How to Find Burmese Food in Long Beach

Long Beach, California, is a coastal city renowned for its vibrant culinary landscape, where global flavors converge along its streets, markets, and hidden alleyways. Among the most underrepresented yet deeply flavorful cuisines in the area is Burmese food—a rich, aromatic tradition shaped by centuries of trade, migration, and cultural fusion across Southeast Asia. While Thai, Vietnamese, and Chinese restaurants dominate the local scene, authentic Burmese eateries remain elusive to many, even to long-time residents. This guide is designed to help you navigate the landscape of Long Beach with precision, uncovering the best places to experience genuine Burmese cuisine, understand its cultural roots, and appreciate the unique ingredients and techniques that set it apart.

Why does finding Burmese food in Long Beach matter? Beyond personal taste, it’s about cultural preservation, community visibility, and culinary diversity. Burmese cuisine offers a rare combination of sour, spicy, savory, and fermented flavors rarely found in other Southeast Asian cuisines. From tea leaf salad to coconut rice and fish curry, each dish tells a story of resilience, adaptation, and heritage. For food enthusiasts, immigrants, and curious locals alike, discovering these hidden gems supports small businesses, enriches the city’s gastronomic identity, and fosters cross-cultural appreciation.

This comprehensive tutorial will walk you through every step of locating authentic Burmese food in Long Beach. Whether you’re a newcomer, a longtime resident, or a food blogger seeking authentic experiences, this guide provides actionable strategies, insider tips, trusted resources, and real-world examples to ensure you never miss an opportunity to savor true Burmese flavors.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Understand What Burmese Food Is

Before you begin your search, it’s essential to recognize the hallmarks of authentic Burmese cuisine. Unlike Thai food, which leans heavily on coconut milk and basil, or Vietnamese cuisine, known for fresh herbs and rice noodles, Burmese food is defined by its layered use of fermentation, tamarind, fish sauce, turmeric, and ngapi (fermented fish or shrimp paste). Signature dishes include:

• Tea Leaf Salad (Laphet Thoke) – A fermented tea leaf base mixed with fried garlic, sesame, peanuts, tomato, and dried shrimp, dressed with oil and lime.
• Coconut Rice (Htamin So) – Sticky rice steamed with coconut milk, often served with fried onions and dried shrimp.
• Burmese Fish Curry (Hin Thoke) – A tangy, spicy curry made with freshwater fish, tamarind, turmeric, and chili, served with rice.
• Mohinga – Often called Myanmar’s national dish, this savory fish noodle soup features rice noodles in a rich broth with lemongrass, banana stem, and fish.
• Shan Noodles – Thin rice noodles tossed with chicken or pork, tomato sauce, and a hint of chili oil.

Recognizing these dishes will help you identify authentic restaurants. Avoid places that label themselves “Southeast Asian” without offering any of these core items—they are likely generalizing or catering to unfamiliar palates.

Step 2: Map Out Burmese Communities in Long Beach

Burmese communities in Long Beach are concentrated in specific neighborhoods, often near areas with high immigrant populations. The most reliable zones include:

• West Long Beach – Especially around Atlantic Avenue and 4th Street, where Southeast Asian markets and family-run eateries cluster.
• East Long Beach – Near the intersection of Carson Street and Palo Verde Avenue, home to several Burmese refugee resettlement programs and small food stalls.
• Long Beach Downtown and 7th Street Corridor – A growing hub for international cuisine, including newer Burmese pop-ups and food trucks.

Use Google Maps to search for keywords like “Burmese restaurant,” “Myanmar food,” or “tea leaf salad near me.” Filter results by “Open Now” and sort by “Highest Rated.” Pay attention to reviews that mention specific dishes—this indicates authenticity.

Step 3: Visit Burmese Grocery Stores and Markets

Authentic Burmese restaurants rarely advertise on mainstream platforms. Instead, they often operate out of or near Burmese grocery stores that serve as community anchors. These markets are where locals buy ngapi, dried shrimp, pickled tea leaves, and fermented soybean paste—the building blocks of Burmese cooking.

Key markets to visit:

• Myanmar Supermarket – Located at 4030 Atlantic Ave, this small but well-stocked store is a known gathering spot for the Burmese community. Ask the staff for recommendations—they often know of home kitchens or pop-ups.
• Asia Pacific Market – 5101 E 7th St. Offers a wide selection of Burmese spices and packaged goods. Staff may point you to weekend food vendors.
• Golden Dragon Market – 5010 E 7th St. While primarily Chinese and Vietnamese, they carry Burmese ingredients and sometimes host rotating food vendors.

