Laksa paste is the key ingredient in a bowl of laksa.

Ingredients

Quantity	Measure	Ingredient
6-8		long red chillies (dried)
8		purple shallots (coarsely chopped)
5		candlenut / macadamia
3	cm piece	galangal (coarsely chopped)
2	stems	lemon grass (coarsely chopped)
2	tbs	peanut oil
1 1/2	tsp	finely grated fresh turmeric
1	tsp	shrimp paste
1	clove	garlic (coarsely chopped)
2	tbs	dried shrimp (ground)
1	tsp	vietnamese mint
2	tbs	kaffir lime rind
1	tbs	coriander seeds (ground)

Directions

Place the dried chilies in a heatproof bowl. Cover with boiling water and set aside for 20 minutes to soften. Drain and chop them coarsely.
Place all the ingredients except the shrimp paste into a mortar and pestle and pound it into a paste. Add the shrimp paste and pound it some more.