Burma Roots San Jose: Authentic Burmese Cuisine in Willow Glen, California

Burma Roots Introduce

For California diners seeking to explore one of Asia's most unique and flavorful culinary traditions, Burma Roots in San Jose's charming Willow Glen neighborhood offers an authentic journey into Burmese cuisine. This dedicated Burmese restaurant provides a vibrant and accessible experience, showcasing the complex and harmonious blend of flavors influenced by neighboring India, China, and Thailand. Burma Roots has established itself as a must-visit spot for both seasoned fans of Burmese food and newcomers eager to taste the legendary Tea Leaf Salad.

The core of the Burma Roots menu is its array of distinctive dishes and traditional specialties. The most celebrated item is arguably the Tea Leaf Salad ($21.85), a dynamic and textural mix of fermented green tea leaves, crunchy nuts, beans, garlic chips, and fresh vegetables—a true staple of the cuisine and a customer favorite. Other standout salads, equally popular, include the Rainbow Salad ($20.70) with its 22 unique ingredients and the fragrant Ginger Salad ($17.20).

Beyond the signature salads, the menu is extensive, ensuring there is a delicious option for everyone. Noodle enthusiasts can choose from the rich, savory Nan Gyi Thoke ($20.69) (a thick rice noodle dish with coconut chicken curry), or the highly favored Garlic Noodles ($17.24). The kitchen skillfully handles a variety of proteins, offering flavorful options across chicken, seafood, pork, beef, and lamb categories. Unique main dishes like Mango Chicken ($21.84) and the richly spiced Burmese Chicken Curry ($21.84) are customer favorites, alongside hearty choices such as Black Pepper Beef ($24.10) and the exotic Honey-Glazed Walnut Shrimp ($25.30).

Burma Roots is particularly appealing to the Californian diner due to its excellent selection of vegetarian and comfort food offerings. Vegetarian options are plentiful, including unique Burmese-style curries like the Burmese Eggplant Curry ($20.69) and specialty dishes such as Shan Tofu Red Curry ($20.69). For a satisfying start, the Samosas ($16.09) and the traditional Palata with Chicken Curry Dip ($16.09)—a fluffy roti served with a rich coconut chicken curry—are highly recommended small bites.

The atmosphere at Burma Roots is described as Casual, promoting a relaxed and comfortable dining experience for lunch and dinner. The commitment to Fast service ensures that even during busy times, the dining experience remains efficient and pleasant. This focus on both authentic flavors and service efficiency makes it a top choice for solo dining, a quick bite, or a full dinner with friends and family in the Willow Glen area.

### Location and Accessibility

Burma Roots is conveniently situated in the sought-after Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose, California, making it easily reachable for local patrons and visitors.

Address: 1100 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA 95125, USA

The restaurant is dedicated to providing an accessible environment for all customers in the California region. Available accessibility features include:

Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

The establishment offers ample parking options, which is a significant convenience for dining in the busy San Jose area. Guests can utilize a Free parking garage, a Free parking lot, and readily available Free street parking.

### Services Offered

Burma Roots provides multiple service channels to cater to the diverse needs and preferences of its California-based clientele:

Dine-in Service: Offers comfortable Seating for Lunch and Dinner.
Outdoor Seating: Provides a pleasant option for dining outside in the California climate.
Takeout and Delivery: Convenient options are available for those who prefer to enjoy their Burmese favorites at home.
Full Beverage Selection: Offers a variety of beverages, including Alcohol, Beer, and Wine, along with non-alcoholic options like the traditional Burmese Iced Milk Tea ($5.00) and Ginger Beer ($5.00).
Quick Bite Focus: Designed to offer a Quick bite with Fast service for busy periods.
Family-Friendly Dining: Recognized as Good for kids, ensuring a welcoming environment for families.

