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All Char Koay Teow Curry Mee Koay Teow Th'ng Hokkien Mee Hokkien Char Nasi Kandar Asam Laksa Malay Laksa Nasi Kerabu Lemak Laksa Char Hor Fun Oh Chien Mee Rebus Pasembur Sup Kambing Mee Goreng Maggi Goreng Wan Tan Mee Kuih Bak Moi Yam Rice Teochew Porridge Oyster Porridge Chicken Porridge Loh Mee Fish Head Beehoon Hakka Mee Koay Chap Cendol Loh Bak Char Koay Kak Mee Sotong Popiah Rojak Nasi Lemak Fish Head Curry Herbal Duck Noodle Lam Mee Tom Yam Noodle Pork Innards Porridge Bak Kwa Chee Cheong Fun Roti Canai Dim Sum Char Siew Rice Ais Kacang Local Desserts Oyster Mee Sua Yong Tau Foo Satay Chicken Wing Hainanese Chicken Rice Bak Kut Teh Ikan Bakar Nyonya Apam Balik Mee Udang Claypot Rice Siew Yoke Roast Duck Duck Rice Lok Lok Steamboat Chu Char Seafood Chinese Restaurant Banana Leaf Rice Thosai Nasi Briyani Chicken Chop Pisang Goreng Economy Rice Coffee (Local) Bakery Vegetarian Chai Kueh Karipap Tau Fu Fa Fried Chicken Beef Noodle Apom Mee Jawa Ban Chang Kueh Murtabak Nasi Padang Kolo Mee Chapati Pau Fried Bee Hoon Fried Rice Serabai Burger Roti Babi Lala Noodle Bihun Sup Pan Mee Mee Kuah Fish Head Hotpot Indonesian

Penang Air Itam Laksa

89%
Sifumeter
5 critics · 1 social
4.1
Google Stars
3.5k reviews
Directions
1 Jalan Pasar, Air Itam Market, Penang
$ · Under RM 20 per person
+60 12-500 7063

On social

Critics reviews

  • D
    Danielfooddiary danielfooddiary.com · 21 Nov 2023

    This simple, unassuming stall, often surrounded by a crowd of eager diners, serves up one of Penang’s most iconic dishes – Assam Laksa. Upon approaching the stall, the first thing that strikes you is the fragrant aroma of the spicy,…

    Read on Danielfooddiary →
  • Penang Air Itam Laksa — dish from the review
    J
    Jieyiintheworld jieyiintheworld.com · 10 Jul 2023

    The dish was sweet, savoury, sour, and a little spicy all at once. It was also full of texture from the fish flakes, the thick bee hoon, the crunch from the onions, and the refreshing bite of mint leaves. This was absolutely worth the special trip into Air Itam.

    Read on Jieyiintheworld →
  • Penang Air Itam Laksa — dish from the review
    M
    Msihua msihua.com · 15 Apr 2014

    The second (and possibly my main reason) for heading up that way to Air Itam was to enjoy a hearty bowl of Assam Laksa. The best Penang has to offer. Famous around the world (the likes of Bourdain have dined here), local punters and tourists alike swarm to Air Itam for a bowl of…

    Read on Msihua →
  • T
    Theboywhoatetheworld theboywhoatetheworld.com · 08 Dec 2012

    Located on the roadside opposite the hustle bustle of Pasar Air Itam – the neighbourhood’s main wet market – this particular Laksa stall is most likely to edge the others in a popularity vote amongst Malaysians.

    Read on Theboywhoatetheworld →
  • K
    Kyspeaks kyspeaks.com · 18 Dec 2006

    One of the must-eat item (especially for females, I don’t know why) in Penang is the Asam Laksa . The most famously stall would be this one at Air Itam, walking distance from the Kek Lok Si temple, by the alley across the morning market.

    Read on Kyspeaks →
  • 5 critics weighed in
    Read every review →

Google reviews

4.1 · 3.5K on Google

  • Ken Wong — photo from their Google review
    K
    Ken Wong · Apr 2026

    Penang Air Itam Laksa remains a legendary institution for anyone seeking the definitive Assam Laksa experience. The broth is exceptionally bold, striking a masterful balance between tangy tamarind, spicy chili, and a deep umami from the…

    Go to full review →
  • Phantom Lord — photo from their Google review
    P
    Phantom Lord · Apr 2026

    There are actually 3 assam laksa stalls within 100m of each other (search "air itam laksa smartdory" blog article for more info)--this one, the 2nd oldest, is the most "world famous" one 2nd to Anthony Bourdain's No Reservation Penang 2012…

    Go to full review →
  • Felita Gutana — photo from their Google review
    F
    Felita Gutana · Mar 2026

    I tried laksa at this place because I got a recommendation that this is a very delicious and popular black laksa. The location is in front of the traditional market and a 10-minute walk from Kek Lok Si Temple.

    Go to full review →
  • Chong Yao Chang — photo from their Google review
    C
    Chong Yao Chang · Mar 2026

    Videos and photos that were shown on the internet depicted a more robust and thicker broth, taste was disappointing, broth was diluted, not sour as assam laksa should be , the most shocking thing is they wanted to charge us money for…

    Go to full review →
  • Emma — photo from their Google review
    E
    Emma · Feb 2026

    Every time I visit Penang since I was a child, I have to eat this laksa! 😍 It's my absolute favorite laksa, the taste is absolutely amazing! The flavor is so rich and satisfying that I feel like other places aren't as good after trying it.

    Go to full review →
  • Bea G. — photo from their Google review
    B
    Bea G. · Feb 2026

    A must try for authentic penang laksa, strong taste with layers of flavor and texture. We also tried the neighbor stall selling spring roll and ngoh hiang which was very nice too..

    Go to full review →
  • Guanny G — photo from their Google review
    G
    Guanny G · Dec 2025

    This one is interesting. Its broth is actually light. Didn't feel heavy mouth full type. There are fish meat inside. Sourness is there. But not overpowering. Condiment wise, this one does not come with pineapple like some places.

    Go to full review →
  • LOY KM (Loy) — photo from their Google review
    L
    LOY KM (Loy) · Apr 2026

    Classic ambiance of a market. And an epic laksa. Best ever combo. It's well worth the journey from Georgetown to taste the local legend laksa here.

    Go to full review →
  • 3,470 Google reviews
    Read them all → or open on Google Maps ↗

Member reviews

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