The unassuming "Laksa" with its Southeast Asian flavors – a rich curry and coconut milk broth

Text & Photos /Xiao Sheng

The food culture of Singapore and Malaysia has been deeply influenced by two ethnic groups: one is the Chinese from the coastal regions who migrated here early on, and the other is the indigenous Malays of Indonesia. The fusion of Chinese and Malay cultures gave rise to Peranakan culture, and in terms of cuisine, it’s known as Peranakan food. What I’m discussing this time is one of its dishes – Laksa.


Xiao Sheng’s trip to Singapore could be called a historical journey. He didn’t visit well-known attractions like Sentosa, but instead went to Little India, Chinatown, and the Little Middle Eastern area to see historical buildings. One lesser-known spot was the historical building area near the East Coast region. That noon, he had lunch at this place, 328 Katong Laksa, to try some local specialties.


This 328 Katong Laksa is mentioned in the English version of Lonely Planet. It’s located on East Coast Road, and the eatery itself is an old building. Next door is Rojak, another common local dish in Singapore and Malaysia. Though I hadn’t tried the Rojak next to 328, I’ve had it once elsewhere in Singapore and Malaysia, and I really didn’t like its taste.


I originally thought 328 Katong Laksa only had seating under the five-foot way, but after finishing my meal, I discovered there’s also seating inside the shop on the other side, which was even more comfortable than the five-foot way seats. The boss didn’t tell me about it XD. The photos of many celebrities on the walls also show how famous Katong Laksa is.


Laksa (SGD 4.5): The broth of 328 Katong Laksa is made by simmering curry with coconut milk. The soup also includes noodles, seafood, and other ingredients. Originally, Malay cuisine didn’t include noodles, but this unique Singapore-Malaysia snack evolved after Chinese culinary culture entered the region.


Although Laksa is a quintessential Singapore-Malaysia snack, the color of the broth looks... not very appetizing XD. So I didn’t have high expectations at first. But after taking one sip of the broth, my opinion completely changed. The Laksa broth is super rich, with the flavors of curry and coconut milk perfectly balanced. It probably also includes some local spices, but they don’t feel out of place. The addition of seafood gives it a hint of umami. This broth is truly amazing.

The toppings in the Laksa mainly consist of shellfish and shrimp. I don’t eat shrimp, so I asked the boss not to put any in. The noodles in the Laksa are also very springy and chewy. When the broth-soaked noodles are slurped up in one bite, you can fully experience the captivating Southeast Asian flavors of this Laksa.

The taste of 328 Katong Laksa is incredibly enchanting. After trying it once, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. So when I saw that Black Dog Cafe (the only place in Kaohsiung serving Singaporean cuisine) also had Laksa, I nostalgically ordered it to try. But the Laksa at Black Dog Cafe was really not good at all. It’s still best to enjoy authentic Laksa in Singapore. Next time I return to Singapore, I definitely can’t miss this delicious traditional dish.


[328 Katong Laksa]

Address: 51/53 East Coast Road, Singapore 428770
Phone: (+65)9021 2384
Business Hours: 08:00–22:00
Xiao Sheng’s Wandering Journeyhttp://rt009211.pixnet.net/blog
Every journey, every trip is a quest. Although I’m not entirely sure what I’m searching for, what I ultimately gain always exceeds my expectations. Therefore, my wandering journey will continue without end.