Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Assam Pedas and Nyonya Laksa – Penang Indian Nyonya Kuih Vendor

When I was a kid growing up in Butterworth (Penang), there were many Indian kueh vendors who would balance a pole on their shoulder carrying two baskets filled with lots of Nyonya (Malaysian Straits born Chinese who adopted the local culture) cakes and goodies. Among the common Nyonya kuih (cakes) they sell are pulut tai tai, kuih koci, rempah udang, bingka ubi, kuih ketayap, kuih koci, kuih talam, pulut inti, chai tow (radish) kuih and many more. However, presently, I don’t think I ever come across these Indian kuih vendors in Penang anymore. I remember eating the Nyonya laksa sold by these vendors. It is a little different from the normal Penang Assam Laksa. The taste is a cross between Nyonya Asam Pedas and Assam Laksa. I tried to cook this type of Nyonya Laksa by modifying my Assam Laksa recipe a little bit. Instead of using Indian Mackerel (kembong, short bodied mackerel) which is the normal ingredients for Assam Laksa, I used Narrow barred Mackerel (tengiri batang). I did not peel and remove the bones of the Mackerel (tengiri batang), added in more turmeric and chillies to the soup. I also use less tamarind juice because the Nyonya laksa I ate was a little more of a salty type. So, here is the final result of my food experiment and I gave this bowl of Nyonya laksa to my good neighbour.

24 comments:

Suhaina said...

sound very interesting.. yummm.
Pete have you ever posted the chicken curry that we get along with parata in malay stalls?? I would love to give it a try..Thick and creamy, but not too spicy..

Pete said...

Suhaina : Will check out the chicken curry with pratha recipe and post soon. Cheers!

Anonymous said...

Yes, Nyonya Laksa is different from Assam Laksa. One of the best Nyonya Laksa I had was a shop named Jonker Desserts in Malacca. The cendol there is super delicious too.

Suhaina said...

Thanks Pete. Waiting patiently for ur wonderful post.

Pete said...

Mei Teng : Next time I go to Jonker street, must check it out.

Suhaina : Sure, no problem!

mNhL said...

I want to be your neighbour!!

Nice soup based. yummy yummy

smallkucing said...

okay..today not drooling...coz am cooking my fav asam chai kakaka

manglish said...

hmmm ur asam pedas doesnt look so pedas leh ahhahaha...

PFx said...

Come be my neighbour Pete. Please! Hahaha. I dont think I can find that assam and daun kesom in NZ. What a pity. That bowl of goodness just looks so yummy on a cold evening like tonite.

Pete said...

mnhl : Can Can! LOL!

smallkucing : I wanna to eat Assam Chai.....post about it lah!

PFx : If I move to NZ....LOL!

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

My nephew's wife comes from Butterworth. A very good friend when I was in Singapore comes from Penang. She cooks me your Penang Laksa.

Sorry to say, I like Sarawak laksa best,

Pete said...

Ann : I like both Sarawak and Penang laksa.....everything also I eat...ha ha ha!

இ Baŋäŋaz இ said...

Whoa! *Assam-ptious* hot and spicey assam laksa...Pete lau nua liao. Your place got room to let? tQ.

[SK] said...

sounds interesting, and the whole fish definitely looks yummy in the laksa.. so what do we call this?? Laksa Pete?? :p

suituapui said...

And Sarawak laksa is different too! Can you still get all those kuihs you mentioned - really nice ones like in the old days. Very sad that such things are slowly dying out...

Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said...

my 1st time see a whole fish in a bowl of assam laksa, look so cute, hahaha..

fufu said...

i wanna be your neighbour :)

MaryMoh said...

I know I will love this one. It's very appetising. Will make me eat more rice. Rice is not so fattening, right? Pete, you better say 'yes' to that :D

tasteofbeirut said...

You are uncovering a whole new world to me as I read your posts! That dish looks great and how nice of you to give some food to your neighbor! I do the same with my neighbor!

Pete said...

Bananaz : Next door maybe got lah! LOL!

SK : Laksa Pete sounds good! LOL!

STP : So far haven't seen in Penang for quite a long time but I think can still get....need to look for them.

Sonia : Ha ha, cute fish! LOL!

Fufu: Can Can!

Marymoh : I guess rice is ok, I always go for second helpings too if there is Assam Pedas dish on the table...LOL!

Tasteofbeirut : Good to share with neighbour!

chow and chatter said...

oh wow this fish looks wonderful and great post

Namitha said...

That's a great fish dish,Pete

Pete said...

Chow and Chatter : Thks

Gulmohar : Thks

Ayie said...

i don't fancy fish in noodles with sauce like that