The 7 Best Laksa Spots in Kedah, Malaysia

Even though laksa is commonly associated with Kuala Lumpur, you’ll be surprised at how many restaurants offer this dish in Kedah. However, with this many establishments, it’s hard to find out which ones are worth your time and money.

This is why we’ve made it a goal to scour Kedah to find the top 9 laksa spots here. Now, to avoid clouding our judgement and making our tastebuds suffer from the spice, we’ve spread this mission across several days.

After going through multiple laksa runs, this is the list that we’ve come up with:

How We Picked

To end up with this carefully curated list, we’ve chosen each entry using the following criteria:

Menu: We graded the establishment’s menu based on variety and affordability.

Laksa: Even though they offered other dishes, we focused on how good their laksa was.

Ambience: We also wanted to include establishments that provided a nice dine-in experience based on their interior design and cleanliness.

Customer service: Lastly, we graded their customer service based on their staff members’ speed and approachability.

1. Din Laksa Beras Telok Kechai

Criteria	Ratings
Menu	★★★★★ (5/5)
Variety	★★★★★ (5/5)
Affordability	★★★★★ (5/5)
Laksa	★★★★★ (5/5)
Ambience	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Interior design	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Cleanliness	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Customer service	★★★★★ (5/5)
Service speed	★★★★★ (5/5)
Approachability	★★★★★ (5/5)

A great spot to get your laksa cravings satisfied is this eatery called Din Laksa Beras Telok Kechai. It’s a solid option that we recommend if you’re looking to get an idea of what Kedah has to offer in terms of its laksa.

One of the ways their laksa differs from the other ones we’ve tried is the broth’s thickness. We and a lot of people online have noticed this change in consistency, and we don’t know about them, but we’re all for this change!

It certainly makes slurping on the noodles all the more satisfying, as the thicker broth tends to grip better. Furthermore, it’s way better at coating the toppings, as we found ourselves drizzling the prawn in this broth before shoving it up our mouths.

We’re also drawn to this place because of the experience that they have, as they’ve been around since 1940. It’s safe to say that these years translate to the quality of their laksa, as this place has been a go-to for us.

Ambience-wise, it’s your typical eatery. There’s nothing wrong with it, but it’s not anything special as well, but for us, that’s perfectly fine.

This kind of hole-in-the-wall eatery is what we look for whenever we’re craving authentically-made laksa. We do wish that they could improve their interior design and overall cleanliness, but hey, you can’t have it all.

Customer Reviews

Noodles are made up of pure rice

“If you want a taste of what Kedah is about, then look no further than laksa telok kechai. Every state in Malaysia has a signature laksa that’s distinctly different from the others and this is no exception — laksa telok kechai features a bright orange sambal made up of turmeric and coconut that you mix right in with the fish broth.

Another notable thing about this laksa is the laksa noodles which are made up of pure rice which is cooked, then extruded from a noodle maker. 

The noodles are white, firm, tasty and not translucent like rubbery laksa noodles made using starch powder. This shop is one of two traditional rivals that operate shops right next to each other. 

There are supporters on both sides and it really is down to a matter of taste. The laksa here is simple (and arguably not the best laksa you can find in Kedah) but it is good and exactly how I used to have it;  the portion size is as it was back in the day as well.” —Kit Hoong Tan, Google Reviews

Great and affordable laksa

“Great Laksa! And affordable too!” —Dzul Fadli Asraf, Google Reviews

2. Olala Laksa Cendol

Criteria	Ratings
Menu	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Variety	★★★★★ (5/5)
Affordability	★★★★★ (5/5)
Laksa	★★★★★ (5/5)
Ambience	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Interior design	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Cleanliness	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Customer service	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Service speed	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Approachability	★★★★☆ (4/5)

If you’re looking to satisfy your laksa cravings and finish off the meal with something sweet, then Olala Laksa Cendol is your one-stop shop! This place serves some of the best laksa and ice cendol in Kedah, and the best part is that you don’t have to break the bank!

This affordability paired with the quality of their offerings, make for a perfect combination for a go-to laksa spot, and we’re suckers for it. Plus, it also helps that their serving sizes are massive, so it makes their laksa worth every penny.

We love their version of laksa, as they aren’t afraid to go crazy on the amount of toppings as well as the noodles. A single order is always enough to fill our tummies whenever we visit this small eatery.

When it comes to the establishment’s downsides, we could really only think of two things. First, we didn’t like how limited their operating hours were, as we were already required to have our final order by 6:00 PM.

