Meet Lin and Ei
Road To Burma is owned and run by Thiha Lin and Ei Tinzar Hlaing. They opened the doors at The Pizitz Food Hall on August 1, 2026, bringing Birmingham a cuisine most of the city had never had the chance to taste.
In Lin's own words:
Ei and I grew up eating authentic Burmese food, with recipes passed down through generations in our families. These are the flavors we know and love, and we wanted to share something unique with the people here in Birmingham. That's why we opened Road To Burma at The Pizitz Food Hall: to introduce our community to Burmese cuisine and give people a taste of our home.
We also wanted to offer freshly rolled sushi at affordable prices. Although sushi isn't Burmese food, it's something we enjoy and are happy to share alongside our traditional dishes. Our goal is simple: delicious food, fair prices, and a welcoming place to try something new.
Thiha Lin, co-owner
Why Burmese food?
For Lin, the mission is to introduce people to a food tradition they may never have encountered. In Lin's words:
"Burmese cuisine is a wonderful blend of flavors from Southeast Asia, but it has its own unique identity."Thiha Lin
Myanmar (Burma) sits between India, China, and Thailand, and its food borrows from all three: curries, noodles, fresh herbs, and lime. But it comes out as something entirely its own. Think fermented tea leaves, toasted chickpea flour, crispy fried garlic, and soups rich with coconut milk.
Lin's favorite dish
Ask Lin what to order and the answer is the Tea Leaf Salad (La Phat Thoke), which Lin calls Myanmar's national dish and "unlike anything else." Fermented tea leaves are tossed with crunchy fried beans, peanuts, garlic, tomato, and lime, and served with a cup of hot Burmese green tea. Here's everything to know about it.
For pure comfort food, Lin recommends a bowl of Burmese beef noodle soup: a slow-simmered, aromatic broth with tender beef and noodles. Read about our noodle soups.
Freshly rolled sushi at fair prices
Sushi isn't Burmese food, but it's something Lin and Ei love, so they roll it fresh alongside the traditional dishes. There are more than 30 rolls and plates, from $5 veggie hosomaki to deep-fried house specials like the Sweet Home Alabama Roll. Come for one, stay for both.
Come say hello
Find us inside The Pizitz Food Hall, 1821 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203, open Monday to Saturday 11 AM to 8 PM and Sunday 11 AM to 3 PM. New to Burmese food? Just ask at the counter. We'd love to help you choose.