Katong 328 | The Best Laksa Ep 4

[@delvyn18]

janggut laksa at roxy square heheh, opp katong laksa

[@goatfiddler8384]

Having had both "328" and Sungei Rd multiple times, my personal favourite, by far, is Sungei. I agree that "328" seems too commercial, buying in stuff etc and there is something also calming watching the aunties at Sungei pouring the broth from the charcoal heated pot to the bowl and back again.

[@gabeng60]

Janggut laksa! Opposite 328, right across the road at Roxy Square. One of my favourites

[@gabeng60]

In my opinion, 328 broth's flavour profile is very chilli forward. I'm a bigger fan of janggut cuz it's a smoother well rounded flavour.

[@wonjontheaxolotl]

thank you for being my favourite food reviewer in SG, im always SO HYPE when i see a new episode! Really love the extra effort you put into the editing and transitions!

[@Alderic.]

thanks for the support! (and thanks for appreciating the editing, it really takes quite a while T_T) I'll keep trying to make the videos better!

[@genossaitama5504]

Im always surprised at your reveals of the travels. It never gets old

[@martinchew659]

As someone who grew up along the katong stretch, 328 has flown rapidly downhill. The battle against Gordon has unfortunately done them more harm than good. Yes they gained popularity, but that made them expand and commercialize. The bowls are ridiculously priced and not worth the value. They have options that seem to cater to non-Singaporeans and it shows in the amount of tourists that visit the place who don’t know they are paying a commercialized price for it. The chili packets are another clear sign of it. Back then, the chili used to be in metal tins and some ppl use to spam it. Now it’s made not fresh and you have to pay for more. More in a packet. That is just disappointing. Nowadays, you’ll see Singaporeans opposite the road eating Janggut. Which though not perfect, is a much much better option. Also, yes, laksa noodles has to be cut and eaten with a spoon only. 😂

[@angeluscorpius]

I tried Katong 328 for the first time some months ago, and the lack of tau pok was a deal breaker for me. But I'm a simple mono-factorial decision maker. YMMV.

[@tigerrom03]

Haven’t eaten Katong 328 for a long time. Surprised that soft boiled egg is now on their menu.

[@maha_sc25]

That edit at the end about going to Melacca was chef's kiss!

[@talenhong]

agree that the broth is not enough. i also don't buy the add ons. just a way to chop the customers. number 1 laksa for me is still sungei road laksa. no frills

[@Iendleasereit]

Thank you senpai Alderic for your awesome narration and editing. love it. and for featuring this famous famous laksa which i love love love. my number one

[@culgan86]

Wah sums it up right: to manage cost maximize profit, the shop cutting costs at the end of your summary hits the mark. Roxy one still my personal favourite though the price point in modern day can make my wallet cry.

[@chrisnew]

Any eastie who knows their food goes across the road, Alderic. Roxy sq laksa is the one we have, compared to tourists having 328.

[@kevincheong1516]

Agree but they always run out of cockles .😅

[@Iendleasereit]

i also love your format of visiting a cafe. nice to take us there with you

[@Alderic.]

makes me think why haven't I done this sooner. it was always the hot and humid outdoors hahaha.

[@cowman76]

Thanks for the heads up. When I had my laksa in Katong. It was the dude that used the husk to scoop the gravy. He only offered prawns and no hum. I wonder if he is around. That was about 30+ years back. Thanks for the review on 328. Seems like they just want to just profit from their add-ons. Looks like an eatery without a soul. Would give it a miss.

[@woodkey1]

Ipoh laksa and penang laksa also have great laksas. Also have peranakans in these areas . Gopeng laksa with lau su fen "mouse noodles" and penang laksa with the yellow noodle variety

[@acy1993]

I'd like to think of 328 as the benchmark (irregardless of price). Any flavour below this is crap, which is majority of "laksa" stalls. Looking forward to more episodes! P.S. hope to see you filming in the north, I'm a freelance emcee and I shout out for you every wedding I host!

[@Alderic.]

thanks for the shout-out! I hope I'm not bothering anyone.

[@somanydynamos8528]

On the adding of ring rolls: Some 10 years ago, a genius colleague introduced me to dipping (freshly fried) youtiao into laksa. This was before ring rolls were a thing, and I think it’s so good it should be made illegal.

[@Alderic.]

actually genius.

