff. Not at Rangoon. The staff was ever so polite and smiling. The helped us choose a mango salad, fried lotus root, and chicken satay. Some kitchen confusion resulted in a papaya salad as well as a mango salad brought to the table. Then entrees of a cold noodle dish and beef curry. The food was milder than both Thai and Indian, a surprise as the country is smack in between these cultures. I will gladly return to try new dishes at Rangoon.
(4)liz l.
Definitely a fan! went last night and got a table immediately. the service was great, and the food was delicious. we started with fried taro (yum) and tea leaf salad. both were great and went really well together -- the tea leaf salad is kind of a shredded cabbage salad with tea leaves in the dressing, with peanut and sesame and the flavors come together increadibly well. my date had the burmese cold noodle, she liked them a lot, i thought they were ok. i had the monsoon vegetable, which was very hearty and had a great flavor. at the end of our meal, we decided to come back again tonight to eat more of the items on the menu that we hadn't gotten to try yet!
(4)Vinh T.
yeah 5 for food, service, decor and price :D
(5)Erin A.
This is my go-to happy place for super yummy food. It is probably my favorite place in Philly to eat. It has nice decor by Chinatown standards but its not like eating on Walnut St, which means you can go there anytime. I love the jungle chicken the most! Mmmm, may have to go get some for lunch today...
(5)Panda P.
This place is great! The only thing that was not 5+ stars was the coconut rice which was good but I've had better. Everything else that I had I would gladly eat again. I only wish my stomach was bigger so I could have fit more in. Everyone should eat here.
(5)Sally f.
the food is amazing and well priced. the owner is a sweetheart who always remembers me. they are accomodating for group parties and unbelievably fast with orders even when its crowded. every lunch comes with fantastic soup.
(5)Josh E.
I really would like to give this place 2.5 stars. Dinner was disappointing - the 1000-layer bread is very tasty, but the entrees were a little bland. I later went back for the lunch special though and that was satisfying and exceeded my then-lowered expectations. For under $9, I got a small salad and coconut stir fry with brown rice.
(3)john r.
this is my favorite Burmese restaurant, period. the food and service are great and i wish i still lived nearby. really anything here is delicious so there's not much else to say. get the 1000 layer bread?
(5)Zare K.
Tried two favorite dishes from Burmese food experiences elsewhere, the tea leaf salad and the night market noodles. The salad was soggy and had a bitter aftertaste. The noodles were dull and underflavored, lacking the intense and savory taste and toothsome texture that made me love them originally. I left disappointed with cravings unsatisfied.
(2)matthew l.
When Rangoon opened with a splash about 15 years ago on Race street, the young owner was pretty enough to have been Miss Rangoon and nice enough to be Miss Congeniality and her food was outstanding. Today, she is older but still pretty and nicer than ever. Rangoon is a place that will never disappoint you. The family cares and there is always one of them on site. The food is cosmopolitan and representative of all the great flavors that southeast Asia offers, with the lentil fritter more Indian than anything but excellent. Which is understandable as that part of the globe is at the confluence of so many cultures. The coconut milk, taro, chilis, galangel, coriander, lemongrass are ingredients that are becoming less intimidating even for the most conservative among us and here are always used with a deft hand as if someone sitting in her dining room sniffing and sweating over a chili laden dish not a scene she would like to convey. The heat in the dishes is always civil but packed with flavor. The 1000 Layer Bread a must and for curry fans, none more elegant than those at Rangoon. Parking lot across the street and you can get lucky with a meter on Arch between 8th and 9th but parking in Chinatown becoming increasingly difficult.
(4)Marcus W.
Have you ever wondered what the food in Heaven would taste like? If you have than head to Chinatown, Philadelphia's best neighborhood when it comes to consistently good food at an affordable price in this reviewer's opinion. The food at Rangoon, is simply transcendent. I've been going since the Summer of 2001 and have never had a bad meal. Now I've eaten at several good restaurants in Philly but the one I always go back to for a meal that not only nourishes the stomach, as well as the soul is Rangoon. Located right across from a recently built condo called the Pearl, think modern Dharma initiative architecture, you can't miss the large green and gold sign with the former name of Myanmar (formerly Burma) written in letters so large they may be visible from space. Once inside Christine, and the staff are efficient and friendly. Willing to explain Burmese cuisine, think a happy marriage between Thai and Indian. For appetizers start with the Thousand Layer Bread with either Vatana Bean Dip, Barbecued Beef, curried chicken or potato dip. Despite it's name the surprisingly thin fried dough bread is a crunchy, slightly greasy treat that really compliments any of the available sides, think of it as the Burmese culinary equivalent of a Swiss army knife. Entrees such as the curried beef, Chili Monkfish, mango chicken, or any of the assorted rice dishes are well seasoned and flavorful. However, be warned if you order any dishes, whether it's meat, fish or vegetarian, and don't pay for the coconut rice you will have gotten to the gates of Heaven only to have St.. Peter deny you access. Coconut rice is a must with any entree! For desert try the Thousand Layer Bread with coconut syrup, which will leave you wondering where has coconut syrup been all your life. So try Rangoon and only tell those you truly love and respect about it. After all Heaven wouldn't be that great if you had to make reservations.
(5)Seth A.
Ah rangoon. This is where I learned the essencial rule of Burmese cuisine: Anything with the word "basil" in it is delicious! Tired of crappy greasy americanized asian food? This stuff tastes great and healthy (it probably actually is healthy too). Pretty cheap too, with a nice set up. One of my favorite regular joints to goto in China town.
(4)Daphne M.
It may look like a bit of a hole-in-the-wall, but appearances are deceiving. Rangoon offers the rare treat of Burmese cuisine, something you can't find in even many major cities in this country, and it does a fine job of it, too. Burmese does remind one of Indian and Chinese cuisines, with some Thai influences in their rather heavy use of coconut and ginger. The menu is extensive, assuring that even the vegetarian diner has a truly mind-boggling array of choices. The fried rice is truly the best I have ever had. Some of the dishes are a bit salty, but in the case of this restaurant I don't think it's a major detraction from the tastiness. As a vegetarian reviewer who's not fond of overly spicy food, I highly recommend the village pea soup and tomato tofu curry, especially if you mix the latter with a generous portion of their *amazing* and simple coconut rice. But try a little bit of everything, too! You should never have to eat the same thing twice at this restaurant. I should also note that the service has always been unobtrusive but friendly, and extremely fast. More people need to appreciate this hidden gem.
(4)Jennifer W.
I just love Rangoon. It doesn't matter what I have had there, it is always delicious. I recommend going for lunch, as the lunch specials are terrific. The salad comes with a delicious sesame dressing. I have had the Coconut Curry Chicken and the Sweet and Sour chicken. YOU MUST order the 1000 layer bread with any of the dips. Just to die for. Very reasonably priced, lunch specials a steal! Service is also lovely.
(5)Julie B.
Fortunately the only Burmese restaurant in town is excellent. Been going for years and have brought many out of town visitors here. Lots of veggie options, great service. Try the crispy burmese tofu, thousand layer bread with vatana, and the onion pea soup. Skip dessert and go to one of the local bakeries in chinatown instead. It is the only weak part of the menu.
(5)