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Darwin has developed an unlikely obsession with laksa – so much so there is a month long festival to celebrate the spicy noodle dish. 

The city has been dubbed the laksa capital of Australia thanks to its history of South-east Asian immigration and dozens of street food stalls serving the favourite at markets and festivals all year round. 

Foodies have long debated which eatery serves the best laksa in the Northern Territory capital with Mary’s Laksa at Parap Market tipped as one of the most popular. 

From the moment the market opens early every Saturday morning, there is a long line of locals and visitors waiting to indulge on the unorthodox breakfast of Mary’s Laksa.

The street food stall is run by Mary, also known as Guo Yang Lei, who has lived in Darwin for two decades serving up mouth-watering laksa with various toppings and the freshest, top-quality ingredients.

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This photo was taken at 7:45am of Darwin locals and visitors lining up for Mary's Laksa at the Parap Markets. The city has been hailed as the laksa capital of Australia

Darwin's obsession with laksa can be attributed to its history of South-east Asian immigration with dozens of street food stalls serving the favourite at markets and festivals all year round

Darwin locals and visitors line up as early as 7:30am at the Parap Markets for the famous Mary’s Laksa (left). The city has been hailed as the laksa capital of Australia

Foodies have debated which eatery serves the best laksa in Darwin with Mary's Laksa tipped as one of the most popular. The stall is run by Mary (pictured) who's lived in Darwin for 20 years

 Foodies have debated which eatery serves the best laksa in Darwin with Mary’s Laksa tipped as one of the most popular. The stall is run by Mary (pictured) who’s lived in Darwin for 20 years

Diners can feast on the curry soup with barbecue pork, chicken, seafood, pumpkin, tofu or wontons made by Mary herself with her own stock. 

There is even a vegan and vegetarian-friendly option with rice noodles for meat-free foodies. 

Mary’s homemade hot chilli sauce, which is also available to buy in bottles for $14, packs a punch and is lovingly made with only five fresh ingredients; vinegar, salt, chilli, garlic and lemon juice. 

Darwin’s humid heat does not deter laksa lovers from snacking on Mary’s spicy soup with one calling it the ‘best laksa in Australia’ and another said it was a ‘sensory explosion’. 

‘An unassuming food stall serves the best laksa I’ve eaten – even better than ones I’ve tasted in Malaysia and even Penang,’ one reviewer wrote. 

Darwin's heat does not deter foodies from snacking on Mary's spicy soup with one calling it the 'best laksa in Australia' and another said it was a 'sensory explosion'

Darwin’s heat does not deter foodies from snacking on Mary’s spicy soup with one calling it the ‘best laksa in Australia’ and another said it was a ‘sensory explosion’

‘Mary’s is an icon and once that smooth, chilli coconut taste with a burst of fresh herbs hits your tongue – you understand why. Perfect balance and very generous with the garnishes.’

The street food stall will be one of many at the 2023 Darwin International Laksa Festival where local eateries will go head to head to determine who serves the best laksa in the land. 

The month-long festival, which is in its fifth year, kicks off on October 1 and celebrates ‘the diverse and flavourful world of laksa’ as well as all the best food the city has to offer. 

Thousands are set to descend on the festival and get involved in food eating competitions, cooking demonstrations, food trucks and voting in the ‘Golden Bowl’ and People’s Choice award categories.  

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Post source: Daily mail