Kristie HangThe folks behind the widely successful 626 Night Market in Arcadia are coming to the Westside.
Their latest project, Taste of Night Market, is a two-day tasting event featuring an international mix of cuisines from local chefs and rising tastemakers. It will take place at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on Feb. 5 and 6. The theme of the night will revolve around the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Monkey. Unlike previous night-market events in the SGV — which can easily attract 100,000 people — this tasting will have a limited capacity (meaning tickets will only be available until they sell out).
So what can you expect from the inaugural Taste of Night Market Event? Here are five vendors to look forward tot.
Credit: Courtesy Crescendo Ice Cream
5. Singaporean Bread Ice Cream
This is Asian-fusion ice cream with a twist. If you’ve ever been to Singapore, you might have tried the popular ice cream bread that's a common sight at local street-cart vendors. Crescendo Ice Cream takes the traditional street snack and adds a splash of liquid nitrogen to the mix. The ice cream is infused with exotic tea blends such as dragon fruit, passion tea and bits of strawberry and apple. Because singing is in their roots, the owners of Crescendo Ice Cream frequently invite and host local singers to perform in front of their booth. Their ice cream flavors are named after indie musicians they support.
Credit: Courtesy SuShe
4. Wagyu Beef Bites
Chef Jennifer Ravalo, who owns the catering company SuShe, will be serving up her Wagyu Beef Bites, which are American Kobe beef served over a crab cucumber sushi roll. The beef is lightly seared with truffle oil and garnished with homemade yuzu kosho, lemon sesame salt, kaiware and soy onion ponzu. In addition to the Wagyu Beef Bites, Rayalo will serve poke tacos with coconut wasabi mousse.
Credit: Courtesy 10e
3. Armenian Dumplings
Downtown L.A. favorite 10e will bring its Mediterranean fare to the Taste of Night Market event. 10e will be offering its signature dish: mante (aka Armenian beef dumplings), served in broth and topped with yogurt.
Bolinho de carne, or Brazilian meat croquettes; Credit: Courtesy Marina Chung
2. Brazilian Pastries
Fans of ABC's The Taste might recognize Marina Chung, who finished as runner-up in the second season. Chung, who was born in Taiwan and moved to Brazil at age 10, will be bringing traditional Brazilian street food to Taste of Night Market. Expect her bolinho de carne (or Brazilian meat croquettes) filled with beef, chicken or potato, as well as flavored rice and tasty Brazilian pastries.
Credit: Courtesy Milk + T
1. Southern California's First Self-Serve Boba Truck
As Southern California’s first self-serve boba truck, Milk + T offers a healthier alternative to sugar-drenched boba drinks. Instead of sweet artificial syrups and powders, expect homemade syrups made with real fruit. Each drink comes in an Instagram-worthy glass bottle with a choice of unlimited toppings additions such as boba, aloe, lychee jelly, grass jelly, strawberry, mint, basil seeds and chia seeds.
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