### Features / Highlights

The distinguishing features and highlights of Burma Roots that contribute to its popularity in the San Jose dining scene include:

Authentic Burmese Cuisine: A rare and exciting culinary option in the area, offering traditional dishes and flavor profiles.
Famous Tea Leaf Salad: The signature and highly-rated Tea Leaf Salad is a must-try for any visitor.
Extensive Vegetarian Menu: A large selection of dedicated Vegetarian dishes like Mango Tofu and various vegetable curries.
Rice and Noodle Specialties: Popular items such as Garlic Noodles, Nan Gyi Thoke, and Pineapple Fried Rice ($18.39) showcase the depth of the menu.
Efficient Service: Highlighted for its Fast service, which is crucial for the lunch crowd and quick dinners.
Wine and Beer Selection: Provides a curated list of both Red Wine (Bottle), such as The Prisoner Pinor Noir ($45.00), and bottled Beer, including Singha Large Bottle ($10.00).
Flexible Payments: Accepts modern payment methods, including Credit cards and Debit cards.
Comfort Food Focus: Offers a range of dishes categorized as delicious Comfort food, satisfying a desire for hearty, flavorful meals.

### Contact Information

For reservations, takeout orders, or inquiries, California residents can use the following contact details for Burma Roots:

Address: 1100 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA 95125, USA

Phone: (669) 242-7954

### What is Worth Choosing

Burma Roots in Willow Glen stands out as a unique and compelling dining choice for the California user. It is worth choosing for the sheer novelty and authentic execution of Burmese cuisine, a flavor profile that is distinct from more common Asian restaurants in the region. The restaurant's true value lies in its popular and well-executed signature dishes, especially the Tea Leaf Salad and the rich, comforting curries and noodle soups like Fish Chowder Noodle Soup (Moat Hingar) ($19.54) and Coconut Noodles Soup (Ohn Noe Kout Swel) ($19.54).

Furthermore, the venue’s balance of high-quality, exotic flavors with practical amenities—including a casual atmosphere, fast service, excellent parking, and outdoor seating—makes it an ideal spot for any occasion. Whether you are a local food adventurer ready to try the highly-reviewed Burmese String Bean ($20.69) or a group looking for a relaxed dinner with a good wine list, Burma Roots offers a genuine taste of Myanmar right in the heart of San Jose, solidifying its place as a valued culinary destination in the Willow Glen community.

Burma Roots Menu

Vegetarian
Eggplant Garlic $20.69
Wok tossed eggplant in our garlicky infused sauce with toasted garlic, scallions & ginger
Broccoli With Garlic $20.69
Broccoli tossed with wine, garlic and topped with fried onions
Burmese String Bean $20.69
String beans wok tossed with garlic ginger & chili sauce
Mango Tofu $20.69
Sliced tofu tossed with mango puree, fresh mangoes, basil & onions
Burmese Eggplant Curry $20.69
Tender eggplant cooked in Burmese gravy with ginger, onion & garlic
Basil Lemongrass Veggie $20.69
Stir-fried veggie with soy sauce, snap peas, red bell peppers, lemongrass, basil, garlic, chili & tofu
Sesame Tofu $20.69
Battered deep fried tofu cooked with sweet & tangy sauce topped with sesame seeds
Pumpkin Veggie $21.84
Kabocha squash stew with broccoli, carrot, snap pea, potatoes & tofu
Vegetable Curry $21.84
Burmese curry cooked with tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, carrots, tofu and mint
Shan Tofu Red Curry $20.69
Savory yellow tofu cooked with Burmese curry
Black Pepper Tofu $20.69
Vegan. cooked in a special sauce with red bell peppers, snap peas & onion sprinkle with black pepper.
Fiery Vegetables $21.84
Stir-fried tofu, string beans, red bell peppers & basil in our five spice sweet spicy sauce
Kebat Veggie $21.84
Stir-fried vegetables cooked in spices with mint, chili, cilantro, onions, tomatoes carrot, string bean, tofu, squash & broccoli
Egg & Okra Curry $20.69
Burmese-style curry with hard boiled eggs, okra and tomatoes

Rice & Sides
Brown Rice $4.02
Coconut Rice $4.02
Jasmine Rice $2.88
Pineapple Fried Rice $18.39
Made with choice of brown or white rice & cooked with egg
Biryani Rice $4.02
Palata Side $12.64
Asian Fried Rice $17.24
Made with choice of brown or white rice & cooked with egg