[@somanydynamos8528]

@@Alderic. hoping to see that happen in this series! I had totally forgotten about this combo until I saw it happen recently

[@jamjc1178]

I have a hypothesis about the noodles issue. This is a hypothesis that I have from fish beehoon, and something from the world of pasta. I think the processing probably uses plastic to shape the noodles, which results in overly smooth noodles that don't absorb or hold sauces and soups. I very clearly remember the difference in experience almost 20 years ago when my favourite fish beehoon stall changed. I have relatives in east malaysia and the thick beehoon they have there is still the "old style". Whenever I go to visit it is so much better, I also think the consistency of the old school thick beehoon isn't as snappy, so it's more chewy.

[@AdrianCHOY]

I would actually rank this as least best. It’s good but among the 4 laksas, I ranked it 4th. I tried all the laksas you made videos of and I know laksas that I know is even better than all 4 laksas. :-)

[@ericlim7902]

Excited for the malacca arc!! Can’t wait for next week already! 😊

[@nekozuchi7256]

i like the concept of having coffee/ dessert place after the featured food. hope u can implement it in ur future vids also

[@waterbottle_9087]

I feel your frustration Alderic. I’m really hoping Melaka proves me wrong about Laksa being a very vanilla dish. I already know that msia has one advantage, they have nicer versions of thick noodles. Until then, my opinion remains that Laksa is the Hawkerverse’s gift to mankind. Its a dish that doesn’t have wide variance in taste no matter which stall or even instant packet u get it from. That is why my personal favourite Laksa is the Prima Taste instant Laksa, but eaten during winter in some angmo place after you’ve travelled for a week eating average western meals. A close second is when you’re at some event serving really average buffet fare, and at the corner of your eye you see a Laksa station. U know u can skip the buffet and makan some nice comforting Laksa broth.

[@waterbottle_9087]

Side note: Appreciate you calling out the sus parts of this business. I get if this is some understaffed tuas factory canteen serving cold otak. But this shop is like a premium hawker establishment. $17-18 bucks shouldnt include lao hong beancurd rolls. This shouldn’t sit well with us.

[@streen2000]

I was sitting at the united sq outlet eating my own bowl for lunch today (yes yes totally also anticipating the episode tonight) and was thinking the exact same thing about how the cut thick bee hoon helps you enjoy it much better. Bee hoon 5!

[@jsurfin1]

As a Gen X former Katongnite who grew up eating Katong Laksa, I'd give this 328 joke of a laksa 1 plate.

[@EvelynHo-y3v]

U r cook rt? U can literally add things u love n adjust accordingly to ur hearts content....😊👍 Fried dried prawns Slices of fish cake Tau pok Cockles Prawns Hard boil egg The noodle of ur choice Broth: (wat i use is) nasi Lemak chilli, Coconut milk, n serunding (shredded coconut)

[@Alderic.]

yeah. what I have been thinking about recently is why don't people put more seafood into laksa, like squid, mussels etc. these should have been pretty cheap back in the day.

[@justinlim7598]

I think last few eps you eat the noodle,then drink the soup. The cut noodles with spoon only actually forces you to eat the noodles with the soup which imo is the best way to eat with the laksa.

[@alvintanjunliang8509]

katong laksa is not as it is 20 years ago . I heard they got their laksa paste from factory(mass produced) , which is a big no go . I think nothing that you eat there is made there , they have chain store and operate more like a fast food than a hawker .

[@Vizzutti]

I'm not a hum/prawn lover but I like laksa (weird I know). I ordered a large portion at 328 and got a bowl with just fishcakes and rice noodles. 😂

[@grandgroody]

finally the long teased Melaka Episode. 328 somehow looks more commercialized than the franchise type of Janggut laksa..... idk what to feel tbh

[@TaichoCyclist]

Janggut laksa across the road at Roxy Square and Sungei Road laksa are the ones for me. 328 just doesn't cut it anymore having gone commercial.

[@narm4]

u didn’t try the Sungei road Laska?

[@EGWL93]

Can't wait for the Melacca!!!

[@chuencainseow5786]

Katong 328 is a chain store business now hence, ignore the otah and other side dishes that is there to upsell you.. Rate Laksa as it is.

[@ianttyang]

I feel that it's not fair to recommend this, but the Laksa from the YTF store in the corner of the basement kopitiam of Katong Shopping Centre (Same as the famous chicken rice) deserves a mention!

