Laksa (Jawi:لقس) (Chinese: 叻沙) is a spicynoodle dish popular inSoutheast Asia.[2][3] Laksa consists of various types of noodles, most commonly thick rice noodles, with toppings such aschicken, prawns or fish. Most variations of laksa are prepared with a rich and spicy coconut curry soup or a broth seasoned with a souring ingredient liketamarind orasam gelugur.
Laksa is a dish ofPeranakan Chinese origin, with a variety of ingredients and preparation processes that vary greatly by region.[1] Because laksa has different varieties across the region, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact origin of the dish. Nevertheless, a number of laksa recipes have been developed along the trade channels of Southeast Asia—where the ports ofSingapore,Penang,Medan,Malacca,Palembang, andBatavia (nowJakarta) are the major stops along the historicspice route. The intensive trade links among these port cities enable exchanges of ideas to take place, including sharing recipes.[8]
There are various theories about the origins of laksa. One goes back to the 15th-centuryMing Chinesenaval expeditions led byZheng He, whose armada navigatedMaritime Southeast Asia.[9]Overseas Chinese migrants had settled in various parts of Maritime Southeast Asia, long before Zheng He's expedition. However, it was after this that the number of Chinese migrants and traders significantly increased. These Chinese men intermarried into the local populations, and together they formed mixed-race communities called thePeranakan Chinese or Straits Chinese.[9]
In Malaysia, the earliest variant of laksa is believed to have been introduced by the Peranakan Chinese inMalacca.[10] The name laksa is derived from the word spicy (辣) and grainy or sandy (沙) in theMin Chinese dialect, which denotes the spicy taste and the grainy texture (either from grinding onion, granules of fish or meat, or curdled coconut milk) of laksa, since the Peranakan Malay is a creole language that is heavily influenced by a dialect ofHokkien.
In Singapore, the dish is believed to have been created after interaction between the Peranakan Chinese with local Singaporean Malays.[11][8]
Another theory is that the wordlaksa is theorised to come from an ancientPersian word for "noodles".[9] According toDenys Lombard in the bookLe carrefour Javanais. Essai d'histoire globale II (The Javanese Crossroads: Towards a Global History, 2005), one of the earliest record of the wordlaksa to describe noodles was found in the Javanese Biluluk inscription dated from 1391 ofMajapahit era that mentions the wordhanglaksa.Hanglaksa inKawi means "vermicelli maker".[12] InSanskrit,laksa means "one hundred thousand", referring to numerous strands of the vermicelli. The termlaksa, orlakhshah, is also believed to have come from Persian orHindi, which refer to a kind of vermicelli.[12]
In traditionalSundanese community ofBaduy inBanten province, there is a harvest ceremony involving the making of laksa, calledngalaksa ceremony.Ngalaksa is a Sundanese traditional harvest thanksgiving ceremony, in which a traditional noodle-like laksa dish made ofrice flour is prepared and consumed communally.[13] Inold Sundanese language the termlaksa also means "noodle", which is the same meaning as in Javanese Kawi counterpart.
In Indonesia, the dish is believed to have been born from the mixing of the cultures and cooking practices of local people and Chinese immigrants.[14] Historians believe laksa is a dish that was born from actualintermarriage.[8] In early coastalpecinan (Chinese settlement) in maritime Southeast Asia, it was only Chinese men that ventured abroad out from China to trade. When settling down in the new town, these Chinese traders and sailors set out to find local wives, and these women began incorporating local spices and coconut milk into Chinese noodle soup served to their husbands. This creates the hybrid Chinese-local (Malay or Javanese) culture called Peranakan culture.[8][15] As Peranakan Chinese communities have blended their ancestors' culture with local culture, Peranakan communities in different places now demonstrate diversity according to the local flavour.[16]
A wide variety of laksa exists in Southeast Asia, with regional and vendor-specific differences. Laksa can be broadly categorized by its two main ingredients: noodles and soup. Most preparations oflaksa are garnished with herbs. Two of the most widely used herbs aremint andVietnamese coriander, known inMalay asdaun kesum or by its colloquial namedaun laksa "laksa leaf". Another popular garnish used for many laksa recipes is the unopened flower bud of thetorch ginger, usually sliced or shredded.
Laksa Johor is notable for its use of cookedspaghetti.
Thick rice noodles, also known as "laksa noodles" are most commonly used, although thinrice vermicelli (米粉 "bee hoon") are also common. Some laksa variants might use fresh rice noodles handmade from scratch, other types of noodles;Johor laksa for example uses wheat-basedspaghetti,[17] whileKelantanese laksam is served with wide strips ofrice noodle rolls similar in texture toshahe fen.
