Have you ever visited Thailand before? It is a beautiful country that is rich with culture and countless heritage sites. Malaysians can travel there by boat, taking a plane or even boarding a train. Not only is Thailand famous for their rich history such as temples and martial arts, they boast some of the cheapest and delicious foods in Asia.
Some of you may have visited Krabi, Hatyai or Phuket for the beaches and food markets. Thailand is also home to one of the most polite citizens in the world. For some, Thailand is also their second home due to their frequent trips to Thailand.
What is Thai Fish Laksa?
Besides rice dishes, stir-fried dishes, and desserts, Thailand is also famous for their noodles. They have several types of noodles such as thin rice noodles, egg noodles, bean thread noodles, and wide rice noodles.
Just like Malaysia, Thailand also has its own laksa called Thai fish laksa. The burst of flavour and vibrant colours in the dish make it a favourite among locals and tourists.This simple dish is suitable for people of all ages and backgrounds. It is a definite crowd-pleaser! The dish is comprised of the noodles and coconut-based soup.
However, the process to make the broth (coconut soup) is a bit complicated because many ingredients are added to it to create its complex and rich flavour. A delicate balance between the ingredients is needed to produce the sweet, sour and spicy broth that the dish is known for.
Thai fish laksa is a perfect dish to serve to family and friends who come over. It is also common to see laksa served during tea time because of its quick and easy preparation.The dish is not only delicious, it is also healthy because of the rice noodles. It contains protein and fibre sufficient for our bodily needs. The carbohydrate from rice noodles provides us energy and fills our stomach.
Cook Thai Fish Laksa at Home
Eating out is convenient and easy but for those that prefer to cook at home, this dish is a definite must-try! Seeing the end result of your time and effort is undeniably satisfying. By tweaking the recipe, we can get different flavours out of the same dish.
Even though Thai fish laksa looks like a simple dish, the process of preparing it is quite meticulous. The two main elements in the dish are the rice noodle and the coconut-based soup. For beginners, you may purchase ready-made rice noodles at the store or market. To prepare it, just boil the noodles in a pot until it is soft and ready to be consumed.
The most important ingredient for the broth is the laksa paste, fish and coconut milk. It is quite common to use mackerel fish in the soup.Firstly, mix laksa paste and coconut milk inside a pot and stir for 5 minutes. Then, add some water and allow the mixture to simmer for a few minutes. In the meantime, boil the rice noodle until it is cooked and soft.
The next step is to add fish into the mixture of coconut milk and laksa paste for the trademark taste and aroma. The fish serves to enhance the flavours. Lastly, you may add some vegetables and some chilli, according to your preference. Let it simmer for a minute and it is ready to serve!
Where can I get it?
Thai fish laksa is best eaten while it is still hot. Therefore, you are recommended to eat it right away at restaurants. Many restaurants in Malaysia serve Thai fish laksa such as Erawan Classic Thai & Fusion which located in Kuala Lumpur.