For years, the Queen Victoria Market's night series has set two very different scenes — one of spiced mulled wine and barbecue smoke for its winter season, and of balmy evening air and sangria during the summer months. But what about the in-between seasons? Are we expected to go to restaurants on a Wednesday night? It appears the answer is, no, not anymore, as the historic marketplace prepares to launch a new spring edition of its popular hump day offering.
The Hawker 88 Night Market sets out to fill that Wednesday night gap, and will for six weeks this spring, from September 19 to October 24. Riffing on the bustling hawker markets of Southeast Asia, it'll serve up a riot of flavours from across the continent, as imagined by 20 of the city's most popular vendors. From rich Indian curries and Filipino barbecue to Korean-style pork belly and Japanese karaage — if it's authentic, Asian street food, it'll probably make an appearance.
Different weekly themes will give you the chance to explore various cuisines of the region alongside traditional entertainment, demonstrations and cultural experiences — get set for K-pop performances, noodle making masterclasses and plenty of karaoke. The lineup includes a Filipino Festival, a Mooncake Festival, a Bollywood Festival and even a Durian Festival if you're partial to the famously stinky fruit, although the exact dates are yet to be released.
And while sangria isn't likely to be on the cards, you will find a swag of sips designed to complement Asian fare, including an exclusive H88 lager from newcomers Brick Lane Brewing Co.