By Sophia Nurse
The Night Noodle Markets are back with a vengeance this October in Hyde Park, delivering the intoxicating waft of street food from sizzling woks throughout the CBD.
Kicking off from tonight, there’ll be the buzz of Sydney-siders swarming to taste that Oriental goodness in the casual greenery. The Night Noodle Market will run for for 18 nights from October 6-23, but we’re betting that there’ll be big crowds down at Hyde Park in just a few hours. Find all the information you need right here, and below are our top picks for finger-licking bites at this year’s event:
DIN TAI FUNG
Originating in Taiwan and with restaurants across the globe, Din Tai Fung specialises in the art of steamed dumplings and has become a household name here in Sydney for their miniature packages of deliciousness. Hit up their stall to for their signature mouth-watering pork and seafood dumplings, pork buns and vegetarian options that’ll turn any carnivore – all freshly made before your eyes and delivering melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
[Image via @TheGirlsWhoAteTheWorld]
BAO STOP
Bao Stop is an old favourite at the Night Noodle Markets, and is the ultimate food destination for the scrumptious cloud-like buns stuffed with all kinds of fillings. Brace yourself to get your mouths around Bao Stop’s trademark Trio of Bao, which dishes out a sticky, tangy and crunchy flavour explosion with three pocket-sized bundles of chicken, pork belly and peking duck filling. You can also double up on flavour their world-famous peking duck fries, which are the perfect combination of old and new tastes, putting an Asian spin on a Western favourite.
HOUSE OF CRABS
You can also get your hands on some new food fodder from House of Crabs, which usually delivers a messy seafood experience above The Norfolk Hotel in Surry Hills. It’s spring menu includes a soft shell crab in a Vietnamese roll, but we’re most looking forward to the curious XO mayo fusion dressing. They continue to get crazy with the condiments by serving a kimchi ketchup on a noodle-wrapped hot dog, as well as indulgent lobster fries with cheese, bacon, corn and crustacean-infused gravy.
GELATO MESSINA
Scouring the grassy grounds you’ll also find some trippingly good desserts at Sydney’s favourite dessert spot Gelato Messina. The parlour is famous for their decadent and OTT flavours made daily with real ingredients and fresh fruits. Messina’s Noodle Market menu includes Only On Sundaes, which features zesty tropical and Oriental flavours including salted coconut sorbet with sticky black rice and lychee tapioca, topped with lemongrass and white chocolate ganache. Adventurous types can also try Fryer and Ice, a hot and cool deep-fried caramel and coconut gelato with traces of passionfruit. You know it’s gonna be good.
SNOW GHOST
For those opting for a more refreshing sweetener, the answer is Snow Ghost. Relive your childhood favourite of snow cones at the dessert stall, but here’s the Oriental remix: Traditional Taiwanese shaved ice dessert topped with seasonal tropical fruits such as mango, pineapple and red papaya. With the afternoons starting to stretch much longer before sundown, we can think of few better ways to celebrate the incoming summer.
