Back To Burma

At Burma Burma, the idea of creating something new is a constant. It’s what keeps our teams energised throughout the year. Whether it’s our culinary team or the marketing one, experimenting, evolving, and finding new ways to bring the cuisine and culture of Burma closer to our guests is the North Star of our belief system as a brand. And yet, for all the excitement around the new, we find ourselves returning, time and again, back to our roots.

This isn’t just a ritual. It’s a belief that’s deeply held by our leadership and, over time, has become second nature to all of us. Every year, our co-founder Ankit Gupta and Head of Culinary Operations Ansab Khan travel to Burma. Sometimes with a clear purpose, sometimes simply to experience and observe. These journeys go beyond discovering new dishes or ingredients. They are about grounding themselves in the spirit of the country, its people, its pace, its everyday way of life and most of all, bringing that essence back to the team.

This week, that spirit came alive in a different way. Ankit spent time with our marketing team, taking us through the story of how Burma Burma came to be. What began as a session quickly turned into something far more personal, a walk through his memories, decisions and moments that shaped the brand we know today.

Most ideas begin with presentations and proposals; ours began on a piece of tissue paper. A conversation between school friends- Ankit and Chirag, that would eventually grow into an idea, and then into a restaurant. From his early days at the Taj Hotel in Mumbai to the time spent in his father’s restaurant business,  each chapter added a new layer to the journey. Inspired by his mother’s ancestral roots in Burma, he had a long-cherished dream of opening a Burmese speciality restaurant. While Ankit brought in the inspiration, Chirag brought in the insight and the know-how. One honed the craft while the other anchored with clarity and business direction.

What started as a deeply personal idea soon found its way into the real world through small, thoughtful steps. Before there was a restaurant, there were introductions of Burmese flavours in cities like Mumbai and Goa, where dishes like Khowsuey found an audience. The response was both surprising and reassuring. It told us that while the cuisine was unfamiliar, it was enjoyed and accepted. The culinary team took their first trip to Burma and came back not just with dishes and recipes but with a sense of the Burmese spirit that helped shape not just our menu but everything we do at Burma Burma. Over time, these experiences came together to form a singular vision: to create a space that celebrates the cuisine and culture of Burma in a way that feels rooted, thoughtful, and deeply personal. 

In 2014, we opened our first restaurant in Fort, Mumbai, built on years of exploration, travel across Burma and a sincere effort to bring its food and culture to India in its truest form. The journey from Burma to Burma Burma evolved gradually, shaped by experiences and learnings. But what remained constant was a strong sense of conviction, something that not only guided our co-founders but was shared by everyone who became a part of the journey along the way. 

Listening to this story wasn’t just inspiring, it was grounding. In the hustle of all the newness we strive to create, it reminded us of something way more important: Building a brand isn’t just about moving forward; it’s also about knowing where you come from. About staying connected to the values, the stories, and the intent that set everything in motion. Because sometimes, the most meaningful way to move ahead is to go back to where it all began.