Laksa is common in Singapore where people are fond of spicy cuisine especially when they use spices in preparing the delicacies. This is a type of Chinese noodle soup with some influence from Malay herbs and spices, making it a common feature in most zones of cuisine. Made with a base of coconut milk, and chili paste, and supported by such components as prawns, fish cakes, and tofu; laksa is the kind of dish that always has a certain ability to entice the taste buds. Here, we will provide a list of the top laksa restaurants in Singapore, how they categorize the types of laksa, and how to make the most out of these delicacies.
What is Laksa?
Laksa is noodles served in a soup base that is originally from the Peranakan where they are both Chinese and Malay. However, this noodle soup can be consumed in almost all Southeast Asian countries, and the Singaporean style has its uniqueness. Most often obtained from coconut milk, it is thick, tasty, and hot due to the addition of lemongrass, chili, turmeric, and shrimp paste.
There are several variations of laksa, each with its unique flavor profile:
- Katong Laksa: This variation has a thick, rich coconut milk-based broth and freshly cut rice noodles. The noodle variations are usually shorter so that the diners can consume the product with the help of a spoon. Special garnishes include prawns, small clams, and a spoonful of menacingly spicy sambal for those who can stow the added heat.
- Penang Laksa: A Malaysian variant with a sour and tangy fish broth made from tamarind.
- Curry Laksa: Savoury curry and coconut milk base, curry laksa includes protein ingredients such as chicken pieces, tofu puff, and fish balls. This version is usually more filling and can be prepared with a combination of some features.
Types of laksa offer a glimpse into Singapore’s diverse culinary landscape and are must-tries for anyone visiting the island.
What Makes a Great Laksa?
A great bowl of laksa has to be a fiery red color, unforgettably creamy with the perfect control of spiciness and a beautiful contrasting texture. Let’s break it down into three essential components:
- The Broth: The Broth: The essence of any good laksa primarily lies in the soup. It has to be rich and full-bodied with just the right amount of spiciness for the coconut milk not to become a major player. The broth has to be smooth – with a thick consistency due to combining the coconut milk and curry paste, but not too thick or oily.
- The Noodles: The noodles could be as thick as rice noodles or as thin as vermicelli; they should be properly softened by the broth, but be far from mushy and have enough resistance to hold the texture when chewed. One distinctive characteristic of Katong laksa is that the noodles are cut up, which makes the dish easier to consume using a spoon.
- The Toppings: A bowl of laksa also commonly comes with toppings. In general, juicy prawns, tender pieces of chicken, crispy tofu, fresh cockles, etc are typical for garnishing, and sambal, a paste made of chili, adds a spicy taste. The vegetables combined with cheese and toppings such as coriander complement the dish and create a crunchy and flavorful meal.
Now that you understand what a good bowl of laksa contains, let’s look at the top restaurants to try out the best laksa in Singapore.
The Best Laksa in Singapore: Top Picks
Now that we know how laksa was developed and the different types of this soup, it’s time to introduce you to the best places to try the best Singapore laksa. These are basic and famous stalls and restaurants that make the cut and specialize in serving laksa.
1. 328 Katong Laksa
328 Katong Laksa is renowned as the most popular place for laksa in Singapore and if not the most popular, then is in the top three. Established in a humble locale in the old town of Katong, this stall is now feted globally and even won against Ramsay, the celebrated UK celebrity chef when the two squared off in a laksa showdown during the 2013 Hawker Heroes Challenge.
What makes it special?
The noodles served here are chopped into small pieces, enough to scoop them up using spoons and not forks. This completes the frivolity, but the actual sanctity is in the broth. This is a good extra, but the best part is the broth. It is tasty and smooth since it is made from fresh cream and has a perfect spicy taste that makes it interesting.
Must-try toppings:
The prawns are plump and juicy, while the fresh cockles add a briny bite that cuts through the richness of the broth. You’ll also find slices of fishcake, which soak up the broth beautifully.
- Location: 51 East Coast Road, S428770
- Phone: +65 6688 8868
- Timings:
- Daily : 9.30 am to 9.30 pm
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2. Sungei Road Laksa
Sungei Road Laksa has been famous and renowned as one of the most delicious and pocket-friendly Malaysian laksa by many people in Singapore. This is a low-profile type of dish, and this quite simple and rather unassuming stall managed to win the hearts of many people.
