Overview
This November, the bustling Night Noodle Markets will return to Victoria Park for ten nights of tasty things on sticks, bowls of noodles, bao and extravagant frozen desserts.
Taking over the riverside inner city park from Friday, 29 November to Sunday, 8 December, the latest iteration of the fairy light-lit markets will see over 20 local and international food stalls set up shop.
The NNM has just unveiled a taster of its menu, and cult Australian dessert company Gelato Messina is preparing to wow Aucklanders once more with brand new offerings. While last year's frozen treats were inspired by the Philippines, this year, they're an ode to Thai sweets. Choose from the Bangkok Banana, a Thai milk tea cheesecake sandwich with sponge and meringue; the Phuket Bucket, banana fritters served with caramelised banana gelato and peanut crumble; the Coco Phangan, mango sorbet with coconut sticky rice; or the Eye of the Thai-ger, a multi-layered dessert of condensed milk pudding, condensed milk crumble, shaved ice, lychee gelato and jellies. Or don't choose and eat them all — you can spread them out over ten nights, after all.
Eye of the Thai-ger
Elsewhere at NNM you'll find last year's Top Chopsticks winner Johney's Dumplings, Hoy Pinoy's smokin' barbecue skewers and Sydney-based Puffle dishing up spicy Korean fried chicken cheese waffles and brand new Puffle desserts. Naturally, there will be plenty of booze stations as well, including Moa and Crafters Union beer dispensaries.
So start scheduling your visits the market — and cross your fingers for good weather.
The Night Noodle Markets run from November 29 to December 8 at Victoria Park, Auckland. They'll be open from 4–10pm (finishing at 9pm on the final day).
Image: Kimberley May Moore.