Best Laksa in Singapore

What is laksa?

Laksa is one of the best-loved hawker dishes on the island. This guide explains what goes into laksa in Singapore, how to order it and where to find a good bowl. The version most people eat here is curry laksa. It is thick rice noodles in a rich soup made with coconut milk, chilli and dried shrimp.

The dish has strong links to Peranakan cooking. The Peranakans are descendants of Chinese traders and settlers who made their homes in this region centuries ago. Their food blends Chinese ingredients with Malay spices. You can learn more at the Peranakan Museum or browse our Peranakan restaurant list.

What comes in a bowl of laksa

A standard bowl includes these parts:

• Thick rice noodles. These are round, soft and white. Some stalls let you choose yellow noodles instead.
• The soup. It is orange, creamy and spicy, with a deep seafood taste from dried shrimp.
• Toppings. Expect prawns, sliced fish cake, bean sprouts and often cockles, which are small shellfish.
• Laksa leaf. This herb is chopped and scattered on top. It has a sharp, slightly minty taste.
• Sambal. This chilli paste comes on the side or on top. Stir in a little at a time.

Katong laksa

Katong laksa is a well-known style named after the Katong area in the east. The noodles are cut short, so you can eat the whole bowl with a spoon. You do not need chopsticks. 328 Katong Laksa is in the Katong and Joo Chiat area. You can also try Janggut Laksa in the Tiong Bahru and Alexandra area.

Other kinds of laksa

You may also see asam laksa on some menus. It comes from Penang in Malaysia. Its soup is sour and spicy, made with fish and tamarind, and it has no coconut milk. Curry noodles are another close cousin. See our Curry Noodles page if you like the curry taste but want a different bowl.

Where to eat laksa in Singapore

Laksa is sold at many hawker centres across the island. Still, a few areas stand out for visitors.

Katong and Joo Chiat

This is the home of Katong laksa. It is also a pleasant area to walk, with rows of colourful shophouses. Pair a bowl with a stroll past the Koon Seng Road Shophouses. Browse more places to eat in Katong & Joo Chiat.

Little India and Jalan Besar

Sungei Road Laksa is a hawker stall in this area. It serves Peranakan-style laksa. You can combine a bowl with a walk around Little India.

Hawker centres around the city

If you want laksa plus other dishes, go to a large hawker centre. Most have plenty of choice, and you can share several plates. See our Hawker Favourites list for ideas.

How to order and eat laksa

• Choose a size. Many stalls offer small and large bowls. The price gap is usually small.
• Ask about cockles. If you do not eat shellfish, ask for no cockles when you order. Locals often say 'no hum', using the Hokkien word for cockles.
• Go easy on the sambal. The soup already has some heat. Add more chilli only after you taste it.
• Order a side. Some laksa shops also sell otah, a spiced fish paste grilled in a leaf. It goes well with the soup.
• Carry some cash. Many stalls take QR code or card payments, but not all of them do.

A bowl at a hawker stall usually costs around S$4 to S$8. Prices change, so check the menu board before you order.

If you have a shellfish allergy, take care. The soup is usually made with dried shrimp, even if you skip the prawns and cockles. Read Eating at Hawker Centres With Food Allergies for more advice.

FAQs about laksa

Is laksa very spicy?

Most bowls are medium spicy. The coconut milk softens the heat. You can ask for less sambal, or leave it out.

Is laksa halal?

Some laksa stalls are halal-certified, but many are not. If you need halal food, look for the MUIS halal certificate at the stall before you order.

What is the difference between Katong laksa and curry laksa?

Katong laksa is a type of curry laksa. Its noodles are cut short so you can eat it with only a spoon. The soup is usually thick and rich.

When is the best time to eat laksa?

Locals eat laksa at breakfast, lunch or dinner. Popular stalls can have queues at lunch, so go a little earlier or later. Some stalls close once they sell out.

Is laksa from Singapore or Malaysia?

Both countries have their own kinds of laksa. Curry laksa and Katong laksa are closely linked with Singapore. Asam laksa is more closely linked with Penang in Malaysia.