Winter Night Market Celebrating Melbourne Multicultural Cuisine

Winter Night Market in Melbourne was one of the first few places I went with Fafa once we reinstated our Wednesday date-night tradition. I don’t remember much of my first time at Queen Victoria Winter Night Market except that we ate the best Sri Lankan food I have ever eaten while standing. It also reminded me of Ramadan Bazaar in Singapore, with more crowds and smoke. The appeal to go back hadn’t been as strong as I hate staying out in the winter.

This year though, they were doing Christmas in July celebration, and I was intrigued. So I layered up and went there in the last week of July, which was the coldest day of the year so far. Unlike with the Finders Keepers Market, there was no entry fee. And this time, the stalls were definitely more organized and varied compared to a few years ago.

Winter Night Market Celebrates Multi-Culture Cuisines

Turkish Coffee at Turk@QVM

The stall offers traditional Turkish cuisine, including Pideli Pofte and the iconic Turkish coffee cooked over burning sand. The beautiful cultural attraction might be the one that’s most Instagram-storied from the Winter night market.

Srilankan Lamprias at Drums

In honour of our date night here a few years ago, I packed back two boxes of Lamprais from Drums, the Sri Lankan food stall. Lamprais is a Sri Lankan dish that was introduced by the country’s Dutch Burgher population. It consists of yellow rice, curry, caramelized onion relish, cutlet, fried ash plantain curry, eggplant pickle, and fried, boiled egg. It reminded me so much of Nasi Bungkus, the Indonesian version of it, which also has Dutch influence.

Paella at Simply Spanish

Paella is the national dish of Spain made of rice and other ingredients that go well with rice, cooked together in a large flat pan. Originated from a region in Spain called Valencia, the dish has gained popularity in the tongue of different cultures. The paella pans in the Winter Night Markets looked oh-so-inviting.

Pierogi

Pierogi is the dumpling of Eastern European origin; it’s made the same way as the Chinese dumpling or Japanese Gyoza, with either savoury or sweet filling and cooked by steaming or pay-frying it. The Winter Night Market Pierogi was good, but I prefer my dumpling Asian.

Most Crowded Stalls in the Winter Night Market

Soup Factory

The soup factory was my first stop at the Winter Night Market. I wanted to try the most recommended King Crab Chowder before they ran out of it. I paid $18 (!), qued for only 10 minutes, adding a dash of chilli flakes into the bread bowl that was handed to me and parked myself in the corner. It was heavenly. A perfect bread bowl to warm one’s soul while standing in the crowded market on a winter night.

When I returned for another bowl, the queue had gotten so long that it wasn’t worth the wait and part with another $18.

The Black Sheep

It was hard to pass through Black Sheep, the first stall near the entrance. I suspected it had more to do with the crowd’s fascination with seeing a whole pig being roasted. It reminded me of the time I went to Cabramatta in Sydney and saw hanging meats displayed inside the butcher shop, but that time, everyone refused to see it. Is it because, unlike here, there was no roast aroma inviting their tastebud?

Wonderbao

If you are Melbournian, Wonderbao needs no explanation. It’s loved by locals and sought after by visitors. The first time I tried Wonderbao was a couple of years back in Melbourne Noodle Night Market. The buns were so soft and fluffy, while the pork belly filling was juicy and bursting with flavour. It was perfection.

Night Time Shopping at The Winter Night Market

I went to the Winter Night Market expecting to eat some delicious street food and skip the non-food-related stalls. It turned out to be not the case. There were a few stalls that caught my attention and definitely worth checking out.

Sala Okabe

A sucker for all things Japanese, I passed by this stall four times before I went inside. Famous Melbourne-based Kimono Stylist Sala Okabe owns the stall.

The stall sells good quality vintage Japanese textiles, mainly kimono and Haori (kimono jackets) in gorgeous patterns. Long story short, I bought one to be worn as a spring coat.

Viva La Calavera

Viva La Calavera is based in Queen Victoria Market and run by a mum of 3 with a passion for all things Mexican. Mexican culture is rising, and celebrating Dias De Muertos has slowly gained awareness. And even if you are not into skulls, I am sure you would find something interesting here.

My other favourites from the Winter Night Market are mulled wine, Padre Coffee, Made in Japan homewares and Henna art. There are many things to see, do and buy here. Support the local business owners by either buying or sharing pictures online of the food and things you find interesting.

Is It Worth To Visiting? Again?

Queen Victoria Winter Night Market has improved a lot compared to a few years ago. The multi-culturalism of the cuisines is celebrated much better. It’s more spacious and unlike my first-time experience. And I didn’t encounter any rude sellers this time. Even though it’s crowded and all the food price is marked up, in the Winter, it has become an iconic cultural spot in Melbourne. Both for the locals and the tourists.

This year alone, I have been back twice and planning another visit before the winter ends.

So yes, it’s worth braving the bitey weather to pop by the Winter Night Market on a Wednesday night. Who knows, we might bump into each other there (I am the Indian girl with a backpack carrying fried squid in one hand and a camera in the other).

Winter Night Market

Located in Queen Victoria Market, Queen Street, Melbourne CBD, VIC 3000

Open ONLY on Wednesdays after 5PM and only in the winter (June-August)

Come with an empty stomach, water bottle and wet tissue. Wear a jacket you are happy to toss inside the washing machine afterwards

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