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

> Burma Love review, San Francisco: the Valencia branch is the best one. Get the tea leaf salad, coconut rice, a curry, and noodle soup at the round table.

- **Restaurant:** Burma Love
- **City:** San Francisco
- **Neighborhood:** Mission
- **Cuisine:** Burmese
- **Rating:** 4/5
- **Price:** $$
- **Must order:** Tea Leaf Salad
- **Ideal for:** Groups at the round table, and anyone discovering Burmese food
- **Address:** 211 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103
- **Phone:** +1-415-861-2100
- **Website:** https://www.burmalove.com
- **Instagram:** https://instagram.com/burmalovesf
- **Map:** https://www.google.com/maps?q=Burma+Love+San+Francisco+Valencia
- **Reviewed:** 2025-01-27
- **Author:** Christian Van Der Henst (Cvander)
- **Canonical URL:** https://www.cookfoodie.com/reviews/burma-love
- **City guide:** San Francisco: https://www.cookfoodie.com/wishlist/san-francisco

## Review

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.

## 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.

## Tips

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

## Locations

- **Valencia** (Mission, San Francisco): 211 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94103. Map: https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Burma+Love+211+Valencia+Street+San+Francisco. The best branch. Reserve the big round table and get there early for a drink at the bar.
- **Mint Plaza** (Downtown, San Francisco): 8 Mint Plaza, San Francisco, CA 94103. Map: https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Burma+Love+8+Mint+Plaza+San+Francisco. Special mention. Same family, same tea leaf salad, a bigger downtown room.
- **Menlo Park** (Springline, Menlo Park): 1302 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025. Map: https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Burma+Love+1302+El+Camino+Real+Menlo+Park. Special mention. The Peninsula table, at Springline.
- **Kayah by Burma Love** (Chase Center / Thrive City, San Francisco): 151 Warriors Way, San Francisco, CA 94158. Map: https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Kayah+by+Burma+Love+151+Warriors+Way+San+Francisco. Sister property at Thrive City next to Chase Center. The one before a Warriors game.
- **Teakwood by Burma Love** (Hayes Valley, San Francisco): 399 Grove St, San Francisco, CA 94102. Map: https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Teakwood+by+Burma+Love+399+Grove+Street+San+Francisco. Sister property in Hayes Valley. The fire-warmed, special-occasion room.

## 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.

## Photos

- Platha & Dip: https://www.cookfoodie.com/img/reviews/burma-love-roti-and-curry-0d60afd9a588.jpg
- Beef curry with the special coconut rice: https://www.cookfoodie.com/img/reviews/burma-love-rice-and-curry-30f81c7c39e6.jpg

## Related reviews

- [The Coconut Club Beach Road, Singapore](https://www.cookfoodie.com/reviews/the-coconut-club-beach-road.md)
- [Mosto, San Francisco](https://www.cookfoodie.com/reviews/mosto.md)
- [Rintaro, San Francisco](https://www.cookfoodie.com/reviews/rintaro.md)

---

Source: CookFoodie, https://www.cookfoodie.com/reviews/burma-love. Editorial opinion from a visit on or before 2025-01-27; hours, menus, and prices may have changed. Attribute to CookFoodie or Christian Van Der Henst when citing.