The food markets and food stalls are all celebrating the year of the Rooster! Especially in Christchurch, New Zealand at the Night Noodle Market, which is one of the Asian Fusion markets, where you will experience diverse cultures coming together, to showcase their most popular and authentic dishes, which have put them on the map!
Seeing all the different food trucks and pop-up stores in the village is a feast for all your senses! One particular corner caught my eye which had bellowing smoke and a rowdy queue of people. As I got closer to investigate the vibe, my sensors tuned in to that spot amazing aromas of charred barbeque of Inihaw na manhok (marinated chicken) and Baboy (the most tender of pork belly) which was stacked on a long wooden skewer and grilled over an open fire.
Dancing dragons, jumping and flipping around, entertaining the crowds to no end, certainly adds emotion and atmosphere to the occasion. Everyone joining in the festivities with hands full of finger-licking morsels. One’s tastebuds are provoked to try more tantalising dishes like the Shrimp Har Gow’s, Prawn and Ginger Dumplings, accompanied by chillies and soy sauce. Japchae, Korean Sweet Potato Noodles, Beef Rendang, Satays, Fried Cuttlefish Balls with Lemon and White Choc Smash! How do you choose!
The experience was enhanced by the numerous service attendants who greeted everybody with big smiles and enthusiastically introduced their menus and explained in detail, the various options, even catering for vegetarians, gluten intolerant, and other dietary requirements. I decided to try the Double Dragon Burger, packed full of flavour with spicy, slow-cooked Brisket which melted in my mouth. ?Not something one would expect from a noodle market, but it was great to see them play and creativity vendors used to showcase local ingredients, influenced by Asian Fusion flavours!
Keep it cooking!