How to make Chicken Laksa taste more like To's restaurant?

How to make Chicken Laksa taste more like To's restaurant? - Top view of scattered coffee beans placed on wooden table before making coffee

I've tried a couple of recipes to make Chicken Laksa but I cant get it to taste like this Malaysian restaurant (To's in North Sydney).

I've had the best luck with this recipe from Taste.

Is it just Red Chilli and Shallots I'm missing, or am I doing it wrong using laksa paste (Tean's Gourmet Malaysian Curry Laksa Paste)?



Best Answer

For a start, any Asian dish will be effected if the chicken stock is not good. Make quality chicken stock from whole chicken carcases, and take your time with it

In the case of Laksa, the key flavours are mostly in the Laksa paste (shrimp paste and lemon grass). If you don't have an equivalent of the one used at To's you will have an entirely different dish. A lot of effort can go into a Laksa paste (or for that matter curry pastes in general), in terms of exact ingredient ratios, roasting times etc, quality and freshness of ingredients etc

Laksa is often made with prawn stock, not chicken stock. Save the prawn heads and other fish bits, and boil them up for a very stinky prawn stock

Don't overdo the coconut milk/cream. Stick to one brand, and start with a lot less and see how it goes, if it is lacking, add more. Record what the magic amount for your favourite brand is

Getting quality and fresh ingredients for Asian dishes is often a major stumbling block for truly authentic tastes. Making your own decent Laksa paste is near impossible outside of Asia. Western grown lemon grass, tastes like, well grass!

When you're next at To's have a peek in the kitchen, ask if you have too. And check what they use for Laksa paste. If it's out of a branded jar you're in luck, if it's homemade, it's back to the grindstone, literally

The recipe linked, does not seem like a very good Laksa recipe to me. Also a good Laksa is topped with chilli oil. This is an import part. It consists of a lot of chilli and a little garlic cocked in a cup of oil. Float a couple of spoons of this on each bowl as you serve it




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How to make Chicken Laksa taste more like To's restaurant? - From above of empty mug and coffee beans on wooden table prepared for making coffee
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How to make Chicken Laksa taste more like To's restaurant? - From above of closeup of raw chicken legs with seasoning cooking on metal grill grate



What is the best laksa paste to buy?

Best Laksa paste
  • The best (Asian stores only) \u2013 Por Kwan Laksa Paste (A$2.80). At the time of writing, is still only sold at Asian grocery stores. ...
  • Very good (supermarkets) \u2013 Ayam Laksa Paste (Woolworths, Coles. ). ...
  • Avoid \u2013 Valcom, the other mainstream brand sold in supermarkets.


Do you put basil in laksa?

1. Place lime leaves in boiling water and set aside for 30 minutes or until leaves have softened. In a large pan, combine stock, extra lime leaves, galangal, lemon grass, basil, mint, and the dried and fresh chillies. Partially cover pan, simmer 30 minutes, or until the mixture has reduced to make about 6 cups.

What is laksa paste made of?

Laksa paste is a blend of lemongrass, dried chilies, shallots, galanga, turmeric, spices, dried shrimp and shrimp paste, all blended up in the food processor, then saut\xe9ed in a little oil to deepen the flavor.

How do you make chicken laksa soup?

Heat a large saucepan over high heat. Add the laksa paste and cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes or until aromatic. Add the chicken stock, coconut milk and cream and 3 of the kaffir lime leaves and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and add the chicken.



Tasty and Fragrant Chicken Laksa




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