Road To Burma

Dish guide

Burmese Tea Leaf Salad: What Is La Phat Thoke?

By Road To Burma ·

Burmese Tea Leaf Salad: What Is La Phat Thoke?

If there's one dish that defines Burmese food, it's tea leaf salad. In Myanmar it's called La Phat Thoke (you'll also see lahpet thoke or laphet thoke), pronounced roughly lah-PET thoke. Here's what makes it special, and where to try it in Birmingham.

Yes, you eat the tea leaves

Most of the world drinks tea. Myanmar also eats it. For tea leaf salad, young tea leaves are fermented (not brewed) until they turn soft, dark green, and deeply savory. "La phat" means tea leaf and "thoke" means a salad tossed by hand.

In Myanmar, fermented tea leaves are woven into everyday life. They're commonly offered to guests as a sign of hospitality and shared at gatherings and celebrations.

What's in Road To Burma's tea leaf salad

Our La Phat Thoke is made the traditional way, tossed together to order:

  • Fermented tea leaves
  • Crispy fried beans and peanuts
  • Fried garlic
  • Cabbage, tomatoes, and cilantro
  • Dried shrimp and fish sauce
  • Fresh lime

The result is savory, tangy, fresh, and crunchy all at once. Each bite is a little different depending on how much of the crunchy mix you get.

How we serve it

  • $12 plus tax
  • Chili on the side so you can adjust the heat
  • Served with a complimentary cup of hot Burmese green tea
  • Add a side of white rice for $1.50. Many people in Myanmar eat it with rice to make it a full meal.

Allergens: contains peanuts and dried shrimp. Please inform our staff of any food allergies before ordering.

Tips for your first tea leaf salad

  1. Mix it well. The good stuff settles. Toss it before your first bite.
  2. Add chili slowly. A little goes a long way.
  3. Try it with rice if you want something more filling.
  4. Sip the green tea between bites. It's the traditional pairing.

Where to get tea leaf salad in Birmingham

Road To Burma serves La Phat Thoke every day we're open at The Pizitz Food Hall, 1821 2nd Ave N, downtown Birmingham. Hours are Monday to Saturday 11 AM to 8 PM and Sunday 11 AM to 3 PM. It's also available for delivery on DoorDash and Uber Eats.

Want to go further? Pair it with a bowl of Ohn No Khauk Swe, our coconut chicken noodle soup.

Order on DoorDashOrder on Uber EatsCall (205) 844-1279

Frequently asked questions

What is tea leaf salad?

Tea leaf salad, called La Phat Thoke or lahpet thoke in Burmese, is a salad made with fermented tea leaves tossed with crunchy fried beans, peanuts, fried garlic, cabbage, tomato, dried shrimp, fish sauce, and lime. It's one of the best-known dishes of Myanmar (Burma).

What does tea leaf salad taste like?

Savory, tangy, slightly bitter, and very crunchy. The fermented tea leaves have an earthy, herbal flavor that's balanced by lime, fish sauce, and a big handful of fried beans and nuts.

Does tea leaf salad have caffeine?

Yes. It's made from real tea leaves, so it contains some caffeine.

Is Road To Burma's tea leaf salad spicy?

Chili is served on the side, so you can make it as mild or as hot as you like.

What allergens are in the tea leaf salad?

Road To Burma's tea leaf salad contains peanuts and dried shrimp. Please tell staff about any food allergies before ordering.

How much is the tea leaf salad at Road To Burma?

$12 plus tax, served with a complimentary cup of hot Burmese green tea. Add a side of white rice for $1.50.