Even though this unique dish can be found all over Malaysia, Penang is famous for its iconic asam laksa!
And out of the dozen or so places that we have suggested here, there are milder or stronger variations. As well as a less common version of the dish known as Nyonya lemak laksa!
See which of these places calls to you!
1. Penang Road Famous Laksa
You can find this popular stall on Lebuh Keng Kwee selling laksa together with their equally famous chendul!
Note: The former location of this shop used to be at Joo Hooi Coffee Shop for many decades.
Those who prefer assam laksa with a milder taste will like the rendition they serve here! As a bonus, they have generous slices of sardines and mackerel in their broth!
We really adore the chendol here and highly recommend getting a table here, even if it will take considerable waiting time.
2. Kim Laksa Balik Pulau
We think the signature dish here is well worth having to dine in the small dingy eatery. There are not many tables inside.
Aside from the laksa, we recommend ordering the homemade nutmeg juice with ice!
There’s a roasted pork (siew yok) stall close by too and it goes well with the tasty and slightly sour assam laksa.
And if it’s the right season, there may also be a small durian stall right outside this eatery.
3. Pasar Air Itam Laksa / Penang Air Itam Laksa
If you like your assam laksa strongly flavored, then make your way over to this stall at Ayer Itam! They’ve been in business for more than 65 years!
Queues are a regular phenomenon at this market stall that is at the base of Kek Lok Si temple!
Their star ingredient is the hae ko, a thick sweetish prawn paste!
Other ingredients like pineapple, turmeric, slices of mackerel, mint, lettuce, cucumber, onions, and ginger complete the appetizing dish!
Note: They currently only open 3 weekends per month. Please check the latest update on their Facebook page to confirm which weekends they are open.
4. Assam Laksa Stall At Sin Hwa Coffee Shop
Along Burmah road, is a typical kopitiam with multiple stalls. One of which serves two versions of assam laksa!
Both are spicy but the soup-base uses tamarind or rich coconut milk (hence, the term lemak)!
The coconut milk tends to overwhelm the taste of the fish broth so do keep that in mind! Another dish that is a crowd-favorite here is the char kuay teow with seafood ingredients!
So, we think it’s worth coming to this cramped and stuffy kopitiam if you want to try both dishes!
5. Laksalicious
Being in the middle of George Town means tourists naturally tend to gravitate to this air-conditioned stylish café that specializes in assam laksa!
They serve both the tangy assam laska and lemak laksa (or Nyonya). And offer a vegetarian version of the dish too!
However, if you like your assam laksa strongly flavored, you may not like these! We recommend this one for those who don’t like the soup to be too fishy smelling.
You can order prawn crackers or spring rolls to accompany your laksa. And they have cendol on the menu too.
Note: The Nyonya laksa is only available on weekends.
6. My Own Café
Halal with a Peranakan-inspired design, My Own Café serves a delicious (and affordable) assam laksa that is suitable for people who don’t want their laksa too fishy or thick.
And if you can’t take spicy food, their laksa is only mildly spicy.
Other highly recommended dishes are their fried chicken with belacan and char koay teow! And we think it’s worth mentioning that their service is excellent!
7. Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Kuih
This may be a Nyonya kuih specialty shop but they do serve some savory dishes as well. A well-balanced and not overly spicy assam laksa being one of them!
It’s a 90-year-old traditional pastry shop so don’t expect too much for ambiance! Visitors can enter through the unassuming kitchen in the front, to the back where the tables are!
8. Luk Yea Yan Vegetarian Restaurant
For a vegetarian lunch, head over to Luk Yea Yan Vegetarian Restaurant! They have affordable mixed rice (economy rice) options with mock meat adaptations of satay or meat balls!
Besides their laksa, they have a good selection of local favorites like bak kut the, pasembur and assam laksa but vegetarian! Try and find a seat inside if you want air-conditioning!
9. Asam Laksa At Restaurant Taman Emas, Gottlieb Road
Locals are aware of the assam laksa at Taman Emas (or Peng Hua Laksa) opposite the Chinese girls’ school! It’s a corner shop at Jalan Gottlieb!
This is classic assam laksa albeit less sour, with generous portions of mackerel, pineapple, onions and of course, the prawn paste!
Ask for extra chili if you like yours spicy!
PS: The char kuay teow here is delicious by the way, especially the duck egg version.
10. RELAU 88 妈妈味
It’s easy to miss this hidden spot in Bayan Lepas! The simple façade is further covered with greenery which shields the interior from passersby! Because the eatery shares the premise with a garden supplies shop.
Inside the open-air shack is a mix of tables and chairs. And an incredible assam laksa that isn’t too sweet or too sour!
Try the cendol with homemade palm sugar while you’re here! This is in fact, a great place for cendol in Penang!
Conclusion
Which Penang assam laksa should you try? Some of these places are in George Town while others are a bit further. But we think they’re still worth seeking out anyways!
Food To Try In Penang
Laksa is synonymous with Penang cuisine! But there’s still more food to try in Penang! Like oyster omelette, prawn mee, and more!
Breakfast In Penang
You can have assam laksa for breakfast as many coffee shops open in the morning but there are a lot of other options for breakfast in Penang too!
Night Markets In Penang
You can usually find assam laksa at the local night market too. We’ve rounded up which markets are open on which days for your convenience!
