The story
Assam laksa, often called Penang laksa, is the signature noodle soup of Penang island and especially of its old port, George Town. 'Asam' is Malay for sour, and the broth gets its tang from tamarind, built on poached, flaked mackerel and perfumed with torch ginger flower, mint and pineapple, with a dark spoonful of prawn paste on top. It grew out of the mixed Malay, Chinese and Peranakan cooking of the island's trading community. Hawker stalls, such as the famous ones in Air Itam and on Penang Road, made its name, and in 2011 CNN Travel ranked it among the world's most delicious foods.
Rival claims
Sources usually credit Penang island as a whole; its best-known stalls are in Air Itam, a suburb of George Town.
Also known as Penang laksa, asam laksa, Penang assam laksa, laksa Pulau Pinang.
On the Meridish menu
Assam laksa was the soup course on menu No. 24 on October 24, 2026. Its clue in the game, which hints at the place without naming it:
Sour, spicy fish broth with tamarind, torch ginger flower and thick rice noodles. Hawkers in this island's old colonial trading port made it famous around the world.
In Meridish, every dish is pinned to the town or city most widely credited with creating it. A guess within 25 km scores all 100 points. How scoring works.
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laksa
- guide.michelin.com/sg/en/article/dining-out/behind-the-bib-penang-road-famous-laksa
Food history is often disputed. Think we've pinned it in the wrong place? Tell us at hello@meridish.com, ideally with a source.
