Quick Penang Asam Laksa

5 from 4 votes

Quick Penang asam laksa recipe that's famous in Malaysia. This hot bowl of umami-packed tangy fish-base soup with thick rice noodles is matched perfectly with fresh herbs and aromatics to balance the flavors. This recipe is perfect for a quick and simplified Asian dinner!

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Servings: people

Author: Bea & Marco

Ingredients

Base

4 red chillies
1 red onion
1 thumb sized galangal
8 oz canned sardines in tomato sauce

Soup

4 cup (1 liter) water
3 lemongrass , bruised
½ bunch (20 g) mint leaves , tied
3 tablespoon fish sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
¼ cup concentrated tamarind for cooking , or to taste

Noodles and Garnish

1 lb pre-cooked udon noodles , cook as per packet's instructions
1 cup pineapple , in small chunks
2 baby lettuce leaves , thinly sliced
½ cucumber , julienned
½ red onion , thinly sliced
2 boiled egg , halved
1 lime , cut in wedges
red chili , sliced
mint leaves

Instructions

Base

Blend the chilies, onion, and galangal into a fine paste using a grinder or small blender. Do it in batches if needed. Set aside.
Blend the sardines into a paste. You can also do this by mashing them with a fork.

Soup

Add the soup base, sardines, water, lemongrass, mint leaves, fish sauce, and sugar into a pot. Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.

Assemble And Serve

Meanwhile, prepare the garnish. Thinly sliced onion, lettuce, chilies, and cucumber. Boil the eggs and cut them in halves. Cut pineapple into small chunks, and limes into wedges. Boil the noodles as per the packet's instructions.
To serve - Place noodles in a bowl and pour the soup on top. Garnish with the condiments and serve hot. Enjoy your quick Penang asam laksa!

Notes

Use canned sardines in tomato sauce. They have more flavor than canned mackerel, and the tomato sauce adds a beautiful layer of acidity.
Use chilies as desired. Assam laksa recipe is typically a combination of spicy, sour, sweet, and savory. It's typically spicier in Malaysia where we use dried chilies. I've made this recipe milder by using fresh chilies. Add or reduce as you see fit.
Aromatics. Fish out and discard the mint leaves and lemongrass before serving. Tie mint leaves with a kitchen string before cooking so it's easier to discard them.

Nutrition