Laksa is a popular traditional Peranakan dish in Southeast Asia. While there are many laksa variations, one of the variants is laksa Kedah or laksa Utara, from the northern region in Malaysia.
Laksa Kedah’s distinct features are its’ soft rice flour noodles and sourish tamarind gravy made with coconut milk and poached mackerel or sardine. On the rare occasion, it would be poached eels! Laksa Kedah usually comes with toppings of boiled egg, julienned cucumber, onion, and Vietnamese coriander.
To tie it all together, fragrant prawn paste and coconut sambal or sambal nyior is heaped atop the laksa. This ingenious dish can be found all over Kedah, so let us introduce you to some of the best spots!
1. Laksa Ikan Sekoq
The laksa Kedah this stall serves is akin to comfort food, and customers often praise the thickness and freshness of the flavourful broth. Besides that, the laksa comes with a whole mackerel, which is unheard of!
Once you get a taste, one bowl probably won’t be enough to satiate your cravings. But don’t worry, you can add-on laksa for free! This stall is also known for its desserts, namely their refreshing shaved ice and cendol pulut.
- Address: 80, Rumah Kedai Perumahan Awam, Jalan Gangsa, 05150 Alor Setar, Kedah
- Operating Hours:
Monday – 11:00am to 7:30pm
Tuesday – 11:00am to 7:30pm
Wednesday – 11:00am to 7:30pm
Thursday – 11:00am to 7:30pm
Friday – 11:00am to 7:30pm
Saturday – 11:00am to 7:30pm
Sunday – 11:00am to 7:30pm - Contact Information: 018-256 3933
- Location: https://goo.gl/maps/FJurHmqsCDdqmyxNA
2. Olala Laksa Cendol @ Bandar Baru Mergong
As its name suggests, Olala specialises in laksa and cendol. Olala is well-known for its authentic laksa Kedah, which comes in a scrumptious gravy or kuah that tempts you to lick the bowl clean! The laksa only costs RM4 a bowl, so feel free to get as many as you like.
Moreover, Olala serves a variety of cendol that is unmatched. They boast around 20 variations of cendol and cendol pulut, featuring flavours like corn, banana, watermelon, lychee, jackfruit, and durian.
- Address: 19D, KM3, Jalan Putra, Bandar Baru Mergong, 05150 Alor Setar, Kedah
- Operating Hours:
Monday – 11:30am to 6:30pm
Tuesday – 11:30am to 6:30pm
Wednesday – 11:30am to 6:30pm
Thursday – 11:30am to 6:30pm
Saturday – 11:30am to 6:30pm
Sunday – 11:30am to 6:30pm - Contact Information: 013-200 9427
- Location: https://goo.gl/maps/dvu4ur15kkLRoDLB8
3. Xiao Er Laksa @ Sungai Petani
Xiao Er Laksa is renowned for its aromatic laksa, which is similar to laksa Penang but contains some laksa Kedah elements. They were also featured on the television program HoChak! on 8TV in 2014. Thus, contributing to the prominence of the stall.
Besides laksa, Xiao Er is also popular for selling local delicacies like traditional cookies and kuih, and for its special coffee. So, make sure to drop by when you get to Kedah – your tummy won’t regret it!
- Address: 1, Jalan Seruling, Taman Seruling, 08000 Sungai Petani, Kedah
- Operating Hours:
Tuesday – 8:00am to 6:30pm
Wednesday – 8:00am to 6:30pm
Thursday – 8:00am to 6:30pm
Friday – 8:00am to 6:30pm
Saturday – 8:00am to 6:30pm
Sunday – 8:00am to 6:30pm - Contact Information: 012-429 0828
- Location: https://goo.gl/maps/i4smTwY67Z14vrbo8
4. Din Laksa Beras Teluk Kechai @ Jalan Kuala Kedah
If you ask locals to point you in the direction of the best laksa, they would probably point you to Din Laksa! Din Laksa serves a classic bowl of laksa Kedah with a lighter broth base, which allows the vibrant, orange coconut sambal to really shine through.
Other dishes worth trying at Din Laksa are the ABC, satay, and delectable sambal pulut. Whatever you order here, it’s hard to go wrong!
- Address: 246 batu 4 1/4 jalan kuala kedah Kg, 06600 Alor Setar, Kedah
- Operating Hours:
Tuesday – 11:00am to 6:30pm
Wednesday – 11:00am to 6:30pm
Thursday – 11:00am to 6:30pm
Friday – 11:00am to 6:30pm
Saturday – 11:00am to 6:30pm
Sunday – 11:00am to 6:30pm - Contact Information: 011-1062 5504
- Location: https://goo.gl/maps/MzjmLvet4ynGppPh7
5. Laksa Kelang Lama @ Taman Kejora
Laksa Kelang Lama is a Chinese restaurant on Jalan Kelang Lama. The laksa here is not as spicy as conventional laksa Kedah, so if your taste buds are more accustomed to milder flavours, Laksa Kelang Lama is the place for you! Otherwise, feel free to add as much chilli padi as you want.
We also highly recommend that you grab some of their crackers at Laksa Kelang Lama, as the crunch and savouriness of the crackers and the laksa gravy make a very addictive combination!
- Address: 37c, Kampung Tunku Putra, Kelang Lama, 09000 Kulim, Kedah
- Operating Hours:
Monday – 11:00am to 6:00pm
Tuesday – 11:00am to 6:00pm
Thursday – 11:00am to 6:00pm
Friday – 11:00am to 6:00pm
Saturday – 11:00am to 6:00pm
Sunday – 11:00am to 6:00pm - Contact Information: 011-1880 8708
- Location: https://goo.gl/maps/ZK3NTcAQCfD13Mmb8
6. PHAD Lemak Laksa @ Seberang Nyonya
PHAD Lemak Laksa is a strong competitor on the laksa market in Kedah. Here, they serve generous helpings of laksa, complete with an aromatic creamy coconut milk and fish broth and just the right level of spice to keep you on the edge of your seat.
There are also a range of other dishes available at PHAD Lemak Laksa, including mee siam, hokkien mee, curry mee, Thai basil minced pork rice, and grilled fish. Since there is no shortage of options, you can have both breakfast and lunch here if you like!
- Address: 43c,seberang nyonya,, 05150 Alor Setar, Kedah
- Operating Hours:
Friday – 8:00am to 2:00pm
Saturday – 8:00am to 2:00pm - Contact Information: 017-544 5075
- Location: https://goo.gl/maps/BgkEzpbDgkBx87qt5
7. Zakaria Laksa Teluk Kechai @ Kampung Klong Hoi
As one of the hottest laksa spots in Kedah, Zakaria Laksa Teluk Kechai is rarely empty. It is rumoured that the laksa recipe is the owner’s secret recipe, so you’re in for a treat! What makes Zakaria’s laksa so special is the unconventional, almost-clear broth it comes with and the rich coconut sambal that significantly enhances the dish’s flavour.
To make the most out of your trip here, we suggest ordering the satay, the shaved ice and the lotus seed soup (also known as lai chi kang) to add some sweetness to your day.
- Address: 250, Jalan Kuala Kedah, Kampung Klong Hoi, 06600 Alor Setar, Kedah
- Operating Hours:
Monday – 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Tuesday – 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Wednesday – 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Thursday – 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Saturday – 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Sunday -12:00pm to 6:00pm - Contact Information: 04-762 1071
- Location: https://goo.gl/maps/HAUqnZC7kTbLNQMn6
Now, you know where to get mouth-watering, authentic laksa in Kedah. Grab your friends and hop in a car for a road trip so you can try all these laksa spots out!
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