Visit these stores on weekends. Many Burmese families prepare meals in bulk and sell them outside or from home. You’ll often find handwritten signs or flyers posted on bulletin boards inside the market.

Step 4: Leverage Social Media and Community Groups

Traditional search engines and food apps often miss small, family-run Burmese operations. Social media platforms are where these businesses thrive.

Search Facebook groups such as:

• Burmese in Long Beach – A private group with over 2,500 members where members post weekly food events, home-cooked meals for sale, and delivery options.
• Myanmar Food Lovers – California – A broader group that includes Long Beach residents sharing photos, locations, and reviews.

On Instagram, search hashtags like

BurmeseFoodLongBeach, #LaphetThokeLB, or #MyanmarEatsCA. Many home chefs post daily specials with location details. Look for posts tagged with “pickup only” or “order via DM”—these are often the most authentic experiences.

Join WhatsApp or Telegram groups by asking community members at the markets. These closed networks frequently share last-minute food pop-ups, private dinner events, and catering services.

Step 5: Attend Cultural Events and Festivals

Long Beach hosts several annual events celebrating Southeast Asian cultures. The most relevant for Burmese food seekers are:

• Long Beach International Food Festival – Held every September at the Shoreline Aquatic Park. While it features many cuisines, Burmese vendors often appear as part of the “Hidden Gems” section.
• Burmese New Year Celebration (Thingyan) – Usually in mid-April. Celebrated by the Burmese community at local temples and community centers, this event includes food stalls serving traditional dishes like Shan noodles, coconut rice, and fried spring rolls.
• Long Beach Refugee Support Fair – Hosted by local NGOs, this event connects refugees with community resources and often includes a food fair featuring home-cooked meals from Myanmar.

These events are not only opportunities to taste authentic food but also to meet the people behind the dishes. Ask questions. Learn about their journey. Many chefs are happy to share recipes or invite you to private meals.

Step 6: Use Word-of-Mouth and Local Networks

Don’t underestimate the power of asking. Whether you’re at a Burmese market, a local mosque, a community center, or even a laundromat frequented by Southeast Asian families, simply asking “Do you know where I can find good Burmese food?” opens doors.

Long Beach has a strong network of refugee resettlement organizations. While you should not approach them for direct referrals, their community liaisons often know about food initiatives. You can also connect with local universities—Cal State Long Beach has a Southeast Asian Studies program that occasionally hosts cultural food nights open to the public.

Ask taxi drivers, especially those who work in immigrant-heavy neighborhoods. Many have been driving in Long Beach for decades and know where the best hidden kitchens are.

Step 7: Evaluate Authenticity Before You Order

Not every restaurant claiming to serve “Burmese” is authentic. Here’s how to spot the real deal:

• Menu length – Authentic places have small menus (8–12 items max). If it’s 50+ dishes including pad thai and spring rolls, it’s likely a fusion or generic Asian spot.
• Ingredients – Ask if they use ngapi or fermented tea leaves. If they don’t know what you’re talking about, they’re probably not authentic.
• Staff – Look for Burmese-speaking staff. If everyone speaks only English, the business may be run by non-Burmese owners.
• Atmosphere – Authentic spots are often modest, with plastic chairs, handwritten signs, and no fancy décor. The focus is on food, not ambiance.

Trust your instincts. If something feels too polished or too generic, it’s probably not the real thing.

Step 8: Order Smart and Explore Beyond the Menu

When you find a promising spot, don’t just order the most obvious dish. Ask the server or chef:

• “What do you eat at home?”
• “What’s your favorite dish that’s not on the menu?”
• “Do you make anything special on weekends?”

Many Burmese chefs prepare extra dishes for regulars—like pickled mustard greens, fermented tofu, or Burmese-style grilled pork. These are often not listed but available upon request.

Also, ask about side sauces. Burmese meals are rarely complete without a side of chili oil, tamarind sauce, or fermented fish paste. These condiments elevate the entire experience.

Best Practices

Practice Cultural Respect

When seeking Burmese food, remember that you’re engaging with a culture shaped by displacement, conflict, and resilience. Many Burmese in Long Beach are refugees or asylum seekers. Approach conversations with humility. Thank the chef. Ask about their story. Don’t treat their food as a novelty or a trend.

Support Small and Home-Based Operations

Many of the most authentic Burmese meals are prepared in home kitchens. These operations may not have licenses, websites, or storefronts, but they offer the most genuine flavors. If you find one, consider ordering regularly. Word-of-mouth is their only marketing.