Next, parking here is a nightmare. Although it’s free since you’ll be parking on the roadside, it’s hard to find free space, especially during rush hour.

Customer Reviews

Tastes marvellous

“1st time been here. Ordered Censol Pulut Pelam RM6. The portion of Cendol is huge. Tastes marvellous and not too sweet. The menu list is full of cendol. WOW!

The only thing to improve is if they use snow ice. It would be awesome. Overall satisfied tummy”—Muhamad Azwan Hammad Ahmad, Google Reviews

Friendly staff

“Offers a variety of choices. Friendly staff, kampung-like atmosphere & a funny menu list.”—BURQ, Google Reviews

3. Xiao Er Laksa

Criteria	Ratings
Menu	★★★★★ (5/5)
Variety	★★★★★ (5/5)
Affordability	★★★★★ (5/5)
Laksa	★★★★★ (5/5)
Ambience	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Interior design	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Cleanliness	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Customer service	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Service speed	★★★★★ (5/5)
Approachability	★★★☆☆ (3/5)

Another solid laksa spot we recommend is Xiao Er Laksa. There are a few things that we love about this place, and one of them is variety.

This trait doesn’t only go for the types of laksa they offer but for their menu as a whole as well, as they offer other items. For instance, after treating your tastebuds to some spicy, sweet and sour laksa, you can wash down your palette with bubur hitam.

Going back to their laksa, we recommend you try it because we think it’s one of the most perfectly balanced versions of this dish. It’s not overly sweet to the point where it overpowers the entire dish, but it still has enough spice and sourness to give that iconic laksa taste.

Another thing we love about this restaurant is how they offer this dish in different versions. For instance, they have this dish called fishball laksa, and it’s one of our favourite things to order from their menu.

The squishy balls do a great job of absorbing the laksa sauce. This results in them bursting with flavour every time we take a bite out of them, adding another layer of fun to the overall dining experience.

As for its lowlights, we thought that the restaurant could improve its customer service. This is because we didn’t find the usual friendliness that Malaysians are known for, which could rub other customers the wrong way. 

Furthermore, the service speed was a bit slow during our time on their premises. Although it wasn’t to the point when we grew irritated, it’s still slow compared to the usual serving time we’re used to.

Customer Reviews

Dine in  |  Lunch  |  RM 1–20

“Laksa tastes good, the broth is full of fish. Even the teow chew traditional pastries were not disappointing. Worth a try if you are nearby.” —Tang Kok Quan, Google Reviews

Dine in  |  Breakfast  |  RM 1–20

“This is the original Signature Assam Stall outlet in Sungai Petani. Was also told they have a branch in Penang as well. This is one of the best Assam Laksa 5 we tried this year. So good that we had to tapau (take away) many packets for seconds. The soup was thick with extra big chunky fish and the noodles were cooked to perfection. Definitely a must-try for Assam Laksa lovers.

In addition, we tried the Bachang 3 which was a tad too dry. The curry fried noodles 4 were also quite nice. I also like the Penang Styled Chee Cheong Fun 4 (with prawn sauce). The white coffee 4 is also quite nice. Overall, this place is an Assam Laksa specialist and I will definitely revisit the next round I’m near.

Taste Rating 8/10

Ambience Rating 7/10

Service Rating 7/10

Value Rating 7/10” —Jim Lau, Google Reviews

4. Laksa Kelang Lama

Criteria	Ratings
Menu	★★★★★ (5/5)
Variety	★★★★★ (5/5)
Affordability	★★★★★ (5/5)
Laksa	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Ambience	★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Interior design	★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Cleanliness	★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Customer service	★★★★★ (5/5)
Service speed	★★★★★ (5/5)
Approachability	★★★★★ (5/5)

If you’re looking for an affordable spot that offers the age-old combination of laksa and ice cendol, we recommend Laksa Kelang Lama. Aside from that reason, we also recommend this restaurant for those who have low spice tolerance.

This place is one of those rare establishments that doesn’t go overboard with the spice, which can be a good thing or a bad thing. Personally, we love a bit of a kick in our laksa, but it’s nice to have this version every now and then.

It also helps that the lack of spiciness is made up for by the delicious and fragrant flavours featured in the broth and noodles of this laksa.

Something that we appreciate about this restaurant is how they offer dishes and condiments that let us customise our hot bowls of laksa. For instance, if you want to add a bit more crunch to every bite, you can order their in-house crackers, which are also perfect for absorbing flavour.

