Assam Laksa
Sunday, 15. June 2008, 07:14:09
In Japan, people barely eat tamarind. I might have eaten it in Thai or Indian restaurants in Tokyo, but I never recognised as such. It is here in UK I discovered I like tamarind. And even more recently I learned assam is the Malay word for tamarind (correct me if I am wrong 
) [read fbaggins' comment below]. Before, I knew Assam only as a place in India (like 'Assam' tea). This is why I decided to try Assam laksa in one of the Chinese-Malay diners in Birmingham.
If we want to find a good food, we need to do some research
. I googled "assam laksa, Birmingham", and I found a blog post from a Malay guy who ate a bowl of assam laksa in a restaurant and found it a far-cry from the authentic ones he eat in Malaysia, even though he paid more than £5.
He did not mention the name of the restaurant, but I happenend to know which restaurant serves assam laksa for £5 ca. So I decided to try it in another restaurant paying even more.
This is what I got.
As garnish, there is a wedge of lemon, one small sardine, shredded pineapple and cucumber, sliced red chili, and rather oddly, a sprig of mint. I would have prefered coriander or Thai basil instead of mint (that said, according to this article in Wikipedia, it is normal Asam laksa is served with mint), and lime instead of lemon. The noodles are made of white rice-flour, and thick not very thick noodles).
So, as garnish wise, there is nothing spectacular. Only one small fish and no meat.
What is remarable for this dish, however, is the broth. It is thick, tangy (from tamarind) and full of flavour with exceptional fishiness. It was not a simple fish stock, but, I think, the fish was dissolved into the broth by the power of mixer.
Very nice!
Next time, I will try also at the other restaurant selling it for less. I am so investigative!
)If we want to find a good food, we need to do some research
. I googled "assam laksa, Birmingham", and I found a blog post from a Malay guy who ate a bowl of assam laksa in a restaurant and found it a far-cry from the authentic ones he eat in Malaysia, even though he paid more than £5.He did not mention the name of the restaurant, but I happenend to know which restaurant serves assam laksa for £5 ca. So I decided to try it in another restaurant paying even more.
This is what I got.
As garnish, there is a wedge of lemon, one small sardine, shredded pineapple and cucumber, sliced red chili, and rather oddly, a sprig of mint. I would have prefered coriander or Thai basil instead of mint (that said, according to this article in Wikipedia, it is normal Asam laksa is served with mint), and lime instead of lemon. The noodles are made of white rice-flour, and thick not very thick noodles).
So, as garnish wise, there is nothing spectacular. Only one small fish and no meat.
What is remarable for this dish, however, is the broth. It is thick, tangy (from tamarind) and full of flavour with exceptional fishiness. It was not a simple fish stock, but, I think, the fish was dissolved into the broth by the power of mixer.
Very nice!
Next time, I will try also at the other restaurant selling it for less. I am so investigative!
WIDGETIZE
fbaggins # 17. June 2008, 06:20
I agree, you are so investigative!
Yea Assam can be associated with tamarind but tamarind is more commonly known as Asam Jawa.
Assam/asam is usually referred to the things that give the sour taste. Sour is "masam" in Malay.
That Asam Laksa looks yummy and from what you described.. so is the taste, eh?
tabatakayoko # 18. June 2008, 16:11
I was waiting for your comment
I will go to, for example, Japanese restaurants recommended by my Japanese friends, but I wouldn't go to, for example, Indian restaurants recommended by English friends. Unfortunately I don't have any Malay friend here, I resorted to Google.
OK. So Assam is not tamarind.
This laksa was very good (although I still prefer coriander...
tabatakayoko # 18. June 2008, 16:31
fbaggins # 19. June 2008, 09:32
So for you the person who recommends also counts. Yea that makes sense.. hmm why haven't I thought of it like that, eh?
I,myself don't cook asam laksa at home as I don't know how. It's a bit of "too much work" to make the broth too, I guess. My mother doesn't cook it too but our neighbour is good in making it. Once in a while she comes over to our house and cook it together with my mother ( my mother is more on the "watching" task
Is it something people tend to eat at stalls? Hmm.. I would probably say, Yes. Unless you have a big family who loves asam laksa, it's easier/less hussle to go and eat it at a stall.
Onde-onde mochi? Don't laugh but I actually have to google for it.
Onde-onde word that I'm familiar with means gifts/presents that you bring home to someone from the place where you went ( outstation, vacation, visit new places, etc )
Mochi.. my first impression of the word was, "Uh? Achi?" Achi means something like sister ( I think ) in Tamil.
tabatakayoko # 22. June 2008, 08:35
Did you have a nice weekend?
Yesterday I went to eat Nasi Lemak. Was OK but it is something I can cook at home. Asam laksa is more labour intensive and it makes more sense to eat it out. I read on someone's blog that asam laksa soup can be prepared with tinned fish. I don't know how good it would be, but it does save time and work. In modern world, it is a very important thing!
Now on my "Malaysian food to try" list are Beef Rendang and Curry Laksa. Do you have any other recoomendation. Even though, I cannot guarantee that I can find it here!
I am going to write about onde-onde mochi, now. See ya later.
fbaggins # 6. July 2008, 02:00
I know your question about the weekend is ages ago, but since the timing is still good as it's Sunday now, so I will answer anyway
What sambal do you like with your Nasi Lemak? Ever tried the dried squids sambal? Putting pandan leaves in the Nasi Lemak when cooking it makes the rice smells heaven ( something I just recently discovered
Asam Laksa broth can be made from tinned fish? Hmm.. I'm guessing it wouldn't be as good?
Beef/Chicken Rendang is a must try, so I'm glad it's on your list!
What else that you can try? Can you find Mee Bandung? It's noodles with soup/broth meal and if I'm not mistaken, one of the ingredients in it is belacan. You like your belacan, right?