The best curry mee in Malaysia, according to chefs

Local chefs recommend where to go for your next bowl of curry mee

Curry mee, also known as curry laksa, is one of the most beloved breakfast and lunch staples in Malaysia. Typically found topped with cockles, taufu pok (tofu puffs), shredded chicken, prawns, and hard boiled eggs, curry mee is a veritable feast in a bowl.

Prepared differently in different regions of Malaysia, curry mee is one of the most versatile dishes you can find in our local cuisine. Some are prepared with a thick and creamy broth, while others are lighter; it all depends on the origin and the maker.

As each state has its own version of curry mee, each with its own appeal, we turned to these local chefs for their recommendations.

1. Bamboo Cafe

Malaysian | $ $ $ $ | Penang

Above A bowl of curry mee with all the extras including squid and pig's blood curds (Photo: Instagram / @kristaredbox)

“Bamboo Cafe on Jalan Jelutong in George Town is where I go for my curry mee. I simply order the curry mee as is, but I will always add more pig blood!”

—Su Kim Hock, Restaurant au Jardin

Bamboo Cafe

Address: 570, Jalan Jelutong, Jelutong, 11600 George Town

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2. Chulia Street Curry Mee

Malaysian | $ $ $ $ | Penang

Above Chulia Street Curry Mee's bowl, complete with a dollop of sambal for an extra kick (Photo: Instagram / @ksling_ling)

“My favourite bowl of curry mee is at Chulia Street Curry Mee. I grew up eating this curry mee in Penang. The soup has just the right amount of coconut milk that doesn't overpower the flavour of the shrimp. The chilli paste is fragrant and adds a kick to the dish too.”

—Lroy Lim, Ignis

Chulia Street Curry Mee

Address: 1C, Lebuh Carnarvon, George Town, 10200 George Town

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3. Serdang Curry Mee

Malaysian | $ $ $ $ | Seri Kembangan

Above Bukit Serdang's curry mee stall is perfect for a midnight fix (Photo: Foursquare / Joyce T.)

“My favourite curry mee is located in Bukit Serdang at a place that has no signboard. The place closes at 2am or 3am, which makes it perfect for me to have a good meal after my shift; it’s my dinner.

The soup is tasty, thick, rich, and very flavourful. It is incomparable to other curry mee out there especially when it's priced at around RM8-RM9. We jokingly call it ‘la za mee’, which translates to messy noodles because it is filled to the brim with all manners of ingredients like prawns, chicken, beansprouts, char siu, and more. I even have the owner's number in my phone, that's how much I love this place.”

—Michael Wong, Lai Po Heen

Serdang Curry Mee

Address: Jalan SK 6/1, 43300 Seri Kembangan

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4. Kedai Kopi Hua Nam

Malaysian | $ $ $ $ | Muar

Above The curry mee at Kedai Kopi Hua Nam is loaded with cockles (Photo: YH Chen/Google Reviews)

“I always visit a kopitiam back home in Muar called Kedai Kopi Hua Nam. There’s a curry mee stall here that I really like because the curry smells amazing and the consistency of the soup is neither too thick nor too watery. They are generous with the cockles and you can add more if you like. The price is also very economical, which makes it even better.”

—Otto Tay, pastry chef

Kedai Kopi Hua Nam

Address: 13, Jalan Meriam, Pekan Muar, 84000 Muar

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5. Restoran Xin Quan Fang

Malaysian | $ $ $ $ | Ipoh

Above Lines are consistently long at Restoran Xin Quan Fang (Photo: @hellozizilovepanda/Instagram)

“My top bowl is from Restoran Xin Quan Fang in Ipoh, referred to as “police station curry mee” among locals for being located next to an actual police station. Ask for the dry curry mee that comes with a mixed plate of siew yoke, char siu, poached chicken, prawn, beansprouts, braised pig ears, and pig skin. It’s all brought together with a zingy curry dipping sauce loaded with raw garlic.”

—Elliot Lau, Tonkatsu Kiso

Restoran Xin Quan Fang

Address: 174, Jalan Sultan Iskandar, Taman Jubilee, 30000 Ipoh

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6. Tua Pui Curry Mee

Malaysian | $ $ $ $ | Penang

Above Tua Pui Curry Mee in George Town is a crowd favourite (Photo: @lancetaey/Instagram)

“During my short stint in Penang, Tua Pui Curry Mee was my go-to for curry mee. My mantra is ‘no pork blood curds, no life’. I usually order my curry mee with mee hoon. The broth is thicker and richer than other places and the sambal adds just the right kick to the noodles without being overpowering.”

—Sean Thu, Kikubari

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Tua Pui Curry Mee

Address: 23, Lebuh Kimberley, George Town, 10100 George Town

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Topics

Curry Laksa Curry Mee