Laksa Scented Sweet Tart - Where Malaysian Heritage Meets Modern Pastry

What happens when the unmistakable character of Malaysian laksa leaves the savoury bowl and enters the pastry kitchen?

This Deepavali, Chef Yain Keng explores that question with an unexpected creation: the Laksa Scented Sweet Tart.

Inspired by one of Malaysia’s most beloved dishes, the tart takes the aromatic ingredients associated with laksa and gives them an entirely new expression. Instead of recreating the dish itself, Chef Yain Keng draws on its fragrance, transforming familiar Malaysian ingredients into delicate pastry elements.

At the heart of the creation is a creamy Chantilly gently infused with bunga kantan and daun kesom. The bunga kantan lends its distinctive floral character, while daun kesom brings subtle herbal notes, creating an aromatic cream that is delicate rather than overpowering.

Against this fragrant backdrop comes a vibrant kalamansi and pineapple confit. The kalamansi introduces a lively citrus acidity, while pineapple brings natural tropical sweetness. Together, they provide the brightness needed to balance the richness of the Chantilly.

Everything comes together within a crisp La Rose Noire Super Thin Tart Shell, providing a delicate textural contrast to the smooth cream and vibrant fruit.

The result is perhaps not what one might expect when hearing the word "laksa" — and that is precisely the point.

The Laksa Scented Sweet Tart is a celebration of how Malaysian flavours can travel beyond their traditional forms. It takes ingredients that are deeply familiar and invites us to experience them from a different perspective.

For Deepavali, a celebration filled with colour, culture and the coming together of traditions, the creation feels particularly fitting. It reflects the same spirit of discovery that makes Malaysian food so exciting: bold flavours, unexpected combinations and a willingness to bring different influences together.

A little unexpected, yet unmistakably homegrown.

Discover Chef Yain Keng’s Laksa Scented Sweet Tart and explore what happens when the spirit of Malaysian cuisine meets the creativity of modern pastry.