66 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM Bold Burmese bites. the beat on your eats mango. Seeking that quintessential coldweather comfort food? The catfish chowder with lemongrass and ginger or the pumpkin curry with tender bites of chicken might be just the thing. And if you’ve never tried blooming jasmine flower tea before, watch as the leafy green tea ball unfurls as soon as it hits the hot water, revealing lovely pink and yellow flowers within. 1213 Burlingame Avenue. Open daily. rangoon ruby PALO ALTO, SAN CARLOS Known for its attentive service and beautiful presentation, Rangoon Ruby’s two Peninsula locations boast authentic Burmese cuisine with a fresh, modern approach. Settle in with one of the signature Tiki cocktails, like Burmese Python and Tipsy Monkey, or opt for fresh baby coconut juice. You can taste the influences of Chinese, Thai and Indian cooking in dishes like salt-and-pepper squid, mango tofu with coconut rice and burma love MENLO PARK Seeking an upscale environment? Burma Love’s striking gold and green interior fits the bill, with lights like dandelions and artful flourishes everywhere you turn. With standout sauces that catapult dishes to the next level, you’ll want to dip Burmese fritters with kabocha in a spicy tamarind sauce and flaky roti in a savory chicken curry. From the tasty garlic noodles to the minced chicken with mango and mint, it’s hard to go wrong here. There’s also a terrific tea leaf salad. The restaurant’s take on this beloved Burmese classic, a medley of fermented tea leaves, mixed nuts and seeds, beans and garlic on a bed of sweet Baby Gem lettuce, was voted “Best of the West” in the salad category by Sunset Magazine. 1302 El Camino Real. Open daily. mingalaba BURLINGAME A longtime favorite, this Burmese and Mandarin restaurant serves up delectable dishes in a casual-yet-inviting space decorated with rattan chairs, canary-yellow walls and an eclectic array of art and light fixtures. Playing up dishes with fresh, tropical fruit, Mingalaba adorns salads and noodles with papaya and {food coloring} palata, a soft and flaky flatbread served with dipping sauce. Try the Burmese twist on pad thai or go for the nan gyi dock— traditional rice noodles in coconut chicken sauce, topped with hardboiled egg and crispy fried wontons. Vegetarian dishes are clearly marked on the menu and gluten-free options are plentiful. 445 Emerson Street; 680 Laurel Street. Open daily. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: BURMA LOVE - HONEYSTICK MEDIA
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