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Noodle Soups hold a special place in Malaysian cuisine. These soups combine a variety of ingredients reflecting the cultures and flavours of the region. The ingredients of these noodle soups change according to regional preferences and local traditions.
With recipes passed down from generation to generation, these soups are a cherished treat for Malaysians across the borders. Whether it's the spiciness of laksa or the warmth of mee rebus, each soup displays a harmonious play of flavours and textures inside one bowl.
Several classic noodle soups, made with unique compositions that are rare, give you a piece of Malaysia plunged in a flavourful broth. Learn how many classic noodle soups there are in Malaysian cuisine and how their ingredients contrast with each other while complementing the overall flavour.
Know The 7 Classic Malaysian Noodle Soups
1) Laksa
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Laksa is one of the most renowned Malaysian noodle soups around the world. It is known for its thick and spicy broth, which gives it a characteristic flavour and texture. This soup is a staple in many Southeast Asian countries. Having evolved under the influence of many culinary traditions, Laksa reflects a diverse variation of regional flavours and ingredients. There are two renowned versions of Laksa, namely tamarind-based asam laksa and creamy curry laksa.
2) Laksam
Laksam is often confused with laksa, accounting for similar spellings and ingredients. But the main difference between these two soups is the addition of curry paste. Laksam is made with thin rice flour batter noodles served in a creamy fish broth. While laksa is made with the addition of curry laksa paste, laksam lacks this ingredient. It is typically seasoned with ginger, shallots, and garlic and various vegetables supplement the whole dish.
3) Sarawak Laksa
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Laksa has several diverse variations, of which Sarawak Laksa is one category. Sarawak Laksa originated in Kuching, a city in Malaysia. You’ll find this noodle soup at hawker stalls and restaurants all over Malaysia and it is a beloved all-day snack for many. The soup has a distinct savoury spicy flavour from spices, aromatics, herbs, tamarind paste, and creamy coconut milk. For this soup, thick udon noodles are mostly used. The bowl is then embellished with meat and vegetables, along with garnishes.
4) Penang Asam Laksa
Penang Laksa or Asam Laksa comes from Malaysia's Penang island. This soup noodle recipe is made with mackerel fish, which is the star ingredient. The soup gets its iconic flavour from asam or tamarind, which lends a pleasing flavour to the dish. The fish is first poached in water and then pulled apart to make flakes. Other ingredients like Mint, pineapple pieces, and otak udang add complementary flavours to the noodle soup.
5) Curry Mee
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Curry mee is a spicy noodle soup loved in Malaysia and Singapore (sometimes called curry laksa). It's a mix of Indian, Chinese, and Southeast Asian flavours. This fusion dish is a type of laksa, a popular noodle soup in Southeast Asia. It's creamy because of coconut milk and curry, giving it a sweet and spicy taste. The sauce, thinner than regular curry, is rich in flavour. Typically, it's made with thin rice noodles cut into small pieces for easy eating.
6) Hokkien Mee
While Hokkien Mee is commonly served as a dry recipe, the traditional variation features a spicy broth, creating a noodle soup. This recipe features thick yellow noodles in a broth made from pork bones and prawn stock derived from prawn heads and shells. The dish is topped with bean sprouts, slices of pork and prawn, and kangkong. Due to the slow simmering of pork bones and prawn shells with garlic, shallots, and spices, the broth gets a deep flavour, which makes it stand out from other recipes.
7) Pan mee
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Pan mee is called by many different names but contains similar ingredients throughout the geography. Though it might be referred to as a Chinese dish, it also has a traditional Malaysian variation as well, melding the flavours of Chinese and Malaysian influences. The dish is specially made with hand-pulled noodles served in broth paired with leafy greens, minced pork, and mushrooms. It is usually served with sambal sauce on the side.
Every Malaysian noodle soup recipe tells a different story about culture and influences, uniting all the Asian flavours in one bowl. The next time you visit any Malaysian eatery in your city, look for these noodle soups on the menu and make sure to order them.
