Last Updated on January 11, 2023 by Chef Mireille
For those who don’t know, laksa is the national dish of Malaysia. Most Southeast Asian countries have some form of noodle soup that is popular for breakfast. In Burma, it’s Mohinga, in Thailand it’s Khao Soi and in Malaysia, it’s laksa. Laksa is a fragrant noodle soup with shrimp and vegetables. I’ve previously made a version with water spinach here, inspired by a Donna Hay recipe. Again, I used a recipe from Australian celebrity chef Donna Hay for the inspiration behind this version, although I always make my own changes based on preference and what’s in the refrigerator.
Using store bought laksa paste, this version can be whipped up in a jiffy. This is my recipe for this week’s Potluck Party at the I Heart Cooking Club. I haven’t cooked with them in several months and this was a delicious way to join them again. Every time I have laksa, I am reminded how delicious this soup is and I always say I need to make it more often. Regardless, with the temps starting to cool down FINALLY…this fall has been unseasonably warm..we even had a 72 F day just a few weeks ago in November…this is a warming soup perfect to enjoy when it’s cold outside your door…although it’s been in the 70’s this week. Regardless of the weather, I don’t think anyone can resist this laksa!
Pumpkin & Shrimp Laksa
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Yield: Serves 6
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 2/3 cup laksa paste
- 14 oz. can coconut milk
- 4 cups calabaza pumpkin, peeled and cut into large dice
- 2 cups trimmed snow peas
- 28 oz. peeled shrimp
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 8 oz. cooked rice vermicelli
- 6 tablespoons cilantro leaves
Heat oil. Add laksa paste. Fry until fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
Add pumpkin, coconut milk and 3 cups water. Bring to a boil. Cook for about 10 minutes, until pumpkin is tender.
Add snow peas, shrimp, lime juice and fish sauce. Cook for a few minutes, until shrimp is just cooked.
To serve, place a little vermicelli in a bowl. Add a few ladle’s of laksa and garnish with cilantro leaves.
Notes:
Kabocha or butternut squash can also be used.
Pumpkin & Shrimp Laksa
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 2/3 cup laksa paste
- 14 oz. can coconut milk
- 4 cups calabaza pumpkin peeled and cut into large dice
- 2 cups trimmed snow peas
- 28 oz. peeled shrimp
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 8 oz. cooked rice vermicelli
- 6 tablespoons cilantro leaves
Instructions
- Heat oil. Add laksa paste. Fry until fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add pumpkin, coconut milk and 3 cups water. Bring to a boil. Cook for about 10 minutes, until pumpkin is tender.
- Add snow peas, shrimp, lime juice and fish sauce. Cook for a few minutes, until shrimp is just cooked.
- To serve, place a little vermicelli in a bowl. Add a few ladle's of laksa and garnish with cilantro leaves.
Notes
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM#58
Joyce, Kitchen Flavours
Your bowl of laksa looks so delicious. Laksa is in the list of one of our top favourites in Malaysia. We could eat it for breakfast, lunch and even dinner! Give me a bowl of your delicious laksa and I would be a happy gal! While laksa is considered one of the top favourite dishes, the national dish of Malaysia is Nasi Lemak, another yummilicious dish that can be enjoyed anytime of the day!
Nice to see you again in IHCC! 🙂
Chef Mireille
thanks for the clarification. I am actually going to be visiting Malaysia (Penang) in February and so looking forward to trying all these foods
Joyce Lee-Bates
Hi Chef Mireille, I’m from Malaysia. It’s great that you’re visiting Penang in Malaysia soon. 🙂
Laksa Penang is very famous in Malaysia, but you’ll be surprised with its taste. Different states have different laksa. By far, the famous ones are Laksa Sarawak, Laksa Johor, and Laksa Penang. In Terengganu, there are two types of laksa, the white and the red. And there’s laksang (laksam) which is another kind of laksa-style noodles. You should travel around Malaysia and try them all! 😉
Cheers,
Joyce
joycescapade.com
Priya
Am sure this bowl will definitely makes me comforting. Hearty and healthy laksa.
Deb in Hawaii
Whenever I see a beautiful bowl of laksa, I know I need to make it. This looks warming and delicious. It’s always nice to see you at IHCC. 😉
Sandhiya
Though i dont eat shrimp, this looks tempting and want to taste it.
Flourishen test kitchen
I can smell this fragrant noodle soup just by looking at the photo and the recipe. Thanks for introducing this dish and bringing to our attention.
sapana
The bowl of laksa looks irresistible.