When it comes to quintessential local food, laksa is on top of the list. Here's where to find delicious bowls of laksa in Singapore.
On a cold, rainy day, there are few things we like better than a hot, spicy, soupy bowl of noodles to perk us up. The remedy that comes to mind for most spice fiends? Laksa, of course. This recipe of rice noodles in coconut milk-infused broth, often mixed with tau pok (fried beancurd), prawns, fishcake and cockles, isn’t hard to find in most hawker centres and food courts. We’ve already covered the best rice dishes: nasi lemak, chicken rice, biryani and nasi padang. And now it’s on to noodles. To make your laksa-hunting a lil’ easier, we’ve lined up only the best bowls of laksa in Singapore on this list.
Best laksa in Singapore
1. 328 Katong Laksa
This venerable institution made headlines after defeating celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsay, in a laksa showdown once upon a time. But that’s really not surprising to its throngs of ardent followers. Laksa dilettantes should make this stall their introduction to the local favourite. In our opinion, the best thing about this laksa is the perfectly balanced gravy – not overwhelmingly creamy, but with lots of umami oomph. The thick strands of rice noodles are firm and springy but not soggy, and they are conveniently cut so you can slurp ’em up with a spoon.
328 Katong Laksa, multiple locations including East Coast Road and Thomson Road
2. 63 Laksa
At $2.80 a bowl, this is arguably one of the cheapest laksas you’ll ever find in Singapore. And nothing is skimped out here! You get a flavourful broth, noodles, fishcakes, and even cockles. Thanks to the addition of some dried shrimp, the soup is extra umami in flavour. You can even splurge on the otah as a little treat.
63 Laksa, #01-20, 20 Ghim Moh Road Market & Food Centre, Singapore 270020
3. National Kitchen by Violet Oon Singapore
It is unorthodox to serve laksa without its signature broth, but we have no qualms whatsoever when it’s in the good hands of celebrated Peranakan chef, Violet Oon. In this dry version, topped with prawns, tau pok and bean sprouts, fresh rice noodles are tossed in flavoursome laksa gravy, ensuring they stay firm and springy. Expect brilliance in every bite.
National Kitchen by Violet Oon Singapore, #02–01, National Gallery Singapore, 1 St. Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957
4. Amy’s Laksa
At under $5 a bowl, it’s hard to pass up the laksa at this humble hawker stall. Amy’s Laksa slings out decadent bowls with a heavy touch of coconut milk. We don’t know about you, but we’re planning to ignore our diets for a day just for this hearty broth. There’s always quite a queue though, so be sure to get there early so you won’t be disappointed!
Amy’s Laksa, #01-176, 58 New Upper Changi Road, Singapore 461058
5. Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa
When a hawker stall has the word ‘famous’ in its name, you know to expect a long line. But it’ll be well worth the wait, especially for this Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient, which has held the honour since 2016. The aromatic broth, strong on seafood flavours, is rich, creamy and slightly spicy. You’ll want to finish up every last drop, along with the fresh prawns and cockles in the bowl. Psst: Adventurous eaters should also try the stall’s fragrant fruit juice mee siam for something out of the ordinary.
Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa, #02-66, Hong Lim Complex, 531A Upper Cross Street, Singapore 051531
6. Janggut Laksa
Like 328 Katong Laksa, Janggut Laksa’s claim to fame is its heritage as the “original Katong laksa since the 1950s”. We’re not going to go into a history lesson about the long Laksa War of old, but what we know for sure is Janggut’s laksa is certainly an exemplary rendition of this popular dish with its intensely flavoured, not-too-spicy gravy. You can also add on the equally good chicken cutlet curry rice and side dishes like otah to pad your meal.
Janggut Laksa, multiple locations including Roxy Square and Chinatown Point
7. Sungei Road Laksa
This humble stall is another famous institution that’s easy to miss if you’re not savvy with local food haunts. Located in an unassuming coffee shop at Jalan Berseh, the place serves up your classic laksa that, while small in serving size, is filled with a light and flavourful broth, plus ample servings of plump, fresh cockles. Its easy-on-the-wallet $4 price tag is the cherry on top.
Sungei Road Laksa, #01-100, 27 Jalan Berseh, Singapore 200027
8. Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa
If it’s thick, creamy laksa soup that does it for you, make this unique laksa stall your first stop. As its name would suggest, the laksa here is cooked and served in thick claypots to concentrate flavours and keep your laksa nice and warm. The thick, spicy soup base is the star here – you’ll struggle to find a more substantial and creamy variant. Need more convincing? This name has been a mainstay on Singapore’s Michelin Bib Gourmand list since 2016.
Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa, #01-75, Alexandra Village Food Centre, 120 Bukit Merah Lane 1, Singapore 151120
9. 928 Yishun Laksa
The heartland ‘hood of Yishun may not have the best rep, but it does have one of the city’s most popular laksa stalls. Factor in extra time for the queue, and once you get your hands on a bowl, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the generous portion and affordable price. Add on more ingredients like fishcake, boiled egg and beansprout if you need a little extra. Oh, and don’t forget the housemade sambal – it adds a nice kick to the dish.
928 Yishun Laksa, #01-155, 928 Yishun Central 1, Singapore 760928
10. San Laksa Steamboat
Now, for something a little different. Some of us love laksa soup so much we just want to dip everything in it. At San Laksa Steamboat, you can cook ingredients like pork belly, beef striploin, squid, mussels, cockles and more in a boiling, free-flowing laksa soup base that will leave you addicted. No dipping sauces needed here. Slurp to your heart’s content!
San Laksa Steamboat, 147 Kitchener Road, Singapore 208524
11. Penang Kitchen
The Penang-style assam variant swaps laksa’s thick, creamy curry for a lighter broth flavoured with tamarind, flaked fish, lemongrass and even pineapple. And Penang Kitchen is one place where you can find it – its rendition of the dish offers a pungent, spicy broth heavy on belachan, and ample toppings of basil round off the dish with fresh flavours. No need to cross The Causeway for this one!
Penang Kitchen, multiple locations including Coronation Road and Far East Plaza
12. Beast & Butterflies
While it’s hawker legends that usually come to mind when laksa is mentioned, this resto has entered the fray with its own slightly upmarket version of the dish. It’s a hefty bowl brimming with a satisfying spicy, savoury broth and chock-full of seafood like fresh, plump clams and prawns.
Beast & Butterflies, Level 1, M Social Singapore, 90 Robertson Quay, Singapore 238259
And now you know where to find the best laksa in Singapore. Make sure you’re not wearing white!
[This article was originally published in 2016 and updated in 2024 by Ashe Liao.]
