626 Night Market 2013 - Food, Food, Food!

August 11, 2013

After posting some of my pictures, I've been asked "what's a night market?" Night markets are big in Asia, Taipei's Shilin Night Market being the most famous. They're more like night bazaars which are more casual than the busy markets during the day. You can expect "street" type food and a chance to sample more of a variety than what we're commonly used to with a "plate" of food from a single vendor.

Instead of heading to Asia to sample a pleura of street food at a night market, I have one right in my backyard at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia...

626 Night Market

Los Angeles' largest Asian Night Market

This year, 626 Night Market was held over 3 weekends in

June, July, and August.

With over 50,000 people attending over a single weekend, this place offers a chance to sample foods from all over in one setting, including some of our popular gourmet food trucks. If you've ever been to Santa Anita Park, you know how big the area in front of the grandstand is and the number of vendors that can fit in the area. Beside food and shopping, there's entertainment and even the World's Largest Cup of Boba Milk Tea!

Photo by 626 Night Market

See how this GIANT Boba Milk Tea was put together

GIANT BOBA

#DRINKBIG

You can even see the boba at the bottom...

See What Jay Eats...

Being Japanese American, I remember all of the festivals and harvest celebrations we attended growing up. Being a busy adult, I miss attending some of these festivals and was on the hunt for some "street" food like Takoyaki.

Takoyaki

'Tako' is Japanese for "octopus" and 'yaki' is to "grill or fry."

The batter is made with a wheat flour and bits of octopus are added. Once the bottom is cooked, they're flip them around until golden brown. A sauce is added and topped with green onions and bonito shavings (topping may vary due to the vendor). It reminds me of my last trip to Japan...

Takoyaki with a Jalapeño Sauce

Not a traditional sauce, but this is the U.S.

6 for $5

Word of warning, the inside can be very hot,

I seem to forget each time I have this...

Another Japanese "festival" type food for me is Okonomiyaki.

'Okono' in Japanese means "what you like" and 'yaki' means "to grill."

Okonomiyaki

This one happens to be a beef one

It's a savory pancake that has different kinds of ingredients,

this one had cabbage, beef, and topped with a sweet sauce,

Japanese mayonaise, and bonito shaving.

Beef Okonomiyaki

Need something fried now...

The Ludo Truck is here

and they make a great fried chicken.

We opted for 2 pieces with spicy mayo

$5.25

HEY, I know you...

Photo courtesy of Jodi Fung

Ran into my friend Jodi Fung and her family.

Jodi is the founder of

The Sirens Society / FILManthropy

and a Foodie...

She pointed out some of her favorites.

We both agreed, Mama Musubi was not to be missed

"The 24 Hour Pork Belly"

Berkshire pork belly braised in umami sauce,

pickled daikon and Karashi mustard (spicy mustard).

I didn't taste any spicy mustard,

but the pork belly was really good.

Photo courtesy of Jodi Fung

Mama Musubi

Musubi or Onigiri is a Japanese rice ball, wrapped in seaweed.

A fancier rice ball might include flavored rice or a special ingredient

inside of the rice, like the ones in the picture above.

If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram, you know I love just about anything skewered and grilled. So when I saw the three grills and skewered meats and Corn with a C, I had to make a stop get some grilled goodies...