Penang Curry Laksa

Penang Curry Laksa is a vibrant bowl of Penang's rich culinary heritage, blending spicy, sour, and creamy flavours into one. This dish is a lively mix of noodles in a coconut milk-based curry soup, spiced up with a unique blend of local ingredients. It’s a testament to Penang’s ability to take the best of various culinary influences and make something uniquely its own. Perfect for those who love their food with a bit of a kick, Penang Curry Laksa is more than just a meal; it's an experience, inviting everyone to dive into the heart of Penang’s food culture.

Ingredients 

For Laksa Paste (A):

• 3 onions
• 4 cloves of garlic
• 10 dried chillies
• 6 large red chillies
• A thumb-sized piece of shrimp paste (belacan)
• 1/2 inch galangal
• 1/2 inch ginger
• 4 fresh turmeric roots
• 4 or 5 candlenuts

Blend all the above ingredients for the paste.

Other Ingredients (B):

• 1 kg coconut milk
• 2 stalks of lemongrass, bruised
• 2 torch ginger flowers, quartered
• A handful of Vietnamese mint
• Fish balls
• Fried tofu puffs
• A piece of tamarind peel
• Salt and sugar to taste
• Yellow noodles or rice vermicelli

For the Garnish:

• Lettuce, shredded
• Onion, sliced
• Cucumber, sliced
• Bird’s eye chillies, sliced
• Boiled eggs
• Shredded cooked chicken (optional)
• Cooked/grilled prawn (optional) 

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat a little oil in a pan and fry the blended paste (A) until fragrant. Be mindful not to use too much oil.
2. While frying, add the lemongrass and quartered torch ginger flowers (along with the Vietnamese coriander leaves.
3. Adjust the thickness of the sauce to your liking, then add fish balls, fried tofu puffs, and a piece of tamarind peel.
4. Season with salt, and sugar to taste.
5. Once the soup boils, turn off the heat. The soup is ready to serve and can serve about 8 to 10 people.
6. Choose between yellow noodles or rice vermicelli, blanched in hot water.

To Garnish:

Garnish with lettuce, sliced onions, cucumber, bird’s eye chillies, and boiled eggs, similar to a traditional laksa. Chicken and prawn are optional. 

We hope these recipes bring as much joy to your table as they do to ours. Enjoy the cooking, the tasting, and the sharing with those near and dear. Your thoughts and experiences mean the world to us, so please take a moment to leave a review below.