Salads
Tea Leaf Salad $21.85
Romaine lettuce, fried yellow beans, garlic chips, sesame & sunflower seeds, peanuts, tomatoes & jalapeños all tossed with fermented green tea leaf dressing
Ginger Salad $17.20
Made with romaine lettuce, pickled ginger, garlic chips, and sesame seeds
Samosas Salad $19.55
Made with fried samosas, cabbage, cucumber, mint, onion, cilantro, pea powder and tamarind sauce dressing
Chicken Salad $20.70
Made with fried chicken pieces, fried onions, cilantro, lettuce, pea powder & jalapeños with a tangy and garlicky dressing
Mango Salad $18.40
Made with shredded mangoes, romaine lettuce, cabbage, cucumbers and pea powder
Rainbow Salad $20.70
With 22 unique ingredients including 4 types of noodles, papaya and others all tossed with tamarind sauce dressing
Noodle Salad $17.20
Made with egg noodle, cabbage, onion, garlic & wonton chip, cilantro, pea powder, and fried tofu all tossed with sweet & sour sauce dressing

Chicken
Chicken Biryani $24.14
Braised chicken leg bone-in baked w/biryani rice, raisins and nuts. Topped with peas, cashew nuts & cilantro
Burma Crispy Chicken $21.84
Breaded meat in a sweet, tangy & spicy sauce with chili, garlic & ginger
Kebat Chicken $21.84
Stir-fried chicken cooked in spices with mint, chili, cilantro, onions & tomatoes
Fiery Chicken $21.84
Chicken breast with tofu, string beans, red bell peppers & basil in our five spice sweet spicy sauce
Minty Jalapeño Chicken $22.99
Minced chicken with mint, garlic cloves, ginger, cilantro & jalapeños
Nan Gyi Chicken Curry $22.99
Coconut chicken curry
Mango Chicken $21.84
Chicken wok tossed with mango puree, fresh mangoes, basil & onions
Pumpkin Stew Chicken $21.84
Kabocha squash chicken stew slow-cooked with garlic, ginger & onion
Sesame Chicken $21.84
Battered deep-fried chicken tossed in sweet & tangy sauce topped with sesame seed
Basil Lemongrass Chicken $21.84
Stir-fried chicken breast with soy sauce, fish sauce, snap peas, red bell pepper, lemon grass, basil, garlic, and chili
Burmese Chicken Curry $21.84
Chicken & potatoes cooked in Burmese curry sauce
Black Pepper Chicken $21.84
Chicken breast cooked with garlic, onion, red bell peppers & black pepper

Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Roy Rogers $5.00
Diet Coke $4.00
San Pellegrino $5.00
Sprite $4.00
Hot Tea $3.50
Ginger Beer $5.00
Burmese Iced Milk Tea $5.00
Burmese Hot Milk Tea $5.00
Coke $4.00
Iced Tea $3.50
Lemonades $4.00
Shirley Temple $5.00
Arnold Palmer $5.00

Noodles
Garlic Noodles $17.24
Flat egg noodle tossed with garlic and scallions in a tasty sauce topped with meat or shrimp or tofu & broccoli
Burmese Chow Mein $19.54
Fried egg noodle with cabbage, onion, green onion & egg
Nan Gyi Thoke $20.69
Rice noodle with coconut chicken curry sauce, hard boiled egg, pea powder, fresh and fried red onions, and wonton chips
Butter Noodles $20.69
Stir fried egg noodle with butter sauce, snap peas, carrots & green onion.
Burma House Noodle $19.54
Rice noodle with red bell peppers, onions, cabbage and egg, with crushed peanuts & lemon on the side

