Kristie HangThe folks behind the popular 626 Night Market are at it again. This time they're taking their event to downtown Los Angeles this weekend for the first downtown L.A. night market. Held this Friday and Saturday, June 20 and 21, at Lot 7 of Staples Center, from 4 p.m. to midnight. Since this is the very first Downtown L.A. Night Market, there will be many new vendors and food items making their debut. Here are 6 things to look forward to at the inaugural DTLA Night Market.]
wasabi ahi poke; Credit: courtesy: Mama Musubi
6. Wasabi Ahi Poke
Night Market Veteran Mama Musubi is teaming up with chef Jay Terauchi to debut a secret menu item: wasabi ahi poke with sweet onions and sesame seeds, topped with green onion over rice and served on a lettuce leaf for $7. Only those readers in the know will be able order the special dish, which will be limited to 30 orders. Mama Musubi will also be offering a Currywurst rice ball made with Berkshire pork sausages and Japanese curry aioli. And there'll be mochi coconut cream for dessert.
Paella; Credit: courtesy: Paella Artisan
5. The Paella Artisan
The Paella Artisan will be making its debut at the night market. Chef Manuel Lopez will be serving paella pescadora (seafood paella with saffron) and paella robusta (chicken, pork and Spanish chorizo paella with smoked paprika). Also on the menu will be two kinds of Moorish kebabs: marinated pork pinchos served with pimenton salsa, and chicken pinchos served with a garlic and parsley sauce. For drinks, they'll be serving a non-alcoholic Andalusian version of sangria made with pomegranate juice instead of wine.
Terimayo hot dog at Japadog; Credit: Tien Nguyen
4. Japadog
One of the newest additions to the L.A. food truck scene is Japadog, the Japanese fusion hot dog truck from Vancouver. Although there is a L.A. based truck, the original Japadog will be coming all the way from Canada for the occasion in the form of a pop-up booth. For those that haven't tried it yet, Japadog's hot dogs use yakisoba noodles, bonito flakes and radish, and are topped with toppings like kimchi, seaweed, Japanese mayonnaise and teriyaki sauce. [
ramen pizza; Credit: courtesy: Umaya Ramen
3. Ramen Pizza
Because you knew this mash-up was only a matter of time. Umaya Ramen, the ramen shop in Cerritos, will fusing Italian and Japanese cuisines together with their ramen pizza. Executive chef Nathan Schield will be making three kinds of crispy crust ramen pizza cooked in a wood fire grill: cheese ramen pizza, pepperoni ramen pizza and chicken-bacon BBQ ramen pizza. Prices range from $8-$10.
boba and hookah; Credit: courtesy: Boba Bear
2. Boba and Hookah
Boba and Hookah? Boba Bear, a company known for having a variety of hookah flavors and tasty boba drinks and crepes, will be setting up a hookah garden at the night market where patrons can sip on a boba drink, walk around their garden set-up and puff on 20 of their most popular tobacco flavors. Tickets will cost $5 per person.[
1. Sriracha Ramen Burger
Keizo Shimamoto's Ramen Burger will be collaborating with a new hot sauce called La Sriracha Macha to offer a spicy ramen burger topped with a fried egg, cheese and bacon available only for the DTLA Night Market. The hot sauce, which is a marriage of Sriracha and Mexican peppers, will give the cult-favorite ramen burger an extra kick. The original ramen burger will still be available for those who don't like things spicy, as will their Shaka Shaka Fries seasoned with red miso powder and green seaweed flakes.
There's lots MORE fun stuff going on too. LotZA Tots will be making truffle oil tots, steak truffle oil tots and uni cream truffle oil tots. Mwokaji Cakery will bring fondant-covered Minion, Pikachu, Hello Kitty and Doctor Who cupcakes. And Munchies Monster Shop will be making Vietnamese fried tacos.
DTLA Night Market: June 20 and 21 from 4 p.m. to midnight in Lot 7 at Staples Center Admission is $7 for presale tickets, $10 at the door. ?Due to the limited capacity, only presale tickets will guarantee entry into the night market. You can order presale tickets here.
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