Just around the corner from the Fumin Lu stretch that contains some of the most popular Shanghai restaurants (Cantina Agave, Noodle Bull, Bistro Burger and Tsui Wah) sits Mo'Laksa - a Singaporean noodle joint with a jaunty neon sign and a casual, urban interior. The walls are white, and dotted with big chalkboard menus. The vibe is hip; the clientele are Singaporean expats, Western laowai dropping in after work, and laksa-loving locals.

As you'd expect from the name, the menu is taken up with laksa. There are various meat choices (and a vegetable option) in large or small, spicy or mild. You get to choose from rice noodles, vermicelli, or egg noodles. We went for a large, spicy chicken laksa with vermicelli, and were presented with a big bowl of noodles swimming in a rich curry sauce. A fan-shape of fish slices, shredded chicken, beansprouts and half an egg perched on top. We slurped down as much as we could before the noodles got soggy, but had to admit defeat as it was so filling.

A portion of lamb satay and a chicken curry with rice completed our meal. The satay looked like street chuan'r at first glance, and the meat was a bit tough and fatty, but the depth of the spices just about redeemed it, along with the gorgeous peanut sauce. The chicken curry came as two plump chicken legs in a sweet sauce, and a mound of soft steamed rice.

Along with a couple of soft drinks, the bill came to 169 RMB for two. We reckon this place will catch on. There's Noodle Bull around the corner, and several mian places nearby, but Mo'Laksa will appeal to a different crowd. However, if you want to check your emails you'll be disappointed; the manager wouldn't give us the WiFi password, which we found strange.

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