Lahpet Thoke
The Quirky Foodster Team
Ingredients
- Fermented tea leaves (lahpet), drained — 1/2 cup (100 g / 3.5 oz)
- Tomatoes, sliced — 2
- Fried garlic — 2 tbsp
- Fried yellow split peas — 2 tbsp
- Roasted peanuts — 2 tbsp
- Toasted sesame seeds — 2 tbsp
- Green chillies, sliced — 1–2
- Lime juice — 2 tbsp
- Oil — 2 tbsp (ideally the oil used for frying the garlic)
- Salt — to taste
- Shredded cabbage, to serve
Method
- Combine the fermented tea leaves with the fried garlic, fried split peas, peanuts and sesame seeds in a bowl.
- Add the sliced chilli, lime juice, oil and salt.
- Toss everything together thoroughly by hand or with a spoon, mixing well.
- Arrange the sliced tomato and shredded cabbage on a serving plate.
- Mound the tea leaf mixture in the centre and serve immediately, mixing further at the table if desired.
Introduction: A distinctive salad of fermented tea leaves tossed with crunchy fried beans, nuts, garlic and tomato, one of Myanmar’s most unique national dishes.
Cultural Background: Fermented tea leaf salad holds deep cultural significance in Myanmar, traditionally offered as a gesture of goodwill and hospitality, and it remains one of the few dishes in the world built around fermented tea rather than the brewed leaf.
Tips: Toss the salad thoroughly just before serving so the crunchy elements don’t go soft. Adjust the lime and chilli to taste — the dish should have a balance of tangy, savoury and slightly bitter notes.
Variations: Add fried dried shrimp for extra umami depth. Include shredded cabbage mixed directly into the salad rather than served alongside.
Storage: Store the tea leaves separately from the crunchy toppings in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; assemble fresh.
Reheating: This is a cold salad and is not reheated.
Nutrition: Per serving (approx.): 220 kcal, 8 g protein, 16 g fat, 14 g carbohydrate.
FAQs:
Q: Where can I find fermented tea leaves?
A: Myanmar and some Southeast Asian specialty grocers
Q: Does lahpet thoke contain caffeine?
A: Yes, the fermented tea leaves retain a mild amount of
- Fermented tea leaves (lahpet), drained — 1/2 cup (100 g / 3.5 oz)
- Tomatoes, sliced — 2
- Fried garlic — 2 tbsp
- Fried yellow split peas — 2 tbsp
- Roasted peanuts — 2 tbsp
- Toasted sesame seeds — 2 tbsp
- Green chillies, sliced — 1–2
- Lime juice — 2 tbsp
- Oil — 2 tbsp (ideally the oil used for frying the garlic)
- Salt — to taste
- Shredded cabbage, to serve
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