Night Noodle Market

Sadly, the Night Noodle Markets are no longer any good. Limited seating, usually snapped up by large groups as soon as it opens. And the prices are through the roof — you are paying restaurant prices for a tiny take-​away portion. And the huge queues result in long waits and tepid food. There are very limited options if you don’t eat pork or chicken, and many places have a ‘minimum’ spend on items like dumplings.
Honestly, go to have a look at the lanterns and the inflatable panda, and then go home and call for take out. It would be much better value.

So this was my very first night noodle market and I thought it was a fantastic experience which excited all of my senses. Here you could smell the pork and chicken skewers sizzling over the grill, see the masses of people carrying buns and bowl goodness, you hear the orders being called for dumplings to be dropped, feel the steam and buzz around and finally get to taste that asian goodness.
I thought that though there were so many people, the layout was great and spread over a large area. I had no problems sitting on the grass with my other fellow gyoza go-​ers.
My tips, however, are:
1. To go early, i think it opens around 4
2. Try a weekday like Tuesday. The crowds on the weekends can get very intense, which makes for longer lines and longer wait times.
3. Do your research before you enter. The items I wanted to try were conveniently located in the same vicinity.
4. Send your friend off to a stall with no lines and eat while you que.
5. Don’t forget dessert.

I was so excited to visit this as a visitor to Sydney, but unfortunately the only day I could come happened to be a very rainy, gross day. Such a shame, because I love Asian food and there would be nothing better than to have the city’s best restaurants together in one spot. I still visited in an attempt to make the most of it, but the weather just was not cooperating. There were puddles and mud everywhere. I got to try a few places that were good, and I liked seeing how everything was set up. I think if the weather had been beautiful, I would really have enjoyed my visit! The beer garden was great, and there really were so many great food places to choose from. Of course, the rain decided to downpour while I was there and shops started closing one by one until eventually security came around and told my group that the market was closed. I really wish I could be back in Sydney to fully appreciate the Night Noodle Markets on a nice day, but unfortunately I don’t think I’ll be around again anytime soon.

Each year, I’m like a starry eyed kid in a Candy store when I arrive at the entrance to the Noodle Markets, admiring the atmosphere — the busy nighttime crowds, bright lights strung across the markets, and the smells of heated woks and skewers being barbecued. It’s a scene associated with the buzzing night markets seen in Asia and rarely in Australia, so it’s a real treat to come to the markets and be part of the atmosphere each year.
The crowds can be a bad thing though — a night out is a hit or a miss.
Come on the latter half of the week and the queues are horrendously long, leaving you wanting to pick out one dish and be out of there.
Come on a Monday though and you’ll have the luxury of doing a few laps of the markets scoping out the goodies, and best of all, be able to sample smaller dishes from a few different stalls.
It’s worth seeing, even if you aren’t a fan of noodles (the name is deceptive — there are lots of non-​noodle foods and even bars!).

all I can say is, make sure you get there early in order to get a table. many great food vendors with lots of different choices, events like this one is just another reason why Sydney is the best city in the world to live.

This was surprisingly a lot better than previous years. I remember going a few years ago. We left straightaway because the lines were too long and it was just too chaotic.
So 2014 was a surprise. For one, the layout is a lot better. It seems to take up a greater area in Hyde Park, and the stalls are laid out better so it’s not as cramped. There are more choices. More seating areas, too! And I love how there are all these activities (like the ping pong table, which I played at.)
The lines can get a bit long for some stalls, but generally it wasn’t too much of a wait. The value of the food fluctuates. Some are really great deals, some are OK, some are way too expensive. I suggest doing some research, but don’t take it too seriously — my friend tried some «must-​haves» he found online but some of them weren’t that good.
It’s best to come with a group of people so you can share dishes!