[@iwannabuyplants2819]

Bro you gotta try Ah Lim Mee Pok's Laksa at 304 Bedok Road. The big soaked tau pok will def meet your standard! I love the fried fish sticks as well

[@jningrat]

How was the cockles? No comments on the cockles?

[@Alderic.]

really no comments. average-small size, cooked, like me.

[@D0D0BiirD]

Katong laksa doesn't even deserve 1 plate!!! It is sooooo bad.

[@Iendleasereit]

you might have a bad day. to be fair, their good is dam good.

[@foodmore]

and yet people still like it.. so i guess those many people are wrong eh?

[@alvintanjunliang8509]

consistent factory made laksa paste broth with overpriced bowl of laksa , it was meant to be sold as a illegal hawker food back in the days , it won a MICHELIN and an angmoh chef that maybe have 5 days of eating and cooking laksa and that was what determine that i was good ? Nothing it has done so far for the past decade was good for their standing in Singapore for standings. They literally swap out freshly made rempa , affordable meal , tasty side dishes for profit and people would still say they taste good , just like how fast food still taste good .

[@foodmore]

@@alvintanjunliang8509 taste good means taste good. What are u on about?

[@Iendleasereit]

@@foodmore i second this.. i agree it taste good even aldric found it robust (regardless of the coconut). btw since we are on the same page, i do recommend trying the laksa broth from the chain of shops called "85 redhill teochew fishball noodles". that is second ranking on my personal list. (i might also have had their good day to be fair)

[@PosPsycho88]

Hi Alderic, the episode that I am waiting for becuz I called out on you from the car while you were filming this. At last gotten your review. As living just 35m away from the stall, I witnessed how the boss Nancy transformed the business,, from a small stall into the whole shop to herself. Not too sure if you are aware, 328 has another shop opposite the cafe wher you done your conclusion. Now they offer Laksa steamboat too. Though living a mere stone throw away, I rarely patronise the stall though I love to eat laksa.

[@Alderic.]

the business side of things is definitely more than impressive. from a stand-in in a neighbouring coffee shop to a whole laksa empire today. I would rate their business model '3 Plates'.

[@PosPsycho88]

@@Alderic. enterprising lady

[@towerofhellasmr]

Can’t believe you gave two plates! You should increase total plates to 5

[@FinalSpace]

Katong 328 is for tourists lah lol because they can't differentiate the quality and the price lah hahaha 😂😂😂 my verdict: eat once to taste the hype and never again lol

[@beanoyip06]

Eating that otah by itself just gets me.. 😂

[@clariphonic]

Wei Li laksa at 48A Tanglin Halt #01-20 Opens at 530am to 1230am. Very long Queue! One and only in Singapore

[@arthurchia822]

How about doing a “best” caifan (菜饭) series in SG!?

[@aloysiusng5576]

Why don’t u try imaging your first 3 laksa with cut thick bee hoon, will tat give them one more plate?

[@Alderic.]

it actually might. the cut noodles was a huge hit in my book.

[@walcotttang6946]

Your 2 plate is very kind😂i give only one after having the same side dish u have😮

[@oporayamzzz]

gg alderic doing so well can travel everywhere just to find food

[@Alderic.]

I'd assure you I'm not doing well, but you already knew that, don't you.

[@gabriellim2650]

I think with the high price and substandard ingredient, prob should give it 1 plate. But i think should also focus on laksa and not the other things like the drinks, beancurd, otak.... i think those are not the main thing to affect the taste of laksa and this subject is all about Laksa!

[@tukeytesting2947]

Will you be going to "Sister curry mee" at Penang? Not sure if it still counts as laksa tho haha😅

[@Alderic.]

we're sticking to Melaka only for the series!

[@cheeseizblue]

Singapore Katong laksa is not Malaysia curry mee. Too many people keep mixing them up, especially Malaysians

[@Ar0wally]

Another Janggut supporter here

[@Danzo_Dattori]

all the gimmicks you mentioned from 328 is a deal breaker for me. Zero plates for me

[@MrIronIIoxide]

Katong 328 is just a ripoff store meant for unsuspecting tourists. As a local, I'd skip that and go for the Janggut Laksa at Roxy Square. Having worked around that area for the past 3 years, I'm not patronising 328 Laksa since they went commercial

[@JonathanLimWeeLeng]

Katong natives know that 328 Laksa won the laksa war in Katong only because of marketing. Please try the laksa at roxy square.

