Laksa Lemak Mussels with Coconut Broth
Plump mussels steamed in a spicy laksa and coconut broth, ready in 20 minutes with bread or rice to mop it up.
Made with Laksa paste. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 mins
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £4.95 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Cook the jasmine rice following the packet instructions, then keep it covered.
12 min - 2
Tip the mussels into a sink of cold water. Throw away any with cracked shells, and any open ones that do not close when tapped firmly.
- 3
Heat a large lidded pan over a medium heat. Add your ready made laksa paste (see the base recipe) and fry for 2 minutes until fragrant.
2 min - 4
Pour in the coconut milk, water and fish sauce and bring to a simmer for 5 minutes.
5 min - 5
Add the mussels, cover and cook over a high heat for 4 to 5 minutes, shaking the pan once, until the shells open. Throw away any that stay shut.
4 min 30 s - 6
Stir in the lime juice, then spoon the mussels and broth into bowls over the rice. Scatter with coriander and spring onion.
Tips
- Cook mussels the day you buy them and only use ones that are tightly shut or close when tapped.
- Keep the lid on. The steam opens the shells in a few minutes, so do not peek too often.
- Serve with plenty of rice or gluten free bread to catch the broth.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten straight away. Keep any leftover broth, without the shells, in the fridge for up to 1 day and reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I use frozen mussels?
Yes. Use 600 g cooked, frozen shelled mussels. Add them to the simmering broth for 2 to 3 minutes just to heat them through.
Why did some mussels not open?
Mussels that stay shut after cooking were probably not alive and should be thrown away. Never force them open.
Is this dish allergen friendly?
It is gluten free, dairy free, egg free and nut free, but it contains shellfish, so avoid it with a shellfish allergy.
More made with laksa paste
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.