Laksa is a very popular spicy noodle soup found in Malaysia and Singapore. There are several different varieties and I bet each of us says that their state produces the best laksa.
I've tried Penang laksa which is more sour and spicy compared to Sarawak laksa. It is made with mackerel (ikan kembung) soup and its main distinguishing feature is the assam which gives the soup a sour taste. The fish is poached and then flaked. Other ingredients that give Penang laksa its distinctive flavour lemon grass, galangal (lengkuas) and chilli. Typical garnishes include mint, pineapple slices, thinly sliced onion, hε-ko, a thick sweet prawn paste. This, and not 'curry mee' is the usual 'laksa' one gets in Penang.
Penang laksa.
Compared to Sarawak laksa, it's nothing. Hahaha...
For some weird reason, Sarawak laksa is known as curry mee in Penang. No way. Its nothing alike even though I've never been to Penang to try their curry mee. I just know its different. Nothing can come close to this, ok.
Typical Sarawak laksa.
It has a base of sambal tamarind, garlic, galangal, lemon grass and coconut milk, topped with omelette strips, chicken strips, prawns, fresh coriander and lime. Ingredients such as bean sprouts, (sliced) fried tofu or other seafood are not traditional but are sometimes added.
Don't judge it by its appearance. Most, if not all of the tourist (mostly my cousins) I've brought to try laksa have fallen in love with it. Especially the ladies. For some weird reason, guys just don't like it as much. Maybe the portion is too little.
Maybe most men have to eat like Kenny Sia. I grabbed these photos off his blog. I'm not trying to be sarcastic but laksa does come in a small portion.
Here, Kenny Sia eats it with popiah. A popiah skin is a thin paper-like crepe or pancake made from wheat flour which is covered with a sweet sauce and optionally with hot chilli sauce before it is filled. The filling is mainly finely grated and steamed or stir-fried vegetables such as bean sprouts, turnip, french beans, carrots. fried shallots, shredded omelette (depending on the vendor).
Bear in mind that I do not know how to cook laksa. I searched the above ingredients etc from google. It rocks.
If you ever visit Malaysia, laksa is a must try item.
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