The much-loved Hawker 88 Night Market will return to Queen Victoria Market’s iconic sheds and laneways this autumn for an exclusive five-week season – every Wednesday from 10 April to 8 May, 5pm-10pm.
Queen Victoria Market will transform into a vibrant and bustling hawker-style street market, complete with long communal tables, a canopy of hanging lanterns, traditional Lucky Cat decorations and vivid neon lights.
Hawker 88 Night Market invites food lovers to indulge in the sights, sounds and tastes of Asia. Each week, the Market will celebrate the continent through a diverse mix of sizzling street food; refreshing drinks; specialty retail stalls; live music; cultural performances; food eating contests; and family entertainment.
WEEKLY THEMES & ENTERTAINMENT:
Wednesday 10 April - All Asia Night: Kick off the season with a line-up of traditional and modern performances including exciting lion dancing. Then, take part in a dumpling eating competition.
Wednesday 17 April - Southeast Asia Durian Night: Let the fragrant smells and flavours of Asia’s southeast take over with a daring Durian eating competition, plus lively Malay dancing and martial arts demonstrations.
Wednesday 24 April - Oriental Night: Be memorised by K-Pop dances, a Japanese cultural band performance and spectacular Taiko drumming.
Wednesday 1 May - Island Night: Celebrate the islands of Asia with a Filipino band, Bollywood dancing and a variety of other cultural performances. Challenge your eating skills with a skewer eating competition and beer pong contest. The winners will be advancing to the finals at the Full Moon Festival.
Wednesday 8 May - Full Moon Festival: Bid farewell to the season in style with a lively Full Moon Festival party. A DJ will spin tracks on the decks while a soulful Filipino band takes to the Market’s live stage. Then, dive headfirst into the finals of the beer pong competition.
FOOD & DRINK HIGHLIGHTS:
Lui Boss: Crispy Korean popcorn chicken, kimchi fries and tteokbokki (rice cake).
Hoy Pinoy: Charcoaled Filipino skewers.
Umami Tokyo: Pork and chive gyoza, chicken karaage and chicken yakisoba.
Sabb Der: Serving classics like pad Thai, mango sticky rice and Thai milk tea.
Twistto: The original Korean twist potato and Japanese souffle.
Taiwan Street Food: Taiwanese dumplings, tanghulu (candied fruit on skewers) and creative fairy floss characters (think Pikachu and Baby Yoda).
Okinami: Authentic okonomiyaki and takoyaki, plus salmon and prawn tempura.
Bawang Melbourne: Flame grilled Malay satay skewers and nasi lemak.
George the Fishmonger: Japanese oysters with chilli, mayo and mushroom sauce.
Nepal Dining Room: Grilled momo, grilled chicken sekua and pork belly.
Coconut Hub: Refreshing sugarcane and coconut juice.
EVENT DETAILS:
When: Every Wednesday from 10 April to 8 May
Time: 5:00pm-10:00pm
Where: Queen Victoria Market – corner of Queen and Therry Streets, Melbourne
Parking: $15 event parking in both open air and undercover car parks from 4:30pm–11:00pm
Pricing: Free entry with food, beverages and goods for purchase