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.

By Korea: 601 Little Collins Street Melbourne

By Korea is a clear neighbourhood favourite. The lines are huge. The beer is flowing and fried chicken is everywhere. 

I ventured here as my first choice lunch venue was closed for the Christmas break. Not being a fan of fried chicken Senor Gringo and I ordered a beef stew and vegetarian bibimbap. The meat and vegetable portions were small with large bowls of rice offered to fill you up. The flavours were good, particularly the stew, which had a fresh tasting spicy broth. The pieces of meat were lean but the bibimbap was disappointing with salad strangely heaped in the hot stone bowl and since I didn't want a huge amount of rice I walked away hungry. 

One tick. Not fussy eater friendly.