The second annual weekend night market at the Asian Garden Mall in Little Saigon has numerous choices for tasting.
Open from 7 to midnight on Friday and Saturday and 7 to 11 p.m. on Sundays through Sept. 9, 2012, it’s located in the front parking lot of the Asian Garden mall and it can be a fun-filled family outing to experience various popular foods from different Asian restaurants in the area without dropping a ton of money, plus musicians to entertain and vendors with various toys and fair items for sale.
The second annual weekend night market at the Asian Garden Mall in Little Saigon has numerous choices for tasting.
Open from 7 to midnight on Friday and Saturday and 7 to 11 p.m. on Sundays through Sept. 9, 2012, it’s located in the front parking lot of the Asian Garden mall and it can be a fun-filled family outing to experience various popular foods from different Asian restaurants in the area without dropping a ton of money, plus musicians to entertain and vendors with various toys and fair items for sale.
Lots of variety of local chow such as soft-boiled duck eggs, pho, shell fish, egg noodles, tofu, ribs and we even saw a food truck.
I couldn’t try everything; however, these are a few recommendations for anyone who is venturing out for a night full of tempting foods.
Quick apology: I do not speak the Vietnamese language so though I tried to get the ingredients of the bits and pieces I couldn’t always understand the vendors.
Spring roll with shrimp (Bo Bia) – the clear wrapper had a pliable consistency which held the fresh vegetables well and since it’s not fried, it’s low in fat, low in calories and therefore tasty and healthy. This particular roll had shredded cucumber, carrots, cilantro, clear noodles and shrimp. The combination was refreshing and a nice way to clean the palate for the night ahead.
Coconut waffles – made with coconut milk, these waffles were slightly sweet, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. I believe it’s the cream of tartar that gives this dish a special quality and unlike American waffles, it’s scrumptious enough that you do not need ruin it with syrup.
Roasted corn – grilled in the husk, sprayed with lime juice and don’t forget to top it off with onions. Normally corn is just corn, but not at the night bazaar. It’s a treat.
Grilled pork on a stick (Thit heo nuong xa) – if you like pork or barbecued meat, you must try this item. Your taste buds will be dancing. Marinated with lemon grass, onion, garlic and soy for hours, this fair food is big on flavor and you will taste the seasonings long after the last bite.
Grilled banana wrapped in sweet rice (Chuoi Nep Nuong) – apparently in Saigon this is a popular treat sold by street vendors. We stood in line for our Chuoi Nep Nuong which is burnt crispy rice covering sticky rice and in the middle a grilled banana. It is normally served sliced in a bowl of tapioca but I ordered mine separately and thought though the tastes complemented each other, it was more like two desserts in one.
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