Laksa is actually a spicy noodle soup popular in the Peranakan cuisine of Southeast Asia. Laksa consists of thick wheat noodles or rice vermicelli with chicken, prawn, or even fish that is served in spicy soup based on either rich and spicy curry coconut milk or on sour asam. Laksa is commonly served in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and also southern Thailand.
Many people in the Asia region love to enjoy laksa any time of the day especially during celebrations, festive seasons, and also special occasions. Even though with their love towards laksa, there might be some of the amazing things that they might not know about this delicious cuisine. Some of these fun facts would be worth knowing for many people in this world.
These are 7 fun facts about the famous Malaysian laksa:
1) CNN Has Named Penang Assam Laksa As One Of The World’s Best Foods
Previously, CNN has released its yearly World’s 50 Best Foods list and on the list, they have placed the Penang’s famous assam laksa at seventh place. The particular placement has edged out the likes of the French croissant, Indonesian rendang and Spanish paella and many other foods that are delicious as well.
2) There Is A Festival Called ‘Darwin’s Laksa Festival’
Darwin might seem like an unlikely destination for this famous laksa, but it’s often called the laksa capital of Australia. Owing to its strong Southeast Asian population and influence, this particular spicy noodle dish is a hot favorite in the capital. In addition, Darwinians love laksa so much that there is an entire festival dedicated to it. The festivals called Darwin International Laksa Festival is an annual festival that features a laksa competition where members of the public can vote for using the Darwin Laksa App.
3) ‘Laksa’ Comes From The Ancient Persian Word For Noodle
It might come as a surprise to learn that the word ‘laksa’ comes from an ancient Persian word for noodle. The origins of the dish remain unclear, although it’s widely acknowledged that the dish came from the Southeast Asian region. While laksa is mostly associated with Malaysia and Singapore, it is also popular in Indonesia and southern Thailand.
4) Late Anthony Bourdain Once Called It ‘The Breakfast Of The Gods’
Late celebrity chef, that is Anthony Bourdain once famously called the Sarawak laksa the “breakfast of the gods”. The Sarawak laksa might resemble the normal curry laksa, but this delicious spicy noodle broth is made with sambal belacan, tamarind, lemongrass, herbs and spices, with a little coconut milk. While regional differences to the laksa exist, experts agree that the one defining ingredient across the various state versions is the daun kesum which often used to perfume the noodle soup, is also known as the laksa leaf.
5) From Malacca’s Nyonya Laksa To Terengganu’s Laksam, The Malaysian Laksa Has Many Versions
Beloved across the country, you’ll find different iterations of the laksa depending on which city you visit. The creamy and fiery-hued curry laksa is made from a coconut milk and curry paste base, served with lashings of chilli and brimming with fish ball, either prawns or chicken, tofu and thin rice noodles.
6) Existence Of Assam Laksa Ice Cream
Owing to its popularity, the dish has also pawned various unconventional iterations. Kota Kinabalu-based ice cream shop named ‘Pops and Pints’ who are known for their adventurous flavor choices, made headlines for their asam laksa ice cream. In Darwin’s annual laksa festival, creative spins on the laksa include a laksagne. It is a laksa lasagne hybrid, laksa toasties and laksa panna cotta are some notable creations.
7) It’s Going Places To Big Cities Like London
Homesick Malaysians living abroad will delight that the laksa is slowly but surely wedging its way into the global food stage. London’s Sambal Shiok, a venture by Malaysian-born Chinese Mandy Yin, features a curry and assam laksa hybrid, while Laksamania, a casual Malaysian eatery, boasts a smorgasbord of dishes like Ipoh Curry Laksa, Chicken Curry Laksa, Penang Assam Laksa and even a London Laksa.
Sources: Going Places