I came here with a few Sydney-​siders. Being from Perth this noodle market was HUGE! There were so many stalls it was a hard decision to make. We tried steamed gyoza which were so amazing and a Vietnamese ‘pancake’ (which was wrapped in a rice paper sheet) which was out of this world! I made a mistake in ordering a ‘buffet’ styled lunchbox with everything from dumplings to noodles, to bbq meats but it was only $ 5. It was a bit too carby and starchy. Never again.
Bottles of wine were $ 40 for a cheapo and the actual food was pricier and smaller than if you were to go to China Town. There were DJs and music so you can dance the night away or sit back, relax and do some people watching on the grass or comfy cushions.
It is a great place to hang out with friends and enjoy music, but it is pricey so you are better off going to an actual restaurant for food and wine!

Great atmosphere, especially as night sets in. We used it not as dinner but for pre-​drinks or late night snacking over a few nights. The lines at some places are insane considering there’s so many options to choose from, and so if in a rush you should be able to still find something.
Note that drinking a coconut inside the Noodle Market grounds = a normal, and refreshing accompaniment to the many culinary delights on offer.
Taking that coconut and finishing it walking around the rest of Sydney = not so normal, and a chance you will become «the coconut guy» as strangers called me.

I have to say, I hate new things. New things in Sydney that is. New things in Sydney are always full of giggling idiots, zigzagging around and waving their arms about. By 2014 the Night Noodle Market is not a new thing. So now I love it.
Before I came I did my research (read an article on Urban List) so there would be no messing about. I skipped lunch so I wouldn’t feel bad about my plan to eat only dessert gyoza for dinner. I was lucky enough to come with a Citibank card holding friend so we could sit in the concierge area.
The market had already been on for a couple of weeks so it wasn’t as busy as I’d expect for a Thursday night. It was definitely worth the hike up from Kent Street. The atmosphere is great here, the food is good (although I’m sure there’d be some bad options in all those stalls if you’re too adventurous) and we had a newly transferred colleague from USA with us which I was surprised to find made me feel proud that we had something like this to show off in Sydney.
The salted caramel and the peanut butter gyoza are delicious (standard market price at $ 8 each) and gave me a chance to show off my Japanese skills which consist entirely of yelling arigato gozaimasu in response to the chefs who yelled it at me.
I also nicked a taro bun off my friend. I imagine this is Taiwanese comfort food.
I definitely see the appeal of the Noodle Market and wish I hadn’t left it so late as I might not get another chance to go until next year. I have to say, I love old things in Sydney.

You don’t come to the NNM for the food. Overall, its just ok, and nowhere as good as actually eating in the restaurant itself. Add in long queues and its just not a «foodie» event.
That said, hanging out with friends in Hyde Park on a spring night is great!
If you’re a Citibank customer, the Citibank tent (look for the fairy light/​giant maypole arrangement) is quite lovely, though expect to wait 45 minutes+ for your «noodle concierge» to show up with food!

It was really fun, very pretty, picturesque, but very casual, lots of families, people sitting on the grass, plastic chairs, etc. I also thought it was fairly pricey for what it was. I probably spent about $ 35 on food and I got a ramen noodle burger (oily, but very, very yummy! would recommend), some chicken pancakes and various dumplings, plus drinks, so all up about $ 50. I would definitely go again, but order one big thing and not spend so much on essentially Asian street food which ought to be really, really cheap. If I pay restaurant prices, I should be sitting in a restaurant, shouldn’t I?

