The Original Katong Laksa

To me, Singapore laksa has been good, but not very unique from place to place. If this is truly the «original,» then everyone else has done a fine job of copying. The strong points here were the low price and the addition of just a few herb shavings atop the dish that gave certain bites a slightly different flavor. Otherwise, it was a typical bowl of laksa, not bad by any means, but not worth traveling across the country for. I did notice that there were multiple bowl sizes, which is a nice option for letting people choose what portion they prefer.

Be it janggut laksa, marine parade laksa or the original katong laksa, these three names have one thing in common: they refer to the same famous traditional laksa originally started in the 70s by a food peddler nicknamed Janggut. Although there is an ongoing debate about which is the best Katong laksa and I would gladly eat any if presented before me, my favorite so far has to be from this store at Roxy square. The chili paste can only be described as fragrant and the uniquely coagulated coconut-​based curry soup is strangely light but flavoursome. I don’t think I’d ever drink up the soup of any other laksa so gladly.
The price is very reasonable, and the staff is extremely friendly. I last visited at an off-​peak time on a weekday so there wasn’t anyone else there and our food arrived quickly, with a huge smile from the amiable lady boss. My only gripe is that the rest of the ingredients didn’t quite stand out, like the prawns and such, but for the soup base and noodles, it is more than worth the trip.

There has always been a debate about the real Katong laksa. And you only need to ask someone born and bred in Katong where to find it. No, it isn’t the lady with the red hair, and it isn’t 328 Katong Laksa, or any of those. Sure they’re good, but these are not the laksa stalls you are looking for.
The original laksa has moved a few times, and can now be found in the food court on the ground floor of Roxy Square. For all its fame, the small is tiny, and still has a picture of the original Janggut (Malay for beard) uncle to display its authenticity. Some say the quality has gone done, and I wouldn’t be surprised because the stall has shifted management from the original uncle to his sons and daughters several times.
If it’s nostalgia or legitimacy you’re looking for, head to this stall. Even it it’s just so you can be a laksa hipster and say, I know the REAL katong laksa, and I tried it before you did.