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Insects on the menu at the Melbourne Night Noodle Markets

Natascha Mirosch

Ladyboy's sum tom with mealworms will be on offer at the Night Noodle Markets.
Ladyboy's sum tom with mealworms will be on offer at the Night Noodle Markets.Pat Scala

Adventurous eaters will be able to snack on insects at this year's Night Noodle Markets.

"It's something that we've wanted to do for a while, given the popularity of edible insects in Thailand and the excellent sustainability," says Fran Leaper of Richmond's LadyBoy Dining and Bar.

Chef Mitch Townrow of Ladyboy serves up a papaya salad with mealworm garnish.
Chef Mitch Townrow of Ladyboy serves up a papaya salad with mealworm garnish.Pat Scala
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The optional mealworm garnish comes with som tam, a green papaya salad that LadyBoy is dishing up at the Night Noodle Markets.

According to Leaper, the roasted mealworms, dusted in a Thai spice mix, not only add texture but an "earthly, salty and slightly bitter flavour" that balances the spicy and sour notes of the som tam.

"The Noodle Markets are a fantastic opportunity for us to get a feel for how Melbourne food lovers will respond to this somewhat unusual addition to the menu. Hopefully the punters are game to try something new," Leaper says.

Big numbers are anticipated at this year's Night Noodle Markets at Birrarung Marr, after attendances last year smashed the Sydney held record.

"Last year, the markets doubled in size, as did the crowd, with 560,000 people showing up for dumplings and DJs on the river," says Good Food Month creative director Gemima Cody.

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"This year we have 60 stalls and food trucks bringing some dramatically authentic dishes."

One of the less traditional offerings is the Nikkei dog – a wood-fired Peruvian sausage with nori, sesame and amarillo salsa – a collaboration between Lady Carolina's Paul Wilson and Diego Munoz of Astrid y Gaston in Lima, recently voted the 14th best restaurant in the world.

Also on the menu are dumplings stuffed with chicken and goji berry, Indian style nachos and, looking to elbow the cronut off the culinary stage, the baonut – a bao filled with a Malaysian coconut and egg jam.

"The whole of Good Food Month this year is built on the premise that Melbourne has a sense of adventure", says Cody. "The Night Noodle markets are the perfect place to take forks to the streets."

The Age Good Food Month Night Noodle Markets, presented by Citi, Birrarung Marr, November 12-29, open Mon-Wed 5pm-9pm; Thu-Fri 5pm-11pm; Sat 2pm-10pm; Sun 2pm-9pm, free entry, see melbourne.goodfoodmonth.com

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