Laksa Noodle Soup Recipe

Imagine a bowl of soup that’s both creamy and spicy, filled with tasty noodles and yummy toppings. That’s Laksa Noodle Soup! It’s a dish from Southeast Asia that is loved by many people. Get ready to make your own at home – it’s easier than you think and so much fun to eat!

What is Laksa Noodle Soup?

Laksa is like a flavor adventure in a bowl. It’s a noodle soup that’s popular in places like Malaysia and Singapore. People love it because it’s full of different tastes and textures.

Aromatic Origins of Laksa

Laksa has been around for a long time. Some people say it started when different cultures mixed together in Southeast Asia. It’s a dish that tells a story about flavors coming together. It shows how spices and local foods can make something really special.

Curry Laksa vs. Asam Laksa: Understanding the Variations

Did you know there are different kinds of laksa? Curry Laksa is rich and creamy because it has coconut milk. Asam Laksa, on the other hand, is tangy and a bit sour, and it often has fish in it. Both are Southeast Asian cuisine favorites, but they taste different. We are making Curry Laksa today, the kind with coconut milk that’s so comforting.

Why This Laksa Recipe Will Become Your Favorite

This Laksa Noodle Soup recipe is not just any recipe. It’s special because it helps you bring the real taste of Malaysian cuisine right to your kitchen.

Taste the True Flavors of Southeast Asia

With this recipe, you’re not just making soup. You’re creating a dish packed with authentic flavors. Think of lemongrass, galangal, and chilies – these are the ingredients that make Laksa taste like it comes from far away.

Simple Steps for Homemade Deliciousness

You might think making Laksa is hard, but it’s not! This recipe breaks it down into simple steps. From making the laksa paste to cooking the noodles, every part is easy to follow. Even if you’re new to cooking, you can make this amazing soup.

The Key Ingredients for Exceptional Laksa Noodle Soup

To make really good Laksa, you need to know about the important ingredients. It’s like having the right colors to paint a beautiful picture – each one adds something special.

Building Blocks of Flavor: The Laksa Paste

The laksa paste is super important. It’s what gives Laksa its special taste. You can buy it ready-made, but making it yourself is even better!

Essential Spices and Aromatics

In the paste, you’ll find things like turmeric, coriander, and more. These spices are like magic. They wake up your taste buds and make the soup smell wonderful even before it’s cooked.

Coconut Milk: The Soul of Laksa Broth

Coconut milk is what makes Curry Laksa so creamy and rich. It’s like the cozy blanket of the soup, making all the spices feel warm and comforting. It’s a must-have for this type of Laksa.

Choosing Your Protein: Shrimp, Chicken, or Tofu

You can choose what you like in your Laksa. Shrimp cooks quickly and tastes a bit sweet. Chicken is a classic choice that’s always satisfying. If you don’t eat meat, tofu is a great option. It soaks up all the flavors of the soup and is very yummy.

Noodle Selection: Rice Vermicelli and More

For noodles, many people like rice vermicelli. These are thin rice noodles that are easy to eat with soup. But you can also use other noodles like egg noodles if you like them better. It’s really up to you!

Fresh and Flavorful Toppings

Toppings make Laksa even more fun to eat. Bean sprouts add a fresh crunch. Fish cakes give a chewy bite and more seafood flavor. And don’t forget prawns if you love them! A squeeze of lime at the end brightens everything up.

Making Laksa Noodle Soup: Step-by-Step Instructions

Ready to make Laksa? Here’s how, in simple steps. Remember, the full recipe is in the recipe card at the end, but here’s a quick guide to get you started.

Preparing the Fragrant Laksa Paste

First, you’ll make the laksa paste. If you’re making it from scratch, you’ll mix spices and other good-smelling things together. Or, you can use a store-bought paste to save time. The paste is the flavor base, so make sure it smells amazing!

Creating the Rich and Creamy Broth

Next, you cook the laksa paste in a pot to wake up all the flavors. Then, you add coconut milk and water to make the broth. Let it simmer and fill your kitchen with a wonderful smell. This broth is the heart of your Laksa Noodle Soup.

Cooking Noodles and Protein to Perfection

While the broth simmers, cook your noodles until they are just right – not too soft and not too hard. Cook your chosen protein – shrimp, chicken, or tofu – separately. Make sure everything is cooked nicely so it tastes its best in the soup.

Assembling Your Bowl of Laksa Goodness

Now for the fun part! Put the noodles in a bowl, pour the hot broth over them, and add your protein and toppings. Make it look pretty and get ready to enjoy your homemade Laksa Noodle Soup.

