This is the dish that earned Lonely Planet's #2 ranking globally. The broth is thicker than the Penang variety, rich with coconut and spices, and loaded with fresh toppings. The laksa comes with boiled dried pork skin (crackling texture), eggplant (aubergine), bean sprouts, cockles and vermicelli. Each bowl is freshly made to order.
Tips from diners
Go early (8:30-10am) when the broth is freshest and ingredients are at peak quality. By 1pm they may run low.
Order from the middle stall run by two sisters—this is the most sought-after version of the three on Madras Lane.
Standard laksa with a soft or hard-boiled egg for added richness.
Tips from diners
Adding an egg is the cheapest upgrade and adds nice richness to the curry broth.
If the standard laksa hits the spot, adding curry chicken makes it a complete meal. The chicken is cooked in the curry spice and absorbs the laksa flavors.
Tips from diners
The chicken upgrade is worth it—you get more substance and the chicken soaks up the curry flavor.
Extra-generous cockles in the standard laksa for seafood lovers.
Tips from diners
The cockles are fresh and plump—order this version if you love shellfish.
Laksa with tender duck meat that adds richness to the coconut curry broth.
Tips from diners
Duck is available when they have it—call ahead or go early to ensure it's in stock.
Located in a narrow back alley off Petaling Street next to Chinatown Wet Market, Madras Lane hosts three curry laksa stalls. The middle stall, run by two sisters, is the most sought-after. In 2018, Lonely Planet ranked this curry laksa #2 out of 500 eating experiences globally on their Ultimate Eatlist—beating sushi from Tokyo and chilli crab from Singapore. The laksa is thick and aromatic, made with coconut milk and loaded with fresh ingredients like tofu, cockles, vermicelli and bean sprouts. The alley has been a breakfast and lunch destination for locals for decades.
This is a narrow back alley off Jalan Petaling, next to the wet market. It's hidden away but worth finding. Limited seating at small tables or eat standing.
Closed on Sundays. Open 8:30am-3pm only. Queue time is 20-30 minutes on normal days. Go before 9:30am or after 1:30pm for quicker service.
Three stalls operate here, but the middle stall run by two sisters is the most famous. Ask locals if unsure which is which.
Parking nearby the stalls is not a problem—there's dedicated space close to the alley entrance.
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