FOOD is an important part of any day in Myanmar but during the riotous fun of Thingyan filling your belly with delicious foods is a necessity.

For anyone planning to take part in the festivities, careful thought about meal choices could prove invaluable – especially for those planning to eat at nice restaurants which will need advance bookings.

Thingyan is the longest of Myanmar’s holidays for most people and many restaurants will be closed for business, so The Myanmar Times went out and found which establishments will remain open.

The manager of Yankin Garden Kyayoh restaurant in Yankin township said he had no plans to close over the holiday. It will also be convenient for hungry revellers because it has a large car park – something which drivers will certainly appreciate.

Sandy Myanmar restaurant in Mingalar Taung Nyunt township will also remain open and will offer customers a variety of traditional Myanmar meals.

More traditional Myanmar meals in the form of tasty curries can be found at Pahtama Myanmar buffet restaurant in Sanchaung township.

One restaurant which will reward forward planning partygoers is Lumbini restaurant on Kaba Aye Pagoda road in Bahan township; those who ring ahead will be given preferential treatment.

Yangon’s Biriani shops will also be open during Thingyan: KSS, Kaung Kyaik, Nilar, Yuzana, Shwe Nyaung Pin and many other biriani shops will open for the festival.

KSS restaurant will continue to provide Thai and Chinese food for pandals during Thingyan, while for people salivating over the thought of chicken rice, Kone Htet restaurant will come to the rescue. All branches will remain open and customers can order takeaway if they like.

More barbeque delights can be had at Kaung Kaung restaurant at the corner of Damazedi Street and U Wisara road in Bahan township. The restaurant offers crab curry, malar curry and a variety of Chinese meals for customers.

Shwe Li restaurant on Thukhawadi street in Yankin township will be operating during the holiday and also offers Chinese and barbeque at all of its branches across Yangon.

For those who want to eat hot pot during Thingyan, Shwe Kaung hot pot restaurant on Kaba Aye Pagoda road in Bahan township will be a nice place to enjoy a hot pot with friends or family. It sits in a huge compound, so diners do not need to worry about parking spaces.

Water throwers at pandals will usually be treated to free food by the pandal owner. Ginza Pan restaurant will only cater to pandals during the festival and will be closed to regular customers.

Sidewalk vendors – a feature of so many Southeast Asian cities – will also offer a smorgasbord of yummy meals, snack and treats for hungry partygoers to choose from.