The type of Laksa is generally based upon the soup base employed in its recipe; either rich and savourycoconut milk, fresh and sourasam (tamarind,tamarind slice), or a combination of those two.
Coconut milk adds a distinctive richness orlemak quality to laksa broth.
Laksa with a rich and strongly spiced coconut gravy is typically described in Malaysia and Singapore asLaksa Lemak orNyonya Laksa (Laksa Nyonya).Lemak is aMalay culinary description that specifically refers to the presence of coconut milk which adds a distinctive richness to a dish, whereasNyonya alludes to the dish's Peranakan origins and the role of women inPeranakan cuisine. "Laksa" is also an alternate name used forcurry mee, a similar coconut soup noodle dish widely popular within the region which is sometimes known ascurry laksa.[2] The most common toppings for the various versions of coconut soup laksa include eggs, deep-fried tofu, beansprouts, and herbs, with a spoonful ofsambal chilli paste on the side as a relish.
TheMalay wordasam refers to any ingredient that makes a dish taste sour (e.g. tamarind (Malay:Asam Jawa) or tamarind slice (Malay:Asam Gelugor), which comes from a different tree despite its name). The main ingredients for tamarind-based laksa typically include shredded fish, normallymackerel (ikan kembung), and finely sliced vegetables including cucumber, onions, red chillies, pineapple, mint leaves, laksa leaves, and shredded torch ginger flower. Preparations for tamarind-based laksa usually produce tangy, spicy, sour flavours. This type of Laksa is normally served with either thick rice noodles ("laksa") or thin rice noodles ("mee hoon") and topped off withotak udang orhae ko (Penang Hokkien: 蝦膏;hêe-ko), a thick sweetshrimp paste.[2]
InIndonesia, most laksa variants are coconut milk-based soups. Common spices includeturmeric,coriander,candlenut,lemongrass,garlic,shallot, andpepper cooked in coconut milk. Widely availabledaun kemangi (lemon basil leaf) is commonly used instead ofdaun kesum commonly used in Malaysia and Singapore. Thinrice vermicelli ("bee hoon") is most commonly used, instead of thick rice noodle ("laksa"). Some recipes might even add slices ofketupat orlontong rice cake.[18]
Katong Laksa (Chinese:加东叻沙;Laksa Katong), from the Singaporean residential neighbourhood ofKatong, is a variant of Singapore-style Laksa Lemak or Singapore Laksa (Chinese:新加坡叻沙;Laksa Singapura). The noodles in Katong Laksa are normally cut into smaller pieces so that the entire dish can be eaten with a spoon alone, without chopsticks or a fork. Another hallmark feature of this laksa is the gravy thickened not just with coconut milk but ground dried shrimp, which gives the soup its characteristic "sandy" texture.
Siglap Laksa (Laksa Siglap) from the neighbourhood of KampungSiglap resembles Johor laksa but it is eaten with laksa noodles instead of spaghetti. The laksa is accompanied by cucumber, bean sprouts,laksa leaves and a dollop ofsambal.[19]
Baduy Laksa (Laksa Baduy) possibly is one of the oldest and the most traditional laksa variant in Indonesia. Unlike commonly known laksa recipes as a spicynoodle soup dish, laksa baduy's form is more akin tolontong andlepet rice cake. Laksa baduy is a type of traditional food in a form of wide noodles similar tokwetiau made from rice flour. The rice flour dough is boiled in water spiced withpapagan combrang (kecombrang ortorch ginger), then made into noodles. Baduy laksa is wrapped incongkok leaf (Molineria capitulata leaf) or inupih (betel nut stems).[20] Laksa baduy is treated as a traditional dish prerequisite forngalaksa ceremony conducted byBaduy people, thus not widely available nor commonly sold.[21]
Banjar Laksa (Laksa Banjar) is a laksa variant from Indonesian city ofBanjarmasin that hassnakehead (ikan haruan) as one of its ingredients. Similar to Palembang Lakso, instead of rice noodle or vermicelli, Banjar Laksa uses steamed noodle-like balls, made fromrice flour paste, served in a thick yellowish soup made from coconut milk, ground spices, and snakehead fish broth. Sprinkles of fried shallots (bawang goreng) and hard-boiled duck egg might also be added.[22]
Betawi Laksa (Laksa Betawi) is a laksa variant fromJakarta, Indonesia,[23] is similar to Bogor Laksa. However, Betawi Laksa is accompanied with basil leaves, chives, rice vermicelli, andperkedel. The thick yellowish coconut milk based soup contains ground (dried shrimp) to give it unique taste.[24]
