top 5 curry laksa

yes, our shop's cafe is voted as the top 5 restaurants and/or cafe that serves the best "curry laksa" in the whole of malaysia! by a local english daily, The News Straits Times! i am not sure if it incl. sabah & sarawak but what i am damn blinking sure is that it is a very flattering article for our business.

one problem tho'... it is solely based on the writer's opinion and tastebuds. so it can be quite subjective. nonetheless, that is something we can be proud of for a long time.

here's the top 5 by shannon teoh of nst: -

1. Kuantan: Kedai Kopi Hai Peng.For those in the know, Hai Peng is synonymous with that great brew of coffee from Kemaman but their new branch in Kuantan, run by the original owner’s grandson, serves up a wicked curry laksa as well. The operator, who used to be based in KL, has a concoction that has elements of asam laksa but it doesn’t overload the senses as the entire broth is of a lighter consistency than average. At only RM3.50, this pork-free dish is good value for an enjoyable main course or as a hearty snack.Location: 36, Jalan Haji Abdul Aziz, in the middle of the banking “district”.

2. Ipoh: The Yat Yat Seng Restaurant is a neighbourhood coffeeshop famous for its curry mee and pie tee. People order the latter as a snack or appetiser while waiting for the former. The curry has very little or no santan, and comes with your choice of roast pork, shredded chicken or prawn (or maybe you’d like to have all three?). Open for breakfast and lunch. If you go during the festive season or public holidays, be prepared to wait. A bowl can set you back anything from RM4 to RM6 depending on your specification. Worth every ringgit. Not halal.Location: 83, Jalan Dato Lau Pak Khuan, Ipoh Garden.

3. Penang: Restoran Lorong Seratus Tahun Curry Mee. The gravy is noticeably different from versions in other states, using a lot of stock and less coconut milk, making it more watery. Ingredients include cuttlefish, quail eggs, fish balls and jellied cubes of pork blood, obviously an acquired taste. Apart from the shop at Lorong Seratus Tahun which opens from morning to evening, it has established two branches, one nearby on Jalan Anson and another in SS2, Petaling Jaya.Location: Lorong Seratus Tahun, near Melaka Street and Jalan Anson

4. Segambut: Restoran Yu Ai. The seafood curry laksa is our target but this famous restaurant offers its seafood noodle in clear soup and tom yam as well. No matter the gravy, the seafood includes brown squid, juicy mussels, tiny clam shells that require some work andfour orfive prawns with heads attached. Yu Ai’s curry is deep and complex, with layers of warm spices. Open 8am to 5pm, expect to pay higher-than-average prices due to the bounty of seafood. For urbanites, there are branches in USJ, Subang Jaya and SS2, Petaling Jaya.Location: 42J, Jalan Segambut Utara.

5. Kuala Lumpur: House + Co. Inside this interior decoration store lies a small cafe that serves up a rich nyonya laksa for lunch. Yes, it’s pricey at RM15 a pop but it comes in a serving that’ll put away any thoughts of teatime. As expected from a nyonya laksa, it’s got plenty of santan that sweetens and deflects any overt spiciness and goes down with significance. This halal dish has got the character to match the ambience.Location: Lot 2.15, 2nd Floor, Bangsar Shopping Centre. {picture from House + Co}