Leksa
There are various types of laksa in Singapore – from the tamarind-tang of Penang Laksa to the curry-like Sarawak Laksa. But none is more famous than the home-grown Katong Laksa.
Katong Laksa is inspired by the Peranakans (Straits Chinese) who live in the Katong area. It has a spicy soup stock the colour of a flaming sunset, flavoured with coconut milk and dried shrimp, and topped with ingredients like cockles, prawns and fishcake.
Its defining characteristic is the noodles: thick vermicelli cut into shorter pieces that can be easily slurped up with a spoon. At some stalls, you only get a spoon to eat the laksa – no chopsticks needed.
The taste is so sought-after that Katong Laksa has travelled beyond the east to reach every corner in Singapore, due to franchising and enterprising laksa stalls copying the flavours.