Bogor Laksa (Laksa Bogor) is perhaps the most famous laksa variant inIndonesia fromBogor,West Java. The thick yellowish coconut milk-based soup is a mixture of shallot, garlic, candlenut, turmeric, coriander, lemongrass and salt. It has a distinct earthy and nutty flavour acquired fromoncom (orange-coloured fermented beans cake, similar totempe but made of different type of fungi mixed withsoy pulp) and is served withketupat as well assambal cuka (ground chilli in vinegar).[25][26]
Cibinong Laksa (Laksa Cibinong) fromCibinong, a town betweenBogor andJakarta is similar to Bogor Laksa, however nooncom is added. The soup is a mixture of spices in coconut milk and it is served with bean sprout, rice vermicelli, hard-boiled eggs, cooked shredded chicken, fried shallots, and Indonesian lemon-basil leaves.[27]
Lakse Kuah is a specialty of Indonesian island ofNatuna, is similar to Terengganu Laksa Kuah Merah. The dish consists of noodles made of sago and mashedtongkol flesh and served in spicy coconut milk gravy made of the spice mixture. Lakse Kuah is usually served withsambal terasi and daun salam.[28]
Laksa Tambelan from the Indonesian islands ofTambelan uses flaked sauteedikan tongkol asap instead of fresh fish. The dish consists of sagoo noodles, that is served in spicy coconut-based stock made ofkerisik (sauteed grated coconut, pounded or blended into paste).[29]
Laksa Tangerang is a laksa variant fromTangerang,Indonesia. The main ingredients of Tangerang Laksa are chicken stock, mung beans, potatoes and chives.[16] Tangerang Laksa consists of handmade noodles from the flour of boiled white rice and a thick yellow gravy similar to Bogor Laksa. Additionally, grated coconut and green beans are also added to give a sweet taste effect.[30] Tangerang Laksa is valued for a balanced consistency of its coconut milk soup, which is not too thick or too watery.[16]
Palembang Laksan (Laksan Palembang) is a specialty of Indonesian city ofPalembang. It consists of sliced fishcake that is served in coconut milk-shrimp broth based soup, sprinkled with fried shallots.[31]
Palembang Celimpungan (Celimpungan Palembang) is also a specialty of Palembang. The dish consists of a gravy similar to Laksan with a ball or oval-shaped fishcakes.[32]
Palembang Burgo (Burgo Palembang) is a laksa variant fromPalembang. Burgo itself refers to its filling, made from rice flour and sago flour that is processed to resemble a thin omelette. The broth is pale white, made from coconut milk and various spices. It is usually accompanied with fish sauce, boiled eggs, and fried onions.[32]
Palembang Lakso (Lakso Palembang) is a laksa variant fromPalembang. Unlike Laksan, Lakso consists of noodle-like steamedsago paste but served in Burgo-like coconut milk soup with only an addition of turmeric and sprinkled with fried shallots.[33]
A bowl of Penang Laksa from the Air Itam area.A typical bowl of curry laksa in Kuala LumpurLaksa Sarawak, a specialty of KuchingLaksam, a variant dish found in the northeastern states of Malaysia and Southern ThailandLaksa Kelantan, a specialty of Kelantanese cuisine
Penang Laksa (Laksa Pulau Pinang), also known asAsam Laksa, a specialty of the Malaysian island ofPenang. The soup is made withmackerel and its main distinguishing feature is theasam or tamarind which gives the soup a sour and appetizing taste. The fish is poached and then flaked. Other ingredients that give Penang Laksa its distinctive flavour includemint,pineapple slices andotak udang.
Kedah Laksa (Laksa Kedah) is similar to Penang Laksa. The soup is usually made with eel instead of mackerel and quite differs, by the use ofasam Gelugur instead ofasam Jawa that is commonly used in Penang Laksa. As the main rice-producing state in Malaysia, Kedah Laksa uses rice flour to make laksa noodles. Sliced boiled eggs are usually added to the dish.[34]
Laksa Ikan Sekoq (Laksa Ikan Seekor) has the same base as Kedah Laksa but is served with a whole fish instead of chunks of fish meat.[35]
Teluk Kechai Laksa (Laksa Teluk Kechai) has the same base as Kedah Laksa but is served with a dollop of coconut sambal.[36]
Perlis Laksa (Laksa Perlis) is very similar to Kedah Laksa. Perlis Laksa gravy is quite concentrated because each ingredient such as mackerel, selayang fish, touch ginger and laksa leaf are blended together. The quantity of fish used is also more than laksa in other states. The broth is brighter and not reddish (i.e. chilli red) like Kedah Laksa.[37]
Ipoh Laksa (Laksa Ipoh), a specialty of the Malaysian city ofIpoh, is similar to Penang Laksa but has a sourer rather than sweet taste, and contains prawn paste. The garnishes used in Ipoh Laksa can differ slightly from those used in Penang Laksa.
