Penang Laksa !!

Assam Laksa is an extremely famous Penang dish. In fact, it might be the best well known; it’s certainly one that most locals will recommend so I’m definitely adding it to this list. It’s a spicy noodle soup with taste bud-tickling sour undertones. 

Penang Laksas tend to be more spicy and sour than other Laksa varieties found in the south of Malaysia which have a milder and creamier flavour So, the traditional dish is kind of a thick broth whereas the Penang version is thinner. It’s poached mackerel that stews in the broth with tamarind, lemongrass, chillies and shrimp paste.

This is topped with a big dollop of rice vermicelli. It’s been ranked 7th of the best 100 foods in the world so it’s definitely unmissable. The secret to all great Laksas is in the spice paste which forms the core of the fish-based broth. An authentic Laksa spice paste contains anywhere between 10 -15 different spices and components. Get the balance right in the initial spice paste and all there’s left to do is to add Fish Stock and Laksa leaves to yield that perfect broth.

As I said, it’s super famous so you can find it lurking on pretty much any street in Penang. However, Ayer Hitam Pasar is said to serve the best Assam Laksa in the whole world. That’s a pretty big claim so it’s worth testing it out.

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