The Best Laksa at Janggut Laksa in Roxy Square

A Culinary Journey at Janggut Laksa

In the past, whenever I craved Laksa, I would always seek out the places recommended by the locals in Singapore. Recently, I had the chance to visit Janggut Laksa at Roxy Square, a spot many refer to as the "Original Katong Laksa." I wondered if it was really as good as they claimed, but I didn’t hesitate to stand in line and find out.

The History of Janggut Laksa

Established in the 1950s, Janggut Laksa has a rich history and is among the first places to serve Laksa in Singapore. The name "Janggut" is a nickname for the founder, Mr. Ng. Although the sign boasts "Original Katong Laksa Since 1950," most people simply call it Janggut Laksa.

Exploring the Menu

The menu at Janggut Laksa is quite straightforward, offering different sizes of Laksa: $6 for small, $7 for medium, and $8 for large. I decided to order the smallest portion to see how it measured up. Honestly, the portion I received did seem a bit small.

Experience the Laksa

The Laksa features short noodles that are easy to eat with just a spoon. Each spoonful is topped with bean sprouts and fish cake, which is quite satisfying. However, I found the noodles here to be a bit soft, which might suit those who prefer softer noodles. I also noticed quite a few sweet prawns and a bit of scallop, which weren't overly fishy.

Aromatic Broth

While eating, I decided to add a bit of sambal on the side for some extra heat. The sambal was fragrant with a hint of sweetness, blending well with the broth. Even after mixing it in, I didn’t find the broth to be very spicy, which might be a plus for those who aren't fans of heat.

The Flavor Profile of the Broth

The broth had a distinctive aroma and a strong coconut flavor. While it wasn’t overly rich, the umami was quite pronounced. The broth had a slight sweetness from the coconut and prawns, making it very pleasant to sip. I noticed the coconut had a bit of a curdled texture, but thankfully it still retained its creaminess and didn’t come off as watery.

Meeting Expectations

The broth clung well to the ingredients and noodles, making each spoonful quite enticing. A friend of mine ordered the large portion for $8 and found it had more than double the prawns of my serving, but I’m not sure if it was worth the extra $2. The large size didn’t seem significantly larger than the small.

Overall Impressions

While I hoped the Laksa here would blow me away, it turned out to be not much different from other places. It was delicious, with fragrant broth and a sweet flavor, but considering the higher price and smaller portion, I don't think I would return just for this dish.

Conclusion

However, if you’re brave enough to stand in line, a visit to Janggut Laksa at Roxy Square is worth a try, just to taste the "Original." While the Laksa didn’t fully meet all my expectations, it’s certainly a tasty dish that caters to a variety of palates.