It's amazing how much I've learned about food since I started blogging. The most wonderful thing about the blogging community is that there are so many people all from different backgrounds - Australian, Polish, British, Indonesian, Filipino, Malaysian...just to name a few. This great big blogging melting pot means I'm always hearing about food that is totally new to me. Take Asam Laksa for instance.
I noticed a lot of talk on twitter about Asam Laksa but had no idea what it was. At first I though it was just a generic Malaysian phrase for "Laksa"...wrong. When I think of Laksa I think of that coconut milk based soup that we're all familiar with from our lunchtime food court visits. You know the one - a huge steaming bowl crammed with noodles, tofu puffs, chili paste, coconut milk and topped with bean shoots and coriander. For people "in the know" this is referred to as "Curry Laksa". It's lovely and for the longest time I was ADDICTED. But now I've developed a new addiction.
Asam Laksa is incredible - a thick, potent tamarind based broth that is both sour and slightly sweet from the various garnishes like pineapple. The noodles are thick, chewy and perfect for slurping - this is not a dish to indulge in whilst to be wearing a white t-shirt. The broth is dotted with shredded mackerel which lends the soup a lovely chewy texture and the garnishes of cucumber, mint, pineapple, red onion are a nice crunchy counter-balance to the soft noodles. It's like a soup and a salad all in one dish.
I've been back to Petaling Street quite a few times now and I can never EVER order anything but Asam Laksa. It's THAT good.
On one hot day I did manage to order myself a Lychee Drink - just to prove I'm not totally boring. It's sweet and refreshing and I always think that eating lychees is so exotic.
I dragged The BFF along on one visit and he kindly ordered something other than Asam Laksa...for the blog, bless him. The Pork Hock is flavoursome but there's not a lot of meat on it so it's a bit too much hard work after a long day at work. There is a generous serving of noodles and greens...but I'm thinking he should've ordered an Asam Laksa. I mean, why wouldn't you?
Petaling Street is at 760 George Street, Haymarket. Try the Asam Laksa - you owe it to yourself.
