Where to find the best assam laksa in Penang?

Sweet & Sour: Where to find the best assam laksa in Penang?

Dione Chen

12 Aug 2016

1/5
Pasar Air Itam Laksa
Being one of the longest-running stalls selling assam laksa in Penang (61 years), you'd expect this family-run business to know their stuff. And they do. The sweet, sour and spicy mix is accompanied by a generous serving of ingredients that makes for an incredibly addictive dish. For something so yummy and so cheap, we'd gladly eat here every day!
1, Jalan Pasar, Ayer Itam, Penang
Photo: Penang Air Itam Laksa Facebook
2/5
Kim’s Laksa
We can't get enough of the thick, fragrant gravy that comes with a bowl of Kim's assam laksa. This unassuming and humble stall offers one of the most delicious laksa concoctions Penang has ever seen, so make sure you give this place a try at least once in your life. Feel free to try out the different variations of laksa served here as well!
67, Nan Guang Coffee Shop, Jalan Balik Pulau, Balik Pulau, Penang

Photo: @jimmyteoh
3/5
Taman Emas Coffee Shop
Here at Taman Emas, you won't just get a fresh bowl of assam laksa, but some spring rolls to dip in the gravy as well. Of course, that's an added option, but we think the combination is simply perfect. Don't forget to slurp up all of that delicious broth - you don't want to waste any of that goodness!
Jalan Gottlieb, Georgetown, Penang
Photo: @jessieloi
4/5
Joo Hooi Cafe
Touted as the best assam laksa by locals and tourists, Joo Hooi Cafe is often crowded for all the right reasons. The tangy broth infused with the perfect balance of herbs and flavours is what attracts people to this shop day after day. After getting your laksa fill, head out just around the corner to indulge in a refreshing bowl of chendol where the famous Penang Teochew chendol stall is located.
475, Jalan Penang, George Town, Penang

Photo: @raineux
5/5
Sin Hwa Coffee Shop
Prepare for huge chunks of mackerel and some generous toppings of vegetables in your bowl of assam laksa. This coffee shop is a hidden gem for all you laksa lovers. Choose from the assam laksa or laksa lemak versions according to your preferences that day. Either variation tastes equally fantastic!
329, Jalan Burma, Penang

Photo: @sheenahyt

You may be familiar with this delicious dish, but are you familiar with the best places to get it?

When in Penang, you’ve just got to fill your tummy with the various foods that the island is renowned for, assam laksa naturally being at the top of the list. It has become an icon of the city and an instant favourite among all who have tasted its wonderful flavours. It is the perfect combination of fish, onions, tamarind, lemongrass, chilli and prawn paste that tastes like heaven in every bite. Are you drooling already?

To help you satisfy your taste buds, we’ve searched for the best places in Penang where you’d want to get your assam laksa fix. These places know just how important the balance of flavours is in a good bowl of laksa, which is why they have made our list. Go on, browse through our gallery and pick a place. After all, you deserve only the best!

Dione Chen

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