This blog post will be updated as I eat my way through laksas in Geelong. Let me know if you have a favourite that I've missed!
Laksa & Beer Co: Ryrie Street, Geelong CBD
Laksa & Beer Co is a great little Malaysian restaurant on the corner of Ryrie street and Gheringhap street in the Geelong CBD. The restaurant occupies the space of the old Dominos, and is an easy walk from the waterfront and Geelong railway station.
The restaurant has an extensive menu, with a number of vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options available. There's a bunch of delicious sounding dishes on the menu including handmade spring rolls, crispy deep-fried squid, homemade satay, in addition to a number of other traditional Malaysian dishes. I was there on a mission to try out the laksa on this particular visit, but I'll definitely be back to try out more of the menu!
The restaurant also has a great little drinks menu, consisting of wine and craft beer, plus cocktails and mocktails. I ordered the Lime Mint Mojito mocktail, and it wasn't bad, but I felt it could do with a little more mint and sugar syrup. I'll probably stick to beer next time, and I think it's probably a better accompaniment to laksa anyway.
I really wanted to try the Signature Seafood Laska, but unfortunately it only comes in a large size and I wasn't super hungry. Instead I went for the Fried Prawn Wonton laksa which came with crispy fried prawn wontons (obviously!), bean curd, thinly sliced fishcake, bean sprouts, chopped green beans, half a boiled egg, crispy fried onions, and both vermicelli and Hokkien noodles. The broth was coconutty and very mildly spiced.
Laksa & Beer Co is currently open for lunch and dinner Tuesday - Sunday. Be sure to check their website listed below for up-to-date operating hours.
Name: Laksa & Beer Co
Address: 87 Ryrie St, Geelong VIC 3220
Website: https://laksaandbeerco.com/
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Phoklore: Pakington Street, Geelong West
Restaurants on Pakington street seem to come and go like the wind. One of the newer ones to pop up on Pako is Phoklore, located on the corner of Pakington street and Gordon avenue. It's a large space with communal tables and counter seating, with clear plastic blinds allowing for natural light to enter the space.
Let's get one thing straight before we start... Phoklore is a Vietnamese restaurant, not a Malaysian restaurant. They themselves openly admit on the menu that their laksa is more of a fusion dish rather than a traditional laksa, so it's best to go with an open mind.
The restaurant is an extremely popular place for lunch, likely thanks to their weekday special. The sign outside advertises discounted dishes and cocktails at lunchtime Monday-Friday, and is a great way to get people in the door. Be aware that this offer only applies to some menu items. For example, the seafood laksa and lychee martini I ordered were both full price during the weekday lunch service and cost close to $40, although the lychee martini definitely delivered in looks and taste, and is a drink I'd happily order again!
The broth of the seafood laksa was rich and coconutty, not unlike traditional laksa, but perhaps a tiny bit too rich for me. The toppings were quite generous and consisted of mussels, squid, and prawns, with a side dish of bean sprouts, Vietnamese basil and a piece of lemon to add as needed. The noodles served in the dish were traditional rice noodles that are served in Vietnamese pho, although sadly I felt they were a little overcooked, as they had started to fall apart and become mushy.
Aside from my issue with the noodles, the laksa at Phoklore is a decent fusion dish. I'll be back to try out more of the menu, and enjoy a few more cocktails. The sharing plates look absolutely delicious, as do the rice paper rolls and bun/noodle bowls. The staff were awesome, and the restaurant has a great vibe.
Phoklore has two stores - one in Geelong West and one in Torquay. Both are walk-in only, so if you're planning to go in a big group, it may be a good idea to arrive early. Currently there's a limited takeout menu available at lunchtime, however, the full dinner menu is available for takeout in the evenings. You can check out the Phoklore menu at their website below.
Name: Phoklore
Address: 238 Pakington St, Geelong West VIC 3218
Website: https://www.pholklore.com.au/
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