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Photos by Perry & Cindy Mack
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Photos by Perry & Cindy Mack
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Photos by Perry & Cindy Mack
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Photos by Perry & Cindy Mack
Story and Photos by Perry & Cindy Mack
I’ve entered an alternate reality where hundreds of smiling people are standing and chatting shoulder to shoulder, the night air is filled with tantalizing aromas of unknown delights and although I’m not hungry anymore I’m searching for the next unexpected culinary delight. In truth, it’s surreal but not an alternate reality – it’s the Asian night market in Richmond.
Food is the biggest reason that thousands of people flock to the night market. We salivate over the options from Korea, Japan, China and the Philippines - like stir-fried octopus and shrimp rice rolls along with traditional offerings of dim sum and chow mein. The Rotato booth is hugely popular – a spiral cut deep fried potato on a stick in flavours like roasted garlic, pepper, jalapeno and sour cream. Our love of waffles prevented us from walking by the Waffle Puffs booth without trying them. Egg waffles cooked in a special waffle maker that churned out light fluffy chestnut sized waffles – does everything taste better here?
There are also non-Asian offerings like German pork hocks, bratwurst, pizza and pulled pork. And then there were desserts – I managed to fit a refreshingly cool Mango and Ice Cream shaved iced on top of everything else I’d already eaten.
Located near the River Rock Casino with easy access to the Canada Line, this Asian night market of more than 300 booths offers not only food but electronic doodads, mobile accessories and bargains galore - everything from Hello Kitty pillows to light up T-shirts to lumbar supports for your office chair. If you’re tired of shopping for gifts in the unrelentingly repetitive selection of mall retailers – here you will find something unique for anyone and everyone.
The market is open Friday and Saturday from 7pm to 12am, Sundays and stat holidays from 6pm to 11pm. It’s a $1.50 to get in and if you drive, there are 1500 free parking stalls – most of which were filled by 9pm the evening we were there.
If you are RV’ing in the vicinity, I’m certain you’ll find it a wonderfully unique attraction. Even if you don’t eat or buy anything, this experience is well worth the effort. But believe me when I say – go hungry!