The Laksa Blog

THE REVIEWS

2015-02-04T13:35:00.000+11:00

Here is where I post up my experience & thoughts on each laksa! Unlike a normal food review, my ratings are based 100% on the laksa. The half-Malaysian in me doesn't give a damn about mood lighting, fancy tablecloths or the drinks menu. I might make a comment from time to time, but rest assured- my laksa integrity cannot be broken and that stuff will not be factored into the score.

Ratings for a particular place can and will change over time, so check back to see if your local laksa house has bombed-out or improved their formula!

Malay Chinese Takeaway: Sydney CBD

2011-08-31T21:25:00.000+10:00

Score: 9/10

Last Eaten: August 2011

OK, so we walk in and at least 90% of the packed out restaurant are eating laksa. What a good sight to see (!) and they do their fair share of takeaway as well - which we opt for instead of having to eat standing up.

As mentioned last time, this really is the Sydney benchmark for laksa for a lot of people and today certainly proved why. I know the takeaway serve is a bit smaller than eat-in and it's usually best to eat things fresh, but I enjoyed it so much that I came extremely close to going back for a second bowl! Overall, an awesome laksa - I don't know how I managed to stay away for so long.

Soup: It is as spicy and tasty as ever- with a smooth texture from having the right mix of coconut milk& stock

Chilli: Excellent level of chilli (with extra chilli and sambal)

Crappy picture which did not do this delicious laksa justice. Forgive me.

Laksa King Malaysian & Thai Cuisine: Sydney CBD

2011-08-31T17:58:00.000+10:00

Score: 8/10

Last Eaten: September

Yay! I've been keen to get back here (see the previous review) and to my pleasant surprise it seems they are just as good as ever and in fact I enjoyed it even more than the last time. This is also coming off the back of eating at the Malay-Chinese Takeaway just one day before, which would make most bowls look pretty tame in comparison (yes, laksa two days in a row).

I should really get a photo updated, but I was so in the zone of eating, enjoying and not splashing chilli oil on myself that I forgot. Again.

Soup: Definitely a different taste to Malay-Chinese Takeaway. Laksa King has a nice salty chicken heavy broth- lighter on the coconut milk.

Chilli: Always spicy enough, although I think you can ask for it mild or less spicy (I hope you don't). Keep that in mind if you have a toddler or wussy lunch companions that you want to get hooked on laksa!

Sambal: North Ryde

2011-08-27T17:30:00.000+10:00

Score: 7/10

Last Eaten: August 2011

So back to Sambal and I had my fingers crossed that we would be looking at upping the ranking to an 8+ this visit after the last time. Unfortunately for both me & them, that was not the case. This time the laksa seemed a bit more average, it was presented on the whole pretty much the same but in a more mild, less tasty way. I will point out that this was a busy weekend, last visit was a quiet weekday.

Soup: Seemed a bit too coconut milky, definite drop in spice & flavour

Chilli: Still a good amount

Still a good Laksa

Hopefully they will return to glory with my next visit

Cafe 167: Sydney CBD

2011-08-22T13:58:00.000+10:00

Score: 4/10

Last Eaten: August 2011

Where do I start with this one? This place is a small little shop on Kent Street near the harbour bridge turn-off, where the old RJ’s Cafe was. When they were open, RJ claimed to have the best laksa in Sydney...hmmm. I can assure that it was not. So I thought I will give the new owners & recipe a try, even though my spidey senses were going off and I could hear alarm bells ringing.

Soup: Lacking in overall flavour, what was OK was that it was neither too heavy or light in coconut.

Chilli: It had chilli in it, yes.

That is about where the positive ends...

When I opened up the take-away container, I noticed a few things which made me giggle and then cringe because I remembered it was my lunch and I was about to eat it. Carrots. Bok Choi. Cabbage. WTF?

Interesting...

Aargh! Not a good sign.

Malacca Straits Broadway: Chippendale

2011-08-10T17:42:00.000+10:00

Score: 6.5/10
Last Eaten: August 2011

This is a tiny, hole-in-the-wall type place just off Broadway near Central. They have several chefs, including one from Seremban(!) and one Thai. Overall, an enjoyable Laksa, but there is still room for improvement. The taste was OK but I thought it lacked some of the more complex spices & flavours of an ‘A’ grade bowl.

Soup: The soup is fairly saucy - one of the thickest broths around and they served a slightly over-generous portion of vermicelli noodles.
Chilli: It could use more chilli
Sambal: Note to belachan lovers - their sambal is pretty strong.

Saucy soup with a BIG serve of sambal that packs a BIG shrimpy punch

Sambal: North Ryde

2011-07-21T17:17:00.000+10:00

Score: 7.5/10

Last Eaten: July

One of the more enjoyable laksa outings in recent weeks! Good sized serve and tasty broth. Could have used some egg noodles and a bit more tofu... but then again, I think every laksa could use more tofu.

Soup: Not too much coconut milk and you can taste some extra spices & flavours besides chilli & chicken.
Chilli: decent chilli level

Nice Day for an outside Laksa at Sambal

My view

Makan @ Alice’s: Pennant Hills Rd Thornleigh

2011-07-16T17:02:00.000+10:00

Score: 6.5/10

Last Eaten: July 2011

While some of the other dishes at Alice’s are great, the laksa is not quite at the same level. Will definitely be trying it again in the future, it is a decent performer but could have been tastier & spicier.

Soup: I found it to be too heavy in coconut milk- meaning that the overall flavour was on the mild side. Not as complex & tasty as it should be.

Chilli: It was lacking in chilli

Laksa King Malaysian & Thai Cuisine: Sydney CBD

2011-06-27T17:46:00.000+10:00

Score: 7.5/10
Last Eaten: June

A good laksa and it better be, given the name. I wish they would be more generous with the tofu though. PS. They serve both vermicelli & egg noodles which I like. This is a pretty good every day Laksa and is convenient for people working around Wynyard / Kent Street.

Soup: I think the broth is a good consistency in terms of coconut milk ratio and there have been several times where I really noticed some more fragrant flavours in the soup.
Chilli: It is reasonably hot

Malay Chinese Takeaway: Sydney CBD

2011-01-25T21:23:00.000+11:00

Score: 8/10
Last Eaten: January 2011

Possibly the benchmark for Sydney Laksa, they have always been up there and only really trailed Michael’s. They always had a slightly spicier soup, though it was a bit thin and I liked the chicken better at Michael’s. Back to the Malay Chinese Takeaway – this place isn’t exactly a secret and is popular with most people who know their stuff.

Soup: Spicy & tasty

Chilli: Good level