What is it?
Laksa is a spicy noodle soup that originated as a Peranakan delicacy (a combination of Chinese and Malay cuisine). This dish consists of vermicelli rice noodles, meat (often prawns or chicken), and vegetables in a hot curry sauce or soup made with rich coconut milk, and it is typically served with coriander and a spoonful of chilli paste to spice things up.
There are many different varieties of laksa, which isn’t surprising considering it is an extremely popular dish all over the world. It’s a staple in Southern Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Vancouver has no shortage of restaurants that serve it either – here are seven of our favourites.
Where to get it:
Laksa King
Known for its laksa, roti, and retro decor, Laksa King is definitely one of the most popular places to grab a bowl of the quality delicacy in Vancouver. At Laksa King you have the choice of vermicelli or yellow noodles served with prawn, fish ball, tofu puff, a hard boiled egg, chicken, and house made authentic coconut curry broth.
Address: 546 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-428-0155
Facebook: Laksa King
Hawkers Delight Deli
Hawkers is easy to miss if you’re not looking for it, but this is the place to be if you’re craving laksa and you’re on a budget. With reasonable prices (we’re talking just under $5 a dish!), a great variety, and big portion sizes, customers leave Hawkers happy and full every time.
Address: 4137 Main Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-709-8188
Facebook: Hawkers Delight Deli
Banana Leaf
It doesn’t matter where you are in the city, you’re probably within walking distance of one of Banana Leaf’s 5 locations. Banana Leaf offers a variety of Malaysian cuisine, although its laksa has to be one of our favourite dishes. You’ve got two choices here: The Singapore Laksa made with a coconut milk based soup or the Malaysia Laksa Curry Mee made with curried soup.
Address: 5 locations around Vancouver
Instagram: @bananaleafvan
Kaya Malay Bistro
This bistro offers both Malaysian Laksa (curry soup), and Singapore Laksa (coconut broth) in a unique lunge environment, meaning you’ll most likely want to sit here all day in a food coma. Known for its beautiful plating presentation as much as its tasty food, Kaya is a no-brainer if you’re looking for quality laksa.
Address: 1063 Broadway West, Vancouver
Phone: 604-730-9963
Instagram: @kayamalaybistro
Freshbowl
Freshbowl offers a modern twist on traditional laksa by giving its customers the ability to customize their meal in every way. You can choose your noodle, sauce, and protein along with any extras for your dish. All laksas from Freshbowl come with a full serving of fresh veggies. Be sure to check out their menu before your visit and see the comprehensive explanation for yourself.
Address: 2 locations in Vancouver
Instagram: @freshbowlfoods
Mamalee Malaysian Delight
If you want to know how Mamalee Malaysian Delight makes its laksa, just glance at the setp-by-step poster-sized breakdown on the restaurant’s wall. Aside from the comprehensive visual cooking lesson, customers at Mamalee have the choice of 5 different varieties of laksa including seafood, beef, chicken, fishball, and tofu vegetable.
Address: 3144 West Broadway, Vancouver
Phone: 604-733-8882
Instagram: @mamalee604
JOHN 3:16 Malaysian Delights
JOHN 3:16 has 2 kinds of laksa to choose from: Kari Laksa with egg noodle vermicelli served, curry chicken, and tofu puffs, or Penang Asam Laksa with spicy and sour soup, thick rice noodles, and pineapple. With lunch specials and dinner specials available, JOHN 3:16 is a great place to cozy up for tasty laksa.
Address: 1933 Lonsdale Avenue
Phone: 604-770-3833
Instagram: @john316mydelights
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