How Many Calories in Asam Laksa?

Penang tamarind fish noodle soup. No coconut milk, so it is one of the lighter noodle bowls you can order.

330kcal / 1 bowl

A bowl of asam laksa is around 330 calories with about 16g of protein from the mackerel. Because the broth is tamarind based with no coconut milk, it is roughly half the calories of curry laksa.

Nutrition facts

Per 1 bowl (500g)	Amount	Per 100g
Calories	330 kcal	66 kcal
Protein	16 g	3 g
Carbs	55 g	11 g
Fat	5 g	1 g

Where the calories come from

Tamarind fish broth280g

90 kcal

Thick rice noodles180g

200 kcal

Flaked mackerel + veg60g

40 kcal

The real talk

Asam laksa is genuinely one of the smartest hawker bowls for someone watching their weight, and most people do not realise it. The broth is tamarind, fish, chilli and herbs. No coconut milk, almost no oil. The flaked mackerel gives you real protein. At around 330 calories for a big satisfying bowl, the numbers are great.

The only thing to watch is the prawn paste (hae ko) drizzled on top. It is tasty but salty and adds a little sugar. Not a calorie problem, just go easy if you are watching sodium. Otherwise, order this with a clear conscience bro.

How the portions compare

330 kcal

Standard bowl

600 kcal

Curry laksa (for comparison)

380 kcal

With extra fish

How to eat it lighter

It is already light. Just do not pair it with a sweet drink and undo the good work.
Ask for extra fish if you want more protein in the bowl.
Go easy on the hae ko prawn paste if sodium is a concern for you.

Common questions

How many calories in asam laksa?

About 330 calories a bowl. The tamarind broth has no coconut milk, so it is far lighter than curry laksa while still giving you around 16g of protein from the fish.

Is asam laksa good for weight loss?

Yes, it is one of the better hawker choices. Low fat, decent protein, and filling for the calories. Just do not wash it down with a sweet drink.

Asam laksa or curry laksa, which is lower calorie?

Asam laksa, by a wide margin. It has no coconut milk, so it is roughly half the calories of curry laksa at about 330 versus 600 a bowl.

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Calorie and macro figures are estimates for a typical hawker or kopitiam serving. Actual numbers vary by stall, recipe and portion size. Use them as a guide, not gospel.

New to all this? Read how I went from 128kg to 86kg without cutting rice →