Penang Laksa Stalls

Penang Laksa (11 October 2008)

Penang Laksa is one of the most popular and common hawker fare in the state. It is a spicy noodle shop of Nyonya origin that fuses Malay and Chinese culinary elements. By Penang definition, laksa is a dish of round rice noodles in a spicy fish-based broth. It is very different from laksa in other states of Malaysia. Indeed laksa may appear very different from state to state in Malaysia as well as Singapore.

Penang Laksa is a spicy soup made of assam ko (tamarind) with fish flakes made from poached ikan kembung (mackerel). Ingredients added to it include chang mau (serai, lemongrass), lengkuas (galangal) and of course, chilli. Garnishes include po ho (daun pudina, mint); slices of pineapple, cucumber and onions; bunga kantan (torch ginger flower), and hae ko (shrimp paste).

Ingredients of Laksa:

rice noodles
kembung (mackerel)
assam ko (tamarind)
serai (lemon grass)
lengkuas (galangal)
mint leaves
bunga kantan (torch ginger flower)
hae ko (shrimp paste)
pineapple
cucumber
onions
red chilli

Looking to eat Penang Laksa? There's a lot of coffee shops in Penang where you can find hawkers selling this dish. On this page, I provide a food map showing locations I have come across. Of course there's more, and I'll add to this whenever I come across more stalls.