Lahpet Thoke (Tea Leaf Salad)

Lahpet Thoke, or fermented tea leaf salad, is arguably the most famous and beloved dish from Myanmar (Burma). It’s a unique and complex salad that is a true explosion of textures and flavors. The star of the dish is "lahpet," which are fermented tea leaves, giving the salad a tangy, slightly bitter, and savory flavor. This is tossed with a variety of crunchy ingredients, such as fried beans, nuts, and seeds, as well as fresh ingredients like shredded cabbage and tomatoes. The salad is brought together with a dressing of garlic oil, fish sauce, and lime juice. It’s a dish that is unlike any other salad you’ve had, and it’s a wonderful introduction to the flavors of Burmese cuisine.