What makes it special?
The broth here is somewhat less thick than what you would find in a Katong laksa, but that should not be confused with it in any way. It contains heaps of shrimp flavors and has a just right sweet spicy and slightly smoky taste which comes with charcoal used to cook the bean thread soup.
Must-try toppings:
You’ll want to load up on cockles, which are fresh and slightly briny. The thick, chewy noodles are also a highlight, providing a satisfying texture that complements the light, flavorful broth.
- Location: 27 Jalan Berseh, #01-100, Singapore 200027
- Timings:
- Thursday: 9:30 am–4 pm
- Friday: 9:30 am–4 pm
- Saturday: 9:30 am–4 pm
- Sunday: 9:30 am–4 pm
- Monday: 9:30 am–4 pm
- Tuesday: 9:30 am–4 pm
- Wednesday: Closed
3. Janggut Laksa
Janggut Laksa is one of the famous stalls providing Katong laksa for years; It is believed to be one of the first katong laksa restaurants that opened in the 1950s. The story goes that the first outlet was named after the Malay word for ‘beard,’ janggut since the founder cooked kalua laksa using a beard from a pushcart all around katong.
What makes it special?
Janggut Laksa is famous for its smooth and flavorful coconut milk with delicious spices added to it. The prawns, fish cake and the tender chicken used in preparing the dish are all fresh to make the foods tasty. This defines Katong laksa where the short, thick rice vermicelli noodles can easily be consumed with a spoon.
Must-try toppings:
The prawns here are succulent, and the cockles add a punch of briny flavor. A generous spoonful of sambal chili on the side allows diners to adjust the heat to their preference.
- Location: 1 Queensway, #01-59, Singapore 149053
- Phone: +65 9658 6133
- Timings:
- Sunday to Saturday: 10.15 am–9 pm
4. Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa
Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa serves as a hawker stall that is quite famous for its rich thick flavorful laksa. Originally owned by Daniel Soo, the stall has been famous for its additional style of the usual laksa dish. The laksa consists of a rich and tasty spicy coconut soup accompanied by rice noodles, prawns, cockles, fish cakes, and an egg.
What makes it special?
The broth is very thick and creamy and they add this twist of having crab meat mixed into the laksa—the additional sweet taste of crab meat enriches the creaminess of the broths.
Must-try toppings:
Try the prawns and fish cakes, which are fresh and add texture to the smooth, velvety broth. The sambal served alongside the laksa offers an extra level of spiciness for those who love a fiery kick.
- Location: Hong Lim Food Centre, 531A Upper Cross Street, Singapore 051531.
- Timings:
- Monday to Saturday: 9 am–3 pm
- Sunday: Closed
5. Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa
Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa is one of the famous hawker stalls in Singapore which is well recognized due to its very peculiar way of serving food and tasty hot laksa. For instance, while most laksas are served in bowls, which renders the soup lukewarm after a while, this stall serves their laksas in a clay pot so that the soup stays hot until the end of the meal.
What makes it special?
Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Laksa is famous for its insanely thick and rich gravy, which coats the noodles smoothly. The broth is thick and smooth, which is perfect with ample amounts of dried shrimp and fresh herbs that infuse a savory taste into it.
Must-try toppings:
The prawns are sweet and juicy, while the cockles add a bold, salty punch. The laksa is also topped with fresh herbs and sambal chili for added aroma and spice.
- Location: 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1, Singapore 151120.
- Phone: +65 9088 9203
- Timings:
- Thursday: 9 am–3 pm
- Friday: 9 am–3 pm
- Saturday: 9 am–3 pm
- Sunday: Closed
- Monday: 9 am–3 pm
- Tuesday: 9 am–3 pm
- Wednesday: Closed
6. Geylang Laksa
Geylang Laksa is one of the most famous hawker meals in Singapore. This type of laksa is unique for its flavors and aroma of the soup, and individuals from all over the region have learned to appreciate them. First, the dish is of Peranakan origin and is the only dish in Singapore that can be said to be a fusion of Chinese and Malay cuisines: hence the name Geylang Laksa.
