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Tea Leaf Salad at Burma Love

Burma Love: the Valencia branch is the best one, get the tea leaf salad.

Why go: Groups at the round table, and anyone discovering Burmese food

Order: Tea Leaf Salad

The Valencia branch is the best one. Find an excuse to reserve the big round table: bring a group so you can try it all. Get there early for a drink at the bar.

You have to try the tea leaf salad because those fermented tea leaves are amazing and it has a great umami magic. Also, the coconut rice is great and I always include at least a curry, a soup with noodles, and some chicken.

Menlo Park and Mint Plaza get special mention. Same family, same tea leaf salad, a different room: Springline on the Peninsula, and the downtown dining room on Mint Plaza.

Now there are sister properties too. Kayah by Burma Love is at Thrive City next to Chase Center, the one you want before a Warriors game. Teakwood by Burma Love is the Hayes Valley room, more of a fire-warmed, special-occasion table.

This place introduced Burmese cuisine to many Americans, and Valencia is still the one I trust with a whole afternoon.

Tea Leaf Salad at Burma Love
1 of 3Burma Love

Map and directions

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Address

211 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103

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@burmalovesf

What to order

  • Tea Leaf Salad

    Fermented tea leaves with nuts, seeds, and fresh vegetables. Great umami magic.

  • Coconut Rice

    I always include the coconut rice.

  • Curry

    I always include at least a curry.

  • Noodle soup

    A soup with noodles.

  • Chicken

    And some chicken.

If you're visiting Burma Love

What is special about Burmese tea leaf salad?
You have to try it. Those fermented tea leaves are amazing and it has a great umami magic.
Which Burma Love location is best?
The Valencia branch in the Mission is the best one. Find an excuse to reserve the big round table, and get there early for a drink at the bar. Menlo Park and Mint Plaza get special mention. The sister properties are Kayah and Teakwood.
How should I book Burma Love on Valencia?
Reserve the big round table so a group can share tea leaf salad, coconut rice, a curry, a noodle soup, and some chicken. Get there early and have a drink at the bar before you sit.

Branches I keep going back to

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Valencia

Favorite
Mission, San Francisco
211 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103

The best branch. Reserve the big round table and get there early for a drink at the bar.

Maps →

Mint Plaza

Downtown, San Francisco
8 Mint Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94103

Special mention. Same family, same tea leaf salad, a bigger downtown room.

Maps →

Menlo Park

Springline, Menlo Park
1302 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025

Special mention. The Peninsula table, at Springline.

Maps →

Kayah by Burma Love

Chase Center / Thrive City, San Francisco
151 Warriors Way, San Francisco, CA 94158

Sister property at Thrive City next to Chase Center. The one before a Warriors game.

Maps →

Teakwood by Burma Love

Hayes Valley, San Francisco
399 Grove St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Sister property in Hayes Valley. The fire-warmed, special-occasion room.

Maps →
Restaurant details

Mon, Jan 27, 2025

Mission, San Francisco

At Valencia, find an excuse to reserve the big round table. Get there early for a drink at the bar.

By Christian Van Der Henst

More places to eat in San Francisco: the CookFoodie San Francisco guide

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