Burma Superstar -- Don't Bother

[Syre]

I and two friends ate at Burma Superstar on Clement between 5th and 4th Avenues tonight, on the recommendation of various postings on this board.

First of all, there was an hour wait for a table. The place was jammed. This could be a good sign, but unfortunately is usually a bad sign when it comes to ethnic restaurants, especially when the crowd waiting is devoid of the given ethnicity.

After we were finally seated and ordered, we were presented with food that ranged from Okay to inedible. I have eaten quite a lot of Burmese food both in restaurants in New York and in Southeast Asia (though not in Burma). I must say that this was the very worst Burmese food I have ever experienced.

We started with Mu Shu vegetables, because they were a special favorite of one of my dining companions. These were fine, though nothing special.

Next was a sambosa (sp?) soup, which was interesting though too sour for my taste and definitely much too salty.

Next up was a "yellow bean curry" which turned out to be the classic Burmese lentil stew. While my friends both liked it a lot, and I found it to be not bad, it was by far the worst example of this dish I have had at any Burmese restaurant. This was served with four breads described as "nan" but which were actually very similar to parathas. They were crisp on the outside, but unfortunately very greasy.

Our next dish was supposed to be a vegetable curry, but it was inedible. It was so heavily salted that we sent it back and asked for the check.

In summary: don't go to Burma Superstar. Even when it's good, it's not very very good, and when it is bad it is horrid.

[razordog]

i went there recently and enjoyed the food very much, although we ordered different things from what you ordered

but we experienced the same crowds and a 40 minute wait for a table on a weeknight

[ChowFun (derek)]

Are there any Burmese restaurants here in the Bay Area that you can recommend?
It is a cuisine that I enjoy very much and would be happy with a new recommendation.
Thanks

[Deelish]

Many on this board have recommended Innya Lake on San Mateo Ave in San Bruno and Mandalay on California in SF, and I agree. Plus both these places have less crowds and easier parking.

[foodluvr]

I went there recently. Had the tea leaf salad and the superstar noodles. It was actually very good. I'm in agreement about the wait. Is Mu Shu Vegetables considered a Burmese dish?

[Telstar]

Yes, the crowds are annoying. Hate to say it, though, but you ordered wrong. The non-Burmese food at Superstar is defintiely so-so, but if you stick with the Burmese dishes (highlighted by a little icon on the menus), the food at Superstar can be sublime. To echo another poster here, the tea leaf salad is incredible. If you didn't order that, you missed the superstar at Superstar.

[Rob]

I’ve been coming to Burma Superstar for years, and the lines have grown and the wait has gotten longer. However, the Burmese food is as delicious as ever, and the servers are attentive and friendly – making for a delightful experience every time.

I have to agree with the previous poster - if those were the dishes that you ordered, then you’ve probably missed the point. I have not tried Burmese food in New York, or anywhere in Southeast Asia for that matter, but I do know that tea leaf salad and catfish chowder are “must haves” if you’re going to try Burmese cuisine.

You’re right though, the food is a bit salty, and this is probably especially the case for someone whose palate is accustomed to “ethnic” cuisine tailored for Americans. But I’ve also come to learn and appreciate Burmese food for its emphasis on different fish sauces, spices and salts. That’s what it is supposed to be like, and that’s what makes it unique.

It’s like someone from the Midwest (Go Big Red!) who goes to Seoul and tells them that BBQ is better when you use mesquite instead of garlic and ginger. It’s just a little insulting. It may be better to you prepared a certain way, but it’s probably how the “ethnic” people like it.

Finally, it’s a little disappointing that you even consider the ethnicity (or the lack of a certain type) of patrons in your restaurant review. Food is just one of many ways that people from different backgrounds share and learn about each other. I think Burma Superstar should be proud that they have been able to share one aspect of their beautiful culture with San Francisco.

[Jensen]

Unfortunately, I totally agree with the first reviewer. I looked forward to eating here- I love the food of this region so was happy to find ourselves in the area recently. We *did* go on a weekend night, albeit early, so I didn't mind waiting an hour, nor did I mind switching tables halfway through the meal to accomodate other diners. But the food was stone cold and uniformly unexciting at best--starred or unstarred. I would go back to give it another shot but for the price we thought it was extrodinarily mundane. I love SE Asia food, there and here, but I don't think they did it alot of justice. The atmosphere was electric though- they were slammed busy.

[Hepsi P.]

i ve been to cafe mingala in n.y., restaurans in burma, and many south east asian countries. cannot say that the burmese food i had in burma, or cafe mingala in n.y. is better than the food at burma superstar. food in burma was a lot more greasy and salty. perhaps food are more salty because it is meant to be eaten with rice and not by itself????

i live in the south bay area and have been going to burma superstar for the last 6-7 years. althought burma superstar is extremely busy, and the lines are long, they are still one of my favorite in the city. solution for the long wait is to simply put your name on the waiting list and go sip a cup of tea or glass of wine, at blue danube coffee house (across the street). prices are still very fair. if you do go back there again, you should consider ordering some of my favorites dishes... tea leaf salad, superstar noodles, rainbow salad, pumpkin shrimp, curry shrimp, burmese fried rice or coconut rice. better yet, ask recommendations from dewey, our favorite waiter there.

Hepsi P

[veebee]

I've eaten at Burma Superstar probably 6 or 7 times and the only time the food wasn't stellar was when I was with a large group and many people ordered the non-Burmese dishes. Definitely just so-so. All the salads and curries are really good IMO. A good time to go, I've found, is late afternoon on weekends. No wait at all and really good service. (2-3pm)
Perhaps this was a somewhat isolated horrible experience. I hope so. All restaurants have bad nights.