Five-day event is part of Los Angeles Times’ month-long Food Bowl
NEED plans this weekend in Los Angeles? If you’re looking for something food-related, check out the Night Market in downtown’s Grand Park. It’s part of the second annual Los Angeles Times Food Bowl, a month-long food festival happening around the city.
The Night Market kicked off on Wednesday, May 16 and will run until Sunday, May 20. The event features DJs, live music, and over 50 food and beverage vendors and trucks (along Hill Street and Broadway) across three blocks of the park — it surely will be an activity for the whole family to enjoy, especially for those who can never agree on one specific cuisine to eat.
The LA Times calls the Night Market a “love letter to the LA food scene,” and rightfully so, as guests can lineup at the booths of beloved eateries — from Kogi BBQ (whose truck will be there on Sat) to Lobsterdamus.
There’s a Taco Alley with six taco vendors and LA Times Food Court with an array of seafood, dessert and options for cheese lovers. Pro-tip: don’t miss the ube malted crunch or sticky rice + mango flavors at Wanderlust Creamery; grilled lobster with garlic noodz at Lobsterdamus; or Raclette cheese atop potatoes at Cheezus.
Of course, you can’t go wrong with tacos, but for those who don’t want meat, check out Todo Verde, a Latin American eatery with plant-based dishes. The jackfruit tacos and mushrooms en mole are a must as is the Horchata Negra (black rice, activated charcoal, cinnamon, vanilla, chia seeds, and maple syrup) drink.
At Lantern Garden, each day has a different theme; Sunday will be a Charity Bake Sale. Previous days included Fried Chicken Friday, Doughnut Town on Thursday (with four doughnut vendors), and Outstanding in the Field Filipino Feast on Wednesday.
While the event is free, the Super Market area has a $10 admission fee, where there are select food vendors, additional seating areas, entertainment, and premium bars and lounges. New York-favorite Momofuku will pop-up there on Saturday and Sunday.
Vendors throughout the week are: Ensaymada Project, Burritos La Palma, Earlz Hot Dogs, Bahn Oui, Hip Hot, Secret Lasagna, Fat Dragon, Urban Pie, Side Chick, Johnny Lee’s New Hong Kong-style Meat Project Pearl River, Scott Conant’s Ponte, Shirley Chung’s Dumpling Pop-Up Ms. Chi Cafe, Workaholic’s Dumpling Stand, Patina Group restaurants, Delmy’s Pupusas, Baohaus. Bludso’s Bar & Que, and Pizzanista.
Some things to check out: Ensaymada Project, where you can get different flavored ensaymadas like ube-flavored or maple bacon; the solo hot pot at Hip Hot if you like spicy food; BBQ baby octopus skewers and the soft shell crab sandwich at Broad Street Oyster Co.
The Night Market is open from 3-11 p.m. on Saturday and 3-9 p.m. on Sunday. For more information on the vendors and other events, please visit www.lafoodbowl.com.
