What Are The Popular Laksa Food In Melbourne?

For good reason, laksa is one of Southeast Asia's most beloved noodle soups. It's deliciously comfortable, with a velvety texture, a tantalising hint of heat, and a sultry aroma.

There are two primary forms of laksa in Malaysia, however there are countless variations on each. The sour cousin of curry laksa is asam laksa, and it's a great place to start. Unlike the laksa most Australians are used to, the Asam laksa employs a fish and tamarind soup base to create a tangier, fresher noodle soup.

In the original curry laksa, the more popular variety in Australia, the broth is given its distinctive auburn glow by the combination of lemongrass, galangal, chilli, and curry powder, before the creamy balance of coconut milk is added.

A bowl of delicious spicy soup is sure to warm you up, no matter how chilly it gets in Melbourne. These establishments serve some of Melbourne's finest curry laksa.

In what may seem like a no-brainer, the aesthetic quality of a laksa can be considered. Is it like a Super Supreme, but in a bowl, and covered in more chilli and toppings than a Super Supreme? You should rethink that assumption.

It's important to note that the best laksa (curry laksa, to be exact; there are several variations on this Malaysian favourite, but for the purposes of this article, we'll focus on the most well-known) are always a touch messy in appearance. The following are some of the best (and messiest) curry laksas in Melbourne.

Melbourne's Delicious Laksa

Curry laksa is one of the best winter warmers because it is rich, lusciously scented, and decadently creamy. Bowls of glossy auburn soup are stuffed to the brim with half-submerged, flavorful vegetables and a mountain of noodles doused in curry sauce.

Goodbye, chilly weather; here are some of the greatest restaurants in Melbourne where you can reacquaint yourself with curry, Assam, and Sarawak laksa. To get the greatest laksa in Melbourne, you need to be hungry, committed, and unconcerned about getting chunks of spicy coconut soup on your clothes.

We've done the legwork so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy this delicious Malay-Chinese noodle soup. We would love to hear from you if the curry laksa of your choice is not included here.

King of Laksa

Since it first opened in 1998, the king of laksa has attracted a constant stream of customers who had to wait in a line that stretches through the streets of Flemington. The laksa at Laksa King is completely homemade, down to the flavorful spice paste and the hours-long simmering chicken stock.

Because who can resist double carbs, we've loaded each bowl with both thin rice vermicelli and hearty Hokkien noodles. Then they top it with your prefered protein—from roast duck to a sumptuous seafood medley of king prawns, calamari, mussels, scallops, and fishcake—tofu puffs, eggplant, crispy fried shallots, fresh mint, and whatever else you'd like.

Laksa King is a popular restaurant for those who enjoy the dish, as it offers 10 different options. Many regulars have the usual combination curry laksa (chicken, chewy fishcake, and tofu puffs) as a first course, then move on to the more elaborate roast duck or seafood curry laksa for dessert.

The soup isn't as thick as purists would want, but some people prefer it that way since it allows them to eat more laksa without getting that "Christmas Day full" feeling. Indulge in a bowl or two and make up your mind on your own. Reservations are recommended as the large, airy area is frequently at capacity.

The Original House of Malaysian Laksa

This little storefront on Elizabeth Street serves what is widely considered to be the best curry laksa in all of Melbourne, and it always seems to be completely booked.

Huge pieces of eggplant, puffed tofu, green beans, broccoli, spinach, sambal (Malaysian chilli paste), and half a boiled egg are just some of the toppings you may expect to see in the veggie laksa.

The Coconut Shack

The regulars at Coconut House might be disappointed to see this one at the top of our list, but that's only because they don't want to share. Since Coconut House expanded to a second location just down the street after the first one got too crowded, regulars may rest easy — or at least keep their fingers crossed that they'll do it again if the second room starts to get crowded.

These genuine curry laksas are the coconut cream of the crop, no doubt about it.

For all the excellent laksas in Melbourne, you'd be remiss to skip out on the fantastic selection at this cheap student hotspot.

