What’s happening around town

• CBD shop Matcha Mate is running a pop-up at South Melbourne Market every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 4pm, until Sunday February 9. Get matcha cookies, powder, iced matcha and specialty matcha drinks including a strawberry basil matcha.

• Long Prawn – the food and art focused duo Fred Mora and Lauren Stephens – will auction off artist-made tablecloths from Fringe Festival centrepiece commission Cooked, which saw the duo set up a free public barbeque at Fed Square at the end of last year. The auction will be held at Gertrude Glasshouse on Thursday January 23 from 5pm to 7pm.

• Bookings have just opened for two collab dinners by chef Raj Kumar of Singapore’s Firangi Superstar and Chef Ricardo Galindo of CBD restaurant Tonka on Friday February 21 and Saturday February 22. Both chefs are known for their modern Indian food – the six-course menu will feature four dishes from Firangi Superstar and two from Tonka.

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This week in food and drink news

• A renowned regional chef accused of racism and bullying in a report published by the Age was stripped of his restaurant awards.

• Five to try: new casual CBD spots for udon, bakmi and other noodle needs.

• First look: Nora Thai’s fiery curries arrive in the CBD.

• Southeast Asian Punch Lane restaurant Sunda to close after seven years.

• First look: the St Paul’s General Store owner opens a Mornington Peninsula pizza joint.

• Where chefs eat: Keat Lee of Lagoon Dining shares his favourite laksa spot.

• Where to celebrate Lunar New Year in Melbourne.

• Italian wine bar Joanie’s Baretto is closing.

The Hot List

• This week’s update: Masses Bagels is added and a favourite calls it a day.

You might’ve missed

• The eight best discontinued Aussie snacks (we should bring back).

• Explainer: koji, Japan’s “national mould” and the umami-maker in miso.