Ma Khin Café

The story

Ma Khin Café Valencia: Burmese Heritage Meets Mediterranean Markets

The chef and the kitchen

Steve Anderson brings Burmese heritage to the heart of Valencia through Ma Khin Café, where Southeast Asian recipes meet the local Mediterranean pantry. He named the restaurant after his great-grandmother, a Mon woman born in Moulmein who sold hand-rolled cheroots before marrying an English judge during the colonial era. This family history shapes a kitchen built on encounter rather than rigid tradition. Anderson often recalls his grandmother stirring a heavy cast iron pot of bubbling condensed milk, a technique that still influences how he caramelises sugars and balances rich sauces today.

Standout dishes and seasonal menus

The rotating menu highlights specific pairings like green curry steamed bouchot mussels or freshly baked bánh mì, all designed to showcase regional ingredients. Anderson adjusts the dishes throughout the year, allowing Valencian produce to guide the spice levels and textures. The kitchen treats these Southeast Asian foundations as a framework, letting coastal seafood and garden vegetables carry the aromatic weight of lemongrass and turmeric. Diners experience this balance through simple preparations that prioritise freshness over heavy modification.

Room and atmosphere

Located in the basement of the Mercado de Colón, the dining room sits within Valencia’s largest covered gastronomic market. The space functions as a communal table where separate culinary histories merge into a single service model. Recognised with two radishes from the We’re Smart Green Guide, the venue maintains a steady focus on sustainable sourcing and waste reduction. Warm lighting and polished wood counters keep the environment grounded while guests navigate the open pass.