What makes it special?
Geylang Laksa is famous for its buttery curry gravy made from an original combination of spices, coconut milk, and dried prawns giving it its special taste. The dish can be defined as having thick rice vermicelli called the laksa noodles, which effectively absorb the gravy and sum up the colorful essence of Singapore dishes.
Must-try toppings:
When enjoying Geylang Laksa, consider adding fresh prawns for sweetness, slices of fish cake for texture, and cockles for a briny taste. Topping it off with crunchy bean sprouts and a creamy hard-boiled egg enhances the dish further. For those who appreciate spice, a dollop of chili paste is a perfect addition.
- Location: 138 Market Street, CapitaGreen, Level 40, Singapore 048946
- Phone: +65 9856 8152
- Timings:
- Monday to Saturday: 5.30 am–2 pm
7. 928 Yishun Laksa
928 Yishun Laksa is one of the famous laska stalls in Singapore that is famous for delicious, flavorful, and very cheap laska. Situated in Yishun, it is a simple hawker stall that offers a dependable tour of this Singaporean delicacy and has gained customers who appreciate such simplicity and authenticity; 928 Yishun Laksa is a place worth visiting for an affordable and great Laksa.
What makes it special?
The laksa at 928 Yishun stands out for its creamy, coconut-based broth, infused with spices for a perfect balance of richness and heat. The dish is always served hot, with fresh ingredients, and short noodles that are easy to eat with just a spoon—true to traditional Singaporean laksa style.
Must-try toppings:
The must-try toppings include fresh shrimp for a sweet taste and fish cake slices for a chewy sensation. The hard-boiled egg perfectly soaks the medium-cooked yolk into the broth’s taste. Also, the tau pok (fried bean curd) absorbs the gravy, and every mouthful has a soft, juicy, and filled-with-flavor surprise.
- Location: 928 Yishun Central 1, Singapore 760928.
- Phone: +65 9731 9586
- Timings:
- Monday to Saturday: 9 am–6 pm
- Sunday: Closed
Tips for Enjoying the Best Laksa in Singapore
To fully appreciate the best laksa in Singapore, here are some tips for enjoying this delightful dish:
- Choose Your Type: First of all, select the type correctly, the original Katong laksa or the curry version. Both versions are different from the spicy flavor to that of the regular one, if possible try to taste both.
- Ask for Extra Sambal: The sambal is excellent; if you love spicy, make sure that you request an extra one. This will make your laksa lethally hot or to a level that brings out the best of the taste.
- Pair with Local Beverages: To offset the spiciness of the laksa there should be a cooling drink on the table. Some locals will have their choice of an extraordinarily refreshing kopi (iced coffee) or a cool Bandung (rose syrup and evaporated milk) to go with the rich taste of the Asam Laksa.
- Slurp with Joy: When it comes to consuming laksa, the noodles, and the broth are supposed to be consumed collectively by sucking. It also serves a dual purpose of improving the taste of the food that is being prepared and increasing the fun that is associated with eating or dining.
- Explore Different Stalls: There is no one way how a laksa is prepared; each stall may prepare its laksa differently. Turn it into a little competition to see where you like best. If you walk around the different stalls you will come across various variations definitive of this favorite.
With the help of these tips, you will find out how to enjoy a bowl of laksa in Singapore to the maximum.
Conclusion
Laksa is a dish that represents the diverse and vibrant culinary scene that can be expected in Singapore. If you are a traditionalist who enjoys the traditional Katong-style laksa or if you prefer a darker taste of charcoal boiled broth or if you find innovative and new techniques brought by the newer joints, Singapore has a lot to offer in terms of laksa outlets that everyone will appreciate. All the bowls are special in their ways, and the vibrant shades could range from the aroma of the brown coconut soup stock to the option of fresh fixings.
So, what’s stopping you? You can go on a laksa hunt in Singapore to get the best laksa that appeals to your taste buds. Whether it is the ‘wok hei’ of Sungei Road Laksa or the homely fragrance of Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei, you will know you are in for a fiery, creamy ride each time.
