Shrimp paste(Blacan) is salty and pungent so you would not put too much in it.
The soup base doesn't keep as long as curry laksa and most non-Malaysian
do not know much about it. It would be good for friends gathering thou.
It's for 2 meals basically. I always cook extra and pack for lunch the next day or for another dinner. No time to cook. gotta make short cuts.
Salty fish - i bought from China town. The huge ones that smells good. Medium hard. I like the "mui" kind. They will cut in pieces for you and even air tight each piece. You store in freezer. Keeps forever!