The secret to a super delicious laksa lies within its broth. And the spice paste used to flavor this laksa broth is the real hero! So, here’re all the ins and outs of the mighty laksa curry paste and its ingredients.
There are two different types of curry paste for laksa: Curry laksa curry paste and Assam laksa curry paste. Some general ingredients feature in both of these curry pastes, such as:
- Red chilies
- Galangal
- Lemongrass
- Turmeric
- Shallots
At the same time, curry laksa curry paste includes more ingredients than Assam laksa curry paste, and they contain two different types of shrimp pastes. So, read further to learn more interesting facts about these delicious laksa curry pastes.
Laksa Curry Pastes And Their Ingredients
In general, the laksa curry paste is the real winner, introducing a whole bunch of flavors to almost every variant of curry laksa and Assam laksa. It is a rich blend of robust and pungent spices, herbs, and a few other elements especially made to flavor the broth of laksa.
These blends can be purchased easily from Asian stores, supermarkets, or online vendors, while you can also put together your own at home. Most ingredients in these curry pastes are familiar to us, while some are exotic to Southeast Asian cuisine.
The lavish combination of this mixture creates layers of spicy, savory, and decadent flavors while aromatizing the dish with Asian fragrances.
General Spices And Herbs In “Curry Laksa” Curry Paste And “Assam Laksa” Curry Pastes
- Red Chilies- This is the base of this paste which adds a bit of heat and a beautiful color. Indonesian Cabe Merah peppers are traditionally used in this. But, other chili pepper varieties with a moderate heat level, such as Thai red chilies, Chili de Arbol, cayenne peppers, or Guajillo chilies, are also used.
- Galangal- This spice is widely used in most Southeast Asian curry pastes for its unique, piquant, pine-like flavor and aroma. It teams up with garlic, ginger, chilies, and most other ingredients to deliver a distinctive accent to laksa broth.
- Turmeric- Earthy turmeric adds beautiful color to laksa pastes, blending with the chilies. A small amount of turmeric is usually used in the mixture just to get a hint of its earthiness and color.
- Lemongrass- Like galangal, lemongrass can be found in most Southeast Asian curry pastes, and it is an essential ingredient used in Malaysian, Thai, Indonesian, and Singaporean cuisines. Lemongrass holds a strong aroma with subtle citrus and ginger-like flavor notes that go well with the flavor profile of laksa paste.
Laksa Curry Paste For “Curry Laksa“
The curry paste used for all the varieties of curry laksa is usually made with a number of different ingredients. These many ingredients virtually enhance the “curry” accent in the mix and complement the richness of the coconut milk-based broth.
Additional Spices And Herbs In Laksa Curry Paste For “Curry Laksa“
- Garlic- Fresh garlic adds the perfect zing to this blend, pairing well with other powerful ingredients like ginger, galangal, shallots, shrimp paste, etc.
- Ginger- Unlike galangal, ginger is not a traditional ingredient in the mix. But still, many homemade chefs and commercial producers use this spice for its availability and the captivating flavor enhancement it does when incorporated with the rest of the ingredients.
- Coriander- This spice is the perfect flavor stabilizer for this blend. The mellow, nutty, gentle, citrusy undertones of coriander seeds essentially make a difference in balancing out the intense flavors of laksa paste. It is not a part of every recipe, but still, it is used in many for the reasons mentioned above.
- Cumin- Ground cumin or whole cumin seeds adds a unique taste to this paste while teaming up with other ingredients like coriander, garlic, ginger, galangal, cilantro root, and lemongrass.
- Cilantro root (Coriander root)- This is the next special ingredient in this blend which helps laksa curry paste to stand out from the rest of the curry pastes. Cilantro root pairs with lemongrass, coriander, cumin, ginger, garlic, and galangal to give a distinctive flavor to laksa broth.
Other Ingredients In Laksa Curry Paste For “Curry Laksa“
Apart from the herbs and spices mentioned on top, laksa curry paste for curry laksa typically includes other ingredients such as:
- Kaffir lime leaves
- Shallots
- Candle nuts
- Shrimp paste
- Dried shrimps
- Oil
- Palm sugar/ brown sugar
- Salt
- Curry powder (occasional)
- Store-bought options might also contain other added flavor enhancers, color additives, and preservatives.
