When you’re living in Melbourne one of the things we absolutely love is the foodie scene. Melbourne truly is the food capital and with that title we host some of the most delicious foodie events around.
The eagerly awaited Night Noodle Markets, returns in 2018 to transform Birrarung Marr into a bustling Asian street food festival.
Perfect for the warm spring weather, over eighteen nights from 8-25 November, Melburnians can embark on a vibrant flavour journey through Asia with more than twenty sizzling hawker-style stalls, served alongside DJs, live music and the city’s stunning nightscape.
Sampling signature dishes and innovative tastes from the likes of Puffle, Red Spice Road and Son In Law, guests will discover the best traditional and contemporary cuisines and flavours from across the continent in one vibrant, open-air experience.
Venessa Cowell, Director of Food Events at Fairfax Events and Entertainment said: “Night Noodle Markets is a truly unique eating and drinking experience that continues to capture the appetites and imaginations of Melburnians. Over three fantastic weeks, people come together to celebrate great food, different cultures and an electric atmosphere on the banks of the Yarra.”
Guests can explore the Asian market stalls along the riverside, and then find a coveted spot on the grassy hillside overlooking the markets, taking in the strong scents of aromatic smoke and exotic spices as the sun sets.
So the big question – who’s involved?
Food-lovers can tick destinations off their culinary bucket list and indulge in unique dishes from: Hoy Pinoy, Puffle’s Hong Kong-inspired egg waffles, Korean tacos by POKLOL, and Taiwanese style steamed buns by Wonderbao.
This year will also see the return of crowd favourites such as Waffleland, Teppanyaki Noodles, Donburi Station, N2 Extreme Gelato, The Original Korean Twistto Potato, Black Star Pastry, Mr Miyagi, Sambal Kampung, Shallot Thai, Wonderbao, Bangkok Street Food, The Wagyu, Nem N Nem, and Chinese Dim Sum King. There will also be exciting new additions to the Night Noodle Markets family including Miso Fresh Food Truck, Bao Brothers, Red Spice Road, Son In Law, David’s and Oriental Tea House.
And for the perfect wine o’clock – South Australian winery Brand’s Laira will bring the best of Coonawarra to Melbourne with a pop-up Cellar Door, allowing guests to navigate their way through the markets cuisine while enjoying a glass of delicious Brand’s Laira wine.
For an experience with a more creative twist, Brand’s Laira will host a series of exclusive Paint and Sip sessions, where people will be able to pick up a paintbrush in one hand and a glass of Brand’s Laira in the other and create their very own masterpiece, inspired by the vineyards of Coonawarra. Brand’s Laira Paint and Sip session dates and booking details will be announced in coming weeks.
The James Squire Night Terrace will showcase the character-full range of one of the best craft beers in the country on tap the perfect match to any of your noodle cravings, while Spring’s favourite drink Pimm’s can be enjoyed in the beautiful Pimm’s Garden bar and at general bars for just $10.
For the first time in Melbourne, the Amplify KOMBUCHA BAR is offering festival goers bottomless tasty, brewed Kombucha on the house.
I sat down with Nathan and Dave from Bao Brothers Eatery below to get a little glimpse of what we can expect.
The night noodle market is one of Melbourne’s favourite foodie event – what do you think makes it so special?
Melbourne Night Noodle Markets is such a special event because it brings together such a vast array of food vendors, both a mix of crowd favourites and also emerging new food trends, start-ups and entrepreneurs.
It has a great atmosphere, big crowds which resemble the huddle of street food and cultures, and you can come on numerous nights and you’re able to try something different each time.
What delicious treats can we expect?
We will be serving our classic Bao trio and sweet potato fries, but keep a look out for some new menu items – Tom yum tater tots and some Baogers! (our take on a burger but with a bao bun)
What are the 3 ‘must try’ dishes this year?
The three must try dishes this year are definitely, the salt n pepper tofu Bao which comes with pickled ginger, sweet soy Kewpie and spring onions, and the Tom Yum tater tots. Try any of these dishes with our secret little hack – put green Sriracha on anything!! It’s super delicious.
What do you think makes Melbourne the ‘foodie capital’?
Melbourne has always been seen as the foodie capital as it has both casual food and fine dining covered so well, and there are always new food trends emerging. It has been ahead of the coffee scene, burger trends, and food truck movement for some time now, and we are now also seeing quality food offerings being open 24 hours a day. Not to mention you can try almost foods from every culture.
