SEEDS, Yangon

We are delighted to introduce SEEDS, a restaurant that aims to offer a relaxed, romantic and contemporary fine dining experience on the grassy banks of Inya Lake.

SEEDS restaurant with its eye-catching glass and bamboo facade

With a growing number of fine dining establishments looking to capitalise off Yangon’s growing number of expats and tourists, how will SEEDS stand out? Will it quietly fizzle out like some of the other creative culinary ventures, or will it have the staying power to rival some of Yangon’s long established dining establishments? On the back of an exquisite, and very laid-back four course dining experience, here is short review detailing Tour Mandalay’s thoughts.

From the moment we walked into the entrance and laid eyes on the ‘Pray for peace’ (written in Burmese) sign surrounded by flower petals, we knew we had stumbled upon something different.

A ‘Pray for Peace’ sign surrounded by flower petals decorates the floor of the entrance at SEEDS Yangon

Before visiting we’d heard that a lot of bamboo had been used rumours that the entire restaurant was made from bamboo, which wasn’t the case, but the restaurant’s facade for sure makes you think that. Once inside you’re immediately welcomed by a bright, minimalist and spacious interior that successfully blends traditional and modern design techniques.

A wooden wind chime hangs from the ceiling inside SEEDS Yangon

After being wowed by the interior, we were ushered outside to a candlelit table positioned a few metres away from Inya Lake’s edge. The setting was further complimented by a cool breeze, a rarity in late February and possibly the last of the year. Perhaps it was due to fewer tables, but it felt distinctly more exclusive than Yangon’s other popular lakeside options, and we hope SEEDS plan to maintain this. For if they do, it will surely become the default option for anyone looking to celebrate a special occasion, or to start / end a Myanmar travel itinerary in style.

A candlelit lakeside table at SEEDS Yangon

Before delving into the menu, first for some wine. Keen to try something new, the sommelier on hand recommended a bottle of Barbera d’Alba (Italian). Having not tried this before, and due to it being moderately priced at USD42, we went with this and weren’t the slightest bit disappointed.  A further three bottles followed in fact. The sommelier could quite easily have pushed something more expensive, but this only helped to highlight the SEEDS restaurant’s approach; diner experience prioritises over everything.

A glass cellar showcases SEEDS Yangon’s carefully selected wine selection

Shortly after deciding on the wine, our table was presented with the evening’s ‘Menu Lotus’, designed by Swiss Michelin Star Chef, Felix Eppisser. Previously from Le Planteur, as is his lovely wife and the brainchild behind SEEDS, Lucia, it became immediately apparent from reading through that this is a couple keen to unshackle themselves from the norm and to serve dishes that are mostly organic, Asian-inspired, fresh and creative.

One thing that will be sure to please your eyes are the hand-crafted ceramic plates, all designed at GAYA Ceramics in Ubud, Bali. Lucia’s long had a dream to design her own collection of plates, and it must be even more rewarding to see Felix designing his signature creations with the plate’s colour, design and shape in mind. For us, this represented a true blend of love, mutual understanding and dedication.

A colourful organic Myanmar vegetable salad, created by Felix and served on Lucia’s hand-crafted ceramic plates

For the sweet toothed team at Tour Mandalay, the menu’s pièce de résistance was the desert; a caramelised lemon parfait, served with pomelo salad, burnt almonds and chocolate foam. The chocolate base of the parfait was divine, and this is clearly an area of the kitchen in which Felix excels.

Caramelised lemon parfait with pomelo salad, burnt almonds and chocolate foam

Speaking of the kitchen, if you’re keen to see Felix and his team in action, why not make a reservation at the chef’s table? Although it would involve giving up on the alfresco dining experience, the room opens up onto the kitchen allowing you to fully appreciate the hard work, passion and attention to detail that goes into creating each of SEEDS Yangon’s dishes.

The chef’s table at SEEDS Yangon

To finish the experience, a trip to the bottom of the garden (preferably with another bottle of wine) is recommended. Here you will find cushioned rattan seating and a lakeside pavilion propped up by four literally chiselled men.

One of four male figures that supports a lake-side pavilion at SEEDS Yangon

From here, a wonderful panoramic of Inya Lake can be enjoyed. What makes it extra picturesque are the boats moored up to the banks – apparently the SEEDS Yangon team use these to light the candles that dot the perimeter of the restaurant’s surrounding lily pads.

A boat used to light the lakeside candles at SEEDS Yangon

The last couple of years have seen some great restaurants come and go in Yangon, but mark our words when we say that SEEDS Yangon is here to stay. Not only does it have one of the best lakeside locations in the city, but Lucia and Felix are bringing with them a wealth of cultural and operational experience from Le Planteur – this is an area in which a lot of budding restaurant entrepreneurs become unstuck (even Heston Blumenthal would find it a challenge!). Due to its small size – similar to Shwe Sa Bwe, but with a lakeside location – it’s likely to feel quiet and relaxed even when fully booked. This will be a big pull for diners looking to avoid some of the busier fine dining establishments seemingly popular with groups. From the plates to the restaurant’s interior design, Lucia’s evidently put her heart and soul into this project and the fact she’s backed by her husband, a Michelin-starred chef, only makes the experience more genuine, connected and unique.

If you’re keen to experience the finest lakeside dining available, be sure to make a reservation at SEEDS Yangon now.

Tel: 09972784841
Address: No.63 (A), U Htun Nyein Street, Ward (10), Mayangone Township, Yangon