Published: July 27, 2026
By: TAD Editorial Team
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### YANGON —
For decades, tea shops have been more than just places to enjoy a cup of tea in Myanmar. They have served as meeting spots for friends, informal business discussions, and a daily routine for office workers. However, many employees in Yangon now say that habit has become an unaffordable luxury as living costs continue to climb.
Interviews with several private-sector employees earning between MMK 1 million and MMK 2 million per month suggest that spending on tea shops is increasingly being cut in favor of essential household expenses.
Many workers say their financial priorities have shifted almost entirely toward food, transportation, rent, and supporting their families.
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### Everyday Expenses Now Come First
A digital marketing employee earning around MMK 1 million per month said casual visits to tea shops are no longer part of daily life.
Instead of spending money on leisure, the employee explained that almost every expense is carefully planned to ensure there is enough income left for household necessities.
Several workers interviewed expressed similar views, saying they now avoid unnecessary spending whenever possible due to continued inflation and uncertainty over future employment.
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### Tea Prices Continue to Rise
The increasing cost of tea has become one reason many workers have changed their daily routines.
According to employees interviewed, a cup of tea now typically costs:
* Around MMK 2,000 at neighborhood tea shops in Yangon suburbs.
* Approximately MMK 2,500 in central Yangon.
* Between MMK 3,000 and MMK 3,500 at larger or more popular cafés.
For workers purchasing breakfast, lunch, transportation and other necessities every day, these prices have become increasingly difficult to justify.
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### Bringing Drinks from Home
An accountant living in South Okkalapa Township said she now prepares breakfast at home before work and carries instant coffee or tea to the office instead of buying drinks outside.
She recalled that before Myanmar’s political crisis, visiting a tea shop during lunch breaks was a regular part of office life.
Today, she says the situation is different, with many employees focusing on job security rather than social gatherings.
Concerns over possible staff reductions and salary cuts have also become another source of financial anxiety for many workers.
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### Changing Social Habits
Some long-time office workers say traditional tea shop meetups have largely disappeared.
A company employee from Hlaing Township noted that friends rarely arrange to meet at tea shops anymore.
Instead, gatherings are less frequent overall, while some groups choose alternative venues depending on costs and personal preferences.
Others say they avoid spending outside altogether.
An electronics engineer from Kamayut Township explained that while he previously visited tea shops almost daily and occasionally met friends at beer shops, he now prefers staying at home to reduce expenses.
Preparing food and drinks at home has become a more economical option for many households.
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### Office Hospitality Also Changing
Employees also report changes inside workplaces.
One office worker said companies are increasingly limiting spending on refreshments for visitors, while fewer clients or business partners stop by for casual meetings than in previous years.
For daily meals, some workers now rely on inexpensive street food vendors, where basic meals remain available at relatively lower prices than restaurants.
Meanwhile, those who enjoy coffee or tea often purchase bulk instant beverage packs and prepare drinks themselves at work to save money.
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### Inflation Reshaping Daily Life
