Laksa is a popular Peranakan dish. It is a spicy noodle soup made of rice vermicelli, prawn and chicken. It is either cooked in coconut milk or tamarind water.
Laksa is a soul food for many Malaysians. The combination of fresh sea food and spicy sambal will you wanting for more.
The most important ingredient of laksa soups are sambal. Sambal is a chilli paste which is used extensively in Malaysian cuisine. No laksa would be complete without this ingredient.
The popularity of laksa is such that there are a number of variants for this dish. Here are some of the laksas of Malaysia that are a must try:
Curry Laksa – Curry laska is also popular as Nyonya laksa. The Laksa is a perfect balance of flavours. The sweet, sour, spicy and sour elements go perfectly well the rice noodles, prawns, tofu puffs and fish meat. It is a coconut based laksa.
Bogor Laksa – The bogor laksa has a number of ingredients that are added to the soup. Right from chicken legs, shrimps, candlenuts, lemongrass, onion and garlic; all cooked in a coconut milk base.
Sarawak Laksa – A speciality of the Sarawak Island in Borneo, this laska dish comprises of coconut milk, tamarind and chicken stock for the base. Omelette strips, bean sprouts, along with prawn head and sambal belacan paste are the other ingredients used in this dish.
Asam Laksa – Penang Laksa or Asam laksa is a noodle soup in which tamarind paste is used as the base. Also, unlike the other soups, this dish needs prawn paste instead of whole prawn. Fish, rice noodles and tamarind paste, along with sambal are the main ingredients of this dish.
Terengganu Laksa – Also known as Bihun Thng Ang, it is the Terengganu version of laksa. Cooked rice noodles are topped with kesom leaves and mint. Then the broth made of fish stalk, asam java paste, belacan, onion, garlic and chillies is poured on top of the noodles.
Kelantan Laksa – Unlike all the other laksas, this eastern coast speciality is less spicy and served with generous amount of fish and thick rice noodles. Yellow ginger and mackerel gives this soup a distinctive colour. Also, freshly ground chilli paste is served separately on the soup, rather than cooking the broth with the same (making it less spicy).
Laksa is a complete meal by itself. It is a soup that is flavourful, filling and truly satisfying.
FAQs
Laksa is a popular dish in Singapore, containing influences from Chinese, Malay, and other cultures. At its core, laksa is a spicy soup comprising the base ingredients of coconut milk, dried shrimp, fishcake, and prawns.
What does laksa mean in Malaysian? ›
Laksa (Jawi: لقس) is a spicy noodle dish popular in Southeast Asia. Laksa consists of various types of noodles, most commonly thick rice noodles, with toppings such as chicken, prawns or fish.
What is special about laksa? ›
One of the key components that gives laksa its distinctive flavor is a spice paste known as "rempah." Serving as the flavor base for the rich and fragrant broth that defines laksa's taste, the specific composition of the rempah can vary depending on regional variations and personal preferences.
What is laksa What makes it a significant cultural symbol? ›
Laksa represents the rich culinary heritage of Southeast Asia, showcasing the diverse cultural influences that have shaped the region's cuisine over time. It is a dish that has evolved over centuries, reflecting the fusion of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and other cultural influences.
What is the origin of the laksa? ›
The spicy noodle soup originated in the Peranakan culture, which developed after Chinese traders settled in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, mainly from the 15th to 17th centuries – and married Malay women. The Chinese brought their noodle soup with them.
What national dish is laksa? ›
Although it's the national dish of both Malaysia and Singapore, Laksa can be found right across South East Asia, it's basically comfort food. The fragrant, noodle soup has hundreds of variations but it's always so popular and my version is really quick to whip up on a busy midweek evening.
Is Malaysian laksa healthy? ›
Health Benefits: Laksa offers a balance of macronutrients: proteins from shrimp and fish cake, carbohydrates from rice noodles, and healthy fats from coconut milk. The dish also includes micronutrients from its various ingredients.
Is laksa Thai or Malaysian? ›
Laksa is a spicy noodle soup from Malaysia, also found in other South East Asian counties including Singapore and Indonesia. Laksa as we know it here in Australia is made with a coconut broth that is spicy and fragrant.
What is laksa paste made of? ›
Laksa paste generally contains dried chilies, shallots, turmeric, lemongrass, tamarind, galangal and shrimp paste. Our version includes all of the aforementioned, as well as makrut lime leaves, cashews and tamari.
What are the two types of laksa? ›
There are three basic types of laksa: curry laksa, asam laksa, and another variant that can be identified as either curry or asam laksa. Curry laksa is a coconut milk curry soup with noodles, while asam laksa is a sour, most often tamarind-based, soup with noodles.
Laksa food pairings
- Tamarind and mackerel. ...
- Coconut and bitter-sweet kalamansi lime. ...
- Chicken and lemongrass. ...
- Laksa leaves and shrimp paste. ...
- Pumpkin and lime leaves. ...
- Pork and grilled pineapple. ...
- Scallops and sweet basil. ...
- Beef and peanuts.
You can scoop everything up with a spoon 🥄 Pick up the spoon, mix everything into the rich, coconutty broth, scoop it up and slurp away!
What noodle to use for laksa? ›
Laksa is spicy, fragrant noodle soup found across Southeast Asia, particularly Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. It consists of noodles (either wheat noodles, rice vermicelli, or egg noodles/hokkien noodles) in a thick broth made with spices, fresh aromatics, shrimp paste, and coconut milk.
What influences the cuisine of Brunei? ›
The cuisine of Brunei is heavily influenced by its neighbouring countries like Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, as well as India, China, Thailand and Japan. Being a predominately Islamic country, food is halal and pork is avoided.
Is laksa Chinese or Thai? ›
Peranakan culture is based in Southeast Asia and is a mash-up of Chinese, Malay and Indonesian influences. So it's no surprise that laksa is a fusion of Chinese noodles and Southeast Asian curries, and range from the mild “Chinese” type curries to the full-blown spicy variety. The origin of the name “laksa” is unclear.
How does laksa represent Singapore? ›
In Singapore, the oft-repeated origin story of laksa is this: That the coupling of Chinese noodles and broth infused with Southeast Asian spices came from the 15th-century mixed marriages of traders from China and local women - which gave rise to Peranakan culture in the Straits Settlements of Singapore, Melaka and ...
What is the difference between Singapore laksa and Malaysian laksa? ›
Actually there is little difference. They were created by Indonesian Nyonya and brought to both these countries by immigrants. We have tried both and find Singaporean laksa more “luak, lemak” in that it has more coconut milk than Malaysian which is more on the piquant lemon taste favoured by our northern neighbour.