We also love how friendly each of their staff members was during our visit. They were friendly and approachable, which made us feel comfortable with asking for anything we needed throughout our dining experience.

Ambience-wise, it’s your typical hole-in-the-wall eatery, affixed with red plastic stools and small tables. The dining area is located in the front yard of the establishment itself, which made it feel like we were eating at a friend’s house.

However, we wished they put a little more effort into making the place a bit more presentable. Don’t get us wrong, nothing was wrong with it, but it wasn’t spectacular either, making the ambience a bit mediocre.

Customer Reviews

The laksa is delicious

“The laksa is delicious. You can choose whether to add a piece of crackers or not.  They also have ice kacang and other nice drinks like nutmeg.” —Vivien Eng, Google Reviews

The main star is laksa

“Local favourite in Kulim. The Main star is the laksa and the supporting star is the ice kacang.

Recommend: Order the laksa to eat first as the ice kacang would melt to half its size by the time you finish. Service is fast. Can order the ice kacang later.

The place is rather hot. Peak hours are usually around 2 pm to 5 pm, usually the hottest time too. Best time to enjoy that ice kacang!

Parking is on the roadside, beside the local hall or neighbours’ houses.” —Anna Me, Google Reivews

5. PHAD Lemak Laksa

Criteria	Ratings
Menu	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Variety	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Affordability	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Laksa	★★★★★ (5/5)
Ambience	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Interior design	★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Cleanliness	★★★★★ (5/5)
Customer service	★★★★★ (5/5)
Service speed	★★★★★ (5/5)
Approachability	★★★★★ (5/5)

We’ve tried various versions of laksa here in Kedah and no other restaurant has nailed its recipe to a tee like PHAD Lemak Laksa. Their version of this iconic dish is something special, and we immediately realised this once it reached our table.

For starters, we loved how their laksa was extremely fragrant, which we think can be attributed to the freshness of their coconut milk. This distinct smell and flavour were perfectly complemented by the slight spiciness of the broth, creating this creamy and tangy combination.

Aside from that, we also loved how generous they were with their servings. We were surprised when our order was essentially a bowl piled high with noodles and other delicious goodies such as prawns and mackerel.

Furthermore, we also appreciated the variety they offered on their menu, as they also served other local favourites that we recommend as well. Aside from their delicious laksa, they also offer curry mee, char kway teow, Hokkien mee and more.

We’ve got to say, however, that ordering their laksa would be the best decision, as their other dishes fell short for us in terms of taste.

As for its ambience, we kind of liked its al fresco dining set-up, mainly because of how neat it was. This just goes to show that even though the design of an establishment is a bit lacklustre, this can be made up for by its tidiness.

Props to the staff members for maintaining this type of cleanliness and the amazing customer service they provide. During our time there, we were greeted with nothing but smiles whenever we requested something.

Customer Reviews

Best laksa I have had in Alor Setar

“This is probably the best lemak laksa I have had in Alor Setar. The noodles are served in quite a generous amount, topped with aromatic and rich coconut milk and fish broth. The broth is not too spicy.

This stall also sells other food like siam noodles, Hokkien (prawn) mee, and curry mee. But if I’m not mistaken, some items are only available on certain days.

But I highly recommend this stall. The location is exactly as stated on Google Maps. Parking is not a problem at all.” —Khye Shen Sim, Google Reviews

Best lemak laksa I ever tasted

“The best lemak laksa I ever tasted. Once you try it you will come and visit again.” —Troy Tan, Google Reviews

6. Zakaria Laksa Teluk Kechai

Criteria	Ratings
Menu	★★★★★ (5/5)
Variety	★★★★★ (5/5)
Affordability	★★★★★ (5/5)
Laksa	★★★★★ (5/5)
Ambience	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Interior design	★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Cleanliness	★★★★★ (5/5)
Customer service	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Service speed	★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Approachability	★★★★★ (5/5)

One of the most famous laksa spots in Kedah is hands-down Zakaria Laksa Teluk Kechai. We say this because this place is almost always packed, regardless of the time and day, which is good for them!

This crowdedness made it a bit difficult to find a seat, but fortunately, it was worth the wait, as we were served the most amazing laksa. We absolutely loved everything about this dish, from the thickness of the noodles to the sweet and tangy broth, everything was expertly-made.

If you can’t find an available table, or you simply don’t have the time to dine on their premises, you can buy their to-go packages. These packages contain all you need to create their iconic laksa, and all you have to do is prepare them when you get home!