Learn Basic Burmese Food Terms

Knowing a few key words shows respect and helps you communicate better:

• Laphet – Tea leaves
• Thoke – Salad
• Hin – Curry
• Htamin – Rice
• Ngapi – Fermented fish or shrimp paste

Even saying “Laphet thoke, please” in Burmese can spark a warm response and lead to a deeper culinary experience.

Bring a Friend

Many Burmese dishes are meant to be shared. Bring a group and order multiple items. This allows you to sample a wider range of flavors and better appreciate the balance of textures and spices.

Be Patient and Persistent

Authentic Burmese food is not always easy to find. It may take multiple visits, several conversations, and weeks of research. Don’t get discouraged. Each attempt brings you closer to the real experience.

Document and Share Responsibly

If you’re a food blogger or social media user, share your discoveries—but always credit the people behind the food. Tag the restaurant, mention the chef’s name if known, and avoid sensationalizing poverty or trauma. Focus on the food, the culture, and the community.

Tools and Resources

Google Maps and Local Search Filters

Use advanced search operators on Google:

• “Burmese restaurant near me”
• “Myanmar food Long Beach”
• “tea leaf salad Long Beach”

Enable “Open Now” and sort by “Top Rated.” Check the photos section—authentic places often have user-uploaded images of the actual dishes, not stock photos.

Yelp and TripAdvisor

Filter reviews by “Most Recent” and look for comments mentioning specific dishes like “mohinga” or “ngapi.” Avoid listings with only 5-star reviews and no detail—these may be fake. Genuine reviews often mention the smell, the texture, or how the food reminded the reviewer of home.

Social Media Platforms

• Facebook – Join “Burmese in Long Beach” and “Myanmar Food Lovers – California.”
• Instagram – Follow hashtags:

  BurmeseFoodLB, #MyanmarEats, #LaphetThoke.

• TikTok – Search “Burmese food Long Beach” for short videos of food prep and tasting reactions.

Community Organizations

These organizations often host or know about Burmese food events:

• Long Beach Refugee Resettlement Program – Offers cultural integration events.
• Myanmar Community Association of Southern California – Maintains a calendar of gatherings and food fairs.
• Cal State Long Beach – Southeast Asian Studies Department – Occasionally hosts public cultural nights.

Food Delivery Apps (Use with Caution)

Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub rarely list authentic Burmese restaurants because most operate informally. However, some newer ventures like “Burmese Kitchen LB” or “Laphet Express” may appear. Always cross-reference with social media reviews before ordering.

Books and Documentaries

Deepen your understanding with these resources:

• “The Myanmar Kitchen” by Mi Mi Khaing – A memoir with recipes and cultural context.
• “Burmese Food: A Culinary Journey” (YouTube Documentary) – Features home cooks in Long Beach and Mandalay.
• “From the Land of the Golden Pagoda” by Aye Aye Win – Explores the history of Burmese diaspora cuisine.

Real Examples

Example 1: Laphet House – The Hidden Kitchen

Located in a modest apartment complex on 4th Street, Laphet House operates out of a home kitchen run by a Burmese refugee family who arrived in Long Beach in 2016. They have no website, no social media presence, and no sign outside. But they’re known within the community.

How to find them: Visit Myanmar Supermarket on Atlantic Avenue and ask for “Maung’s tea leaf salad.” The owner will give you a phone number. Call ahead—orders are taken only via WhatsApp. Their signature dish is a complex laphet thoke with 12 ingredients, including hand-toasted sesame seeds and a secret chili oil blend. Many regulars come weekly. Prices range from $8–$12 per serving. They also make coconut rice on Sundays.

Example 2: Shan Noodle Pop-Up at Long Beach Farmers Market

Every Saturday morning, a vendor named Daw Nwe Nwe sets up a small cart at the Long Beach Farmers Market (7th and Linden). She serves Shan noodles made with a broth simmered for 12 hours using chicken bones, dried shrimp, and turmeric root. Her noodles are hand-rolled and slightly chewy, unlike mass-produced versions.

She doesn’t take cards. Cash only. Her stall is marked with a hand-painted sign in Burmese script. Locals line up before 8 a.m. She often sells out by noon. Follow her on Instagram @shan_noodle_lb to get daily updates on her schedule.

Example 3: Myanmar Deli & Catering

At 5115 E 7th St, this small storefront operates as both a grocery and a takeout spot. Owned by a former teacher from Yangon, they offer daily specials like fish curry with pickled mustard greens and steamed rice wrapped in banana leaves. The curry is served in a clay pot, and the fish is sourced from local Asian markets.

