Is Laksa Vegetarian? (Shrimp Paste & Stock)
Is Laksa Vegetarian? (Shrimp Paste & Stock)
Laksa is a Southeast Asian noodle soup, and the animal products are in the paste and the broth, not just the toppings. Here is what makes laksa non-vegetarian, and how to order a plant-based version.
Key Takeaways
- Laksa is usually not vegetarian: the spice paste contains shrimp paste (belacan).
- The broth is typically made with shrimp, chicken or fish.
- Curry laksa (coconut) and assam laksa (fish-based) are both seafood-based by default.
- Order a vegetable laksa made without shrimp paste, fish sauce or seafood.
TL;DR: Laksa is usually not vegetarian. The spice paste traditionally contains shrimp paste (belacan), and the broth is typically made with shrimp, chicken or fish. Vegetarian and vegan laksa exist but must be asked for.
Curry laksa vs. assam laksa
- Curry laksa (laksa lemak): coconut-milk noodle soup with a spice paste that includes shrimp paste (belacan), plus chicken, shrimp or fish.
- Assam laksa: sour fish-based soup, made with mackerel and shrimp paste.
Both are seafood-based by default.
Other non-veg add-ins
- Shrimp paste (belacan) in the paste
- Fish balls, shrimp, chicken, cockles
- Fish sauce in the seasoning
How to order vegetarian laksa
Ask for a vegetable laksa made without shrimp paste and fish sauce, with tofu and vegetables instead of seafood. Many Malaysian/Singaporean eateries make a “veg laksa” on request, and vegan laksa paste is available in stores.
The bottom line
- Vegetarian? Only a made-veg version (no shrimp paste, no fish/seafood).
- Vegan? Same, plus coconut milk is already dairy-free.
See our Laksa dish guide for the full breakdown.
Check before you eat. The Verify Veg app scans a barcode or reads an ingredient list from a photo and flags ingredients against your diet (vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, Jain and more). Download on the App Store - Android is coming soon.
Written by Samir Narain, founder of Verify Veg. Verify Veg helps people check packaged food against their diet by scanning barcodes and reading ingredient lists from photos.
Note: Verify Veg provides ingredient-based compatibility checks, not certification. Recipes and preparations vary by restaurant, region and cook, so always confirm with the restaurant, brand or vendor.