By doing a bit of research, we found out that the reason for this high-quality laksa is the owner’s “secret recipe”. Although we don’t know if this is true or not, it certainly adds something to the experience of eating here.

After trying out their laksa, we found ourselves craving something sweet to wash away the lingering flavours in our mouths. Fortunately, they also served some out-of-this-world ice kacang, which may as well be their best offering!

Meanwhile, the ambience is a bit of a mixed bag in our opinion. On one side, we appreciated the open layout of the restaurant as it provided great ventilation during our dining experience.

However, we felt that the interior design could use some inspiration, as it’s your typical no-frills eatery.

Aside from that, we didn’t like that some of their dishes failed in comparison to their laksa. For instance, the satay that they served wasn’t as good and tasted bland compared to the flavourful broth that covered their laksa noodles.

Customer Reviews

You’ve just got to taste it!

“Not much you can add to the most well-known Laksa outlet in Alor Setar, actually.

Accessibility

It is highly accessible since it is located by the Alr Setar – Kuala Kedah main road. Very visible, too.

Parking

Since it is located by the main road, there is ample parking along the road. The only thing is you’ve got to walk a bit if you’re unlucky not to get a parking space in front of the outlet.

Food

The main fare is, of course, Laksa. But other delicacies like satay, pulut sambal, dadih are also available. The Laksa Teluk Kechai is very different from other laksas available elsewhere. You’ve just got to taste it!

Takeaway

Besides eating in, there is also Laksa Kilo for you to take home. Everything is given to you but you will need to bring out your knives, forks and spoons when you get home. Apart from the Laksa and the “kuah”, the other ingredients are raw!” —Ahmad Naim Nawawi, Google Reviews

Lighter fish taste

“Local laksa from Teluk Kechai, Kedah is very different from other laksa especially from Selangor, with a light fish taste. Their special “sambal kelapa” needs to give it a try first.”—Al Fikri Anuar, Google Reviews

7. Maksu Laksa Dapur Arang

Criteria	Ratings
Menu	★★★★★ (5/5)
Variety	★★★★★ (5/5)
Affordability	★★★★★ (5/5)
Laksa	★★★★★ (5/5)
Ambience	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Interior design	★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Cleanliness	★★★★★ (5/5)
Customer service	★★★★☆ (4/5)
Service speed	★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Approachability	★★★★★ (5/5)

Another laksa spot we recommend here in Kedah is this humble place called Maksu Laksa Dapur Arang. It’s extremely famous for its version of the spicy noodle dish, but honestly, we think that it deserves more recognition for its other offerings as well.

Focusing strictly on its laksa, however, we get why it’s a famous attraction here in Kedah. Its spice levels are perfectly balanced, while the sourness kind of overpowers the sweetness, which for us is what laksa should taste like.

If the spice isn’t enough for your taste, we also recommend adding more chilli to the mix. This is the right move if you’re looking for a more authentic-tasting laksa since the taste can be a bit mild for some people.

As for its premises, we appreciated how the staff members put in the effort to keep it clean, even though it featured an open layout. This made the place much more pleasant to dine in.

Our only gripe with this place is its customer service. Don’t get us wrong, everyone was friendly and all, but we felt that they could’ve been better with their speed.

Overall, this place is a must-recommend for any laksa lovers out there. Furthermore, if it’s your first time trying out this dish, this is one of the best places to do it, since it perfectly encapsulates the essence of this dish.

Customer Reviews

Dine in  |  Lunch

I came to this place after years. The taste was still the same. Thos the cucur for the mi rebus was a bit different than the one I had during my younger years but the kuah was still as yummy. The best mi rebus and laksa in kedah I must say. Nobody can beat the taste. So, if you’re around, do visit this and have a meal here. You can see my video of how good it is.—Honey Potter, Google Reviews

Dine in  |  Dinner  |  RM 1–20

Kampung-style noodles and the most popular Noodles and Leng Chee Kang (Desserts) in Gurun. They served tasty Laksa, Mee Rebus and Leng Chee Kang. Simple, tasty and great value.—Eric Tan, Google Reviews

FAQs about Laksa Kedah

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That about wraps up our hunt for the best laksa in town. These establishments offer the best versions of this dish in town, and it would be a shame not to try at least one of them during your visit to Kedah.

So, if you want to treat your tastebuds to a spicy, sour and sweet bowl of laksa, make sure to stop by these restaurants! Meanwhile, if you’re looking for other places to get this iconic dish in the country, check out our list of the best laksa spots in Penang here!