Seafood
Mango Shrimp $24.10
Cooked with mango puree, fresh mangoes, basil & onions
Burma Swai $24.10
Cooked with dried & fresh chili, & onions
Kebat Swai $24.10
Cooked in spices with mint, chili, cilantro, onions, tomatoes, paprika & lemon
Pumpkin Stew Swai $24.10
Kabocha squash stew slow-cooked with garlic, ginger & onion
Burmese Shrimp Curry $25.30
Curry cooked with onion, garlic, and tomatoes, topped with jalapeños
Coconut Shrimp $25.30
Cooked with coconut puree & onions
Mango Swai $24.10
Cooked with mango puree, fresh mangoes, basil & onions
Basil Lemongrass Swai $24.10
Stir-fried with soy sauce, fish sauce, snap peas, red bell peppers, lemongrass, basil, garlic, & chili
Pumpkin Stew Shrimp $25.30
Kabocha squash stew slow-cooked with garlic, ginger & onion
Black Pepper Swai $24.10
Cooked in a special sauce with red bell peppers, carrots & onion sprinkle with black pepper
Coconut Swai $24.10
Cooked with coconut puree & onions
Burma Shrimp $25.30
Cooked with dried & fresh chili, & onions
Black Pepper Shrimp $25.30
Cooked in a special sauce with red bell peppers, carrots & onion sprinkle with black pepper
Honey-Glazed Walnut Shrimp $25.30
Shrimp lightly fried and tossed with a sweet sauce, roasted walnut and sesame seeds
Fiery Swai $24.10
Cooked with tofu, string beans, red bell peppers & basil in our five spice sweet spicy sauce
Fiery Shrimp $25.30
Cooked with tofu, string beans, red bell peppers & basil in our five spice sweet spicy sauce
Burmese Swai Curry $24.10
Curry cooked with onion, garlic, and tomatoes, topped with jalapeños
Basil Lemongrass Shrimp $25.30
Stir-fried with soy sauce, fish sauce, snap peas, red bell peppers, lemongrass, basil, garlic, & chili
Eggplant Shrimp With Garlic Sauce $25.30
Wok tossed eggplant in our garlicky infused sauce with jalapeños, toasted garlic & scallions
Kebat Shrimp $25.30
Cooked in spices with mint, chili, cilantro, onions, tomatoes, paprika & lemon

White Wine (Bottle)
Joel Gott Pinot Gris $28.00
Mer Soleil Chardonnay Reserve $36.00
Unshackled Sauvignon Blanc $30.00
Conundrum White $30.00

Dessert
Sweet Black Sticky Rice $13.79
Coconut Pudding $13.79
Ice Cream (2 Scoops) $11.49
Jackfruit Bananas $13.79
Dessert Palata $14.94
Gluten-free.

Soups
Coconut Noodles Soup (Ohn Noe Kout Swel) $19.54
Soup made with coconut milk, chicken, onions, eggs, cilantro, topped with chili, lemon & hard boiled egg
Samosas Soup $19.54
Our popular vegetarian soup made with samosas, falafels, lentils, cabbage & onions
Fish Chowder Noodle Soup (Moat Hingar) $19.54
Authentic soup made with fresh vermicelli, fresh catfish, onions, garlic, cilantro, and lemon, topped with chili & hard-boiled egg

Red Wine (Bottle)
Serial Cabernet Sauvignon $35.00
The Prisoner Pinor Noir $45.00
The Federalist Zinfandel $30.00
Conundrum Red $27.00
The Prisoner Cabernet Sauvignon $52.00

Pork, Beef Or Lamb
Black Pepper Pork $23.00
Cooked in a special sauce with red bell pepper, carrot & onion sprinkle with black pepper
Black Pepper Beef $24.10
Cooked in a special sauce with red bell pepper, carrot & onion sprinkle with black pepper
Sesame Beef $24.10
Battered deep-fried beef cooked with sweet & tangy sauce topped with sesame seeds
Fiery Tofu With Lamb $25.30
With tofu, string beans, red bell peppers & basil in our five spice sweet spicy sauce
Pork Belly With Green Mustard $23.00
Fried pork belly cooked with pickle mustard & crush chili paste
Pumpkin Stew Pork $23.00
Kabocha squash stew slow-cooked with garlic, ginger & onion
Chili Beef $24.10
Sliced beef cooked with dried & fresh chili, onions & basil
Burmese Curry Pork $23.00
Burmese curry cooked with potatoes
Fiery Tofu With Beef $24.10
Cooked beef with tofu, string beans, red bell peppers & basil in our five spice sweet spicy sauce
Kebat Lamb $25.30
Stir-fried beef cooked in spices with mint, chili, cilantro, onions, & tomatoes
Black Pepper Lamb $25.30
Cooked in a special sauce with red bell pepper, carrot & onion sprinkle with black pepper
Burmese Curry Beef $24.10
Burmese curry cooked with potatoes
Fiery Tofu With Pork $23.00
Cooked pork with tofu, string beans, red bell peppers & basil in our five spice sweet spicy sauce
Burmese Curry Lamb $25.30
Burmese curry cooked with potatoes
Ginger Chili Pork $24.10
Pork belly stir-fried with ginger, garlic, chili & green onion
Chili Lamb $25.30
Sliced lamb cooked with dried & fresh chili, onions & basil
Garlic Pork $23.00
Simple and delicious! Tender pork with garlic & light fish sauce
Kebat Beef $24.10
Stir-fried beef cooked in spices with mint, chili, cilantro, onions, & tomatoes