Is Laksa Curry Paste For “Curry Laksa” Vegan?
This laksa curry paste is traditionally not vegan-friendly since it contains shrimp paste and dried shrimp. But you can find vegan versions of this blend, and they can be considered safe for those who track a plant-based diet and those with seafood allergies.
Is Laksa Curry Paste For “Curry Laksa” Keto-Friendly?
Laksa curry paste can be considered a safer pick for keto dieters since it does not contain any high-carb ingredients.
Does Laksa Curry Paste For “Curry Laksa” Contain MSG?
While MSG is not a traditional ingredient in authentic laksa curry paste, some store-bought options could contain a considerable amount of MSG. So, it is always better to check the list of ingredients before buying.
Is Laksa Curry Paste For “Curry Laksa” Gluten-Free?
Gluten ingredients are not traditionally a part of this laksa curry paste. But still, certain premade options could include traces of wheat. So, read the list of ingredients on the label before buying if you are concerned.
Laksa Curry Paste For “Assam Laksa“
The curry paste made for Assam laksa is less complex than that of the curry paste made for curry laksa. But still, it holds a profundity of flavor powerful enough to complement the fish and seafood-based broth.
Additional Ingredients In Laksa Curry Paste For “Assam Laksa“
- Shallots
- Belacan (this is a shrimp paste made with dried and fermented shrimp and is usually sold as blocks. Belacan is usually toasted before adding to the curry paste)
Is Laksa Curry Paste For “Assam Laksa” Vegan?
Since this curry paste usually contains belacan, it is not traditionally vegan. But you can find vegan options if you prefer to make vegan Assam laksa.
Is Laksa Curry Paste For “Assam Laksa” Keto-Friendly?
The curry paste for Assam laksa typically comes together with a few spices, belacan, and shallots. Therefore, those who follow a keto diet can include this paste into their plates as a safe option.
Does Laksa Curry Paste For “Assam Laksa” Contain MSG?
The homemade curry paste does not generally have MSG, but the premade options might contain this ingredient. So, it is better to check before buying.
Is Laksa Curry Paste For “Assam Laksa” Gluten-Free?
Gluten-related ingredients are not essential in this paste. But sometimes, you might find traces of gluten in some store-bought options. So, check the list of ingredients before buying.
“Curry Laksa” Curry Paste And “Assam Laksa” Curry Paste Uses
Despite these pastes being specifically made to flavor laksa broth; you can try it as a base for other coconut milk-based soups like Thai Coconut Soup, Lentil Coconut Soup, Butternut Coconut Soup, etc. Adding these mixtures to your classic soup dishes will add a nice depth of spiciness with a touch of Asian flavors.
“Curry Laksa” Curry Paste vs “Assam Laksa” Curry Paste
| “Curry Laksa” Curry Paste | “Assam Laksa” Curry Paste | |
|---|---|---|
| Base ingredient | Red chilies | Red chilies |
| Other ingredients | – Galangal – Turmeric – Lemongrass – Shallots – Garlic – Ginger – Coriander – Cumin – Cilantro root (coriander root) – Kaffir lime leaves – Shallots – Candle nuts – Shrimp paste – Dried shrimps – Oil – Palm sugar/ brown sugar – Salt – Curry powder | – Belacan – Galangal – Turmeric – Shallots – Lemongrass |
| Intensity | Spicier and more intense than Assam laksa curry paste | Less spicy and less intense than curry laksa curry paste |
| Availability | Can be bought from supermarkets, Asian groceries, and online sellers | Can be bought from supermarkets, Asian groceries, and online sellers |
Laksa Curry Pastes- The Real Taste-Maker Of The Laksa Soup!
As you see, both “Curry laksa” curry paste and “Assam laksa” curry paste hold tons of flavor thanks to their potent ingredients, such as red chilies, galangal, lemongrass, shrimp paste, belacan, shallots, turmeric, etc. This paste, in general, enhances the richness and taste of the laksa broth, working as the key or the base of any laksa dish.
