Food Nation: Kachin Cuisine

Shat jam (Kachin biryani)

Author: Yup M.

Hey foodies! How's everyone doing so far in this week? Hopefully, everyone is doing good and well! Today, I'll be talking about Kachin Cuisine. Kachin is the northernmost state of Myanmar, which is bordered by India and China. And it is also the place both my parents are originally from. So, even though I didn't grow up in Kachin state, I'm familiar with the food there due to my mom, who would cook at least one or two Kachin food everyday.

One of the Kachin cuisine I especially love is the Shat jam, which is also called Kachin biryani in Burmese speaking areas. It's a rice dish that is made up of boiled rice, beans, carrots, and herbs. The estimated cooking time for this dish is 40-50 minutes, depending on how you have prepared beforehand. Whenever my mom made shat jam at home, she would also add either beef or chicken into the rice as well. She would also serve it with cucumbers and carrots on the side with an additional dish called japhtu, which is a spicy side dish made of pounded chillies and tomatoes. I can't remember the exact recipe for shat jam but I will share it with everyone when I do recall it.

So, that's it for today! Stay turned for more food recipes, reviews and recommendations! See you!