"There are a lot of worthy tea leaf salads in the city, but the one from Mandalay in the Richmond will keep you coming back like a seagull to an unattended Hellman Hollow picnic table. This version sings thanks to intensely funky flavor, perfect spice levels, and a complex crunch from the fried garlic, toasted lentil seeds, and peanuts. It’s mixed tableside, and, unlike many Burmese spots in town, served without cabbage or greens. Expect an extra nutty punch." - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez, patrick wong