Great Eats at the Richmond Night Market

It’s back! With hundreds of vendor stalls, lots of live performances, and a new Summer Chill Party theme, this year’s Richmond Night Market runs until October 14 and is full of festival-like features. But it’s the dozens of food stands—serving more than 600 international dishes—that many ravenous visitors beeline for as soon as the gates open.

Hungry? Read on for details on four new food stands at this year’s night market—plus two returning favourites that we can’t get enough of. 

SAY! CHEEEESE

The ultimate comfort food takes on an extra layer of gooey fun at this friendly Taiwanese-influenced vendor. Serving several varieties of made-to-order grilled cheese sandwiches, the stand’s Instagram-ready winner is already clear: the Rainbow Cheese Toast features a thick slab of mozzarella striped with different shades of food colouring. The result? When you pull the toasted sandwich apart, a kaleidoscopic cascade of smile-triggering colour is suddenly revealed.

Verdict: This is likely the most entertaining grilled cheese sandwich on the planet.@deannawoo

THE TACO TIGRE

Continuing the market’s noble tradition of fusion food, this bright-orange stand—just look for the tiger sign—serves several Asian-flavoured reinterpretations of the beloved Mexican soft taco. A perfect Night Market starter (single tacos are just $3.75), the inventive, carefully-prepared varieties here include Chicken Banh Mi, Five Spice Pork Belly, and the bestselling Slow Braised Beef Pho, all made with top-notch ingredients. Need more heat? Add some hot sauce to kick it up.

Verdict: These are delicious and original street food tacos like you’ve never had before.

A slow braised beef pho taco from The Taco Tigre. | Photo: John Lee

KRAZY 8S

No one does comfort food like the southern US. But you don’t have to hop on a plane to satisfy your appetite for waffles and chicken. Instead, unleash your hunger at this new stand, which covers all your favourite food groups on its single-item $8.88 menu. Between two thick waffle slices, you’ll find sizzling bacon, delicious cheese, plenty of coleslaw, and a crispy-coated slab of juicy, deep-fried chicken. A choice of four sauces is included (Sriracha recommended) and there are tempting pots of optional gravy as well.

Verdict: This is a delicious feast to fuel a full evening of market exploring.

Fried chicken and waffle sandwich from Krazy 8s. | Photo: John Lee

SALTY’S LOBSTER SHACK

Proving that East Coast Canada knows a thing or two about belt-busting dining, this green-hued stand serves brioche buns stuffed with silky-smooth chopped lobster, imported from Nova Scotia. There are several options: the full lobster roll is great if you haven’t eaten all day, but we recommend a half-order plus a chaser of mouthwatering lobster bisque. Feeling decadent? You can also add a generous serving of fine Acadian sturgeon caviar to your meal for $60.

Verdict: Perfect for seafood fans, this is an East Coast kitchen party in your mouth.

A lobster roll from Salty’s Lobster Shack. | Photo: John Lee

OKONOMI BITES

A new vendor last year and one of our favourite returning stands in 2019, you’ll find the ultimate fusion twist on Canada’s national dish here: Japanese-style poutine. Several fresh-fried, piled-high versions are available, from Squid Okonomi Poutine to Cheese Tonkatsu Poutine (complete with a crispy-coated pork cutlet). There’s even a vegetarian tofu version to sink your teeth into. The kind of dish you buy to share and then sneak back to later for your own solo serving, this is an unmissable stand for many Night Market visitors.

Verdict: This is a delicious mound of deep-fried goodness.

Japanese poutine at Okonomi Bites. | Photo: John Lee

ASOMI MOCHI

Returning in 2019 after a highly successful first season, this friendly stand offers a perfect sweet-treat finale to your big night out. Encasing individual fresh strawberries in a rich, soft layer made from sticky rice paste, the traditional-style mochi balls here come in several varieties—including two enticing new ones that popped-up towards the end of last year’s market: cheesecake and double strawberry. Founding flavours such as chocolate and bestselling matcha are also still available: why not eat one and buy another for the trip home?

Verdict: It’s a very satisfying dessert for sweet-tooth fans.

Asomi Mochi is back at the 2019 Richmond Night Market. | Photo: John Lee

IF YOU GO:

The Richmond Night Market is a short walk from the Canada Line’s Bridgeport Station. It’s open from 7:00pm to midnight on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (note that hours for Sundays run until September 2, and change to 7:00pm to 11:00pm after that), and from 7:00pm to 11:00pm on holiday Mondays until October 14.

Admission is $4.75 (free for seniors 60+ and children under 8), but you can also purchase a six-entry, season-long transferable Express Pass for $28, enabling you to bypass general admission queues. Many vendors are cash-only, so be sure to visit an ATM before you arrive (as ATM lineups inside the market can be long).

Don’t forget to share your photos of the Richmond Night Market with us by tagging them with #RichmondMoments or by tagging @VisitRichmondBC on Instagram and Twitter!

Last Updated on November 5, 2022 by Tourism Richmond