Although there is usually a line out the door, the wait is well worth it for a bowl of curry laksa in the traditional hawker style that is bigger than your head. You'll want to keep coming back for more of the delicious options on the menu, which include vegetarian, meat, and seafood options.

House Laksa Special, with its rich, strongly flavoured broth that is brightened with shreds of fresh mint leaf, is a current fan favourite. (As an aside, you can practically eat the laksa paste in the amazing, addicting soup. Yum.)

A mound of noodles is accompanied by steamed chicken and tofu puffs that are silky smooth and somewhat chewy, while firm-fleshed prawns provide sweetness and a deep-fried halved boiled egg topped with hot brilliant red sambal serves as a garnish. A taste of heaven, perhaps? Oh, no doubt about that.

Hawkers's Arcade

Office employees in the Docklands region love Hawkers Corner, which is located in the Marvel Stadium concourse. Fresh vegetables, hearty Hokkien noodles, and a flavorful broth make up the laksa. Combine that with a steaming cup of their sugary Teh Tarik (pulled milk tea), and you have yourself a dish of laksa fit for a god.

For the Most Magnificent Tofu

In spite of the constant turnover of eateries along Glen Waverley's Kingsway, this venerable establishment has persisted as a community staple for decades. It has a similar pick-your-own-adventure feel to, say, the Dragon Hot Pot restaurant a few doors down. Soup bases are chosen (laksa, if you haven't noticed the trend), and then six pieces of Yong tau foo (vegetables, bean curd, and tofu filled with fish paste) are selected to be submerged in the rich broth.

Please take a seat, and in just a moment, a hot serving of delight will be brought to you. The Singapore fried noodles are a fan favourite and should not be missed. If the laksa isn't broken, don't fix it, and the owners at Madam Kwong's Kitchen know this better than anyone.

The décor is sparse, but that's not important when you have a steaming bowl of curry laksa in front of you. If you ever want to try making your own laksa paste from scratch (which we highly discourage), you can find a variety of traditional Malaysian goods and delicacies here.

Shakahari

Shakahari's laksa hebat, a vegetarian staple, is a must-order among the restaurant's many delicious options. This vegetarian restaurant isn't afraid to try new things, like serving organic udon noodles, mushrooms, and spinach in its laksa.

The addition of Thai flavours like lemongrass and ginger flowers give the coconut broth a slightly Thai flavour. The tempeh and seitan (wheat gluten is commonly used as a mimic meat in vegan recipes; Shakahari's seitan is very probably Melbourne's best) that are fried give the protein. This healthful recipe is also really tasty, so don't worry if it sounds too healthy to eat.

Big Daddy Wall Street

A network of eateries? Because their curry laksa is as close to the real thing as you're going to get. Pappa Rich's hawker-style curry laksa, while occasionally on the brittle side, is loaded with thick Hokkien noodles pouring with soup and generously covered with crispy foo chok (beancurd skin... it's great, don't rag it until you've tried it). If you need an excuse to bring the butts of your unadventurous pals along, they will likely enjoy the gentler heat in Pappa Rich's laksa.

Malaysian Food by Mr. Lee

Mr. Lee, a popular restaurant on Lygon Street known for its quirky atmosphere and excellent food, is well-liked by locals and visitors alike for its affordable prices and large portions.

Their soft shell crab curry laksa is crisp, slurpable, and wonderful. You must get some of their legendary char kway teow; the wok hei (smoky flavour from cooking at high heat) is out of this world.

Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur

There are many things that fish heads can't do, as stated in the Dr. Demento song "Fish Heads," such as wearing sweaters, playing baseball, or drinking cappuccino. However, they do make a delicious accompaniment to curry laksa. Were you doubting us? Do you cringe at the idea of eating a fish head because it seems so flabby and unappetising?

You need to get over your aversion to fish head in order to enjoy the wonderful laksa that the people of Kuala Lumpur (KL) have become accustomed to. Noodles, green beans, eggplant chunks, and tofu puffs swim in a thick, spicy broth atop a boiling mound of fish heads. Using chopsticks to remove the sweet, luscious meat from the fish head is a bit of a challenge, but it's all part of the adventure. In the words of the song, "eat them up, tasty."