Expert Tips for Perfect Homemade Laksa

Here are some secrets from someone who knows a lot about making Laksa. These tips will help you make your soup taste even better.

Spice Level Adjustments: Taming the Heat

Laksa can be a bit spicy, but you can control the heat. If you don’t like it too spicy, use less chili in your laksa paste or add a bit of sugar to balance the spice. If you love spice, add more chili! It’s all about making it just right for you.

Achieving the Ideal Broth Texture

The broth should be creamy but not too thick. If it gets too thick, add a little water. If it’s too thin, let it simmer a bit longer to reduce. The perfect broth is smooth and coats your spoon nicely.

Tips for Making Laksa Ahead of Time

Good news! You can make parts of Laksa ahead. You can make the laksa paste or the broth a day before. Just keep them in the fridge. Then, when you’re ready to eat, cooking is even faster.

Laksa Noodle Soup: Delicious Variations to Explore

Once you know how to make basic Laksa, you can try different versions. It’s like being an artist and trying new colors!

Vegetarian Laksa: A Plant-Based Delight

Want to make Laksa without meat? Easy! Just skip the shrimp or chicken and use only tofu. You can also add more vegetables like mushrooms or eggplant. Vegetarian Laksa is just as tasty and satisfying.

Seafood Laksa: Ocean Freshness in a Bowl

If you love seafood, try adding more than just shrimp. Mussels, clams, or extra prawns can make your Laksa extra oceanic. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the flavors of the sea in a spicy, creamy soup.

Chicken Laksa: A Classic Comfort

Chicken Laksa is a go-to for many. It’s comforting and familiar. You can use chicken breast or chicken thighs. Some people even like to add Chicken Pot Pie in mind and add chunks of cooked chicken at the end for a hearty meal.

Serving and Storing Your Laksa Noodle Soup

Knowing how to serve and store Laksa properly is important to enjoy it best.

What Goes Well with Laksa?

Laksa is great all by itself, but you can have it with some sides. A fresh salad can be a nice light start. Or, some crispy spring rolls can add a fun crunch. Enchilada Sauce might seem out of place, but exploring different cuisines can lead to surprising pairings! Really, Laksa is a full meal, so you don’t need much else.

Best Practices for Storing Leftover Laksa

If you have Laksa left over, let it cool down first. Then, put it in a container and keep it in the fridge. It’s best to eat it within 2-3 days. When you reheat it, the noodles might soak up a lot of broth, so you might need to add a little water or coconut milk to make it soupy again.

Frequently Asked Questions About Laksa Noodle Soup

Explore More Southeast Asian Soups

If you love Laksa, there’s a whole world of spicy soup from Southeast Asia waiting for you!

Tom Yum: Spicy and Sour Thai Soup

Tom Yum Soup from Thailand is another spicy soup but it’s also sour and fragrant. It’s often made with shrimp and lemongrass, just like Laksa, but it has a different kind of spicy kick. If you like bold flavors, try Tom Yum next.

Vietnamese Pho: A Comforting Noodle Soup

Pho is a Vietnamese Pho noodle soup that’s all about comfort. It’s made with a clear broth and rice noodles, usually with beef or chicken. It’s not spicy like Laksa, but it’s deeply flavorful and very satisfying in a different way.

Japanese Ramen: Umami-Rich Noodle Bowls

And then there’s Ramen from Japan. Japanese cuisine offers Ramen which is famous for its rich umami-rich noodle bowls broth and various toppings. Each bowl of ramen can be a work of art. Exploring ramen is like going on a noodle adventure.

Authentic Laksa Noodle Soup

Dive into the rich and aromatic flavors of Laksa Noodle Soup with our easy-to-follow recipe. This creamy and spicy Southeast Asian soup is perfect for a comforting and flavorful meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Soup

Cuisine Malaysian, Singaporean, Southeast Asian

Servings 6 servings

Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Laksa Paste:

• 8-10 dried red chilies soaked in hot water
• 6-8 fresh red chilies roughly chopped (adjust to spice preference)
• 2-3 shallots roughly chopped
• 4-5 cloves garlic
• 2- inch piece of galangal sliced
• 2- inch piece of fresh turmeric or 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 2 stalks lemongrass white part only, sliced
• 1 tbsp coriander seeds toasted
• 1 tsp cumin seeds toasted
• 10-12 candlenuts or macadamia nuts as substitute
• 1- inch piece shrimp paste belacan, toasted
• Pinch of salt

