Home cooking attempt — Balachaung from scratch

I spent an afternoon making Balachaung from scratch following a traditional recipe. Getting fish paste ngapi right was the main challenge — it's not as straightforward as it looks. The complex and earthy result was rewarding once I got it right.

laphet fermented tea leaf salad is a uniquely Burmese ingredient used in salads and as a stimulant snack. I served it with toddy palm juice as the recipe suggested and the pairing made sense. It took longer than I expected but the outcome was genuinely satisfying. Making Balachaung yourself gives you a new appreciation for what goes into it at a restaurant.