[@Anson_Neo]

the egg is those 7-11 hanjuku eggs omg. i recognized it

[@pohjoel1]

I prefer janggut laksa at roxy square than 328.

[@iwannabuyplants2819]

Shit im so invested in this laksa series

[@ArnoIdAloisSchwarzenegger]

see yall in Katong then

[@Grenixity]

Oh the big one for ep 4 damn

[@Grenixity]

Well after the vid I can say yeah it so overpriced more now and they cut a lot of stuff for factory made. Now I wonder for this series if a laksa can give 3 plates

[@RaptureOnCloudNo.9]

What? To Malacca without trying Janggut? Saving it for the last? hahaha. 😉 Not sure if Janggut can trump laksa from msia though.

[@jchiew88]

Still waiting for "@Alderic's Authentic "Ahegao" (TM) a.k.a. your first "3 Plates" rating for a Laksa 🍜🍜🍜. Good luck finding it in Melaka / Penang/KL (but hopefully also in SG!) ...p/s: Is Laksa better-consumed in the afternoon, vs morning? i.e. Gives the broth additional time for the flavours to intensify/ thicken.

[@Alderic.]

I doubt laksa develops in flavor over time. you spend as long as you need developing the rempah, but once you go in with the coconut milk, you have to only keep it at simmer if not the milk will curdle. so barely any cooking occurs. maybe there is moisture loss? although I don't think it'll be much.

[@lighthousefd8122]

did you ask them not put laksa leaves?

[@Alderic.]

nope!

[@lighthousefd8122]

@@Alderic. wle. kiam siap

[@MaxGarmin]

It’s a BIG WRITE OFF for me henceforth! The other better options! Thanks 🙏!

[@KenliaAdventures]

How can be two plates

[@iannathan5527]

GASPPP MALACCA???? 😱😱😱 SHOCKERR

[@Alderic.]

no one could have seen this coming.

[@emsies666]

Please eat Janggut laksa in roxy square, it's sooo much better

[@lawrencechung1478]

Bro. Be honest...total CMI

[@francisngiam8030]

328 was franchise out.

[@HeidiLim-t9q]

Try the laksa at Marsiling, 夜来香

[@LVPictures]

Lol exactly what i said about rice noodle in the last video.... but goodness just go Queensway to see the "fight" between Janggut Laksa vs 328, go during peak hour and compare the number of customers not even close.

[@IceLemonTea0]

328 laksa is sweeter kind. Slightly salty kinda would be Sungei Road Laksa,Wei Yi Laksa.

[@jx826]

Janggut laksa please!

[@Space-bh8pb]

🤣🤣🤣bro, why you dip the ling ling roll when there already isn't any more soup? 🤣🤣🤣

[@zionist87]

Katong 328 Laksa is too spicy for my liking. I cannot take 1 bite without coughing. Janggut is way better!

[@justinchan3678]

Give Prima Taste Laksa a shot! You will not regret it!

[@greenfish]

gotta be janggut laksa at queensway

[@pikepushup]

algo for best food reviewer in sg 🙏🏻

[@Alderic.]

appreciate you buddy.

[@garykoh5974]

Katong 328 is the worse version of katong laksa. Overprice, not depth, just disappointing.

[@andyng5321]

What other kinds of katong laksa are there besides 328?

[@TobyTheTank]

o this is the famous one

[@danielsuen9402]

I love Katong laksa

[@goggles7777]

Queensway shopping centre got one stall more delicious

[@cheeseizblue]

Which , their original stall, is opposite 328, at Roxy Square . Janggut laksa .

[@goddanner]

Half bowl in the add sambal, a bit weird. Should ask for more lasksa or curry leaf. At the beginning.

[@angelatee1601]

I thought I’m the only one about the lack of coconut flavour, the poor ratio of broth to noodle and the overpriced items of other items at 328. Pity those tourists who patronized this shop thinking that it’s THE laksa😢

[@patriciachia2532]

Try George's laksa. This 328 is way too expensive too commercialised

[@felicialim137]

Epi 2

[@bettercallsel]

You can top up your laksa broth! For free I believe

[@HatsuneMiku-hl3sj]

They have some quality control issues

[@wongyoonchark5050]

this laksa has faster rate disbete/high blood

[@chuanyifoo-mp3ud]

Whats the difference between laksa and curry mee which is better?