Like a true chef, Lagenda

If you're wondering why Laksa King isn't here, the answer is as tasty as it is satisfying: Chef Lagenda. Next to Flemington's long-reigning laksa tradition is where you'll find Chef Lagenda, who is like the bookworm younger sister of the Laksa King whose parents never noticed her ability in the arts.

You'd better hurry if you want a seat, as word of Chef Lagenda's consistently superb home-style laksas is getting out. This well-known chain has been serving up steaming bowls of laksa to Melburnians since 2003.

Among the many tasty options available, you can also get lobster tail and laksa. Of the five laksas on Chef Lagenda's menu, our favourite is the fish head curry laksa. Chicken, vegetables, and shellfish are featured in the other options. The Rockling fish head, when deep fried, imparts a rich, creamy flavour to the soup.

While Laksa King certainly has its devotees, its neighbour Chef Legenda is slowly but surely building up its own band of devoted Laksa eaters. The head chef here is a native of Malaysia, so you know you're eating real Malaysian food. The one thing that gets me through the cold Melbourne winter is Chef Lagenda's famous curry laksa, which is bursting with shrimp, fish cake, and chicken. This traditional restaurant also offers a fish-based sour Assam laksa.

Malay food from Canton

Canton Malay Cuisine, a crowd favourite hidden in plain sight in QVM's food court, is anything but fancy. Instead, we have bright red canteen trays, plastic silverware, and wipe-down tables, all of which add to the unique character of the dining experience.

For $12.80, you can have a bowl of combination curry laksa stuffed with chicken, roast pork, fish balls that bounce, fish paste, eggplant, and tofu puffs. We suggest browsing for a table before placing an order. You may have to eat your laksa while standing up if there isn't a table available. Get rid of the five-course meal and the seven-piece silverware set and replace them with a plastic food court tray and some disposable napkins.

Don't be fooled by the unassuming appearance of the restaurant; the dragon-red curry laksa served here is among the greatest in all of Singapore. Canton Malay, which can be found in the main food court of Queen Victoria Market, is not for the faint of spice (previously, and rather appropriately, named Canton Fast Food).

The seven (SEVEN) varieties of curry laksa on the menu range in heat from mild to scorching, and feature staples like chicken, eggplant, and tofu. This is a magnificent thing.

Vy Vy

On Flemington's family tree, Chef Lagenda would be Laksa King's younger sister, while Vy Vy would be a distant relative only seen at family gatherings. That's not a negative thing in and of itself. Vy Vy, a charmingly low-key restaurant, offers the most straightforward curry laksa of any nearby.

This is a great option for those who have never had laksa before or who prefer their food not to be too spicy because it comes with only the bare essentials and the service staff is really courteous.

An American Viet Nam War Hero, Viet Rose

Don't let the modest name of this Fitzroy eatery turn you away from the best laksa and pho you'll find anywhere. You may rely on Viet Rose to provide for your needs. Vego laksa, which is loved by many, consists of beancurd, rice, and a wide variety of veggies.

Unlike at many other Melbourne eateries, you can have Vietnamese spring rolls as an appetiser to go with your curry laksa. That's a win in our books.

Cafe Laksa

If you're bored with the same old curry laksa or consider yourself a laksa expert, Laksa Bar has something for you.

The house curry laksa with soft shell crab, the standard condiments, and a tomato and fried egg on top is probably the most spectacular item on the menu. This dish is a surefire hit in the city because to its flavorful, multifaceted broth and generous helping of heat.

Quick Meals from Canton, Available at the Queen Vic

You can tell the snobs to skip this laksa because it is served in a plastic bowl with plastic cutlery, and "eating in" means sitting in a noisy food court.

