It’s hot and not getting cooler anytime soon, not this summer or next or into the foreseeable (and pretty frightening) future. But climate activism aside, there is a temporary oasis in NYC’s most famously diverse borough. The expansive, open-air Queens Night Market is an oasis of food vendors, artisans, and live performance happening in the more tolerable hours — till midnight on Saturdays from April till October (with a hiatus for the U.S. Open in late August and early September).
The market was launched in 2015 by John Wang, a former corporate lawyer who wanted to recreate the open-air night markets he remembered from childhood summers in Taiwan. Night markets are popular across Asia, and as one of the world’s most culturally diverse urban areas, Queens was a logical place to set up. Like all outdoor fairs, carnivals, and markets, the highlight is always the street food, and true to the borough’s rep, the offerings at the Queens Night Market are international and broad-ranging. A vast array of food vendors are expected to show up to tempt crowds this Saturday; among the offerings, just to name a few, dinner-hop between Matylda’s Foods (pierogies), Menya Jiro (ramen), Cambodia Now (Cambodian fish amok), MuahChee Alley (Fujianese drunken ribs), Soronko (Nigerian meat pies), Mirchi Masala (Pakistani biryani), La Braza (roasted corn and skewers), Szechuan (Szechuan ice jelly), Nomad Dumplings (Tibetan momo), and Don Ceviche (Peruvian ceviche), finishing off with Sam’s Fried Ice Cream.
And while strolling with your fully loaded plates, check out the merch of that week’s artisans, which this Saturday include Eco Paper Creations, Rockaway Botanica, Thai Orchids, SD Hot Sauce, and Really Bad Portraits. The soundtrack provided by live performers will begin and end with DJ Shinobishaw; in between, the entertainment includes mariachi and traditional Chinese dance.
A few anecdotal pointers from previous marketgoers: Lines for food are longest around 7 to 8 p.m.; take the subway, don’t saddle yourself with a car that must be parked; dogs are not officially permitted but many people bring them with no issues (I noticed leashed dogs appearing in many market photos); admission is free but bring cash for your purchases, there is an ATM but it usually has a long line and many vendors are cash only. And skip lunch. ❖
Queens Night Market
Saturdays from April to October (check availability for late August and early September)
4 p.m. to midnight
New York Hall of Science | 47-01 111th Street
Flushing Meadows, Corona Park, Queens
Laura Bell
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