The Asam Laksa at Air Itam in Penang is legendary for taste, unpleasant ambiance and surroundings and the thick delicious sauce made with mashed fish. So legendary that there are numerous rumours circulating about how the sauce gets so thick, none of which I believe. I only believe what my tongue and tummy tells me and so far, they both tell me that it tastes great!
Penang Asam Laksa @ Air Itam Market
The Asam Laksa at Air Itam is near the market at the foot of the Kek Lok Si Kuan Yin temple. I was there at about 2pm so it was quiet and the market was closed. If you go in the morning, you are likely to get the whiff of a typical wet market which isn’t very pleasant if you are picky. I’m not too picky 
At time of writing, a bowl of asam laksa costs RM3 and are full of fresh cucumber and onion strips. There isn’t much noodles so a big eater would find they might need 2 bowls to get full. I’m a small eater so 1 bowl was about right for me.
The soup is thick although I found that it tended to separate if you leave it a while. There wasn’t much fish as most of it was mashed. That said, it was tasty and the prawn paste (hei ko) added just the right tangy salty taste to the dish.
Definitely one to be tasted to be appreciated.
Laksa or Asam Laksa stall
Pasar Air Itam
Foot of Kek Lok Si Kuan Yin Temple
Penang Island
Popularity: 4% [?]
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Yay for dirty laksa! I didn’t even know the place was called Air Itam. lol
@connie: Haha! I took a guess it had to be here since its pretty “dirty”
Mmm… my mom’s originally from Air Itam and each time we go back to Penang, she definitely needs to make a stop at this stall for laksa!
@rinnah: Thats awesome right?