Acclaimed chefs, Luke Nguyen and Junda Khoo, will feature at the 2026 Darwin International Laksa Festival.
The “only in the NT” festival will run for the month of October, culminating in a spicy Grand Finale at the Darwin Waterfront.
Finocchiaro CLP Government is delivering a jam-packed pipeline of events as we restore our unique Territory lifestyle.
Some of Australia’s biggest culinary names are heading to Darwin next month, as the 2026 Darwin International Laksa Festival – backed by the Northern Territory Government – shows the Territory is absolutely one-of-a-kind.
Luke Nguyen will host a laksa-inspired cooking demonstration and join the Golden Bowl judging panel, while Junda Khoo will feature in an exclusive Junda x Charlie’s collaboration. Magdalena Roze will front the Grand Finale.
Minister for Tourism and Hospitality and Minister for Major Events, Marie-Clare Boothby said the event put the Territory on the map as a must-visit culinary tourism hotspot, while elevating our remarkable hospitality industry.
“We don’t just love laksa here in the Territory – I think we can confidently say that we’ve made it our own,” Minister Boothby said.
“Last year, we saw over 120 hospitality venues from all over the Territory create hundreds of laksa and laksa-inspired dishes – from laksa eggs benedict to laksa pizza, and even a laksa milkshake.
“This year, we’ll see Hilton with a laksa degustation dinner. Charlie’s of Darwin will offer laksa-spiced crocodile dumplings, paired with their signature laksa-spiced gin. And who knows what hot new item we’ll see on the menu as the Territory turns up the heat with our one-of-a-kind laksa festival!”
MasterChef guest judge and award-winning restauranteur, Junda Khoo, said, “Laksa is my death row meal. So, this is a dream come true for me. I can’t wait to get to Darwin in October and immerse myself in the Laksa Capital of Australia.”
“I’m looking forward to eating my way through Darwin, meeting the people behind these incredible bowls of laksa, and celebrating what makes this dish so special.”
Territory vendors and hospitality venues can still register to participate, with their unique interpretations of the laksa.
Owner of Charlie’s of Darwin, Bec Bullen, has been a prolific participant in Australia’s only laksa festival.
“We absolutely love the Laksa Festival and have been involved in all sorts of deliciously unexpected ways over the years, from laksa crocodile dumplings to laksa-flavoured gin! So this year, we thought we’d take it up another notch,” Ms Bullen said.
“We’re thrilled to be hosting Junda x Charlie’s for the 2026 Laksa Festival. For us, creativity, flavours and bringing people together is exactly what Darwin is all about.”
The Darwin International Laksa Festival runs from 1 to 31 October, with the Grand Finale to be held at the Darwin Waterfront on Saturday, 31 October 2026.