Don't be deceived by the unassuming surroundings of this competitor. The curry laksa for $9 at the Queen Victoria Markets food court has "the lot," so beware if you're not feeling particularly adventurous. That's enough chilli to make you seem like you just left a funeral, plus fish cakes, fish balls (yes, there is a difference), chicken, pig, eggplant, tofu, beans, and more. Let's get it.

Blue peppers

The laksas at Blue Chillies start at $14, making them relatively expensive. But the laksas at this Brunswick Street favourite, made to a very conventional recipe, are healthy, trustworthy, and flavorful.

Stop in for the laksa, but stick around for the friendly service and relaxing ambience so you can take your time with the whitebait and sweet potato fritters and extra glass of wine you ordered. Delicious.

Cooking in Sarawak

Sarawak laksa is the nerdy, socially awkward cousin of curry laksa and is often made on Borneo. With a similar foundation of coconut milk, tamarind, and lemongrass, this soup is strongly aromatic and has a mildly sour flavour.

Rice vermicelli, strips of egg, fish cake, chicken, prawns, and bean sprouts are all components of Sarawak Kitchen's laksa. Vegetarians will not go hungry here; the Sarawak laksa made entirely of vegetables is a top pick. Please remember to bring a bib.

It's a Roti Bar

If you're craving some laksa and want to stop by Roti Bar on a weekday, you could have a hard time finding a table, since the restaurant tends to be packed with hungry office employees. All of the items on the menu are halal, and there are only three laksa options (prawn, chicken, and vegetarian). If you want to really drink up all of that broth, you can have some of their famous roti (a flaky, buttery flatbread).

Travel Via Malaysia

Passage Through Malaysia is a hidden gem in the city's eastern outskirts, serving up comforting bowls of laksa and traditional tapas-style appetisers. There are seven (count 'em, SEVEN) varieties of curry laksa available, so you can have exactly what you want, whether it's crab and cuttlefish balls ($15) or bits of delicious duck ($14.50).

Coffee Shop in Penang

Penang Coffee House has been one of Melbourne's best Malaysian eateries for almost 30 years, and its reputation precedes it. The prices are still reasonable and the mood is lively, and the design is typically minimalistic because in Penang it is more important to serve high-quality food than to wow with fancy trimmings.

Fortunately, the menu hasn't changed too much since you were a youngster, so you can still get the laksa lemak that you craved all the time (or a college student). Enjoy the succulent chicken, flavorful broth, and silky noodles while keeping an eye on your professional cooks at work in the open kitchen. Sop up any remaining broth with some of the amazing roti, which has a crispy surface and a soft interior.

The neon signs of Penang Coffee House attract hungry, laksa-deprived Melburnians from the streets. Among the many delectable offerings at this Hawthorn favourite are laksa lemak (it's curry laksa DON'T PANIC) and laksa Assam. One of Malaysia's many mouthwatering specialities is Siamese Laksa (not the cat), a richer, creamier variation of Assam laksa. The correct answer is "yes,” as there are numerous laksa restaurants in Melbourne.

Chicken Cook Ayam Chef

At Ayam Chef in South Melbourne, you can eat street food in an atmosphere that is anything but street. This chill, modern room is accented with murals painted by local artists, timber accent walls, and long, vibrant communal tables.

There are both family-style and hawker-style options available for dinner. Curry laksa is unfortunately relegated to the "not share-friendly" area of the menu due to its messy, splattery character. We demand even more heat in our soup.

"Madam Kwong's Nyonya"

Even though Madam Kwong's Kitchen has changed hands before, the proprietors have learned the hard way that if the laksa isn't broken, there's no need to fix it. The décor is sparse, but that's not important when you have a steaming bowl of curry laksa in front of you.

If you ever want to try making your own laksa paste from scratch (which we highly discourage), you can find a variety of traditional Malaysian goods and delicacies here.

Conclusion

Laksa is one of Southeast Asia's most beloved noodle soups. There are two primary forms of laksa in Malaysia, and countless variations on each. The best laksas are always a touch messy in appearance, and serve velvety, creamy and smoky textures. Since 1998, customers have waited in a line that stretches through the streets of Flemington. Coconut House has expanded to a second location just down the street after the first one got too crowded.

