Lahpet thoke, or Burmese tea leaf salad, is pickled tea leaves mixed with a crunchy blend of fried beans, peanuts and garlic, plus fresh tomato, onion, coriander and lemon. It’s salty, sour, savoury and crunchy all at once, and completely vegan.
Aamna makes everything from scratch: the pickled tea leaves, which rest for three days, and a big jar of fried beans and dal that keeps for months. Once those are ready, a bowl of lahpet takes minutes.
Why this recipe works
- Homemade pickled tea leaves. Green tea leaves are soaked, squeezed and mixed with garlic, ginger, chilli, lemon and oil, then left to mature.
- Five crunchy beans and nuts. Lima beans, chana dal, green chana, peanuts and broad beans are each fried separately so every one is perfectly crisp.
- Fried garlic. Thinly sliced garlic fried until golden adds crunch and a deep, savoury flavour.
Tips for the best lahpet
- Soak the beans overnight. Soak the chana dal, green chana and lima beans with a pinch of bicarbonate of soda, then boil each one for 6 minutes.
- Fry each bean on its own. They cook at different speeds: peanuts take about 3 minutes, lima beans and chana dal about 10.
- Let the tea leaves rest. Keep the jar in a dark cupboard for 3 days, then move it to the fridge. Topped with oil, it lasts up to 6 months.
- Open a window. Frying garlic in lots of oil gets smoky.
What to serve with lahpet
Serve lahpet as a snack or light meal, or alongside rice and curry. It goes well with our Burmese braised beef curry and mohinga.
Lahpet FAQs
What does lahpet mean?
Lahpet means pickled tea leaves in Burmese, and thoke means salad. Lahpet thoke is the salad made with them. Our guide to Burmese pickled tea leaves explains how they’re made and served in Burma.
Is Burmese tea leaf salad vegan?
Yes. This recipe uses no fish sauce or other animal products.
Does tea leaf salad contain caffeine?
Yes. The tea leaves keep some of their caffeine, which is why lahpet is often eaten as a pick-me-up.
How long do the pickled tea leaves keep?
Rest them for 3 days in a dark cupboard, then keep them in the fridge topped with oil. They last up to 6 months, and the fried bean mix keeps for months too.
You’ll find the full ingredients, the method and our step-by-step video in the recipe card below.
Lahpet: Burmese Tea Leaf Salad
Burmese Tea Leaf Salad, also known as Lahpet Thoke. This salad combines an eclectic mix of flavours and textures, including soft, pickled tea leaves, crisp roasted peanuts, and a variety of crunchy beans. It's not only a delightful culinary experience but also a vegan-friendly recipe
Ingredients
For the Tea Leaf Salad
Instructions
Preparing Garlic Infused Oil:
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In a pan, fry thinly sliced garlic in 5 cups of oil until golden brown. Ensure a well-ventilated space during this process.
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Remove the garlic and set it aside on paper towels to drain.
Boiling Beans and Dals:
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Boil each soaked bean and dal separately for precisely 6 minutes, removing any surface scum.
Preparing Tea Leaf Mixture:
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Soak green tea leaves in boiling water for 10 minutes.
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Squeeze excess liquid, transfer leaves to a bowl, and add salt, paprika powder, MSG, chopped garlic, chopped ginger, chopped chilis, lemon juice, and sunflower oil.
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Mix thoroughly and store in jars, topping them off with extra oil.
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Allow it to rest in a dark cupboard for 3 days before refrigerating. It lasts up to 6 months.
Frying Beans and Dals:
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Fry each bean and dal separately until they ascend to the surface.
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Lima Beans: Approximately 10 minutes.
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Chana Dal: Around 10 minutes.
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Green Chana: Rises to the top when ready.
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Peanuts: Swift transformation in about 3 minutes.
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Broad Beans: Concluding the frying process in approximately 7 minutes.
Mixing the Fried Delights:
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Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of salt over the fried mixture, thoroughly mix, and bottle it for a shelf life of over 6 months.
Assembling Burmese Tea Leaf Salad:
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In a bowl, combine 4 tablespoons of tea leaves with chopped tomatoes and onions.
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Add 3 cups of the fried bean mixture, garnish with freshly chopped coriander, and a spritz of lemon.
Final Touch
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Behold your culinary masterpiece, a tantalizing Burmese Tea Leaf Salad that doubles as a remarkable coffee alternative.
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What is the equivalent measurement of a mug? I see you are using cups and mugs. Thank you very much. This recipe looks amazing