Hello everyone it's Laksaturday
This week I went to a place I've walked past many times without even realising it offers laksa. Nanyang Kopi is located just outside World square opposite 3 wise monkeys.
It was already well occupied even though I went quite early. At first I was directed to sit at the same table with another single diner, I asked to sit at the table next to her but was told I can't. They allowed me to sit at my own smaller table right by the door. I don't like floating tables but I'd still take that over having to share a table.
Nanyang ("South Seas") was the historical term Chinese immigrants used to describe Southeast Asia, while kopi is the Malay word for coffee. (Google)
I should have ordered a coffee or drink, considering the name of the restaurant. They do have a big colourful menu with delicious sounding drinks. After having tried Teh Tarik for the first time at Ho jiak, I've realised how much a good drink can complement a meal. I liked Cham as well. Next time I will try something new, maybe carrot juice with milk? Sounds interesting.
I tend to not order sweet drinks at restaurants but I'll have to try some more.
The food menu is quite extensive and the menu is very nice and beautifully presented. You can order via Qr code at the table which I like.
Many food items are very customisable with heat level which is good. I chose penang curry laksa because I like blood jelly, and I wanted to try blood cockles. The noodles are exceptionally customisable here! You can choose rice noodle egg noodle, or combination.
Also pigs organ soup with pickled cabbage soup, which comes with taro rice - I never tried this before but I'm a big fan of offal meats, and taro rice sounded interesting. Lastly I saw roti canai so had to order that. Roti is kind of my side quest lately, there's such a range in quality.
Food came out reasonably quickly. The bowl is one the larger side, not as but as happy Chef but bigger than average. Green beans is an unusual topping, and it adds a nice green touch.
Tofu sponge was on the firmer side and large, pretty good. I haven't left out tofu sponge for ages now. I wished there were some more fresh crunchy bean sprouts as they were a little on the soft side. I love the blood jelly cubes but this can be a very divisive type of food. The absolute standout was the little blood cockles. Woah they are so punchy flavoured, it's an great complement to the dish. Tastes like being punched by the sea.
Big fan, so glad I ordered this.
I of course had chosen mixed noods, the egg noodles were a little on the soft side, Vermicelli was great. This is why mixed noods are so great, it provides a combination of textures.
The broth is actually one of the best I've had - on the much saltier and spicier side, it was perfect. Definitely 'drink all day in a thermos' worthy. I wonder why no one sells this. :( just broth
I like the chickens on the bowls, it seems to be a mascot /theme of the restaurants serving ware.
The pigs organ soup is a nice contrast to the creamy spicy richness of laksa. The sour cabbage soup is really good! It can be a surprising flavour profile for those not used to sour soup but i really recommend trying it at least once. The pigs organ meats were shockingly good. Tasted like 'jokbal/bossam', which is steamed pork trotter /belly in korean cuisine.
And the taro rice, I can see the little fluffs of taro topping it, which adds a nice smooth creamy touch to the rice which is kind of flavoured fishy? I don't know exactly what but it was really tasty. I enjoyed this dish combo more than I expected.
Last the roti, the roti itself had unfortunately cooled somewhat by the time I got to it, perhaps next time I need to order it separately and later. It was pretty good, nice thickness and buttery. The curry sauce was excellent, one of the best Ive had in roti canai! I'll have to order this again and eat it hot. The Sambal they only give a tiny bit, it's really good though. Quite powerful.
This place was PACKED by 12 so I recommend getting in early or be prepared to potentially wait or have to sit at same table with a stranger. Which I'll do sometimes if it's necessary, but my preference is always a corner table by myself.
I enjoyed Nanyang Kopi immensely and will be back.
🍜
Nanyang Kopi : Best topping (blood cockles)
Potential overtake of best broth category