Description
This Laksa Noodle Soup is a rich and aromatic Malaysian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken, creamy coconut milk, and a flavorful homemade laksa paste broth. Served with vermicelli and optional hokkien noodles, tofu puffs, and fresh garnishes like coriander and lime, it delivers a spicy, tangy, and comforting noodle soup experience perfect for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Stock
- 2 cups (500 ml) chicken stock / broth
- 1 cup (250 ml) water
- 3 chicken drumsticks
Laksa Chilli Sauce
- 1/2 tsp sugar (white)
- 1 1/2 tsp soy sauce (light or all purpose)
- 1/2 garlic clove (minced)
- 1 1/2 tsp laksa paste
- 1 tbsp Sriracha sauce (or other chilli sauce)
- 1 tbsp chilli paste from jar (or more Sriracha)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (any plain oil)
Laksa Broth
- 1 1/2 tbsp oil
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 cm / 4/5″ piece of ginger (finely grated)
- 1 lemongrass (white part grated)
- 2 birds eye chillis (finely chopped)
- 1/2 cup (135g) laksa paste
- 400 ml can coconut milk
- 2 tsp fish sauce (or substitute soy sauce)
- 80g / 2.5 oz tofu puffs (cut in half)
Noodles and Garnishes
- 50 g / 1.5 oz vermicelli noodles (dried)
- 100 g / 3.5 oz hokkien noodles (optional)
- 80 g / 2.5 oz bean sprouts
- Fresh coriander / cilantro (recommended)
- Lime wedges (recommended)
- Crispy fried shallots (optional)
- Finely sliced red chilli (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken Stock: Place chicken drumsticks, chicken stock, and water in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium high. Cook for 25 minutes or until the chicken is falling off the bone and the liquid has reduced by about one-third.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the chicken drumsticks, discard the skin and bones, and pull the chicken flesh into shreds. Set shredded chicken aside and keep the broth in the saucepan.
- Make Laksa Chilli Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, laksa paste, Sriracha sauce, chilli paste, and vegetable oil. Let this mixture sit for 20 minutes to develop flavors. Set aside.
- Cook Laksa Broth: Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and grated ginger and sauté for about 20 seconds. Add grated lemongrass and chopped birds eye chillis, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add Laksa Paste and Simmer: Stir in the laksa paste and turn heat to medium. Cook for 2 minutes while stirring constantly until aromatic. Add chicken stock, coconut milk, fish sauce, and 2 teaspoons of the prepared Laksa Chilli Sauce. Cover with a lid and simmer gently for 10 minutes.
- Adjust Seasoning and Add Tofu Puffs: Taste the broth and adjust the flavors with lime juice for sourness and extra fish sauce for saltiness if needed. Add tofu puffs to the broth, then turn off the heat and leave the lid on for 5 minutes to let tofu absorb the flavors.
- Prepare Noodles: Cook vermicelli noodles (and hokkien noodles if using) according to package instructions until tender. Drain well.
- Assemble the Laksa: Divide cooked noodles evenly between two bowls. Top with shredded chicken and bean sprouts.
- Serve: Ladle the hot laksa broth over the noodles and chicken. Garnish with fresh coriander, lime wedges, crispy fried shallots, and sliced red chilli as desired. Serve with remaining Laksa Chilli Sauce on the side for extra spice.
Notes
- Chicken drumsticks provide both flavor and protein but can be substituted with chicken thighs or breast.
- Use only the white part of lemongrass and grate finely for best results.
- Birds eye chillis add heat; adjust quantity depending on your spice tolerance.
- Laksa paste can be homemade or store-bought; it is the key flavor component of this dish.
- Coconut milk enriches the broth, creating a creamy and slightly sweet base.
- Hokkien noodles are optional and add a nice texture contrast to vermicelli noodles.
- Tofu puffs soak up the curry and add a pleasant chewy texture.
- Crispy fried shallots add crunch and depth when used as garnish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Malaysian
Keywords: Laksa, Laksa Noodle Soup, Malaysian Soup, Coconut Milk Soup, Spicy Noodle Soup, Chicken Laksa, Asian Noodles
