Penang Seafood Restaurant : Assam Laksa, a must-try

We came across this restaurant while going to Kwong Cheong Thye to get the ingredients for making mooncake. When we were browsing the menu, a friendly lady approached us. She said, "Table for 2? We are famous for the Assam Laksa and Penang Fried Kway Teow. We used to be at the opposite before moving here." She continued to say, "We are celebrating our 10th anniversary by offering a 20% discount for the food items from 11 am to 4 pm on Monday to Friday till the end of the month."

I decided to go with Assam Laksa, there are 2 sizes, the small portion is at $4.80 and the big portion is $5.80. The same lady was taking our orders, she asked, "Small or big portion?". She pointed at the table next to us and said, "That is the big portion. I can finish it by myself." I opted for the bigger portion. My dining companion ordered the Penang Fried Kway Teow ($5.00) and he requested to have it without chili. We also ordered Prawn Paste Chicken ($12) to share. We also ordered a canned drink ($2.00) and Lime Juice ($2.50). I wanted to order coffee but was told they are using the 3-in-1 instant coffee. 

The canned drink and Lime Juice came right after.

The Assam Laksa came first. There were some reviews stated that this is probably the best Assam Laksa in Singapore. I eagerly took a mouthful. It was flavorful, spicy and tangy. It would be even better if they are using the right type of noodles, those that are thicker and chewier and not using the thick bee hoon. 

The Penang Fried Kway Teow was not as good as expected. The chilli was omitted as requested, it did not taste as savory as expected. They might have replaced it with the usual dark sauce as it actually tasted like the local style fried kway teow. It was stir-fried with ingredients like cockles, lup cheong, and prawn with a handful of bean sprouts.

Those pieces of Prawn Paste Chicken were nicely fried to the desired crispiness but the prawn paste taste was not as intense. 

I am likely to come back for their Assam Laksa if happen to be in the vicinity.

PENANG SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

32 Aljunied Road SINGAPORE 389817

Operating Hours: 11.00 am to 11.55 pm (Daily)

118 Secret Recipe Assam Laksa : Not my preferred choice

It was from one of the posts on Facebook that I got to know about this Assam Laksa in a coffee shop at Toa Payoh Lorong 1. My current favorite is Penang Signature Assam Laksa at Bukit Timah Food Centre and they have been for more than a year. That stall was featured in my article on Makansutra when I wrote about best eats around Beauty World MRT after tasting it for the first time and I still go back regularly whenever I crave for Assam Laksa. When visiting this stall at Toa Payoh for the first time, there was no one at the stall at 2.15 pm with a "Lunch Hour" signage placed at the counter. I made a comment on their Facebook and was told that it is best to come before 2 pm. I was there the second time and it happened to be after 2 pm as well but this time, there was someone at the stall and that I was the only customer at that time.

There is only Assam Laksa on their menu, the smaller portion is at $4 and the larger portion is at $5. I went with the $5 portion. As it is self-service, I stood right there and waiting it to be ready. It was done in a few minutes, serving in those paper bowls with disposable chopsticks and spoon. I helped myself with the red cut chilies and prawn paste, both were placed at the counter.

They choose to use the normal thick bee hoon rather than those thick curly rice noodles that are commonly used in the Assam Laksa served in Penang and so there is a discount on their authenticity, it was served with fish chunks, thin slices of pineapple with mint leaves and lettuce. Though it is prepared using their secret recipe as indicated on their signboard, the laksa gravy was admittedly a little too light and watery with a more sourish taste and not as spicy as expected to be. There is also noticeably less fish for $5, which is more expensive as compared to my favorite stall that I mentioned earlier, which is at $3.50 each bowl.

I left it unfinished as I really did not like it. 

118 SECRET RECIPE ASSAM LAKSA

Block 125 Toa Payoh Lorong 1 SINGAPORE 310125

Operating Hours: 10.30 am to 10.00 pm (Daily)

Penang Signature : Assam Laksa

This stall is the newest kid on the block amongst the other stalls in this food centre. They have only been around for about 3 weeks and there is only one item on their menu, which is Assam Laksa for $3.50. You could smell the rather distinctive flavor of Assam Laksa from far. The stall is manned by a young chap all by himself. Though he is not too chatty but quite friendly, i was told that he is a local and his wife is from Ipoh, that is why he gotten the recipe of Assam Laksa from. He mentioned that he is using 2 types of fish, he acknowledged that one of them is Sardine but he refused to reveal the other type of fish listed in his recipe which is likely to be Mackerel or Kembung, he said it is their secret. Assam Laksa is also known as Penang Laksa over in Penang.

Their business seemed to be slow even though it was lunch time then with no queue. There was no customer when i went back after eating to talk with the young owner. I guess perhaps not too many locals are able to appreciate the special flavor of Assam Laksa which is distinctly different from the local laksa. It is not as spicy as expected but tangier, it could be quite a refreshing choice if you like it but you might hate if it is not your cup of tea. As compared to the other Assam Laksa i have tasted so far, this one somewhat reminded me of what i had when i was in Penang. This has to be one of the better ones that i have came across in Singapore.

Their choice of noodles is really close to those served in Penang. It looks a bit like thick bee hoon that normally use for our version of Laksa and also for those Fish Head Bee Hoon but the texture is different, it is more chewier and springer. I was told by the owner that they have it specially made to give their Assam Laksa a more authentic feel. The soup has a well-balanced sourish taste, with bits of shredded fish and chunks of pineapple also slices of tamarind, onion and cucumber, it was then topped with a thick sweet prawn paste to serve.

When i told the young owmer that his Assam Laksa is really nice and i could see his face brighten up. I wish him all the best and hopefully his stall is able to survive well and still around when i visit again.

PENANG SIGNATURE

116 Upper Bukit Timah Road #02-28 Bukit Timah Food Centre SINGAPORE 588172

Operating Hours: 12.00 pm to 8.00 pm (Daily)