**2013**
Another «first» in Sydney (and probably the last). Why? Food costs more but tastes worse than dining in the actual restaurant.
Dont get me wrong, I think the night noodle market is a great concept as it allows people to try food from different restaurants all at a same place. (especially ones that you have never tried before). But the food quality is very disappointing.
Based on the lines, it seems that the favorites are Mamak, Din Tai Fung and Ramen Burger. To be honest, I am not sure why people bother waiting in line at DTF stall? It does not make sense because there is one DTF across the street (at Westfield foodcourt), with A/​C and comfortable seatings. Unless this is your first time trying DTF, you should be trying other food! (since there are about 40 stalls around?)
Here are some of the food I tried
1) New Shanghai: Value set C ($ 18)
— 3 steamed veggie dumpings: OK, filling was generous but all of the dumplings’ skin were torn.
— 3 small scallion pancakes: Not good, too much dough, couldnt even taste the scallions. Disappointing
— 4 pan fried pork dumplings: Not bad ! (probably the highlight of the night). Love the «soup» inside, tasted good with the chilli sauce
NOT VALUE FOR MONEY, cant believe I paid $ 18 for of the above. BOO
2) Zilver Restaurant: Stir Fry Noodles with duck ($ 12)
**DO NOT GET THIS**
— the noodles way too soggy, I could not stomach it anymore after 5 bites.
— MSG overload !!!
Be warned that the servers speak very little English… I ended up speaking to him in cantonese because he just could not get the order right. (come on, the word «two» coupled with my finger pointing at the stir fry noodle with duck picture… not rocket science!)
And the worst part is that it is the same person serving the food + collecting the money, their hands were extremely oily… so oily that I wrapped my change with napkins and washed them at home. [my first time ever having to do that]
Though the portion is generous (but what’s the point if it tastes horrible?) and the duck pieces are pretty good.
BOO BOO BOO
3) Himalayan Yummy Restaurant: Momo (5 pieces — $ 6)
Very disappointing as well. The fillings were tasteless, lack of spices. But the sauce that came with the momos was pretty good.
TIP: Unless you get there at 5pm (when it starts), it will be difficult to find seats. Bring your own picnic blanket :)

They might be markets but make sure you go on payday as expect to pay a degustation in money and time to be satisfied. The noodle markets has a nice environment, what could be more romantic than eating in the park with a loved one on a beautiful spring evening evening?
In order to get there however expect to first line up for half an hour for your tiny plate of food costing 2 digits. Add more time where time also equals money to the equation if you are indecisive.
The taste of the food varies, it can be really tasty or really average, usually you will get the latter as people will come back next year anyway so there’s no incentive to make a great impression. Citibank usually funds this and offers a fee free account, so if you want a nice table in a private area get a Citibank account. You get to sit under an array of fairy lights too.
This still gets 3 stars though as nothing is as enjoyable as sitting in the park on a balmy spring night with a loved one.

Nights. Noodles. Markets. These three things independently bring me joy. When their powers are combined, well, let’s just say I’m happier (and fuller) than a plastic pumpkin at Halloween.
Now don’t fret gluten free friends– there are options for you here too. Contrary to popular belief (and my personal practices of noodle+face mania) there’s more than just noodles here. You’ll find curries, yum cha, laksa, noodles of the rice variety and plenty of other options to stuff in your wheat-​hating face. It’s a bit harder for vegos/​vegans, but as long as tofu tickles your fancy, you’ll be fine.
You know what else there are? Lines. Lots of them. So come prepared, bring plenty of cash and your appetite. It’s a great night out in Sydney’s CBD.

Sorry this review may be a late– but better late than never– hopefully will be useful next year!
A MUST for anyone who love a great opportunity for something different!
The annual Night Noodle Markets– is one of the events in my calendar that herald the start of everything that is GREAT about Sydney in Summer!
If you think that you’ll be going to some traditional street food market– think again!
The organisers this year seem to have thought more about space and creating MORE so that the feeling of being a sheep herded through the feeding yards is eased giving the event back its more relaxed feel. There also seems to have more of a focus on providing broader styles of entertainment.
There’s plenty to check out. Loved Mamuk and Long Grain! Also thought the regular table service for drinks was a nice improvement from previous years!
All in all — How often do you have the opportunity to eat under the stars in a great festival feel environment?
Great night!

