The quirky laksa-inspired creations competing at Darwin foodie festival

Desserts, drinks among quirky laksa-inspired creations competing at Darwin foodie festival Deep-fried ice cream, bánh mì, pavlovas and coffee — these are just a few of the laksa-flavoured dishes on sale at restaurants and cafes in Darwin this month. Laksa is a South-East Asian dish, typically served as a spicy broth with noodles, meat and vegetables. But when the Darwin International Laksa Festival kicks off each October, convention goes out the window. While the spicy broth is the main draw, the event's $15,000 prize money is split among five categories, including the best dish "inspired by" laksa. With the festival now in its eighth year and more than 100 venues in the Top End city participating, those dishes are getting more creative. In the northern Darwin suburb of Rapid Creek, Vietnamese restaurant Pho, has combined two of their most popular dishes to make a laksa bánh mì. The shop's owner, Linh Do, said it flew off the shelves on the festival's first day yesterday. "We sold out within the first 45 minutes, which we did not expect at all," she said. "It's a fusion of everything. "I really like bánh mì. I'm Vietnamese and my partner is from Darwin, so he loves laksa." This year's festival has seen an increase in the number of laksa-themed desserts in the running. Mark Langat, the head chef at Darwin Waterfront restaurant Salted Egg, said people were beginning to realise the diversity of laksa's umami flavour. "People in Darwin really put so much effort into laksa, they can be so creative on how to fusion the laksa into any type of dish," he said. "Main course, small plate or dessert … laksa is a friendly ingredient for every dish." Tricia Wong is a barista at Darwin cafe Besser Brew Bar who has developed an iced long black coffee with laksa-flavoured cold foam, as well as a laksa-flavoured milkshake. Ms Wong said the drinks were "surprisingly good". "Honestly, I know it sounds weird, a savoury thing on a sweet drink, but we've got so many positive comments from customers," she said. "It tastes way better than it sounds." Darwin Trailer Boat Club chef Nekka Terce has infused laksa into deep fried ice cream. "You can really taste the laksa — we've put some laksa syrup with it, and also in the crumb we put some laksa powder," she said. "I think it's going to be very catchy." Secret judges will attend the 118 venues participating in the laksa festival, and the best dishes will be awarded at a grand finale event at the end of the month, including the prestigious Golden Bowl trophy for the best laksa. Darwin locals and visitors are being invited to participate in the festival by voting for their favourite laksa and laksa-inspired dishes.