Here's a challenge people. I dare you all to attend The Canberra Times Night Noodle Markets without buying one of those ubiquitous spirally spuds on a stick. With all due respect to Twistto, whose Korean-spiced potatoes are actually really delicious - and yes, we all will probably buy one - the idea of the noodle markets is to try something you can't get anywhere else.
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There'll be 25 stalls at this year's Night Noodle Markets, which run from February 28 to March 9, in Reconciliation Place, bringing the best parts of Australia's multicultural flavours to the nation's capital.
New stall holders include Demochi Donuts, selling their Japanese inspired honey glazed doughnuts; Grill & Spice, with Indian street food; The Pham Sisters' vegan Vietnamese; dumplings from Chinese Dim Sum King; and Raijin's Japanese noodles and dumplings.
Local favourite Super Bao is also on the menu for the first time this year, with their signature boa-gers and popcorn chicken. Other local stall holders include Korbq and Donburi Station.
Crowd favourites Hoy Pinoy, Flying Noodles, Poklol x Puffle and Chur Burger are back as well.
Dessert options include Demochi Donuts, Gelato Messina and Waffleland; its Cheeky Monkey, a freshly baked waffle stick with peanut butter, ice cream, bananas, pretzels, caramel syrup and wafer sticks with optional strawberries, warm nutella and melted chocolate is well worth the wait in the queue.
And while you're waiting there'll be plenty to keep you entertained. There's live music, DJs and lion dancing on any given night.
Or catch a glimpse of the Enlighten Illuminations, as architectural projections light up Parliament House, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Gallery of Australia, the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, the National Library of Australia and Questacon.
Instagram worthy
Part of me hates that this is a thing but we all do it.
Here's our pic of insta-worthy dishes to snap and eat. In that order please.
Poklol x Puffle's KFC Puffle: sweet and spicy Korean fried chicken stuffed inside their signature cheese puffle, topped with Japanese mayo and shallots.
Gelato Messina's Phuket Bucket: condensed milk pudding, condensed milk crumble, lychee and sala shaved ice, lychee gelato and rainbow jellies.
Superbao's Sichuan fried chicken bao-ger: a 24-hour cooked chicken thigh, marinated in sticky sauce, infused with Sichuan peppercorn and chilli oil and served with mixed leaves, dressed with signature Sichuan peppercorn mayo.
Flying Noodles' Fist of Fury: how do they get those noodles to sit up like that?
The Pham Sisters: You could almost convince yourself their vegan spring roll Vietnamese salad is healthy. Mind you, it probably is.
What you need to know
When: The markets run from Friday, February 29 to Sunday, March 9. They open from 5pm on weekdays and 4pm on the weekends, so you can get there early and fill up on delicious food before the Enlighten projections switch on at dusk. The Noodle Markets are open until 10.30pm every night.
Where: Reconciliation Place, in between the National Portrait Gallery and Questacon.
What's on the menu: There are 25 stalls to choose from and there are gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian, dairy free, egg free and Halal options.
How much: Entry to the Noodle Markets is free.
How to get there: After 5pm, there are lots of free parking options throughout the parliamentary triangle. Due to congestion, it's sometimes best to park a little bit further away and walk back in.
Good to know: The event is completely cash-free, with EFTPOS available at all stalls. It's all ages, and dogs are also welcome.
Karen Hardy
Email: karen.hardy@canberratimes.com.au
Email: karen.hardy@canberratimes.com.au
