Quick 15-Minute Laksa: A Vibrant Vegan Noodle Soup

The Ultimate 15-Minute Vegan Laksa

Laksa is the quintessential comfort food of Southeast Asia, specifically rooted in Peranakan culture—a beautiful blend of Chinese and Malay influences. While traditional pastes can take hours to simmer, this 15-minute version captures that iconic depth of flavor using clever pantry staples and fresh aromatics. It’s creamy, spicy, and incredibly satisfying.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Beyond its speed, this Laksa is naturally vegan and gluten-free (if using certified rice noodles). The combination of coconut milk and toasted spices provides a rich base that rivals your favorite takeaway. It is also a fantastic "fridge-raid" meal; you can easily swap the courgettes for bell peppers or tofu. If you are looking for more plant-based inspiration, you might also enjoy our Mighty Jackfruit Curry.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin
• 4 red chillies (de-seeded for less heat)
• 1 brown onion, roughly chopped
• 2 lemongrass stalks (white part only)
• 1 small piece of fresh ginger, grated
• 2 cloves of garlic, peeled
• 2 carrots, finely sliced
• 2 courgettes (zucchini), sliced
• 2 x 400g tins of coconut milk
• 150g dried rice noodles
• 100g sugar snap peas
• Fresh coriander and 1 lime for garnish
• Vegetable oil for frying

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the Paste: In a small pan, toast the ground coriander, paprika, and cumin until fragrant. Place them into a food processor with the chillies, onion, lemongrass, ginger, garlic, and a glug of vegetable oil. Blitz until a smooth paste forms.
2. Fry the Aromatics: Add the fresh paste to a large saucepan over medium heat. Fry for 2–3 minutes until the oil starts to separate and the kitchen smells amazing.
3. Simmer the Base: Pour in the coconut milk and bring to a gentle boil. Add the sliced carrots and courgettes.
4. Cook the Noodles: Add the rice noodles directly into the bubbling broth. Cook for 3–5 minutes (or according to packet instructions) until the noodles are tender.
5. Finish and Garnish: Turn off the heat. Stir in the sugar snap peas—the residual heat will keep them crunchy. Add a handful of chopped coriander and a generous squeeze of lime juice.

Serving Suggestions

Serve steaming bowls of Laksa topped with extra fresh chilli and bean sprouts for added texture. If you enjoy quick and nutritious weeknight dinners, be sure to check out our Quick Lentil Ratatouille for another one-pot wonder.