For the Soup:

• 2 tbsp cooking oil
• Laksa paste from above or store-bought, about 4-6 tbsp
• 10 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 cans 13.5 oz each coconut milk
• 1-2 tbsp fish sauce adjust to taste, or soy sauce for vegetarian
• 1 tbsp sugar or to taste
• Juice of 1-2 limes plus wedges for serving

For Serving:

• 1 lb rice vermicelli noodles cooked according to package
• 1 lb shrimp peeled and deveined, or cooked chicken or tofu
• Bean sprouts
• Fried tofu puffs optional
• Fish cakes sliced (optional)
• Fresh cilantro chopped
• Lime wedges
• Hard-boiled eggs halved (optional)

Instructions

 

Get Started:

• If making laksa paste from scratch, soak dried chilies in hot water for 20 minutes until softened. Drain. Toast coriander and cumin seeds in a dry pan over medium heat until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.

Make Laksa Paste:

• In a food processor or blender, combine soaked dried chilies, fresh chilies, shallots, garlic, galangal, turmeric, lemongrass, toasted coriander seeds, toasted cumin seeds, candlenuts, shrimp paste, and salt.
• Blend until a smooth paste forms, adding a little water if needed to help blend.

Cook the Laksa Soup:

• In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat cooking oil over medium heat. Add laksa paste and cook, stirring constantly, for 5-7 minutes until fragrant and the oil separates from the paste.
• Pour in chicken or vegetable broth and coconut milk. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and let simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to allow flavors to meld.
• Stir in fish sauce and sugar. Adjust seasoning to taste, adding more fish sauce for saltiness or sugar for sweetness, if needed.
• Add shrimp (or chicken/tofu) to the soup and cook until just pink and cooked through, about 3-5 minutes for shrimp, or until heated through for pre-cooked chicken/tofu.

Assemble and Serve:

• Divide cooked rice vermicelli noodles among bowls. Ladle hot laksa soup over noodles, ensuring each bowl gets a good portion of protein.
• Garnish generously with bean sprouts, fried tofu puffs (if using), fish cakes (if using), fresh cilantro, and a lime wedge. Serve immediately with extra lime wedges on the side.

Notes

• Spice Customization: Love it spicy? Add finely chopped bird’s eye chilies or a dash of chili oil when serving for an extra kick. If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of fresh chilies in the laksa paste and ensure you remove the seeds from the dried chilies before soaking.
• Vegetarian Delight: To make this Laksa fully vegetarian or vegan, ensure your laksa paste is plant-based (check for shrimp paste or substitute with a vegetarian version). Use firm tofu or tempeh as protein, and vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Adding roasted vegetables like sweet potatoes or eggplant can also enhance a vegetarian Laksa.
• Make it Fishier (Asam Laksa Style Hint): While this recipe is for Curry Laksa, if you enjoy the tangy flavors of Asam Laksa, you can add a tablespoon of tamarind paste to the broth for a subtle sour note. This will bring a hint of that Asam Laksa complexity to your Curry Laksa.
• Noodle Variety: Feel free to experiment with different types of noodles. Flat rice noodles or even egg noodles can be delicious alternatives to rice vermicelli, depending on your preference.
• Broth Richness: For an even richer and creamier broth, you can use full-fat coconut milk or add a touch of coconut cream. If you find the broth too rich, you can balance it by adding a bit more broth or water.
• Freshness is Key: Laksa is best when made with fresh ingredients, especially the aromatics in the paste and the toppings. Don’t skimp on fresh herbs like cilantro and lime wedges – they really brighten up the dish!
• Prep Ahead Like a Pro: The laksa paste can be made several days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. This is a great time-saver when you want to make Laksa on a busy weeknight. The broth can also be made a day ahead; just combine everything when you’re ready to serve.
• Serving Platter Idea: For a fun and interactive meal, serve the laksa broth separately from a platter of all the toppings and noodles. Let everyone assemble their own bowls exactly to their liking!
• Freezing Tips (Broth Only): While Laksa is best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze the broth on its own. Cool it completely, then freeze in airtight containers for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, defrost the broth and prepare fresh noodles and protein. Freezing with noodles and toppings is not recommended as it can affect their texture.

Keyword Coconut Milk Soup, laksa, Laksa Noodle Soup, Malaysian Cuisine, Noodle Soup Recipe, Singaporean Cuisine, Spicy Soup