Laksa King: 6-12 Pin Oak Crescent Flemington

I still remember my first laksa. I was 15 years old and my mother took me to the Malaysian Hut in the basement of the Queen Victoria building in Sydney. Having been raised in a meat and three veg household I was always desperate to try new things, especially anything with spice. Knowing this, my mother told me we were going to have an Asian chicken noodle soup that I would just love. I thought to myself - A chicken noodle soup? Seriously? How is that going to fulfil my need for flavour? Especially as at that stage the only Asian food I had been exposed to was the most basic of Chinese cuisine.

Oh how I was wrong. That chicken noodle soup was the most delicious soup I had ever tried. Spicy, sour and creamy all at once, with lots of noodley goodness. And those puffy bread like things on top, I wanted more of those. I went again and again and eventually discovered those delightful puffy bread like things were fried tofu, another game changer for my diet.

The experience opened up a whole new world of flavour for me. I felt as though my taste buds were being born again.

Sadly, 19 years later I have not had another laksa that has brought me the same amount of bliss, and the Malaysian Hut has since closed down, but the Laksa King laksa did very much hit the spot and is way better than many out there. It had a decent level of spice and a good amount of veggies. It was a bit too much on the creamy side for my taste, I would have preferred more of that slick chilli oil on top and the tofu to be spongier, but overall I was still very satisfied. Particularly as it tasted very fresh.

Maybe one day I will try a laksa that can eclipse the first, but maybe it is like a first love and nothing is ever going to beat that experience. That aside, I would certainly recommend this place. I'm giving it two ticks. I've been back to try a few others dishes and everything else was always good, no complaints. The menu might have made me drool just a little bit, the smells were very enticing and everything that was plated up looked delectable. I recommend you go see for yourself.

Michael's BBQ breakfast - Flemington Markets: 175 Mt Alexander Road

Michael uses produce from the markets, the food is fresh, seasonal and high quality. He also uses quite a few fermented vegetables, which I like and he serves up options that you won't find anywhere else. The combinations don't always work and I don't think it is everyone's cup of tea but it certainly satisfies this market crowd.

You just have to get over the fact that the guy is a jerk. I have seen him be rude or short to many people. He has a sign up that says something to the effect of 'sarcasm served daily' and I'm sure he thinks he is amusing but it just shows him to be an unhappy and unpleasant person. I like to excuse it and think that he is just a bit frantic and stressed managing the stall by himself, others manage better but multitasking is not for everyone.

Then sometimes you just think to yourself, is this worth it? Take today for example, I ordered my food (pork sausage, homemade relish, apple and fennel salad with fermented veggies) and while I was waiting I made an attempt at conversation. I said, you go to other markets as well? He raised his eyebrows, looked at me as if to say why the f are you talking to me, and then said (in a sarcastic tone) yeah, but I'm here now. Then he just stared at me until my food was ready to be plated up. Awkward. He wasn't busy, I was the only one there, he had no other orders and it was just unnecessary. 

Senor Gringo doesn't like his food and if I cop this stuff often enough I will probably stop going, which will be a shame because fermented food is good for my belly and its nice that someone wants to serve the market produce every week.

To Michael I want to say, didn't anyone ever tell you you catch more flies with honey? And seriously, if you need help, there is help out there. In the form of shop assistants, therapy and antidepressants, whatever you need buddy.