[@Alderic.]

laksa is a kind of curry. but the curry mee that we know is saltier, spicier and thicker than laksa. neither is better.

[@miltonng4116]

Would have given it 1 plate 😂

[@jsurfin1]

Same

[@worldedit96]

0 plates if they give that kind of beancurd skin. Not to mention that factory otah and drink?? At that price?? If you gonna charge that much at least put in the effort right?

[@rivvie2008]

It's not fair that you are adding lingling, otah, ramen egg. It's not supposed to be there! Stick to apple to apple comparison of classic laksa!

[@Alderic.]

I will always let the place give me their best shot. It's also more entertaining for the viewers to see the full range of what a place offers. worth trading some "fairness" for it in my opinion.

[@beetan6348]

@@Alderic. But the core offering is 90-95% of what the customer is there for. The "extras" are for those who feel extravagant or want to indulge for variety. It's just not fair you are judging them on cold otah etc. I'm your fan but I just saw another review for Chong Pang Nasi - its only $3.70 but yet your review added so many items and it turned out $12 or so, which I had no idea their core offering was so inexpensive, which is why its such a popular place. The way you review is adding biases which hardcore fans like me do not like.

[@Alderic.]

@@beetan6348 I hear you. but imagine if every nasi lemak in the nasi lemak series was 1 chicken wing, rice + sambal, for full fairness. it'll be pretty boring for the viewers and torturous for me. I travel all the way down, sometimes even to different countries, and I don't get to order whatever I want to order. I'm pretty biased when it comes to food, you all can probably tell by now. but hopefully, I put enough into the videos that you all can make your own judgements.

[@rivvie2008]

@@Alderic. (In general, not referring to this episode) Suggest you order the basic set (and let us know the price), and then the cost of the add-ons are separate from the basic set. Cos, most of us will eat the basic set (possibly with our favorite add-ons) , and not the all-in that you ordered.

[@miket2737]

Malaccans don’t eat with spoon or thick bee Hoon. We prefer Nyonya laksa

[@apschweiz]

I was shocked u gave it 2 plates. Such mediocre bowl of laksa deserves 1 or even 0. I hope u have in yr plan to try the janggut laksa at queensway shopping ctr, only because over there theres also 328 next to janggut and 328 is everyday dying from being next to it.

[@jytan740]

$9.30 for a laksa siao eh

[@felicialim137]

Cover your ling ling roll

[@Alderic.]

thank you thank you

[@hibird84]

2 plates seems really high...

[@tuckwengtor9421]

328 has become too commercialized over the years, too robotic, no longer nostalgic lah. You should just cross the overhead bridge to Roxy Square and order the Janggut Laksa. But beware of the next door thundery shouting uncle. Your eardrum will be in for a treat before laksa treat! :)

[@andrewmclaren4253]

Katong laksa is so watery and diluted. 1/10

[@foodmore]

Most annoying people are those who like to say a place is "over rated" despite its popularity. These people tend to seek joy in trying to stand out and act like they have a more refined palate than others, and they will usually tell you a "better" place to eat something. If its popular, its nice to a big group of people.. so who are you to say a place is over rated?

[@Alderic.]

"over rated" is an unfortunate, tragic phenomenon in food. people get too passionate and forget courtesy and manners.

[@Iendleasereit]

you must be my twin. i feel the same way about alot of popular food such as maxwell road chicken rice. nice means nice. does not deserve the flak it gets. does not need to be number 1 to everyone. nice means nice.

[@foodmore]

@@Iendleasereit no one is an authority on how something should taste. If the business can survive so long, it means there is a group of people that like it. Doesn’t matter if you think. It is over rated or other places are better, because that is your opinion. Just because you think you found some secretive unpopular place doesn’t make you an expert in food. People try to sound unique and pompous by doing that. It’s annoying.

[@worldedit96]

For this price, kotong 328 is overrated compared to other places you have reviewed this far.

[@Alderic.]

I think we're already due for a moderation.

[@playwithcars]

Overpriced and central kitchen. Passable, but nothing screams about it.

[@joeycheong2473]

that color says its not good. head across the road in the mall ....