The Dish · 鸡丝虾咖喱面
What is Penang white curry laksa?
A pale coconut curry broth that turns orange the moment the chili rempah hits it. Here’s what’s in the bowl, where it comes from, and where to eat it in New York.
By Chef Erik Cheah ·
In New York, “laksa” usually means a bright orange bowl. In Penang there’s another one: white curry laksa, a hawker noodle soup in a pale coconut curry broth. The broth starts pale and goes orange the moment the chili rempah hits it.
What’s in the bowl
At Wok Wok it’s the Curry Laksa Bowl, D1 on the menu:
- Coconut curry broth, built every morning from whole spices
- Chicken and prawn
- Stuffed chili and bean curd roll
- Fish cake
- Beansprouts
No base and no paste from a tub. The curry is made downstairs at 11 Mott before the door opens.
Where our recipe comes from
This laksa is my parents’ recipe. For decades they cooked it as hawkers in Penang and sold it from their backyard to commuters. I grew up across Penang, Ipoh, Malacca and Seremban, watching the same national dishes come out of every kitchen a different way. Same name, different hands.
I trained at Per Se before opening Wok Wok. What I wanted to cook was this bowl, and it hasn’t changed in forty years. Read the full story.
Where to get it in NYC
Wok Wok is at 11 Mott Street (at Worth St), Chinatown, down a flight of stairs. Look for the red sign. We’re open daily: Sun–Wed 11am–9:30pm, Thu–Sat 11am–10pm. Walk-ins only, no reservations.
For pickup or delivery, order direct or call (917) 388-3627. Our phone assistant takes pickup orders, including orders for later. The Curry Laksa Bowl is $18. On the phone you can just say “D1.” See the full menu, including the Penang Har Mee and Fish Head Noodle Soup.
Questions people ask
What is white curry laksa?
A Penang hawker noodle soup in a pale coconut curry broth. The broth turns orange when the chili rempah goes in.
Where can I get Penang white curry laksa in NYC?
At Wok Wok, 11 Mott Street (at Worth St) in Chinatown, Manhattan, downstairs below street level. Open daily: Sun–Wed 11am–9:30pm, Thu–Sat 11am–10pm.
What is in Wok Wok's white curry laksa?
Wok Wok's Curry Laksa Bowl (D1 on the menu) is coconut curry broth with chicken, prawn, stuffed chili, bean curd roll, fish cake and beansprouts.
How much is the curry laksa at Wok Wok?
The Curry Laksa Bowl is $18 on the Wok Wok menu.
Can I order white curry laksa for pickup or delivery?
Yes. Order direct on the Wok Wok website, call (917) 388-3627 for pickup, or order on Uber Eats, DoorDash or Grubhub.