Name: Homemade Laksa Paste Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons coconut oil (or use vegetable oil); 3 spicy red chilies (chopped - I’m using bird’s eye chilies + Fresnos, though use peppers to your heat preference); 5 dried red chilies; 4 medium shallots (chopped); 8 garlic cloves (chopped); 3 tablespoons ginger (finely chopped); 3 candlenuts (or use blanched almonds, cashews, or macadamia nuts); 1 tablespoon shrimp paste; 2 teaspoons ground turmeric; 1 teaspoon ground coriander; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; Salt and pepper to taste

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This laksa paste recipe is packed with bold flavors of ginger, chilies and spices, perfect for making delicious laksa soup any time you'd like. Great for making ahead, and for large batches. Use it to make my homemade laksa recipe!

Laksa Paste Recipe

One of the most important components of Laksa Soup is the flavor-building Laksa Soup Paste.

When you have a strong curry paste, dishes like laksa or other curry soups can be made more quickly and easily, which is important for busy households.

I fell in love with laksa - which is a popular curry noodle soup in Southeast Asian, particularly Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia - the first time I tried it. It is filled with the flavors of coconut milk, fish sauce, lime juice, with egg noodles or rice vermicelli noodles. So good!

You can find laksa paste in Asian grocery stores, but you'll get so much more satisfaction, and flavor, from your own homemade curry paste.

This laksa paste recipe will help you make it.

What You'll Love About This Recipe

Laksa paste can be made ahead, which will save you time when you're ready to make your homemade laksa.
The recipe easily doubles or triples so you can make large batches.
You can freeze the paste in portions for months at a time so you can make laksa soup any time you'd like.

Let's talk about how to make laksa paste from scratch, shall we?

Laksa Paste Ingredients

The full ingredients list with measurements is listed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Coconut Oil. Or you can use vegetable oil.
Chili Peppers. I'm using a mix of fresh bird's eye chilies and Fresnos, along with dried Kashmiri chilies. You can swap in peppers of your heat and flavor preference.
Aromatics. Shallot, garlic, ginger. Lemongrass can also be added, though I prefer to use it when simmering the laksa broth.
Candlenuts. Or use blanched almonds, cashews, or macadamia nuts.
Shrimp Paste. You can also use rehydrated dried shrimp.
Spices. Ground turmeric, ground coriander, paprika, cumin, salt and black pepper.

How to Make Laksa Paste - the Recipe Method

Laksa paste is very easy to make! Simply process all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender into a thick curry paste.

Then, simmer the laksa paste over medium-low heat in a pan for 20 minutes, or until it deepens to a rich red color. This develops the overall flavor of your final laksa.

Cooking homemade laksa paste in a large pot to make laksa

This makes about 2 cups laksa paste, good for a recipe serving 8 bowls of laksa soup.

Boom! Done! Your laksa paste is ready to use. This is going to make some wonderful laksa! I hope you enjoy it.

Recipe Tips & Notes

Fresh ingredients will make the best laksa paste. You can use frozen ingredients if needed, but fresh is always best.
Use a good blender or food processor for a smooth curry paste. Add a bit of oil or water to help with blending if needed.
Simmering the laksa paste is an important step in flavor building. Do not skip this step.

Ready to Make Laksa?

When you are ready to make laksa, simply remove the curry paste from the refrigerator or freezer to thaw, then gather up your laksa ingredients. Having this on hand makes the dish so much easier to make.

Check out my Coconut Curry Laksa Recipe for full instructions on how to make it.

Storage

Homemade laksa paste will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

You can also freeze it for 3 months or longer. Simply thaw, then use to make laksa.

That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy this laksa paste recipe. Let me know if you make it. I'd love to hear how it turned out for you, and if you decided to spice it up!

Cookbook Recommendations

If you enjoy Malaysian and Indonesian cooking, I recommend the following cookbooks, which helped me adapt this recipe.

Sambal Shiok: The Malaysian Cookbook, by Mandy Yin (affiliate link, my friends!)
Fire Islands: Recipes from Indonesia, by Eleanor Ford (affiliate link, my friends!)
Also, check out my cookbook! The Spicy Food Lovers' Cookbook, by Mike Hultquist (affiliate link, my friends!)

The Spicy Food Lovers' Cookbook - Fiery, No-Fuss Meals, by Michael Hultquist

Amazon Affiliate links, my friends! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Try Some of My Other Popular Recipes

Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.

Homemade Laksa Paste Recipe

This laksa paste recipe is packed with bold flavors of ginger, chilies and spices, perfect for making delicious laksa soup any time you'd like. Make ahead!

Save Recipe

Course: Condiment, Main Course

Cuisine: Indonesian, Malaysian, Singaporean

Keyword: curry paste

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 20

Calories: 79kcal

Author: Mike Hultquist

Servings: quarter cups

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5 from 1 vote

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Ingredients

3 tablespoons coconut oil or use vegetable oil
3 spicy red chilies chopped - I’m using bird’s eye chilies + Fresnos, though use peppers to your heat preference
5 dried red chilies I’m using Kashmiri chilies - stemmed, seeded, softened in hot water then drained (or use 1 large fresh red bell)
4 medium shallots chopped
8 garlic cloves chopped
3 tablespoons ginger finely chopped
3 candlenuts or use blanched almonds, cashews, or macadamia nuts
1 tablespoon shrimp paste
2 teaspoons ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Add all of the ingredients to a blender or food processor. Process to form a paste.
Add the laksa paste to a medium pan and heat to medium-low heat. Simmer the paste 20 minutes, until it deepens to a rich red color. The oil will separate slightly. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Notes

Makes about 2 cups.

You can make the paste ahead. The flavors are even better the next day. Laksa paste will keep in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it for 3 months or longer.

Consider making large batches to freeze for making laksa any night of the week.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 79kcal Carbohydrates: 6g Protein: 3g Fat: 6g Saturated Fat: 4g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g Monounsaturated Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 21mg Sodium: 71mg Potassium: 151mg Fiber: 1g Sugar: 2g Vitamin A: 371IU Vitamin C: 27mg Calcium: 26mg Iron: 1mg

Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

Homemade Laksa Paste