Laksa is a spicy noodle soup from the Malay Peninsula and the Straits, and the name covers two families that share little beyond noodles and chilli. Curry laksa, the one most of the world means, is a coconut-milk broth built on a fried paste of dried chilli, shallot, garlic, galangal, lemongrass, turmeric and dried shrimp, poured over thick rice noodles or a mix of rice and yellow wheat noodles, with tofu puffs, prawns, cockles, fish cake, bean sprouts and half a boiled egg, finished with a spoon of sambal and a few leaves of daun kesum, the Vietnamese coriander that gives the dish its smell. Asam laksa, from Penang, has no coconut at all: a sour, cloudy broth of flaked mackerel, tamarind, torch ginger flower and mint, over thick round noodles, topped with cucumber, pineapple, onion and a spoon of black prawn paste. Singapore's Katong laksa cuts the noodles short so the whole bowl is eaten with a spoon, and Sarawak laksa adds a dark, roasted paste and omelette strips.

Curry laksa stands or falls on the paste and the stock. The paste is fried slowly in oil until it splits and darkens, which takes longer than most kitchens allow, and the stock underneath is prawn shells and chicken bones simmered together; coconut milk goes in last and is never boiled hard, or it splits into oil and curd. The noodles are blanched separately and set in the bowl, the toppings arranged on top, and the hot broth ladled over so the tofu puffs soak it up like sponges. Asam laksa takes the opposite path: the fish is poached, flaked and returned to the strained broth, the souring agents are added in stages, and the soup is reduced until it is thick with fish. Both are street and hawker dishes, cooked in a single pot that goes all day and served from a stall that often makes nothing else.

Judge a curry laksa by the broth first: it should be orange-red, rich but not greasy, with a clear layer of chilli oil at the edge, taste of dried shrimp and spice before coconut, and leave a slow heat. The noodles should be slippery and separate, the prawns just cooked, the tofu puffs swollen with soup, and the kesum leaves fresh. Mark down a broth that is pale and tastes mainly of coconut, a thin or watery soup, oil pooled on top from a split coconut milk, rubbery prawns, cold toppings dropped into hot soup, and a bowl where the sambal has been stirred in for you so the heat cannot be adjusted. For asam laksa the test is sourness and fish: it should be sharp, fishy in a clean way and thick with flakes, and a sweet or thin version has been toned down for tourists.

Laksa

Turkish Eggs, or Çılbır, is a sophisticated breakfast dish that dates back to the Ottoman era. It consists of perfectly poached eggs served over a bed of thick, garlicky Greek yogurt or strained yogurt (lebne). The dish is finished with a drizzle of warm Aleppo pepper or paprika-infused melted butter, which adds a vibrant red hue and a smoky, slightly spicy kick. Fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or mint are often sprinkled on top for a burst of freshness. The combination of the warm, runny egg yolk, the cool, tangy yogurt, and the spicy butter creates a delightful contrast of temperatures and flavors. Served with crusty bread like sourdough or simit to scoop up the creamy mixture, Turkish Eggs offer a savory, elegant start to the day.

Turkish Eggs

Chicken Ruby is a comforting and flavorful curry dish, famously popularized by Dishoom in London but rooted in traditional Indian 'makhani' (buttery) sauces. It features tender pieces of chicken simmered in a rich, silky tomato-based sauce known as 'makhani gravy'. The sauce is infused with aromatic spices such as cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon, and enriched with butter and cream, giving it a luxurious, velvety texture. A hint of honey or sugar adds a subtle sweetness that balances the acidity of the tomatoes and the warmth of the spices. Often garnished with fresh coriander and ginger julienne, Chicken Ruby is best enjoyed with naan bread or steamed basmati rice to soak up the delicious gravy. It's a dish that warms the soul with its depth of flavor and creamy consistency.

Mark Narvidas

narvidas's Recently Visited Places

Banana Tree Oxford

Habits Bakery Vilnius

Dishoom Manchester

narvidas's Favorite Foods

Laksa

Turkish Eggs

Chicken Ruby

Discover new culinary experiences

Places Near Me

Global Feed

Find Foodies

Become a Partner