Lahpet Thoke (Burmese Fermented Tea Leaf Salad)
Local name: လက်ဖက်သုပ်
In short: Tangy fermented tea leaves tossed with shredded cabbage, tomato, garlic oil, lime and a crunchy mix of fried beans, peanuts and sesame. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Resting
- 10 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 280 kcal
Lahpet thoke is a salad built around fermented tea leaves, which taste tangy, earthy and slightly bitter, like a cross between olives and green tea. It is mixed with garlic oil, lime and fresh cabbage and tomato, then topped with a crunchy mix of fried beans, peanuts, sesame and garlic chips. In Myanmar it is served at tea shops, after meals and to guests, often on a platter with each ingredient in its own pile.
Instructions
- Chop the fermented tea leaves roughly and mix them in a bowl with the lime juice, salt and sugar. Leave for 10 minutes.
- Put the oil and sliced garlic in a small pan and heat gently for 3 to 4 minutes until the garlic is golden. Lift the garlic chips out onto paper towels and keep the oil.
- Stir 2 tablespoons of the garlic oil through the tea leaves.
- In a large bowl, combine the cabbage, tomatoes and green chilies.
- Add the tea leaf mixture and toss well. Add the fried beans, peanuts, sesame seeds and garlic chips and toss again just before serving.
- Taste and add more lime or salt if needed. Serve right away so the crunchy toppings stay crisp.
Tips
- Fermented tea leaves are sold in jars at Burmese and Southeast Asian shops and online. If you cannot find them, soak good loose green tea leaves in water overnight, squeeze dry and mash with lime juice, oil and salt. The flavor will be fresher and less sour.
- For a more savory, salty edge, add an extra pinch of salt and a squeeze of lime, and taste again before serving.
Questions and answers
What does lahpet thoke taste like?
It is tangy, slightly bitter and savory, with fresh crunch from cabbage and nutty crunch from the beans and peanuts. The fermented tea leaves taste a little like olives.
Does lahpet thoke contain caffeine?
Yes, because the tea leaves are eaten whole. In Myanmar people often eat it in the afternoon as a pick-me-up, so skip it late in the evening if you are caffeine sensitive.
How long do fermented tea leaves keep?
An unopened jar keeps for months. Once opened, keep it covered with a thin layer of oil in the fridge for 1 to 2 months.
How long does it take to make Lahpet Thoke (Burmese Fermented Tea Leaf Salad)?
About 30 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Lahpet Thoke (Burmese Fermented Tea Leaf Salad)?
About 280 kcal per serving, with 9 g of protein, 20 g of carbohydrates and 19 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 280 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 20 g |
| Fat | 19 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 600 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
