Street Food at Night

A number of years ago, I went to one of the Asian festivals in Toronto. I think it might have been the Dragon Boat. It was a huge disappointment, almost an embarrassment. No thought had been put into the organization, there was no excitement, class or style, just an array of cheap booths selling pre-packaged dumplings in styrofoam boxes. A few booths even had microwaves! A couple of years later I attended a mid-Autumn festival which at least went on till late in the evening but was still pretty lame. I understand it is hard to create atmosphere and excitement but still, the two I had gone to hardly seemed to have made an effort.

So, last night, we went to last day of the tenth anniversary of the Night It Up! Night Market held outside the Markham Theatre. We arrived at ten pm - the thing went on till midnight - and there were a couple of signs this was going to be very different. 

First, the place was heaving. Just jammed. There were, I guess, about four rows of booths in tent formation laid out at right angles to a small stage. Each row had maybe 20 or so booths and most of them had huge lines. (A full list of booths can be found here.)

Second, as we approached, we were hit with the unmistakeable smell of stinky tofu frying away in a corner stall. It got stronger and stronger as we neared until it was almost overpoweringly ghastly. I honestly thought this stuff was illegal in built up areas.

This was definitely an event for young people - mostly young Asians. I am pretty sure I might have been the oldest person there.

Unfortunately, we had made the mistake of eating before we went, so were too full to sample anything. I did force myself to try a murtabak, which is (in this case) a Malaysian pancake filled with a very tasty beef, chicken, or vegetable filling depending on your choice. It was just fantastic and left me ruing the fact I had not planned this a bit better.

I washed it down with a freshly made sugar cane juice which I enjoy ordering as I think it makes the vendor work hardest for the money. Serena got a pineapple drink made by slicing the top off a pineapple, then using a pineapple corer to take out everything but the core, blending the pineapple you just took out, then pouring it back into the empty pineapple.

If you don't like weird smells, slow-moving crowds or being squashed and pushed at every turn, or are intimidated by too many young people, then this is not the event for you.

As for me, I am already looking forward to the next one!

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