12 Best Laksa In Singapore That Is Slightly Off The Beaten Path [2022] 

To quote a famous local food critic, a good bowl of laksa is made with seasonal ingredients such as blue ginger, turmeric, shrimp paste..etc, and from scratch. First by stir-frying them all together to draw out the delicious aromas before finally cooking them down by adding in coconut milk for that complete culinary effect.

In Singapore, every hawker stall has its version of preparing laksa. From the classic Peranakan style to the tangy-flavored Sarawak laksa, there is always a special kind of laksa for everyone– young or old. But one distinct similarity remains.

Here are our Top Picks of the Best Laksa In Singapore – slightly off the beaten path, where both the locals and foreigners dine. One that tastes so good that you be slurping to the very last drop! *Burps*

1. Katong Laksa

Just like Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, Katong Laksa is the magnum opus of all laksas in Singapore. Armed with sixty-odd years of history, this legendary laksa establishment has been around probably, like since the days of your ancestors. Arguably the most famous laksa in town, this well-known fact is backed up by its solid-worthy credentials. For example, the list of A-list celebrities plastered all over its wall of fame – from kungfu exponent Donnie Yen, to even renowned Michelin starred chef Gordon Ramsay.

Katong Laksa stands out due to its rich and addictively spicy coconut broth. It is boiled and simmered for hours using its family secret recipe. Thus, giving it that glorious multi-dimensional taste. After that, it is poured over its signature quality thick short rice vermicelli topped together with garnishings such as bloody cockles, plump shrimps, and fishcakes.

2. 928 Yishun Laksa

Unlike Katong, Yishun is less commercialized but stands on its firm ground due to one main thing. It is the best choice for a bowl of delicious laksa-minus the burning price tag. Starting at a generous sized $2.80 per bowl, but you can add more ingredients for just $0.50, while cockles at $1 extra, it is truly the best bang for the buck. You can opt for the choice of noodles you want, and the ingredients are a brilliant myriad choice of mock crabsticks, crunch bean sprouts, fish cakes, boiled eggs to bean curd puffs.

Yishun laksa is more on the lighter side, with less emphasis on coconut milk but more on dried shrimp. The “hae-bi” aka dried shrimp gives the laksa a pungent blend of fresh seafood flavours, thus, making it an absolute delight for those who like the lingering taste of umami. Their homemade sambal is so addictively spicy that a spoonful of it can send you straight to spice heaven!

3. Janggut Laksa

Despite being dubbed as the original Katong Laksa, this stall at Roxy Square does not see itself as a celebrity in the competitive laksa world. Instead, it tries to differentiate itself from the comparison – by sticking true to its original humble roots. By selling authentic, genuine tasting laksa that comes together with freshly prepared ingredients.

For starters, clients from all walks of life come to Janggut Laksa just for the taste of its unique soup base. Janggut Laksa soup base is an amalgamation mix of both heavenly coconut milk and spices, bursting with full flavours yet light and comforting altogether. The noodles have a firm springy texture aka al dente that biting into it will make you crave more. Their special sambal chilli is the perfect accompaniment to an already perfect dish!

4. Sungei Road Laksa

This infamous Laksa establishment is notorious for its high guarded privacy – for example, no taking of photos to begin with. Unusual dining rules aside, it is one of the more popular laksa go-to-spots for die-hard fans of this spicy noodle dish in Singapore. Hence, fans from as far as Malaysia come to their shop for their traditional styled based laksa.

The stall prides itself on cooking laksa the old school way – through the use of charcoal and simmered for hours. So you get a bowl of heavenly aromatic laksa that can make any Peranakan green with envy. Despite the relatively small serving, a single bowl is generously topped with the most luscious bloody cockles and garnished with green laksa leaves for that extra herby flavour. As good as this laksa is, however, be prepared for its long queue!

5. Depot Road Zhen Shan Mei Claypot Laksa

Fancy some delicious laksa served in a bowl of piping hot clay pot? Novelty factor aside, what makes this internationally acclaimed laksa on par with Katong’s is due mainly to its highly complex cooking methods. The broth is skillfully slow-cooked for more than two hours using the best-sourced spices in the region and quality ingredients so that the result is a thicker and more rich consistency. Finally, topped it off with some fresh seafood such as juicy prawns, cockles, and fishcakes and it is ready to be eaten. It is also best paired with some kick-ass sambal for that extra fiery kick!

6. Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa

This popular laksa stall is not to be confused with the one located at Hong Lim Food Court Centre. Although both share the same name, the Famous Sungei Road Trishaw Laksa is an entirely different entity by itself. Instead of one, the stall stands out as it serves two different types of laksa.

Diners can choose from the original one or the extra special one with crayfish. But what makes this laksa even more unique is its use of fresh coconut, scallops, dried oysters, and dried shrimps instead – straying away from the traditional cooking methods of typical laksa. This results in their version of less than thick and creamy laksa, but smooth enough that it is a delight to be eaten anytime.

