The Shopping Guide
One of the most common questions we get at Burmawala Kitchen is where to find Burmese ingredients. The good news is that most of what you need is more accessible than you might think. This guide covers every key ingredient used in our Burmese recipes, what each one does, what to look for when buying it, and where to find it in the UK.
Most Burmese ingredients can be found at Asian supermarkets, particularly those that stock Southeast Asian or South Asian produce. In London, areas like Whitechapel, Southall and Chinatown are excellent. Online retailers like Wing Yip and Asian grocers on Amazon also stock most of what you need.
The Essentials: Ingredients You Will Use Again and Again
Shrimp Paste (Ngapi)
Essential
The most important flavouring in Burmese cooking. Made from fermented shrimp or fish, it has a powerful smell when raw but transforms completely when cooked, adding extraordinary depth and savouriness. Look for Belacan (Malaysian), Kapi (Thai) or Mam Ruoc (Vietnamese) as substitutes if you cannot find Burmese ngapi specifically. Available at most Asian supermarkets.
Fish Sauce
Essential
Used for seasoning throughout Burmese cooking. Any good quality Thai or Vietnamese fish sauce works perfectly. Brands like Tiparos, Megachef or Squid brand are all excellent and widely available in supermarkets and Asian grocery stores.
Dried Shrimp
Essential
Small dried shrimp used to add a punchy umami background to salads, curries and noodle dishes. Often sold in small bags at Asian supermarkets. They keep for months in an airtight container and are worth having in your pantry.
Turmeric
Essential
Used more generously in Burmese cooking than in most other cuisines. Fresh turmeric root gives the best flavour but dried ground turmeric works well in all our recipes. Available everywhere.
Chickpea Flour (Besan)
Essential
Used as a thickener in noodle soups and to add a nutty background flavour. Also used to make Shan tofu. Available at any South Asian grocery store or the world foods aisle of larger supermarkets.
Aromatics: The Building Blocks of Burmese Flavour
Lemongrass
Important
Used in soups and lighter dishes. Fresh is always best. Look for firm stalks with a strong citrus scent. Available fresh at most larger supermarkets and all Asian grocery stores. Frozen and dried versions work as a backup.
Galangal
Important
A root related to ginger but with a more piney, citrusy flavour. Used in Burmese broths and curries. Fresh galangal is available at Asian supermarkets. Dried slices or frozen are good substitutes and more widely available.
Kaffir Lime Leaves
Important
Intensely fragrant leaves used in soups and curries. Fresh or frozen are both excellent. Available at Asian supermarkets and increasingly in larger Sainsbury’s and Waitrose stores.
Shallots
Important
Used in enormous quantities in Burmese cooking, both as a base aromatic and deep fried as a garnish. The small Asian variety is sweeter and more fragrant than the larger European shallot. Available at Asian supermarkets.
Noodles and Grains
Rice Noodles (Thin)
Important
Used in Mohinga and many other Burmese noodle dishes. Available dried at any Asian supermarket or the world foods aisle of larger supermarkets. Soak in cold water before using rather than boiling for the best texture.
Thick Round Rice Noodles
Useful
Used in Nan Gyi Thoke. Look for them fresh or dried at larger Asian supermarkets. Udon noodles make a reasonable substitute if you cannot find them.
Glutinous Rice
Useful
Also called sticky rice, used in Burmese desserts and some savoury dishes. Available at Asian supermarkets. Do not substitute with regular rice as the texture is completely different.
Where to Shop in the UK
Here are the best places to find Burmese ingredients across the UK:
- Asian supermarkets — Wing Yip, New Loon Moon (Chinatown), T&T, and independent South and Southeast Asian grocers will stock nearly everything on this list.
- Online — Amazon, Wing Yip online, and specialist Southeast Asian grocers like Sous Chef stock hard to find items like fermented tea leaves and ngapi.
- Larger supermarkets — Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Tesco Extra stock fish sauce, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, rice noodles and chickpea flour in their world foods aisles.
- South Asian grocery stores — Brilliant for chickpea flour, dried shrimp, turmeric and shallots at very reasonable prices.
Now You Have the Ingredients, Start Cooking
Browse all of our authentic Burmese recipes and put your new pantry to work.