Small Bites
Spring Rolls $13.79
Small pieces of vegetarian spring rolls
Samosas $16.09
Triangular shaped hand wrapped & filled with curried potatoes, red onions, peas & carrots. Fried & served with special sauce
Sweet Chili Tofu $17.24
Crispy tofu tossed with red onion, cabbage & cilantro
Shrimp Rolls (6 Pieces) $17.24
Deep-fried whole shrimp wrap in a roll
Palata With Chicken Curry Dip $16.09
Homemade multi-layered fluffy roti bread served with coconut chicken curry
Fried Salt & Pepper $17.24
Lightly battered and fried, tossed with fresh scallions, jalapeños & fried garlic. Served with calamari sauce
Palata With Vegetarian Curry Dip $16.09
Homemade multi-layered fluffy roti bread served with vegetarian curry
Lettuce Wrap $18.39
Shiitake mushroom, carrots & water chestnut, served with crispy lettuce & hoisin sauce
Shan Tofu $13.79
Tofu made with fresh yellow beans, crispy outside, silken center, served with tangy sauce
Crispy Pork Belly $18.39
Thinly sliced and deep-fried crispy pork

Beer (Bottled)
Carlsberg Elephant $6.00
Singha Large Bottle $10.00
Singha $6.00
Sapporo Large Bottle $10.00
Sapporo $6.00

Burma Roots Details

Service options
Outdoor seating
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Fast service

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Comfort food
Quick bite
Wine

Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Seating

Atmosphere
Casual

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards

Children
Good for kids

Parking
Free parking garage
Free parking lot
Free street parking
Parking

Burma Roots Photos

Burma Roots Location

Burma Roots

California Santa Clara County San Jose Willow Glen Lincoln Avenue

1100 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA 95125, USA

Burma Roots Reviews

An average rating of ★4.7 from 59 user reviews.

tea leaf saladsamosatakeoutthe menusamosa souppatiolettucemango chickengarlic noodlesfountain

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

6/10 Garlic Noodles Chicken: Doesn’t taste garlicky, thin noodles that have a strange aftertaste to them. Chicken is pretty good.8/10 Pineapple BBQ Pork Rice: Love the pork flavor and pineapple rice! Would definitely get again!7/10 Mango Chicken: A bit spicy, mango slices are delicious with the chicken. Chicken is a little weird too, rubbery and soft texture. Still a great dish.Enjoyed our time here, service was a bit slow and prices are high, but I would go here again! Although the other options on the menu are a bit strange for someone who doesn’t eat this often.
August 18 · Ian
Samosas are fine but there is no tamarind sauce. Some in our party loved the samosa soup; some were less enchanted. The Burnese curry was delicious. Mango chicken was reported to be excellent. Burmese string beans were very tasty. Wait staff attentive, excellent. Bring a sweater for outdoor tables in the evening.
June 27 · Janet Hurwitz
Oh my God! Where did this place come from?! We were sat in a beautiful outdoor patio with plants and a fountain in the square and when the food came it looked Ike it was right out of a Food Network competition. After the first bite you could instantly tell it was fresh food and they had a serious chef and staff. The crazy part? It was ~$50 for my wife and I with an appetizer.The lamb in my chow mein was fantastic. The samosas were also fantastic.
May 07 · max terry
The food was delicious. We ordered Tea Leaf Salad (Traditional style), Samosa soup, Burmese Chow Mein, Asian Fried Rice and Lettuce Wrap.
July 26 · Mohit Goenka
Ordered take out so my review is based solely on food. The place does loom nice and it does seem like a chill place to eat. I ordered the tea leaf salad, nan gyi dok, ginger pork, and chicken biryani. Tea leaf salad was only lettuce. No cabbage. The nan gyi dok was kind of bland. Expected more flavor and the chicken was kinda dry. The ginger pork was nice as there were decent strips of ginger and the ginger flavor was strong.Overall, the food is average, as other Burmese places are better, but there are so few around. I do hope they succeed though. Don’t expect much getting ethnic food in Willow Glen.
August 24 · Chiang Wu