7. Wei Yi Laksa And Prawn Noodles

A favourite breakfast spot for most Singaporeans, Wei Yi stands out like a sore thumb due to one factor. This is because it is one of the only laksa places in Singapore that gives you the liberty to choose your ingredients – albeit the risk of getting an annoying frown from the stall vendor itself. Unliked the standard fare of most laksas that consists of prawns, cockles, fried beancurd and bean sprouts, Yishun’s style of laksa is slightly different – but in a good way, of course.

Their thick laksa broth has a darker hue, but is appetizingly spicy, delicious, and fully flavoured due to the addition of quality dried shrimps. With Wei Yi, we bet your taste for the best laksa will never be the same again. Opening as early as 5.30 am, this is the perfect place for early risers to eat while they banter over a cup of coffee!

8. Frenzlink Café

For die-hard purists of laksa, cafes are not the best place to have a good bowl of laksa. After all, cafes are normally associated with standard commercialized fare. Also, eating in a café is not as genuinely authentic compared to eating in your trusty old hawker stall. Especially, for a heritage cuisine like laksa.

But Frenzlink Café is here to change all that. At present, it is making waves as one of the best cafes specializing in laksa. This cosy-looking café serves not one, or even two – but eight types of noodles altogether. For only a mere $2, you can get other Singaporean style noodles such as mee siam, prawn noodles, wanton noodles, fishball noodles, bak chor mee, mee rebus, lor mee and, not forgetting, its signature laksa of course.

But the highlight here is its version of laksa that is devoid of the usual prawns and cockles but is highly compensated by its addictively spicy and rich coconut broth, resulting in a fragrant bowl of laksa complete with a unique twist.

9. Terry Katong Laksa

Ask any cardiologist around and they say that a bowl of laksa is their biggest nightmare due to the number of saturated fats and sugar it has in it. But Terry Katong Laksa has a healthier version that might be a good option for health-conscious foodies.

You see, the owner Terry knows a thing or two about living a healthy life. Due to that, he has created a healthy variety of laksa that contains no pork, no lard, no added sugar, MSG, or evaporated creamer in its preparation. Despite omitting out all the sinful goodies required in a so-called classic bowl of laksa, the authenticity and delicious flavours remain well intact. But the standout ingredient is their healthy gravy. Fully-flavoured to the brim but leans more towards the lighter side. Now, who says you can’t have the best of both worlds – aka eating and staying healthy altogether?

10. Guang Fa Laksa

Even though this laksa stall is slightly underrated, but it can still kick major booty compared to its other more famous counterparts. A humble looking stall, Guang Fa laksa has a special niche in preparing authentic laksa, that is with a slightly higher edge.

For starters, its gravy has a darker and richer orangey hue due to the rich amount of chillies and spices used. Just taking a sip of its gravy is akin to eating a divine mix of explosive flavours. Being one of the more reasonably priced laksa in town, servings per bowl are enough to satiate your hunger. This is because the owners of Guang Hua are a pretty generous bunch. Thus, you get a good handful amount of springy and chewy bee hoon that was topped with standard condiments such as crunchy bean sprouts, tau pok, fish cakes..etc.

11. 28 HongKong Street

Satisfy your food craving with HongKong Street authentic Laksa restaurants that offer in-house cocktails and starters to go with your Laksa, including cheese balls and Cubano. These delicacies will have you feasting with your friends and family and asking for more. 

Above all, they have services that include takeaway and delivery to your doorstep anywhere in the region. Moreover, the restaurant offers a Zoom room and House party to keep you entertained and guide you through their vast menu. With prime experience in the industry, the team is an expert in arranging for house parties and get-togethers. 

Address: 28 Hongkong St, Singapore 059667

Timings: Monday to Thursday 6 pm – 2 am, Friday and Saturday 6 pm – 3 am

Website | Facebook | Instagram

12. D Laksa Century Square

Headed by food enthusiasts to bring Malaysian flavors to the foodies with the local cuisine. They are truly one of the best laksa restaurants in Singapore that does delivery.

D Laksa pride themselves for bringing you blended and customized local flavors to devour. They have options like assam laksa and rojak laksa for you to explore Malaysian flavors.

You can place your orders through the website and even avail a discount by registering on their website. The order is created for takeaway and also delivered at your doorstep. 

Address: Century Square 01-36, 2 Tampines Central 5, Singapore 529509

Timings: Monday to Sunday 10 am to  10 pm

Website | Facebook | Instagram

In short, the best laksas in Singapore can be found not only in a traditional rustic ala hawker stall environment but in selected cafes too. Just like a true-blue Peranakan, these not-so-conventional laksa dining places can offer you an equally mean bowl of spicy noodle goodness, minus the heat and discomfort. However, traditionality still rules when it comes to giving your favourite laksa that rare and personal culinary touch!

Aside from the best laksa, do check out our list of another mouthwatering Singaporean cuisine:
– Top 5 Recipes for Local Singaporean Food
– Best 30 Halal-Certified Restaurants in Singapore 
– Best 10 Seafood Restaurants in Singapore 

Written By: Lim Su Yee