Chow wins Darwin International Laksa Festival 2021 Golden Bowl

Popular Top End eatery Chow has taken out the top gong at the 2021 Darwin International Laksa Festival. See the rest of the winners here.

WATERFRONT restaurant Chow: A Taste of South East Asia is the Golden Bowl winner of the 2021 Darwin International Laksa Festival.

The winner was announced late on Sunday after judges spent much of Saturday blind-tasting laksas.

The big winners were not in a bowl but in the crowd, with families and laksa lovers enjoying the treats and live music beneath a giant marquee at the State Square green.

Assistant project manager Lina Jiang enjoyed a bowl of spicy prawn dumplings and time with her friends as a cooling breeze replaced the afternoon sizzle.

Lina Jiang on the final day of the 2021 Darwin International Laksa Festival. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“When I eat out, I like to try the cuisines,” she said. “It’s nice to have events in the Wet Season, otherwise it’s a bit too hot to get out much.

“The organisers have put in a lot of time and effort. It’s good to promote the fact Darwin is a multicultural city.”

Back-to-back Golden Bowl winner Chok’s Place was awarded People’s Choice best laksa; Fannie Bay Butcher’s laksa sausages took out Best ­Savoury dish inspired by laksa while the Trailer Boat Club’s laksa cheesecake won Best Sweet Dish.

Mary of Marys Laksa on the final day of the 2021 Darwin International Laksa Festival. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Katherine Country Club won best regional laksa and Charlie’s of Darwin took out best laksa cocktail with its ­spirit of laksa gin.

Perennial Darwin laksa favourite and Parap Market staples Mary’s still draws a crowd, with by far the longest lines at yesterday’s get-together.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner congratulated the Golden Bowl and other winners. “Thank you for putting on a feast for the senses, and a big shout-out to our regional entries for getting involved.”

Next year’s event begins on Monday, October 31.