Burmese Noodle Salad is a noodle dish that is served cold. Many recipes for this dish exist, with ingredients varying by family heritage.
A common variation includes rice noodles (sometimes called “rice vermicelli,” prepared in the same way you would prepare Italian pasta), ground roasted peanuts, dried shrimp, and other curried vegetables.
Before serving, lettuce leaves or cabbage leaves are often added to the plate as a bed for the finished salad.
What is Burmese Noodle Salad?
The origins of the Burmese Noodle Salad are in the Burmese provinces of Sagaing and Magway. It is commonly known as “komposho,” which means vegetables and meat, in other words, a dish with the ingredients of a stir-fried noodle dish.
How to make Burmese Noodle Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups very thin rice noodles
- 2 cups diced potatoes
- 1 small bell pepper, red or green, cut into thin strips
- 1 medium red onion, cut into thin wedges
- 3 dried shrimps, soaked and drained
- 2 Tbsp roasted unsalted peanuts (plus additional for garnish)
- 4 – 6 chopped finely packed Thai basil leaves (ribbed for extra crunch)
- Soy sauce to taste
Method:
1. Soak the noodles in warm water for about 15 minutes till soft, then rinse under cold water. Could you put them in a large bowl?
2. Boil the diced potatoes in lightly salted water for 10 minutes till tender, then drain and set aside to cool slightly. Add to the bowl of noodles and red pepper, onion, and dried shrimp.
3. To make the dressing, mix in a small bowl: soy sauce, lime juice, optional fish sauce, and sugar to taste.
4. Add the fish sauce to the dressing and mix well with a fork (be careful not to add it too much, or you will make the dish bitter).
5. Add the mixture to the bowl of noodles toss to blend well.
6. Garnish with finely chopped peanuts and basil leaves (ribbed for extra crunch) and serve at room temperature (best done in a cold winter or hot summer).
Great 6 Health Benefits of Burmese Noodle Salad
1. Healthy weight:
Burmese Noodle Salad is a healthy lunch option that helps you lose weight. It is low in calories and high in fiber. It will also help boost metabolism and food conversion rate.
2. Good for immunity:
It also helps maintain a good immune system, especially due to the shrimp and ginger, both antibacterial properties used to keep the immune system in great shape.
3. Healthy heart:
Burmese Noodle Salad is especially popular among people who want to stay fit and healthy due to its very low cholesterol level. It can also help lower blood sugar levels.
4. Full of vitamins and minerals:
The Burmese noodle salad has high amounts of vitamins and minerals compared to other vegetarian dishes, making it a great food for vegetarians who want to stay healthy and with a good immune system.
5. Good digestion:
It is also believed to help maintain a good digestive system, especially due to the noodles, which have high fiber.
6. Protects against cancer:
Burmese Noodle Salad is said to prevent cancer because of its high antioxidants, especially when used as a dish or meal replacement rather than a side dish or an ingredient in the main dish.
History of Burmese Noodle Salad
Burmese Noodle Salad was a staple of the Myanmar people who have inhabited that region of South and Southeast Asia since the 1st century BCE.
It is categorized as a curry noodle dish made from rice, chopped meat, shrimp paste, and onion. Burmese do not eat it for its taste but instead because it has a lot of healing properties.
Price In Burmese Noodle Salad
As a common dish in Myanmar, it is affordable and can be found at street stalls and marketplaces.
What People Say About Burmese Noodle Salad
Burmese Noodle Salad is one of the most popular dishes you can find in Burmese restaurants across Myanmar. Its taste has been described as both spicy and sweet.
It has been cooked with many ingredients, including seafood, fish sauce, shrimp paste, ginger, and dried shrimps. Other components include potatoes, bamboo shoots, and yellow onions.
Where to Eat Burmese Noodle Salad
You can find Burmese Noodle Salad in Myanmar. It is also popular in Korea and Japan, a common dish in the food court. This dish is also served at school canteens and dining halls across Thailand, Korea, and Japan.
What are the extra charges?
Burmese Noodle Salad is very famous in Myanmar. At first, they are served with ginger and fish sauce, so if you ever visit Myanmar and have a chance to eat Burmese Noodle Salad, you should try it.
It tastes really good. The noodles are covered with some condiments and garnished with peanuts on top.
Where are you Buying?
By the way, if you plan to visit Burma, you might be interested to know if you ever want to buy Burmese noodle salad in Myanmar.
If you want to try this dish, a famous street vendor named “YaYa” in Yangon (aka Rangoon). The word can be found at Bogyoke Market along with many other delicatessens.
Myanmar people have adopted this noodle salad under its original name, “Kom Sob,” which means mixed vegetables and noodles.
Can I Freeze It?
Yes, you can freeze the Burmese Noodle Salad. I would recommend freezing the Burmese Noodle Salad in small portions. T
O do this, put the prepared Burmese Noodle Salad into a freezer bag, lay flat, and then place in the freezer.
Please seal it carefully with plastic wrap or heat-sealed bags before shipping if you are shipping it.
Is It Healthy?
Burmese Noodle Salad with Ginger, fish sauce, and garlic is very healthy.
Does It Taste Good?
Yes, it tastes good when cooked in small portions.
Is the Burmese Noodle Salad spicy?
The Burmese Noodle Salad with Ginger, garlic, and fish sauce is not very spicy in my experience. But if you want to go for a more authentic taste,
please add a little more red chili pepper or hot pepper sauce, which can be found easily at any Asian store or food market in your country.
Is It Gluten-Free?
To be on the safe side, if you are dealing with a gluten allergy, I recommend you check with the manufacturer before you start cooking this dish.
How Long Does It Take To Cook?
The Burmese Noodle Salad is a very easy dish to cook. It can be ready within 15 minutes. The only thing you need to pay attention to is that when you are boiling the noodles, make sure that they are perfectly cooked, as this will affect your final dish.
Conclusion
The Burmese Noodle Salad is very popular as street food and school lunch in Myanmar. It would help if you tried to make it at home since there are a lot of health benefits to this dish. This traditional dish tastes very delicious, and you will surely love it.
