National Dish Myanmar: Pennywort Salad (Recipe)
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Meet Pennywort Salad, one of Myanmar’s most refreshing national dishes and a wonderful introduction to the country’s love of leafy, herb-packed plates. Built around the cooling green known locally as gotu kola, it comes together in minutes with nothing more than a sharp lime dressing and a handful of crunchy peanuts. Light, vivid and quietly nourishing, it is the sort of salad that wakes up a whole meal.
About Pennywort Salad
Burmese cuisine is celebrated for its varied and deeply aromatic dishes, and Pennywort Salad ranks among its best-loved national plates. It is prized for its cooling, wholesome ingredients and its wonderfully simple assembly. Pennywort, also known as gotu kola, is a nutritious plant rich in vitamins and antioxidants that has long been valued across Southeast Asia. This salad captures the colourful eating culture of Myanmar and brings both freshness and flavour to the table.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 1 cup fresh pennywort leaves
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, cucumber)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs (mint, coriander)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce (or soy sauce for vegans)
- 1 teaspoon chilli flakes, to taste
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts, chopped (optional)
Shopping for the ingredients
When shopping for pennywort salad, look for fresh, good-quality produce above all else. The pennywort leaves are best sourced from a specialist Asian grocery or a weekly market. Choose leaves that are crisp and deeply green, as this is the surest sign of freshness. The herbs and vegetables should be equally crisp and lively, since the flavour of this salad rests almost entirely on the quality of what goes into it.
Preparing the dish
Before you start assembling the salad, it pays to prepare everything properly. Wash the pennywort leaves carefully under running water to remove any grit or dirt. The vegetables should also be rinsed thoroughly and cut into bite-sized pieces. Chop the herbs roughly rather than finely, which helps them release their intense aroma into the finished dish.
Step-by-step instructions
- Arrange the pennywort leaves in a bowl.
- Add the prepared vegetables and the chopped herbs.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the lime juice, fish sauce, chilli flakes and sugar until the sugar has dissolved.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss everything together gently.
- Optional: scatter over the roasted peanuts and serve straight away.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
Pennywort salad is naturally free of both gluten and lactose, which makes it an excellent choice for anyone with these intolerances. If you use fish sauce, swap it for soy sauce or coconut aminos to keep the dish entirely gluten-free. Do check that any pickled ingredients you add are gluten-free too. That way you can be confident you are serving something both flavourful and safe.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
Vegans and vegetarians will love this salad, as it is versatile and genuinely nourishing. To adapt it, replace the fish sauce with a plant-based alternative such as soy sauce, or a mixture of tahini and water for a touch of healthy fat. You can also add protein-rich ingredients such as tofu or quinoa to turn it into something more substantial — much like the heartier Chickpea Tofu Salad. Enjoy it as a filling main or as a light plate on warm days.
More tips and tricks
A few small touches will lift this salad further. Play with the quantities of herbs and seasonings until the balance suits your own palate. Use fresh, seasonal produce wherever you can, as it makes the salad noticeably more aromatic. A small splash of sesame oil adds an extra layer of depth that makes the whole thing more interesting.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
One of the great strengths of pennywort salad is how easily it bends to your preferences. Vary the ingredients freely depending on taste or what happens to be available. Add more heat by chopping in fresh chillies or increasing the chilli flakes. For a sweeter profile, try a little honey or an alternative sweetener and experiment with the balance of flavours. The possibilities are close to endless, so everyone can conjure up their own version.
Ingredient substitutions
If some ingredients prove hard to find, there are plenty of alternatives that work beautifully here. Instead of pennywort, try baby spinach or rocket. In place of the roasted peanuts, almonds or sunflower seeds make a tasty, crunchy stand-in — the same nutty crunch that carries a Tea Leaf Salad. If you have no fresh herbs to hand, dried herbs or spices will vary the flavour in their own way.
Drink pairing ideas
Several drinks refresh alongside pennywort salad. A cold, light beer or an Asian lager complements the flavours in an easy, casual way. For something alcohol-free, fresh fruit juices or a home-brewed green tea work just as well and are equally cooling. A crisp ginger ale makes a lovely sweet companion that rounds off the whole experience.
Serving and presentation ideas
To present pennywort salad attractively, use a large, shallow bowl that shows off the bright colours of the ingredients. Garnish with fresh herbs and a pinch of roasted peanuts for extra visual appeal. Serve the dressing separately in a small container so everyone can add as much as they like. This approach not only looks striking but also lends the meal a touch of elegance.
A bit of history
Pennywort salad is a traditional Burmese dish, often served at festivals and on special occasions. Food plays a large role in the culture of Myanmar, and many dishes are shaped by what the region itself provides. The generous use of herbs and fresh vegetables reflects the health-conscious eating culture of the country — a thread that runs through everything from this salad to the famous Mohinga. By cooking dishes like this one, people come to appreciate not only the flavours of Myanmar cuisine but also the cultural traditions rooted in these recipes.
More recipe ideas
Summary: Pennywort Salad
Pennywort salad is not only a delicious dish but an excellent way to get to know the flavours and culture of Myanmar. With its fresh, wholesome ingredients it works splendidly as a light meal or as a side. It is straightforward to make, and with a few small adjustments you can create a version that is entirely your own. Let it inspire you and enjoy the wonders of Burmese cooking with this refreshing treat.
