All you need to know:
prawn sitting on smoked pork hock congee (rice porridge) with pork crackling seasoning.
The rise and rise of fried chicken is unstoppable, and there are plenty of versions alongside the puffles among the stalls.
Christchurch’s Bang Bang Fried Chicken (from the Sister Kong team) takes this to the extreme by just offering fried chicken in a waffle cone with a choice of three sauces – miso caramel, sweet chilli aioli and soy, or buffalo sriracha.
Elsewhere there are also crepes and a mountain of dumplings, including a first appearance from highly regarded House of Dumplings from Wellington, which has eight flavours from all over Asia, stir-fries and, yes, even noodle dishes.
And Christchurch local Rollickin Gelato has assembled a warm chocolate brownie laced with a black doris plum cheesecake, a scoop of gelato and a drizzle of sauce, just for the occasion.
Another significant change comes in the drinks The Night Noodle Markets will be at the same spot it has been for the past three years – a 12,000-square metre, fenced-in area at North Hagley Park, opposite the George Hotel on Park Tce. There are two entry/exit points: one from Park Tce and one from the Armagh St side.
The noodle markets run for 12 consecutive nights, from today until Sunday, February 17. The stalls serve food from 4pm to 10pm every night, except Saturday, February 16, when the gates open at the earlier time of 1pm to tie in with the popular Sparks in the Park event.
Entry is free. Street food ranges from $6 to $20, though there is a $25 crispy calamari dish. The average price is under $15. Payment is eftpos or credit card only. Those without a card can still take part by buying gift cards from the information desk and using these at the stalls.
Yes. Find ‘‘free noodle wi-fi’’ in your phone settings to join. You will be redirected to the event guide, which gives menus and other information to help plan what to buy. It will also help with the Instagramming.
There’s no BYO.
Yes. Non-branded/non-commercial food and non-alcoholic drinks are welcome.
There’s no parking in North Hagley Park. That leaves surrounding streets and the usual creative approach Cantabrians are used to taking. February is a good month for a nice long stroll through Hagley Park. Bike racks are at both entrances and cycling makes sense with the city’s growing cyclepath network. A lot of Lime scooters are also expected, but Limes need to stay outside the venue.
The odds are against a clear run over the 12 days but the markets will continue regardless. There is plenty of undercover seating and rain ponchos may be handed out.
available at the markets. There are now more options at the bar and a separate non-alcoholic caravan.
The bar is a combined effort from Moa beer and Crafters Union’s canned wines.
But there are also single pours in cups that, like every piece of packaging at the event, is compostable.
Wines include Insta-friendly rose, plus summer evening-friendly sauvignon blanc, pinot gris, chardonnay, and pinot noir.
Last year, the market had a record 140,000 visitors over 10 days. This year, it is open two extra days to capture the big crowds at UB40, and Sparks in the Park on February 16.
Fleming believes the total number of visitors could reach 160,000.
‘‘Everyone is upping their game this year. The stallholders are quite competitive. And everything is Instagrammable.’’ Vanessa Fleming NZ Noodle Night Markets event manager
Stuff Ltd owns and operates the Night Noodle Markets.