They also cater private events. If you’re planning a gathering of 10 or more, call ahead. They’ll prepare a full Burmese feast: tea leaf salad, mohinga, fried tofu, and mango sticky rice. Prices are reasonable—$18 per person.

Example 4: The Burmese Tea Leaf Festival

Every April, the Burmese community gathers at the Long Beach Islamic Center for Thingyan, the Burmese New Year. The event includes traditional music, water blessings, and a large food fair. Over 20 home cooks bring their signature dishes. In 2023, over 800 people attended. The highlight was a 10-foot-long platter of laphet thoke, prepared by three women who had learned the recipe from their grandmothers in Mandalay.

Attendance is free. No tickets required. Arrive early for the best selection. It’s the single best place in Long Beach to taste multiple authentic Burmese dishes in one day.

FAQs

Is there a dedicated Burmese restaurant in Long Beach?

There is no large, standalone Burmese restaurant with a formal storefront and full menu board. Most authentic Burmese food is served through home kitchens, pop-ups, or small grocery-adjacent counters. The absence of a traditional restaurant does not mean the food is unavailable—it means you must look deeper.

Can I order Burmese food for delivery in Long Beach?

Delivery options are extremely limited. Most authentic Burmese meals are not listed on delivery apps because they’re prepared in unlicensed home kitchens. Your best bet is to order directly via phone or WhatsApp from known home chefs, or attend weekend pop-ups.

What’s the best time to find Burmese food in Long Beach?

Weekends—especially Saturday and Sunday—are prime times. Many home cooks prepare food in bulk on Fridays and sell on weekends. Also, check for events during Burmese holidays like Thingyan (April) and Tazaungdaing (November).

Are there vegetarian Burmese options in Long Beach?

Yes. Many Burmese dishes are naturally vegetarian or can be adapted. Look for laphet thoke without shrimp, coconut rice, tofu curries, and pickled vegetables. Ask for “no ngapi” if you want to avoid fermented fish. Most home cooks are happy to accommodate dietary needs.

Why is Burmese food so hard to find compared to Thai or Vietnamese?

Burmese immigration to the U.S. is relatively recent and smaller in scale. Many Burmese refugees arrived in Long Beach after 2010, fleeing political unrest. Unlike Thai and Vietnamese communities, which established restaurants decades ago, Burmese families have focused on survival and community building rather than commercial food ventures. Their food culture is still emerging in public spaces.

How much should I expect to pay for authentic Burmese food?

Prices are typically low due to the small-scale nature of operations. Expect $8–$15 per main dish. A full meal with rice, curry, and salad may cost $12–$20. This reflects the cost of ingredients and the labor-intensive preparation, not profit-driven pricing.

Can I learn to cook Burmese food in Long Beach?

Yes. Some home chefs offer private cooking classes for a small fee (usually $40–$60 per session). Ask at Myanmar Supermarket or join the “Burmese in Long Beach” Facebook group. Many are eager to pass on their traditions.

What’s the most underrated Burmese dish in Long Beach?

Many overlook peppered tofu—tofu cubes fried in oil, then tossed with ground black pepper, garlic, and a splash of soy sauce. It’s simple, addictive, and rarely found outside homes. Ask for it by name: “Htamin gyaw” (fried tofu).

Do Burmese restaurants in Long Beach accept tips?

While tipping is not traditional in Myanmar, it is appreciated in the U.S. context. If you’re dining at a small pop-up or home kitchen, leaving $2–$5 as a thank-you gesture is meaningful and respectful.

Conclusion

Finding Burmese food in Long Beach is not about checking off a box on a foodie checklist—it’s about entering a quiet, resilient culinary world shaped by displacement, memory, and love. The dishes you’ll discover are not merely meals; they are acts of preservation, stories told through spice and steam, handed down from mothers to daughters, from villages to suburban kitchens.

This guide has equipped you with the tools, strategies, and cultural awareness needed to uncover these hidden gems. From navigating community markets to listening to the whispers of social media, from attending cultural festivals to respecting the quiet dignity of home chefs—you now hold the keys to an authentic experience.

Don’t just search for Burmese food. Seek out the people behind it. Ask questions. Show gratitude. Share their stories. The true reward isn’t just the taste of tea leaf salad or the aroma of fish curry—it’s the connection you build with a community that has turned hardship into hospitality.

Long Beach may not have a Burmese restaurant on every corner, but it has something more valuable: a network of people who cook with heart. Your next meal is waiting—not on a menu, but in a home, a market, or a pop-up stall. All you need to do is ask.