Kuala Kangsar Laksa (Laksa Kuala Kangsar), also known asPerak Laksa (Laksa Perak), consists of handmade wheat noodles and light broth. The soup is rather lighter than the Penang laksa and Kedah Laksa and very different from Ipoh Laksa especially in terms of presentation, taste, and smell.[38]
Sarang Burung Laksa (Laksa Sarang Burung) has the same base as Kuala Kangsar Laksa but served with a 'nest' made from fried eggs placed on top of laksa.[39]
Pangkor Mee Laksa (Laksa Mi Pangkor), a specialty of the Malaysian island ofPangkor and the surrounding mainland area ofPerak. It consists of specialty-made white noodle that is topped with clear seafood-based soup of either fish, crab, squid or shrimp that was boiled with dried tamarind apples and salt.Sambal andsautéed vegetables such as long beans and carrots are also added to the laksa. The dish is a must-have during festive seasons.[40][41][42]
Curry Laksa in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, or theKlang Valley region, includes deep-fried tofu,cockles, long beans and mint as signature ingredients. It is typically served with yellow alkalised egg noodles ("mee") and/or rice vermicelli ("bee hoon").[43][2]
Sarawak Laksa (Laksa Sarawak) comes from the Malaysian state ofSarawak. Its uniqueness lies in the spices mixes that are not found in laksa dishes in other states. In addition to those spices, the basic ingredients of Sarawak Laksa are rice vermicelli, chicken, fried tofu, omelette, bean sprouts, black mushrooms, shrimp, boiled eggs and musk. The broth is made from a mixture ofsambal belacan, coconut milk, tamarind juice, garlic, galangal and lemongrass. Famous celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain named Sarawak Laksa as 'Breakfast of the Gods'.[44]
Laksam, also known inThailand asLasae (Thai:ละแซ),[45] is made with thick flat white rice flour noodles served with a rich, full-bodied white gravy of boiled fish and coconut milk. A specialty of the northeastern Malaysian states ofKelantan andTerengganu, Laksam is traditionally eaten with hands rather than with utensils due to the gravy's thick consistency.[46]
Siamese Laksa (Laksa Siam) is similar to Penang Laksa with basically the same ingredient but more creamy and less tangy soup due to the addition of coconut milk and different varieties of herbs. Siamese Laksa like most other Curry Laksa, its spice paste need to be sauteed to bring out its fragrance, a step that does not exists while preparing Penang Laksa.[47][48]
Johor Laksa (Laksa Johor) fromJohor state in southernMalaysia resembles Penang Laksa but differed greatly because it is eaten withspaghetti and the broth are made of grilledwolf herring (parang), concentrated coconut milk, onion and spices. The uniqueness of Johor Laksa lies in the use of spaghetti and the concentration of its gravy. Johor Laksa is usually served during the festive season and special occasions. Once upon a time, the people of Johor used their hands to eat this dish because it was said to be tastier.[2][17]
Kelantan Laksa (Laksa Kelantan), fromKelantan state in northeasternMalaysia, is similar to Laksam, but instead of the thick Laksam noodles, Kelantan Laksa uses the same laksa noodles as Penang Laksa. It is served with ulam, belacan and a pinch of salt, and slightly sweeter as it contains palm sugar.[49]
Terengganu Laksa Kuah Putih (Laksa Terengganu Kuah Putih) is the easiest laksa recipe that is famous among people from the Malaysian state ofTerengganu. Laksa Kuah Putih gets its name from the coconut milk's thick white creamy gravy. The main ingredient of Laksa Kuah Putih is mackerel that are boiled and minced. The gravy is made by mixing coconut milk with hot water and usually without cooking it. The broth then mixed with black pepper, onion and minced fish and served by addingulam (raw vegetables) and blended chilli on the side.[50]
Terengganu Laksa Kuah Merah (Laksa Terengganu Kuah Merah) is similar to Johor Laksa. The gravy is prepared with spices and resembles Johor Laksa gravy. Laksa Kuah Merah is also served with laksa noodles andulam on the side, similar to Laksa Kuah Putih.[51]
Pahang Laksa (Laksa Pahang) from the Malaysian state ofPahang is similar to Laksa Terengganu Kuah Merah but with the uses of salted fish, coriander, fennel, cumin instead of the complex spice mix uses in Laksa Terengganu Kuah Merah.[51]
