How To Make Curry Laksa: A Step-by-Step Recipe

How to Make Authentic Curry Laksa at Home

Craving a taste of Southeast Asia? Let’s talk about Curry Laksa! This rich, spicy noodle soup is incredibly popular in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. And the best part? It's surprisingly easy to make at home. Forget takeaway, you can create an authentic Curry Laksa in your very own kitchen.

What is Curry Laksa?

Curry Laksa is a flavour explosion in a bowl. It's a coconut-based curry soup that's brimming with noodles and all sorts of delicious toppings. Think of it as a warm hug on a chilly day!

The dish has its roots in Southeast Asia, with each region putting its own spin on the recipe. We're focusing on the Curry Laksa style today, known for its rich and vibrant curry broth.

Ingredients You'll Need

Want to know the secret to amazing Curry Laksa? It all starts with fresh, quality ingredients. Here's what you'll need to whip up this flavour-packed dish:

For the Chicken Broth:

• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1 cup water
• 3 chicken drumsticks (skin on)

For the Laksa Paste:

• 5 long red chillies
• 5 garlic cloves
• 4 cm piece of ginger
• 8 cashew nuts
• 2 diced shallots
• 2 tbsp belacan (shrimp paste)
• 2 tbsp peanut oil

• 1/4 cup water

For the Laksa Chilli Sauce:

• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 minced garlic clove
• 1 tbsp Laksa paste (from above)
• 1 tbsp sriracha sauce
• 1 tbsp chilli paste
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil

For the Laksa Broth:

• 1 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 minced lemongrass stalk

Chicken broth (from step one)

• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 tbsp Laksa chilli sauce (from above)
• Laksa paste (from step two)
• 1/2 lime
• Tofu puffs

For Assembling the Laksa:

• Rice noodles
• Bean sprouts
• Fried shallots
• Coriander
• Laksa chilli sauce
• Fresh chilli

Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

Got dietary restrictions? No worries! Here are a few swaps you can make:

Vegetarian: Swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth and skip the chicken altogether. You can also add extra tofu or vegetables.

Gluten-Free: Make sure your soy sauce and chilli paste are gluten-free.

Step-by-Step Instructions: How To Make Curry Laksa From Scratch

Ready to get cooking? Here's how to make Curry Laksa, step by step:

Step 1: Making the Chicken Broth

• In a medium saucepan, chuck in 2 cups of chicken stock, 1 cup of water, and 3 chicken drumsticks (skin on).
• Turn the heat up to high and bring to a boil. Once it's bubbling away, turn the heat down a bit and let it simmer for about 25 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the liquid has reduced by about a third.
• Take the drumsticks out and put them aside to cool. Strain the broth and set it aside too. You can chuck the chicken skin, or save it for something else if you're feeling adventurous!
• Once the chicken's cool enough to handle, shred the meat and pop it in a bowl for later.

Step 2: Making the Laksa Paste

• Grab your blender and throw in 5 long red chillies, 5 garlic cloves, a 4 cm piece of ginger, 8 cashew nuts, 2 diced shallots, 2 tbsp of belacan (shrimp paste), 2 tbsp of peanut oil, and 1/4 cup of water.
• Blend it all up until it's super smooth. You might need to stop and scrape down the sides of the blender every now and then.

• Pour the paste into a bowl and set it aside.
• Spice Level Tip: If you're not a fan of too much heat, start with fewer chillies and add more to taste.
• Why each spice is needed: Each spice in the Laksa paste plays a vital role. Chillies provide the heat, garlic and ginger add a pungent aroma, cashew nuts bring a creamy texture, shallots offer a mild onion flavour, and belacan delivers a unique umami taste.

Step 3: Making the Laksa Chilli Sauce

• In a small bowl, mix together 2 tbsp of soy sauce, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tbsp of Laksa paste, 1 tbsp of Sriracha sauce, 1 tbsp of chilli paste, and 1 tbsp of vegetable oil.
• Give it a good mix until it's all combined.
• Set it aside for later.
• Spice Level Tip: For a milder sauce, use a sweet chilli sauce instead of regular chilli paste.

Step 4: Making the Laksa Broth

• Put a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 1/2 tbsp of vegetable oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 minced lemongrass stalk.
• Stir-fry it all for about a minute, until it smells amazing.
• Pour in the chicken broth, 1 can of coconut milk, and 1 tbsp of Laksa chilli sauce.
• Add the Laksa paste and stir well.
• Squeeze in the juice of half a lime.
• Bring it to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
• Add the tofu puffs and stir. Take it off the heat.
• Broth Consistency Tip: If your broth is too thick, add a bit more chicken stock or water. If it's too thin, simmer it for a bit longer to reduce it.

Step 5: Preparing the Rice Noodles

• Fill a large pot with water and put it on the stove.
• Bring it to a boil. Add the rice noodles.
• Cook for 2 minutes, or follow the instructions on the packet.
• Take it off the heat and drain the noodles.
• Noodle Options: Feel free to use different types of noodles, like egg noodles or Hokkien noodles.

Step 6: Assembling the Laksa

• Put the rice noodles in a serving bowl.
• Pour the Laksa broth over the noodles.
• Top with bean sprouts, shredded chicken, fried shallots, coriander, Laksa chilli sauce, and fresh chilli (if you're game!).
• Topping Tip: Get creative with your toppings! Other great options include prawns, fish balls, and sliced cucumber.

Tips for the Best Curry Laksa

Want to make your Curry Laksa even better? Here are a few tips:

Taste and adjust: Don't be afraid to taste the broth as you go and add more chilli paste, lime juice, or soy sauce to get it just right.

Make the paste ahead: You can make the Laksa paste a day or two in advance to save time.

Storing leftovers: Leftover Curry Laksa can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just make sure to store the noodles separately so they don't get soggy.

Serving Suggestions

Curry Laksa is fantastic on its own as a main course. You could also serve it with some spring rolls or roti for a complete meal. And don't forget a sprinkle of extra coriander for a pop of freshness!

Conclusion:-

So there you have it! A simple, authentic recipe for How To Make Curry Laksa at home. With a bit of prep and these easy steps, you'll be enjoying a bowl of this Southeast Asian favourite in no time. Get ready for a flavour explosion!