Darwin Laksa Festival returns with record number of inspired-by dishes

The Territory’s spicy noodle soup lovers are reuniting once more to pick the best laksa and laksa-inspired dish of 2022. See some of the unique entries.

The iconic Darwin Laksa Festival is back for its fourth year with almost 90 different laksas or laksa-inspired dishes being served throughout the NT.

A record number of inspired-by dishes have been entered this year, including laksa iced coffee, laksagna, sweet and chilli laksa waffles, laksa arancini, and laksa chicken pizza.

Territorians can vote for the Best Laksa and Best ‘Inspired-By’ Laksa dishes using the festival’s app after sampling as many dishes as possible.

Venues in Katherine Alice Springs, and Nhulunbuy are also competing for the title of Best Regional Laksa.

LR: Natasha Fyles, Jason Chow, Pina Sommerville, and Paul Kirby are ready to taste-test this year’s food tour. Picture: Sierra Haigh

Voters go in the draw to win a trip for two to Timor Leste.

As one of 70 participating businesses in the Territory, Darwin restaurant Wharf One is hosting the festival’s laksa gala dinner on November 24.

General manager Pina Sommerville said the waterfront restaurant had a range of inspired-by fusion dishes for festival-goers to try.

“Wharf One has created an oyster with a laksa granita, so light and refreshing for this time of year,” Ms Sommerville said.

“Bella (Pasta) has created our ravioli, so it’s chicken laksa in five ravioli which is beautiful to taste.”

Laksa lovers can also enter a chilli eating competition at Raintree Park on November 10 and collect laksa goodies at the Parap Markets on November 12.

The 2022 festival winners will be announced at the Grand Finale Festival Day on November 27 on the lawns of Parliament House.

Malaysian celebrity chef Sherson Lian will also attend the Festival Day to give a cooking demonstration.

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Originally published as Darwin Laksa Festival returns with record number of inspired-by dishes