These Night Markets Are Lighting Up Cities
As farmers markets and food truck rallies now seemingly pop up everywhere, a new nocturnal trend has recharged the street food scene and illuminated the rich potential hidden in long-forgotten neighborhoods across the US. Inspired by the late-night street markets found in many Asian cities, more and more night markets have taken root stateside to expose a rich, cultural melting pot that has largely simmered unnoticed to US audiences. Here, we take a look at the most popular night markets shedding light on local culture from coast-to-coast.
Image Credit: 626 Night Market
626 Night Market in Los Angeles is unquestionably the largest night market in the U.S. On 4 weekends each summer, 75,000+ attendees and 200+ vendors flood a parking lot outside of the Santa Anita Park thoroughbred racing facility. Quite simply, 626 Night Market sets the bar for contemporary Asian festivals.
Image Credit: 626 Night Market
The market features a jam-packed lineup of entertainment acts such as dance crew battles, YouTube celebrities, world-famous djs and Cosplay contests to tantalize one’s auditory and visual senses. But just beyond the bright lights and costumed dancers, the smells emanating from the grills and steamers of over 100 food vendors are what draws in the market’s massive crowds. The 626 Night Market is best known as being the Super Bowl of Asian street food on U.S. soil. Attendees roam between tents ingesting everything from traditional favorites like Japanese squid balls, Chinese dragon whiskers or Taiwanese stinky tofu to more contemporary Asian-fusion favorites such as spicy tuna rice burgers or ramen donuts.
Image Credit: 626 Night Market
Image Credit: 626 Night Market
After 5 years, the crowds just keep growing at the 626 Night Market. Organizers are quick to note that while fads come and go quickly in the fickle Los Angeles market, night markets have flourished in Asia for decades and hope to keep the concept relevant for many years to come. As Asians now makeup more than 60% of the population in the San Gabriel Valley (the ‘626’ in the ‘626 Night Market’), there seems to be a permanent demographic shift in this region which could further solidify the impressive staying power of the 626 Night Market. A companion event in Orange County called the OC Night Market, run by the producers of the 626 Night Market, also operates during the summer months.
Image Credit: 626 Night Market