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If you think night markets are only found down narrow lanes in Bangkok or buzzing streets in Southeast Asia, think again. Los Angeles is home to 626 Night Market, which just ranked number nine in the world in a new study by long-haul travel specialists Travelbag. The study looked at safety, online buzz, search demand and real-world reviews of night markets around the world, and it turns out that some of the most exciting late-night eating happens right here in L.A.
Inspired by the open-air night bazaars of Asia, 626 Night Market was born in the San Gabriel Valley in 2012 and has since become a California institution. Named after the 626 area code, it features more than 250 vendors selling everything from skewered meats and fried noodles to towering desserts and caffeinated drinks. The market is a playground for culinary exploration with the added bonus of live music, games, art installations and pop-up performances. It's easy to see how up to 100,000 people show up over a single three-day weekend.
According to the study, 626 Night Market racks up around 486,000 searches a year, with more than 10,400 TikTok posts. It holds a solid 4.3 Google rating, and while its safety score of 41 is lower than some global counterparts, most visitors agree the atmosphere is lively rather than sketchy.
Travelebag's full list is topped by Bangkok’s Chatuchak Weekend Market, with its jaw-dropping 15,000 stalls and popular street food like coconut ice cream and grilled skewers. Cambodia’s Pub Street in Siem Reap ranks high for its mix of nightlife and local dishes, while Bangkok’s Jodd Fairs Night Market draws crowds with its modern spin on Thai street food.
626 Night Market captures the spirit of these destinations without pretending to be them. It’s unapologetically Californian, proudly Asian American and constantly evolving. As one of only two U.S. night markets to make the list (Queens Night Market ranks number seven) it's stands out among the world's best.
Ten best night markets in the world
- Chatuchak Weekend Market—Bangkok, Thailand
- Pub Street—Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Jodd Fairs Night Market—Bangkok, Thailand
- Petaling Street Market—Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Shilin Night Market—Taipei, Taiwan
- Ningxia Night Market—Taipei, Taiwan
- Queens Night Market—New York City, USA
- Chiang Rai Night Market—Chiang Rai, Thailand
- 626 Night Market—Los Angeles Area, USA
- Bugis Street Market—Singapore