Wednesday nights in Melbourne are known for one thing and one thing only: Queen Victoria Market’s legendary Night Market. With the summer iteration officially finished for the season, Queen Vic has announced it will be bringing back its insanely popular Asian night market to tide you over until the winter version takes over during the chilly season.
The Hawker 88 Night Market brings Asian tastes, sights and sounds to Queen Vic’s sheds. Running every Wednesday night from April 8 until May 6, a tasty variety of stalls and trucks will be set up to sell authentic street food direct from China, Vietnam, Korea, India, Malaysia, Japan and beyond.
There's a line-up of more than 25 vendors selling tasty street eats like chicken and beef satay, handmade gyoza, spicy laksa bowls, pad see ew, moreish popcorn fried chicken, crispy wonton tacos, matchamisu and even durian (if you dare!). Quench your thirst at The Lucky Horse Bar with an Iced Watermelon Shochu or a non-alcoholic Lychee Lemonade.
Across the five-week stint there will also be lion dances, KPop Demon Hunters performances, martial arts demonstrations, taiko drumming, Squid Game-inspired challenges, Bollywood dance workshops and a closing-night cosplay parade. There's even a Korean-style photobooth, vintage Japanese kimonos and souvenirs like custom keychains, bags and 3D printed toys to browse and buy.
Each Wednesday brings a distinct cultural focus. April 8 is Pan-Asian Night with lion dances; April 15 showcases the flavours of Malaysia and Indonesia; April 22 is a Japanese-led evening with taiko drumming, martial arts and cultural showcases; April 29 celebrates island cultures from the Philippines to Sri Lanka; and the grand finale on May 6 blends traditional and contemporary Asian performances.
For more info on the event, check out the website.
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