Address: 34 Tras St, Singapore 079026
Instagram: burmasocial.sg
Opening Hours: Closed on Sundays; Monday to Saturday 11:30am – 2:30pm, 6:00pm – 12:00am
The first time I ate Burmese cuisine was at Burma Love in San Francisco, and it left a great impression of Burmese cuisine to me. Notably, the tea leaf salad or Lahpet Thoke (literally meaning tea salad). It reminded me of Thunder Tea rice (Lei cha), which is one of my favorite dishes as well. There’s so much depth to the carousel of crunch and spice tossed with fermented tea leaves. I had to dig my gallery for this long lost photo of my tea leaf salad.
Burma Social, the hottest restaurant which opened late last August 2023, is where you can get introduced to a “feast of six kingdoms”. Burma Social fuses dishes from China, Thailand, India, Bangladesh and Laos and creates a menu that’s targeted for foodies. Come here with an open mind.
I encourage you to order one if you have never tried Lahpet Thoke. Ingredients for those who are curious: shredded cabbage, dried shrimp, sesame, yellow split peas, fried garlic, peanuts, tomatoes — yes, quite a mouthful so if you have peanut allergies, beware. And it can get very, very spicy too. (Ironically, this dish represents peace in Burmese hospitality.)
At Burma Social, their lovely 3 course lunch sets sell from $34++, which comes with the salad or soup, starters and mains. Go for dessert and that’ll give you $44++. By Tras Street standards, these are pretty affordable, especially if you work near CBD. For Starters, you can go for some Spicy Laotian Zucchinis or Pork Skewers with Cauliflower Puree. But try the Applesmoked wood King Prawns (Puzon Lhaaw). Freshly grilled.
For mains, vegetarians rejoice, because Curry Pyazzo is Myanmar’s bridge to Indian vegetable curry. But if you’re adventurous like me, pick the Burmese pickle fried rice with Ching Mai. The fried rice is enough for one person. Add chicken or prawn for proteins. Meanwhile I chose Pan Seared Sea Bass in Chili Tamarind Sauce. This dish comes with rice, because I know, at this point you’re probably still hungry and halfway through your mains.
Other notable dishes include Ohn-no Kyaukswe ($32) — Burma Social’s rendition of laksa, albeit sweeter; Hnin Si’s Steam Puzon ($32) and a bevy of drinks showcasing the best of the six kingdoms including Laotian rice milk and House Rambutan cocktails.
The portion sizes are a common feedback from diners. But this is Tras Street. If you’re looking for something filling, this place is not for you. Great to impress your dates — the interior takes you immediately to Myanmar. But if you want something different and familiar, Burma Social is a beloved addition to the best of Tras Street.
P.S. My second favorite restaurant after ANJU.