I will never be President of Singapore...but at least I have tasted a Laksa, that is no ordinary Laksa...but a President Laksa...that supposedly has been used only to serve VVIPs such as presidents and supreme leaders across the world.
This TOP SECRET laksa recipe has been kept away from the rest of us by 76 year old retired chef Joe Yap for decades, but we are fortunate that Takagi Ramen has managed to obtain this secret recipe and will now be able to serve you the same Laksa that George HW Bush and S R Nathan once enjoyed.
What I ordered:
- President Laksa ($15.70 nett)
- Amaebi (Sweet Shrimp) Karaage w Laksa Mayo ($5.70 nett)
- Smoked Duck Breast w Laksa Mayo ($5.70 nett)
- Taro Kokonattsu Calfizzy ($5.70 nett)
Honestly, I was disappointed when I received my bowl of President Laksa. As you can see from my photo above, there is a really big difference with regard to the portion (and the bowl size 🤣) as compared to the promotional image.
However, as I am somehow involved in the advertising/marketing industry, I do know that pictures are often for illustration purposes only. Thus, I decided to keep an open mind.
The Baby Crayfish seemed a bit small for the pricing. Maybe I am just jealous as I have seen another reviewer getting a significantly bigger Crayfish.
The Snow Crab Legs were quite decent.
So were the Asami Clams.
The noodles were good, with the right softness, and very chewy.
However, what stood out the most was definitely the gravy. It tied everything together and blends in well with every ingredient.
I liked that the gravy was balanced just right. It is flavourful, light and not too oily like the normal unhealthier ones.
And it was not too spicy either. People who cannot tolerate spicy food should find it managable. But if you prefer it to be more spicy, you can mix the laksa sambal belacan
chilli provided with the soup.
Amaebi (Sweet Shrimp) Karaage w Laksa Mayo
Smoked Duck Breast w Laksa Mayo
If you are a fan of the above dishes, you can give them a try. What I like about the Laksa Mayo that was provided: it does not overpower the original flavour of the dishes, but instead complements them.
For drinks, I ordered the Taro Kokonattsu Calfizzy because I think it is a more unique choice. The Taro flavour is slight, and overall it is a refreshing drink which goes well with the laksa. It would be even better if the drink was colder.
Conclusion
I feel the price is a little steep. I would expect a bigger portion with more ingredients at this pricing. However, the overall taste makes up for it. Recommend to try it at least once. The laksa is good, and you can tell yourself or others:
"I will never be President of Singapore...but at least I have tasted a Laksa, that is no ordinary Laksa...but a President Laksa... "
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