Description
Lahpet Thoke is a famous and beloved salad from Myanmar (Burma). It is a unique and complex salad featuring lahpet, which is fermented tea leaves. The tea leaves are mixed with a vibrant combination of crispy fried beans, nuts, and seeds, as well as fresh tomatoes, cabbage, and a squeeze of lime. The result is a salad that is an explosion of textures and flavors - savory, tangy, crunchy, and slightly bitter. It's a true national dish and a must-try for anyone interested in Southeast Asian cuisine.
A Taste of History
Lahpet (fermented tea leaves) has been a significant part of Burmese culture for centuries. In ancient times, it was used as a peace offering between warring kingdoms. Today, Lahpet Thoke is a staple dish in Myanmar, served at ceremonies, as an appetizer, or as a snack. It is a dish that embodies the Burmese love for textural contrasts and complex flavor profiles. The pre-packaged lahpet mix, which includes the tea leaves and fried beans, makes this unique dish accessible to home cooks.
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
5 minutes
Total Time
25 minutes
Ingredients & Nutrition
300 kcal
Calories
10 g
Protein
20 g
Fat
25 g
Carbs
8 g
Fiber
7 g
Sugar
800 mg
Sodium
New Feature: We're excited to introduce our nutrition calculator! Please treat these values as an estimate, as they are auto-calculated. For specific dietary needs, consulting a professional is always recommended.
Equipment
Some equipment links are affiliate links. RecipeNest may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
- Large Bowl
Instructions
0 of 6 steps completed
Reviews & Photos
Login to leave a review and share your experience!
Common questions
- What is lahpet thoke?
- Burmese tea leaf salad - fermented tea leaves tossed with shredded cabbage, tomato, fried beans and peas, peanuts, sesame seeds and fried garlic, dressed with fish sauce and lime.
- Is it spelled lahpet or laphet?
- Both, along with laphet thoke and simply tea leaf salad. They are transliterations of the same Burmese name; lahpet is the fermented tea leaf itself and thoke means salad.
- Where do I buy fermented tea leaves?
- Pre-packaged lahpet is sold at most Asian grocery stores and online. It is the one ingredient with no real substitute - the fermented, slightly bitter leaf is what the dish is built around.
- Can I make it vegetarian?
- Fish sauce is the only non-vegetarian ingredient. Soy sauce in the same quantity keeps the salt and savoury depth, though the flavour shifts slightly.
- Why serve it immediately?
- The fried beans, peas, peanuts and garlic are the whole texture of the dish, and they soften once the dressing is on. It is traditionally mixed at the table for exactly this reason.
- How long does it take?
- About 25 minutes, and almost all of that is preparation - there is no cooking beyond toasting and frying the crunchy elements.
You Might Also Like
