One of the must-eat item (especially for females, I don’t know why) in Penang is the Asam Laksa. The most famously stall would be this one at Air Itam, walking distance from the Kek Lok Si temple, by the alley across the morning market.
a walkway packed with hungry people
The place is not particularly hygienic or comfortable, just some tables and the stalls by the busy road, partially exposed to the element. But hey, we’re here for the food anyway.
The Penang Laksa, popularly referred to as Asam Laksa in other parts of the country, comes in a sourish fish (ikan kembung) based soup with thick rice noodle, plenty of shredded pineapple, lettuce, red chili, cucumber, onion, galangal (curry flower), and lemon grass. All these are topped with some mint leaves and the thick shrimp paste with a very distinctive love-it or hate-it smell.
yumm… *slurps*
Our order was served up in just a few minutes’ time. Simmering hot and oozing with the glorious laksa smell, we attacked the bowl like a vengeance. There were nothing left 5 minutes later. The combination of sour and spicy soup with the fresh produce and the thick rice noodle was perfect. I never waste the soup either, thick with shredded fish, it has a very unique texture and taste that I find very nice.
the map of air itam laksa!
The smallish bowl of laksa is yours for RM 2.40. I would never recommend this as a main meal due to the sour and spicy nature of the dish, but it does make a nice afternoon snack. This Air Itam stall serves in the afternoon to evening.
Related Posts:
- KY eats - Koay Chap (粿æ±) at Air Itam, Penang
- KY eats - Kedah Asam Laksa at Alisan, SS4, PJ
- KY eats - mini Laksa at Jalan Pasar
- KY eats - Prawn Mee (ç‘•é¢) at Kg. Chempaka, PJ
- KY eats - Laksa Sarawak at Bangsar
By suanie on Dec 18, 2006 | Reply
slurps
By tihtahpah on Dec 18, 2006 | Reply
can u recommend any good asam laksa in KL? or PJ?
By KY on Dec 18, 2006 | Reply
tihtahpah,
the mini laksa at Jalan Pasar
and
Alisan at PJ
By Lucifer on Dec 18, 2006 | Reply
yum yum yummy…tihtahpah….there is one good place down petaling street ive tried it and for me its good…but hell who am not an authority on that since am spanish LOL but you can try, i dint regret slurpin it down…
oh by the way KY have you ever done a column about the charcoal cooked black hokien mee down there near china town? not so sure what the alley’s name is but its right close to central market
would love to read a feed on that 
By pik on Dec 19, 2006 | Reply
i seriously need to go back for food.
By in on Dec 19, 2006 | Reply
Who cares about the noodle…..its all about the soup! Whenever I have asam laksa, everything will be gone except the noodles.
By stupe on Dec 19, 2006 | Reply
actuarrry…this(asam laksa @ air itam) is over rated , no?
By cmos on Dec 19, 2006 | Reply
Dude… acherly… only RM2.30 nia… ^_^
By bwead on Dec 19, 2006 | Reply
yummy melaka food! yummy.. i kinda miss it though
By kssssss on Dec 19, 2006 | Reply
Opposite Penang Chinese Girls Hi Skool oso nice leh
By KY on Dec 19, 2006 | Reply
bwead,
This is penang food.. must be a case of a Tuesday blue for you or something. hehe
By bwead on Dec 26, 2006 | Reply
sorry this comment was suppose to be at the mlk satay celup post *shy*