Penang Hawker Food : Penang Assam Laksa

Pasar Air Itam Laksa stall next to the market

The place is limited in seats and is always crowded

The Famous Air Itam Laksa


The Penang Assam Laksa Stall is located next to the Air Itam Market along Jalan Air Itam towards the Kek Lok Si Temple. It is opened only in the afternoon onwards.

The soup is made from shredded fish meat and uses tamarind, lemongrass, lengkuas plus other herbs to give the stock its distinct and sour flavour. It is served with thick rice noodles garnished with shredded cucumbers, onions, red chilli, lecttuce, pineapple, mint leaves, ginger buds and lemongrass. The thinck sweet prawn paste - heh ko, is added to get the flavour and the special kick that makes the famous Penang hawker dish either like or dislike by foreigners and tourists.

Most locals love the Penang Assam Laksa and it is famous in Penang not for nothing. It is the favourite dish in Penang.

We went there for lunch and was crowded even when it was raining.