The wait is well worth it for a bowl of curry laksa in the traditional hawker style. House Laksa Special, with its rich, strongly flavoured broth, is a current fan favourite. Madam Kwong's Kitchen has persisted as a community staple for decades. Shakahari's laksa hebat, a vegetarian staple, is a must-order among the restaurant's many delicious options. Pappa Rich's hawker-style Curry Laksa is loaded with thick Hokkien noodles pouring with soup and generously covered with crispy foo chok (beancurd skin).

Head chef is a native of Malaysia, so you know you're eating real Malaysian food. The one thing that gets me through the cold Melbourne winter is Chef Lagenda's famous curry laksa. Vy Vy, a charmingly low-key restaurant, offers the most straightforward curry laksa of any nearby. Laksa Bar has something for everyone, from mild to scorching heat. Unlike at many other Melbourne eateries, you can have Vietnamese spring rolls as an appetiser.

Penang Coffee House is one of Melbourne's best Malaysian eateries. Passage Through Malaysia is a hidden gem in the city's eastern outskirts serving up laksa and traditional tapas-style appetisers. There are seven (count 'em, SEVEN) varieties of curry lakso available. Penang Coffee House, Ayam Chef and Madam Kwong's Nyonya are some of Melbourne's favourite laksa restaurants. Siamese Laksa (not the cat) is one of Malaysia's many mouthwatering specialities. There are both family-style and hawker-style options available for dinner at these restaurants.