Island Laksa Kuah Lemak (Laksa Pulau Kuah Lemak), a specialty of the islands off the east coast of Johor, Malaysia, and the surrounding mainland area. The soup resembles Laksa Terengganu Kuah Putih but with the use of smoked fish instead of fresh fish.[52]
Island Laksa Kuah Kari (Laksa Pulau Kuah Kari), a specialty of the islands off the east coast of Johor, Malaysia, and the surrounding mainland area. The soup resembles Laksa Terengganu Kuah Merah but with the use of smoked fish instead of fresh fish.[52]
Kerabu Laksa is a salad dish that uses the elements of laksa such asTorch ginger, cucumber, mint, pineapple, onions, and chillies. The recipe has its origin in the Peranakan community in Terengganu.[53]
Fried Laksa (Laksa Goreng) is a modern adaptation of soupy laksa. The laksa noodles is fried with laksa gravy, similar to mee goreng and bihun goreng.[54]
The general differences between types of laksa in Malaysia;Sarawak Laksa,Nyonya Laksa,Curry Laksa,Laksa Kuah Merah,Laksa Kuah Putih andAsam Laksa are as follows:
Several laksa variants have gained popularity in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia; and subsequently international recognition. In July 2011,CNN Travel ranked Penang Asam Laksa seventh out of the 50 most delicious foods in the world.[60] A later online poll by 35,000 participants, published by CNN in September 2011, ranked it at number 26th.[61] Singaporean-style Laksa on the other hand ranked on CNN "World's 50 best foods" at number 44th.[61][62] In 2018, the Kuala Lumpur variant has been named the second-best food experience in the world onLonely Planet's Ultimate Eat list.[63]
In Indonesia, laksa is a traditionalcomfort food; the spicy warm noodle soup is much appreciated on cold, rainy days. However, its popularity is somewhat overshadowed bysoto, a similar hearty warm soup dish, which is often consumed with rice instead of noodles. In modern households, it is common practice to mix and match laksa recipes; if traditional laksa noodle are not available,Japaneseudon noodles might be used instead.[64]
Laksa is a popular dish inAustralia. First appearing on the menus of eateries in cities likeAdelaide in the 1970s, the coconut soup laksa variant is considered to have been normalized as one of Australia's 'borrowed'foodways since the 2010s.[65] InDarwin, laksa is commonly found in local markets. The Darwin International Laksa Festival was first held in November 2019.[66] Alongside the noodle soup dish, variants include laksa ice cream, laksa chocolate, laksa pies and laksa dumplings.[67]
In 2009, as part of a national food branding exercise, MalaysianMinister of TourismNg Yen Yen attempted to claim ownership for regional dishes such as Laksa,Hainanese chicken rice, andbak kut teh, and she claimed others have “hijacked their dishes”. This led to discontent with regional neighbours such as Singapore and Indonesia.[68][69][70] Ng later clarified she was misquoted on her intention to patent the foods, and that a study on the origins of the foods would be conducted “and an apology conveyed if it was wrongly claimed.” To date, the results of the study have never been made public.[71]
^abMelati Mewangi (1 December 2021)."Sluuurps.. Nikmatnya Mi Nusantara".Tutur Visual - Kompas.id (in Indonesian).Archived from the original on 2 November 2022. Retrieved6 December 2021.
^"Laksa: Discovering Malaysia's signature dish".Asian Correspondent. 24 October 2012. Archived fromthe original on 2 October 2017. Retrieved11 January 2016.Although laksa can also be found in Indonesia and Singapore, it is Malaysian in origin and Malaysia remains the best place to try it in its many forms.
^Eng Hock, Teh (17 September 2009)."Laksa and nasi lemak among our pride, says Yen Yen".The Star Online. Archived fromthe original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved11 January 2016.There were many dishes synonymous with Malaysia's identity but they had been "hijacked" by other countries.
^ENG HOCK, TEH (23 September 2009)."No intention to patent local food, Dr Ng says".The Star Online. Archived fromthe original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved12 January 2016.Dr Ng said a study on the origins of foods in the country would be conducted and an apology conveyed if it was wrongly claimed..
.jpg)
