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: Queens International Night Market
The Queens International Night Market is a wildly popular market in a NYC borough increasingly recognized for its international culinary talent. Held Saturdays from 6pm until midnight from April through August in the parking lot of the New York Hall of Science, over 100 independent vendors and performers come together to celebrate the rich cultural diversity of Queens.
Image Credit: Queens International Night Market
Image Credit: Queens International Night Market
Strolling through the market, vendors hawk everything from octopus takoyaki, Korean corn dogs and squid skewers to Tibetan blood sausages, salchipapas and samosas.. none of which are sold for more than $5. While UrbanSpace and Smorgasburg are still the dominant players in NYC’s open air food market scene, the impressive variety of culturally authentic culinary fare offered at such friendly price points found throughout the Queens International Night Market attract an average nightly attendance of 6,000 people to the parking lot of the New York Hall of Science in Flushing, NY (ironically, a site that was home to the 1964-65 World’s Fair).
Image Credit: Queens International Night Market
Image Credit: Queens International Night Market
Diversity, accessibility and inclusion are words that have come to define the Queens International Night Market. In addition to ethnic food that is easy on the wallet, about 1/3 of the market is filled with vendors selling culturally inspired arts, crafts and other merchandise. Entertainment spans from Hawaiian dance troupes, to electric violinists and occasionally a jazz quartet. Combined, the market truly captures a unique snapshot of the unparalleled diversity that is Queens.