Asam laksa

***Asam laksa*** is a *Peranakan* noodle dish that comes with a sour fish and tamarind-based broth. It is one of the most iconic Penang dishes and its popularity is such that the CNN has ranked the Penang *asam laksa* 26th. in its world's 50 best foods list.

*Asam laksa* is actually common in the northern Peninsular Malaysia and northern Sumatra. Depending on its place of origin, a bowl of asam laksa usually consists of smooth rice noodles, shredded mackerel, sliced vegetables such as cucumber, onions, chillies, lettuce, common mint, *laksa* mint and pink torch ginger, pineapple slices and a sweet prawn paste called *heh ko*.

For tourists coming to Penang Island, *asam laksa* is a definite must-try dish. It is best eaten in the late afternoons (between 1500 hours and 1800 hours).

## Ingredients

There are several variations of *asam laksa*, each coming from a different place within the northern Malay Peninsula and northern Sumatra. The Penang variety gives off a mix of pungent sweet and sour flavour that is captured in its fish broth.

A bowl of Penang *asam laksa* has the following ingredients.

* Smooth rice noodles
* Shredded mackerel
* *Laksa* mint
* Common mint leaves
* Chopped pink torch ginger flower
* Sliced onions
* Chopped red chillies
* Lemongrass
* *Belachan* (Malay shrimp paste)
* Tamarind
* Shredded cucumber
* Shredded lettuce
* Pineapple slices
* Shallots
* Spicy pungent fish broth
* *Heh ko* (sweet shrimp paste in Penang Hokkien)

## CNN Ranking

According to the CNN's list of the best 50 foods in the world, Penang *asam laksa* was ranked 26th., beating the likes of Singapore's curry *laksa* and chilli crab. Penang *asam laksa* is described as follows.

> '*Poached, flaked mackerel, tamarind, chili, mint, lemongrass, onion, pineapple … one of Malaysia’s most popular dishes is an addictive spicy-sour fish broth with noodles (especially great when fused with ginger), that’ll have your nose running before the spoon even hits your lips.*'
>
>

## Recommended Places

*Asam laksa* is served in certain hawker stalls and hawker centres all over Penang Island. The following are the more recommended *asam laksa* stalls throughout Penang Island.

* Air Itam Market *Laksa* Stall, Market Road, Air Itam, George Town
	+ Opening Hours : 1130 hours - 2000 hours
* Nan Guang Coffee Shop, Jalan Balik Pulau, Balik Pulau
	+ Opening Hours : 1200 hours - 1530 hours
* Joo Hooi Coffee Shop, Penang Road, George Town
	+ Opening Hours : 1200 hours - 1700 hours
* Jelutong Post Office Hawker Centre, Jelutong Avenue, Jelutong, George Town
	+ Opening Hours : 1200 hours - 1700 hours
* Bee Hooi Coffee Shop, Burmah Road, Pulau Tikus, George Town
	+ Opening Hours : 2100 hours - 2300 hours
* Sin Wah Coffee Shop, Burmah Road, Pulau Tikus, George Town
	+ Opening Hours : 1100 hours - 1600 hours
* Taman Emas Coffee Shop, Gottlieb Road, Pulau Tikus, George Town
	+ Opening Hours : 1200 hours - 1700 hours
* Weld Quay *Laksa* Stall, Weld Quay, George Town
	+ Opening Hours : 1300 hours - 1800 hours
* Midtown Cafe, Lorong Selamat, George Town
	+ Opening Hours : 1100 hours - 1900 hours
* Big Tree *Laksa* Stall, Jalan Dato' Ismail Hashim, Sungai Ara
	+ Opening Hours : 1300 hours - 1700 hours

## References

1. http://www.themalaymailonline.com/eat-drink/article/for-the-love-of-assam-laksa
2. http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/eat/readers-choice-worlds-50-most-delicious-foods-012321/
3. http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP\_884\_2004-12-27.html
4. http://www.penang-traveltips.com/laksa.htm