Pa Lian Burmese Restaurant

If there was an option to give ten stars, this place will deserve them. The star of your dining experience is the owner. He will provide you with recommendations that are spot on. Try the house specials like tea leaf salad and the tofu dishes. The noodles are sumptuous and the gravy is tasty. You can opt for spice levels. Lots of options for a vegetarian. The best Burmese joint in Chicagoland.

I stopped at Pa Lian recently during a work trip. I am Burmese and spoiled with good Burmese restaurants in my home state. All the context to say, Pa Lian blew me away. I ate mohinga and the chickpea tofu salad. Both dishes as well as traditional Burmese condiments were incredible. I highly recommend this restaurant. Worth the drive from wherever; I came out from th city for it!!!

Lovely place, excellent service, and authentic cuisine. If you ask for spicy, be prepared. Your taste buds will remember the journey through the Burmese flavors and spices used in their dishes. The green tea cheesecake was delicious and a welcomed balance to finish off the meal. The service was impressive, only one person attending to six tables at once, easily and with great attitude. Thank you, it was great!

Honestly when I first arrived, I was skeptical because it was new to me. Now, I'm glad I didn't leave. From the time my friends and I gathered at the table to the time we left it was very friendly. It was a nice touch to see water bottles, instead of glasses or cups, on the table. The owner was our waiter too and had above average and beyond exceptional customer service and multitasking skills with my friends and I. I told the owner I couldn't eat spicy food and ,also being the cook , he made the shrimp salad dish sweet instead of spicy. I told him that the day before was my birthday and he brought out a slice of green tea cheesecake for me, which was free of charge. I highly recommend this restaurant. Thank you.

The BEST burmese food/SE asian food, hands down ! I have been to many other burmese restaurants in Indiana, Canada, Cali, Denver, this one by far is the most authentic and delicious burmese food. You would not regret eating here ! Excellent friendly service as well. Must try ! Noodle salad, curry, tea leaf salad, noodle soup, must try every items on menu !

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Pa Lian Burmese Restaurant in Chicago, and I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed by every aspect of the experience. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by a warm and welcoming staff who made me feel right at home. The restaurant itself is cozy and inviting, with a charming ambiance that perfectly complements the delicious food. Speaking of which, the menu at Pa Lian Burmese Restaurant is truly something special. The dishes are authentically Burmese and bursting with bold, complex flavors that will transport your taste buds to another world. One standout dish that I highly recommend is the fermented tea leaves salad. It's unlike anything I've ever tasted before - a perfect blend of sweet, sour, and savory flavors that come together in a truly unforgettable way. And if you're in the mood for something comforting, you absolutely have to try the mohinga. It's the ultimate comfort food, with a rich, flavorful broth that will warm you up from the inside out. One thing I really appreciated about Pa Lian Burmese Restaurant is that there are plenty of healthy options on the menu as well. It's clear that the chefs take great care in selecting fresh, wholesome ingredients and creating dishes that are both delicious and nourishing. Overall, I can't recommend Pa Lian Burmese Restaurant highly enough. The staff is fantastic, the atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, and the food is simply outstanding. Whether you're a seasoned fan of Burmese cuisine or just looking to try something new, this restaurant is an absolute must-visit. We loved it so much that I'll definitely be coming back soon!

1st time visit and LOVED the food! There's a reason this place comes so highly recommended! We got the tea leaf salad (C02), a coconut curry chicken soup (B03), and I believe the Shan Noodle (B08, not pictured - too delicious I forgot to take a photo). Everything was incredibly delicious, even the soup we got as an appetizer, just plain broth, was amazing. Plus the people are super friendly and helpful and very patient with us while we figured out what we wanted to try. It has a distinct flavor from other foods of Asian origin (Thai, Chinese, etc) though there are similar ingredients. Highly recommend. Also I'd recommend asking for suggestions to try some of their more signature dishes. The restaurant is spacious and well lit, and nicely decorated without being chintzy. There's ample seating and space, good for large or small groups, and family friendly, when it's open for dine-in.

Don't walk...RUN here! Due to staffing shortages, they "aren't" allowing dine-in. But if you're lucky and they aren't busy, they'll let you dine-in, even though you still eat out of take-out containers. DON'T LET THIS DETER YOU!!! It doesn't remotely detract from the experience. We had the tea leaf salad (phenomenal!), the mango chicken (delicious sauce!), and the fried whole tilapia (literally the best thing I've ever tasted barring NONE). There had to be 30 ingredients in the sauce for that fish. The host/owner was incredibly kind and gave great recommendations. He even bought us a round (of diet cokes). 😁 It was our first time having Burmese food, but it definitely won't be the last. Thank you Pa Lian for putting Burmese food on the map in our area!!!