Samosa Thoke (Burmese Samosa Salad)
Local name: ဆမူဆာသုပ်
In short: Crisp vegetable samosas broken over chickpeas, cabbage, red onion and herbs, dressed with lime and chili and ladled with a hot spiced broth. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 380 kcal
Samosa thoke is a tea shop favorite in Myanmar: samosas are crushed into a bowl, mixed with chickpeas, shredded cabbage, red onion, mint and coriander, and dressed with lime, chili and garlic oil. A ladle of thin, hot, spiced broth goes over the top, softening the pastry a little while the edges stay crisp. It is a clever way to use leftover samosas, and the mix of hot, cool, crunchy and soft is addictive.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Crisp the samosas on a tray for 10 minutes if they are soft or cold, then cool for 5 minutes.
- Whisk the chickpea flour into 4 tablespoons of cold water until smooth. Bring the stock, turmeric, garlic and salt to a simmer, stir in the flour mixture and simmer for 8 minutes until slightly thickened. Keep it hot.
- Combine the cabbage, onion, herbs, lime juice, garlic oil, chili flakes and salt in a bowl and toss well.
- Break each samosa into 5 or 6 pieces and divide them among 4 bowls with the chickpeas.
- Top with the cabbage salad and spoon about 100 ml (scant 1/2 cup) of the hot broth over each bowl.
- Serve at once, so the samosa edges stay crisp.
Tips
- Use any vegetable samosas, store-bought or homemade. Baked samosas also work and make a lighter salad.
- For a spicier bowl, add a spoonful of chili oil or fresh sliced green chili on top.
Questions and answers
Is samosa thoke a salad or a snack?
Both. Thoke means a hand-tossed salad, but this one is served warm and eaten as a snack or light meal at tea shops.
Why add hot broth to the salad?
The broth softens the pastry slightly and adds warmth and savory depth, while the cabbage and herbs stay cool and crisp. The contrast is the point of the dish.
Can I make samosa thoke ahead?
Prepare the broth and chop the vegetables up to a day ahead. Assemble the bowls right before serving so the samosas do not turn soggy.
How long does it take to make Samosa Thoke (Burmese Samosa Salad)?
About 40 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Samosa Thoke (Burmese Samosa Salad)?
About 380 kcal per serving, with 10 g of protein, 48 g of carbohydrates and 16 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 380 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 48 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 1200 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
