Assam Laksa

Penang Assam Laksa

There are many types of laksa dishes but the Assam variety is one of the most popular, especially in Penang. It is made by placing thick rice vermicelli in the base of a bowl, adding chopped lettuce, cucumbers, mint, pineapple and onions and then pouring spicy fish broth over the top. Finally chopped ginger buds are sprinkled on top with a blob of spicy fish paste. The broth itself is made from mackerel poached with lavish quantities of lemongrass, chillies and tamarind (assam is a Malay word for tamarind).

A warming dish for those evenings when the temperature dips below 30˚C!

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AUTHOR BIO

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David (the one on the left) is the writer behind Malaysia Traveller, sharing firsthand travel advice from over five decades of living and travelling across Asia and the Middle East. Based in Malaysia since 2009 and now in Kuching, he has published 700+ pages, personally visited every place he covers, and uses only his own photos. Readers can learn more on his About Me page. He also shares updates on Facebook and YouTube. He loves uncovering overlooked places even many Malaysians have never visited.