Content Summary

1. For good reason, laksa is one of Southeast Asia's most beloved noodle soups.
2. The sour cousin of curry laksa is asam laksa, and it's a great place to start.
3. These establishments serve some of Melbourne's finest curry laksa.
4. The following are some of the best (and messiest) curry laksas in Melbourne.
5. Goodbye, chilly weather; here are some of the greatest restaurants in Melbourne where you can reacquaint yourself with curry, Assam, and Sarawak laksa.
6. Since it first opened in 1998, the king of laksa has attracted a constant stream of customers who had to wait in a line that stretches through the streets of Flemington.
7. The laksa at Laksa King is completely homemade, down to the flavorful spice paste and the hours-long simmering chicken stock.
8. Laksa King is a popular restaurant for those who enjoy the dish, as it offers 10 different options.
9. Many regulars have the usual combination curry laksa (chicken, chewy fishcake, and tofu puffs) as a first course, then move on to the more elaborate roast duck or seafood curry laksa for dessert.
10. Indulge in a bowl or two and make up your mind on your own.
11. The Original House of Malaysian LaksaThis little storefront on Elizabeth Street serves what is widely considered to be the best curry laksa in all of Melbourne, and it always seems to be completely booked.
12. The Coconut ShackThe regulars at Coconut House might be disappointed to see this one at the top of our list, but that's only because they don't want to share.
13. Although there is usually a line out the door, the wait is well worth it for a bowl of curry laksa in the traditional hawker style that is bigger than your head.
14. You'll want to keep coming back for more of the delicious options on the menu, which include vegetarian, meat, and seafood options.
15. House Laksa Special, with its rich, strongly flavoured broth that is brightened with shreds of fresh mint leaf, is a current fan favourite. (
16. Hawkers's ArcadeOffice employees in the Docklands region love Hawkers Corner, which is located in the Marvel Stadium concourse.
17. Fresh vegetables, hearty Hokkien noodles, and a flavorful broth make up the laksa.
18. It has a similar pick-your-own-adventure feel to, say, the Dragon Hot Pot restaurant a few doors down.
19. The Singapore fried noodles are a fan favourite and should not be missed.
20. Shakahari's laksa hebat, a vegetarian staple, is a must-order among the restaurant's many delicious options.
21. Pappa Rich's hawker-style curry laksa, while occasionally on the brittle side, is loaded with thick Hokkien noodles pouring with soup and generously covered with crispy foo chok (beancurd skin... it's great, don't rag it until you've tried it).
22. If you need an excuse to bring the butts of your unadventurous pals along, they will likely enjoy the gentler heat in Pappa Rich's laksa.
23. Malaysian Food by Mr. LeeMr.
24. Their soft shell crab curry laksa is crisp, slurpable, and wonderful.
25. Restaurant in Kuala LumpurThere are many things that fish heads can't do, as stated in the Dr. Demento song "Fish Heads," such as wearing sweaters, playing baseball, or drinking cappuccino.
26. If you're wondering why Laksa King isn't here, the answer is as tasty as it is satisfying: Chef Lagenda.
27. Next to Flemington's long-reigning laksa tradition is where you'll find Chef Lagenda, who is like the bookworm younger sister of the Laksa King whose parents never noticed her ability in the arts.
28. This well-known chain has been serving up steaming bowls of laksa to Melburnians since 2003.Among the many tasty options available, you can also get lobster tail and laksa.
29. Of the five laksas on Chef Lagenda's menu, our favourite is the fish head curry laksa.
30. While Laksa King certainly has its devotees, its neighbour Chef Legenda is slowly but surely building up its own band of devoted Laksa eaters.
31. The head chef here is a native of Malaysia, so you know you're eating real Malaysian food.
32. The one thing that gets me through the cold Melbourne winter is Chef Lagenda's famous curry laksa, which is bursting with shrimp, fish cake, and chicken.
33. This traditional restaurant also offers a fish-based sour Assam laksa.
34. Malay food from CantonCanton Malay Cuisine, a crowd favourite hidden in plain sight in QVM's food court, is anything but fancy.
35. You may have to eat your laksa while standing up if there isn't a table available.
36. The seven (SEVEN) varieties of curry laksa on the menu range in heat from mild to scorching, and feature staples like chicken, eggplant, and tofu.
37. Vy VyOn Flemington's family tree, Chef Lagenda would be Laksa King's younger sister, while Vy Vy would be a distant relative only seen at family gatherings.
38. Vy Vy, a charmingly low-key restaurant, offers the most straightforward curry laksa of any nearby.
39. An American Viet Nam War Hero, Viet RoseDon't let the modest name of this Fitzroy eatery turn you away from the best laksa and pho you'll find anywhere.
40. You may rely on Viet Rose to provide for your needs.
41. Unlike at many other Melbourne eateries, you can have Vietnamese spring rolls as an appetiser to go with your curry laksa.
42. Cafe LaksaIf you're bored with the same old curry laksa or consider yourself a laksa expert, Laksa Bar has something for you.
43. The curry laksa for $9 at the Queen Victoria Markets food court has "the lot," so beware if you're not feeling particularly adventurous.
44. Stop in for the laksa, but stick around for the friendly service and relaxing ambience so you can take your time with the whitebait and sweet potato fritters and extra glass of wine you ordered.
45. Cooking in SarawakSarawak laksa is the nerdy, socially awkward cousin of curry laksa and is often made on Borneo.
46. It's a Roti BarIf you're craving some laksa and want to stop by Roti Bar on a weekday, you could have a hard time finding a table, since the restaurant tends to be packed with hungry office employees.
47. The neon signs of Penang Coffee House attract hungry, laksa-deprived Melburnians from the streets.
48. Among the many delectable offerings at this Hawthorn favourite are laksa lemak (it's curry laksa DON'T PANIC) and laksa Assam.
49. One of Malaysia's many mouthwatering specialities is Siamese Laksa (not the cat), a richer, creamier variation of Assam laksa.
50. The correct answer is "yes," as there are numerous laksa restaurants in Melbourne.
51. Chicken Cook Ayam ChefAt Ayam Chef in South Melbourne, you can eat street food in an atmosphere that is anything but street.
52. There are both family-style and hawker-style options available for dinner.
53. If you ever want to try making your own laksa paste from scratch (which we highly discourage), you can find a variety of traditional Malaysian goods and delicacies here.