Special thanks to Penang Road Famous Assam Laksa for extending this food review invitation.
Penang Road Famous Assam Laksa (槟榔律驰名叻沙) has been operating at Joo Hooi Cafe (愉园茶室) for several decades. The stall recently moved to another shop further down Lebuh Keng Kwee. In reality, this shop is has been serving as its central kitchen for all outlets including Pulau Tikus and Bayan Baru.
Established in 1970, the stall used to sell a bowl of Assam Laksa for RM0.20. Currently priced at RM5.00 for a small bowl, the price tag had to adjust with ever-increasing cost of living. After four-and-a-half decades, this reins of this family business rest in the hands of the third generation.
Over the years, Penang Road Famous Assam Laksa has been visited by local and foreign personalities. For example in 2014, Japanese celebrity chef Rika Yukimasa (行正り香) made a surprise visit to this stall in her quest to explore culinary secrets.
The key element to Assam Laksa is the fish broth. This is prepared daily from sardine (沙丁鱼) and bigeye kingfish (大目鱼), unlike mackerel (马鲛鱼) used by most stalls. Boiled for two hours, fish meat disintegrates and becomes part of the spicy broth.
Spices that are added just before serving are ginger flower (姜花) and bird’s eye chili (小辣椒).
Fiery flavors are complemented by cooling ones like cucumber (黄瓜), onions (洋葱) and pineapples (黄梨).
Lettuce (生菜) is used to lend more balanced flavor. Mint leaves (薄荷叶) serves to provide cooling aroma.
Assam laksa is served with boiled rice noodles. This is similar to rice vermicelli (米粉) but is much thicker, therefore has delightfully springy texture.
It is a matter of debate whether Assam Laksa ought to be infused with shrimp paste (belacan, 虾膏). Proponents claim that the paste’s savory flavor helps to stimulate the taste buds and make the dish more enjoyable. Regardless, shrimp paste is provided in a spoon, so this is up to the customer to decide.
As for drinks, try some refreshing nutmeg juice from TKO (斗口王). A local product in Penang, this drink is a good cooling remedy during a hot afternoon.
Name: Penang Road Famous Assam Laksa (槟榔律驰名叻沙)
Address: 5, Lebuh Keng Kwee, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 016-446-0543
Business hours: 10:00am-6:30pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Penang-Road-Famous-Laksa-1018235531558008
Coordinates: 5.41667 N, 100.33112 E
Directions: From Penang Road (Jalan Penang), turn left to Lebuh Keng Kwee just before the pedestrian bridge. Penang Road Famous Assam Laksa is located near the end of this road, on the right. Street parking is available along Lebuh Keng Kwee and Jalan Kuala Kangsar. There is also a private car park at the junction of these roads.