With the cool weather looming in the city, we’re not about to turn down a bowl of steaming hot laksa noodles. The classic hawker stall dish and Singaporean-Malaysian staple is an all-season comfort. Looking for your next bowl? See our top picks of the best places for laksa in Hong Kong.
Ah, the iconic Laksa. How can you not fall in love? It’s a perfect dish of noodles of al-dente noodles with fresh seafood toppings and soaked dried bean curd puffs. And the star, the one that binds condiments with the carbs is a spicy, creamy coconut broth. It is infused with a multitude of spices and herbs like lemongrass, galangal and chillies, patiently simmered and stirred to rich, fragrant, golden-yellow perfection.
Sounds delicious? Well, the good news is that you don’t have to travel far to enjoy this dish. Hong Kong is home to plenty of Malaysian and Singaporean restaurants that serve various kinds of laksa. From the creamier kind at Rempah Noodles or the spicy one from Kedai Kopi Semua Semua, you’ll find something that tickles your palate. So, grab a seat and the biggest soup spoon you can find. Here’s where to go for a bowl of authentic laksa in Hong Kong.
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These are the best places for laksa in Hong Kong
If there’s one thing you can count on when patronising Rempah Noodles, it’s that their piping hot bowls are always top-notch delicious, with satisfying spoonfuls of rich creamy broth and chewy noodles. Prawn Mee aside, the short-and-sweet menu offers two other serves, both anchored on the restaurant’s signature laksa: A dry version for a worthy alternative for the high summer temps, and the classic Nonya Laksa Lemak. The latter is what most diners would expect to order: thick rice vermicelli emerged in a flavourful, multi-dimensional coconut-milk base rempah broth that runs spicy at first sip and then lingers with a mild sweetness. Layered on top? Fish cakes, shredded chicken, bean curd puff and bean sprouts — gang’s all here.
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- Address G/F, 18 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
- Website Book here
- Phone +852 3618 4863
With honest hand-to-heart authentic Singaporean-Malaysian cuisine, Café Malacca at Jen Hong Kong is a well-kept, if-you-know-you-know kind of secret spot. The menu is prolific; with a delicious serving of top-hit favourites and regional dishes worth trying. The choices of laksa here, naturally, cover all evolutions, from the popular Singaporean coconut-base-rice-noodle edition with seafood and dried bean-curd puffs typically raved about, to the Penang Assam Laksa iteration, a spicy, piquant fish-base broth with thick rice vermicelli, topped with fresh pineapple, cucumber, onions and a pungent dollop of shrimp paste.
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- Address L2, Jen Hong Kong by Shangri-La, 508 Queen’s Road West, Western District, Hong Kong
- Website Book here
- Phone +852 2213 6613
If you haven’t heard of Bagus Bagus, we don’t blame you. It’s the latest branch of the famous Kopitiam Bagus in Sham Shui Po. The Happy Valley outpost offers the same authentic Malaysian food. Both a feast for the eyes and your mouth, the laksa here is a sure stunner. You can choose from a variety of options such as curry, seafood, or Nyonya laksa. Regardless of what you pick, we guarantee that you’ll enjoy the aromatic broth with each slurp.
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- Address Shop A, G/F, 65 Sing Woo Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong
- Website Book here
- Phone +852 3468 6064
With the numerous restaurants available around Times Square, it’s easy to miss Vanda. But give this place a chance! Vanda transports guests to a tropical paradise with its chic interiors, complete with delicious Singaporean cuisine. While there are plenty of choices here (Hainanese chicken rice is a sure favourite), the laksa with rice vermicelli and yellow noodles is just as delicious. You have a bowl packed with a rich and fragrant broth with hints of coconut milk. The noodles are extra chewy and topped with fresh prawns, eggs, and tofu.
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- Address Shop 625-626, 6/F, Times Square, 1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
- Website Book here
- Phone +852 2513 9899
The first thing that hits you when you order the laksa at Geylang is the rich fragrance of coconut. The soup just has the right amount of thickness with a spicy aftertaste. The bowl is a true feast on its own, filled with prawns, calms, cucumber, and more. Thanks to all that, you get a laksa just full of flavour. You can never go wrong with noodles but at Geylang, you also have the option of having the laksa with rice! And since rice can soak up the soup more, it’s a euphoric explosion of flavours in your mouth with every bite. But if you’re looking for that chewiness, the noodles are just as worth it.
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- Address G/F, Tin Lok Building, 221A Wan Chai Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
- Phone +852 2357 4899
Kedai Kopi Semua Semua has earned a reputation for being a go-to destination when it comes to authentic yet affordable Malaysian food. The star of the restaurant might be the bak kut teh, obvious from their extensive selection of the dish. But the laksa noodles are also well-loved among diners. The crowd-pleaser is the Penang Assam laksa and it’s not for the weak tastebuds. Instead of the coconut soup, the dishes have a sour and spicy fish broth, made all the more flavourful by lemongrass, shrimp paste, chillies, and mint. If you’re looking for a dish that packs a punch, this is absolutely it.
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- Address Various locations including Shop G01, G/F, 618 Shanghai Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
- Website Book here
- Phone +852 2389 3829
Hongkongers are surely familiar with Chatterbox Café. The Singaporean chain gained notoriety for its award-winning chicken rice. But its extensive offering of affordable yet authentic Singaporean fare also makes it a crowd favourite. In addition to its superstar dish, Chatterbox Café also has another celebrated offering: laksa. Rich in flavour with tones of spiciness and added spices and herbs, the laksa is a sure charmer. It features fish eggs, tofu, prawns, eggs, and more. It’s best eaten when hot so make sure to slurp it up as soon as it’s served.
Image credit: ChatterboxCafeHongKong/Facebook
- Address Various locations including Shop B110, B1/F, K11 Musea, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
- Website Book here
- Phone +852 2352 2173
Who can miss Lee Laksa? During lunch hour, the Singaporean restaurant boasts a long queue of hungry office workers. Even during non-peak hours, its roundabout location catches the eye of many passersby. For those who prefer their laksa to be creamier and less spicy, this place is perfect for you. With their own added touch, the Singapore laksa also comes in generous portions of prawns, tofu, and even fish balls.
Image credit: LeeLaksa/Facebook
- Address G/F, 302 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
- Website Book here
- Phone +852 2265 8999
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(Hero image credit: jansfoodopia/Instagram; featured image: ChatterboxCafeHongKong/Facebook)
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
-What country is famous for laksa?
Malaysia and Singapore are famous for laksa.
-Is laksa Chinese or Thai?
Laksa is a famous Malaysian and Singaporean dish.
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