Awesome stands of all your favorite Asian restaurants that include Mamak, Din Tai Fung, Chat Thai and New Shanghai.
There’s just so much to choose from but no enough room in your stomach! So fellow Unilocaler SylwiaW and I went around and got a few different things from a few different stands. The longest line was Mamak’s and we just ordered the roti, but kinda wish I got the noodles. We got the veggie dumplings and potato pancake from New Shanghai and a few more dumplings at Dim Sum Station. Starts to add up $ wise while wanting to try different things. All very tasty and we were getting full but felt like we had to have noodles at the Noodle Market.
Sigh, in the end we walked by the little cake shop and got a sesame ball with red bean and a mango pancake with icecream.
We were stuffed but sadly did not have any noodles.

Good place to get some food after work in those three weeks but not really cheap.
Food was good but I would say expensive.
I come every year and I do like it that is running this year for three weeks as wasn’t that busy like last year where you had to line up for 20mins just in one line.
Like the cider gardens. Great place to catch up with friends.

This is a must-​attend event where all the good food is in one place. So it’s good marketing for restaurants.
The biggest downside that it is more pricier than its restaurant counterparts so if the restaurant is nearby (use your Unilocal skills to find that out!), then you are better off going to the restaurant which will be less crowded so you are guaranteed to get a table and all the perks of being indoors.
Otherwise the live music and the nearby beer gardens makes this place a great after work chill out spot, not to mention the «Sydney Life» Art and About installation nearby is something worth checking out for those into art.

Lets start with the location of the amazing, annual Night Noodle Market: Hyde Park. It’s iconic, lovely and all the more merry when packed with pop-​up bars, music stages, PHOTO BOOTHS, and lanes upon lanes of all things Asian, «the culinary edition.»
Going to the noodle market on the opening night left my heart absolutely fluttering… All of the trees were laced in colored lights and Chinese lanterns, tables were filled with noodle box nuzzlers, and Rekorderlig Cider, my FAVORITE cider, had a magical tent set up where they were giving out free samples. This year’s noodle markets are aligned with Art and About which simply makes the ambiance all the more spectacular! Just outside of the market area, Hyde Park’s main walkway is adorned with photographs and buzzing with artsy spectators. And when this visual o-​gasm is combined with the sensory overload that is Asian cuisine, it really doesn’t get better …
Be warned: This is NOT Asian street food, as I had imagined. Rather, it’s restaurants in the city selling some of their menu items from festival-​like tents. This means that you pay roughly the same price you’d pay in a restaurant for less food of a lesser quality … Plan to spend between $ 10 and $ 15 for a main dish item, indeed.
But even though food is what’s in the name, this event is really all about celebrating the beauty and diversity of Sydney in an all to iconic spot. Sample the massive variety of food tents with friends. Bring a blanket and jam out to the music you’d never listen to at home! Make the most of this event, because it’s definitely not to be missed!

The Night Noodle Markets in Hyde Park take me back to a festival in Bangkok; my paper plate overflowing with Pad Thai topped excessively with chilli flakes, bean sprouts, crushed peanuts and wedges of lemon. The main differences? This plate of noodles cost $ 12, not 20 cents. And this time, I had to line up for half an hour before I could eat.
As part of the Crave Sydney International Food Festival, the Night Noodle Markets add a touch of spice to Sydney’s Spring night-​life. Hyde Park is illuminated by a rainbow of neon lights, and as Sydney’s favourite Asian restaurants pitch their stalls, hundreds of Sydney-​siders line up to fill their plates with dumplings, roti, pad thai, fried rice, dim sum and noodles any-​which-​way.
The food is delicious, and naturally so, coming from some of Sydney’s best Asian restaurants (think Din Tai Fung, Mamak and New Shanghai). Tables and chairs dot the park (although not nearly enough to cater to the masses), market-​goers drink beer from plastic cups and veteran marketers gaze skyward from their picnic rugs, sushi-​roll in hand.
Despite the long-​lines and hiked prices at this inner-​city market, the festival-​feel of the Night Noodle Markets has Sydney’s hungry herds forgiving, forgetting, and flocking back, year after year.