Balachaung for a dinner party — went down extremely well

I made Balachaung for eight guests who had varying familiarity with the cuisine. Every single person asked for the recipe. The savoury and slightly sour profile was the main talking point — no one had quite experienced dried shrimp used that way before.

laphet fermented tea leaf salad is a uniquely Burmese ingredient used in salads and as a stimulant snack. I explained the a Mandalay restaurant context as I served it which helped people appreciate it fully. fresh lime soda was what I offered alongside and it worked perfectly. Excellent dinner party dish — impressive without being inaccessible.