Katong laksa facts for kids
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| Course | Main course |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Singapore |
| Created by | Peranakan Chinese |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Coconut milk, rice noodles, fried tau pok (fried tofu puffs), chili, dried shrimps, prawns, laksa leaf, and fishcake |
Katong laksa is a special kind of laksa soup that comes from Singapore. It was created by the Straits Chinese, also known as Peranakans, who lived in the Katong area. This yummy dish has a spicy, orangey-yellow soup made with creamy coconut milk and dried shrimp.
It's usually topped with tasty ingredients like cockles, prawns, and fishcake. What makes Katong laksa unique is that the noodles are cut into smaller pieces. This means you can easily eat the whole dish with just a spoon, without needing chopsticks or a fork!
Contents
What is Katong Laksa?
Katong laksa is a popular noodle dish from Singapore. It's known for its rich, spicy, and slightly sweet soup. The soup gets its flavor from a mix of spices, dried shrimp, and coconut milk. It's a comforting and filling meal, often enjoyed for lunch or dinner.
Key Ingredients in Katong Laksa
The main parts of Katong laksa include:
- Thick rice noodles: These are usually cut short.
- Spicy coconut milk broth: This is the heart of the dish, giving it its unique taste and color.
- Dried shrimp: Adds a deep, savory flavor to the soup.
- Toppings: Common toppings are fresh prawns, fishcake slices, and sometimes cockles.
- Laksa leaf: Also known as Vietnamese coriander, it adds a fresh, herby smell and taste.
- Fried tau pok: These are fried tofu puffs that soak up the delicious soup.
Where Does Katong Laksa Come From?
The name "laksa" might come from a Chinese phrase, 辣沙 (làːt.sáː), which means "spicy sand." This could be because the ground dried prawns in the soup give it a slightly sandy or gritty feel.
The "Katong" part of the name comes from the Katong area in Singapore. This area is a residential neighborhood located in Marine Parade. Long ago, "Katong" was also the name of a type of sea turtle that is now extinct. It could also describe the wavy look of the sea when you gaze at the shoreline.
The History of Katong Laksa
Katong laksa first became famous thanks to two brothers, Ng Juat Swee and Ng Chwee Seng. They started selling this noodle dish in a coffee shop on East Coast Road in 1963. Their delicious laksa quickly became a local favorite.
By 1999, the dish was so popular that many other food stalls opened up along the same road. Many of these new places even used "Katong laksa" in their names, showing how well-known the original dish had become.
