Floating market adds flavour to Global Village
Market features over 10 traditional vendors showcasing authentic foods from Thailand
From mango treats to pad Thai noodles, the new floating market at the Global Village is now open to visitors, with one side dedicated to a variety of traditional foods from Thailand.
Gracefully floating on the canal, by the Far East Asia pavilion, each kiosk boat is offering its own speciality food and drink reflecting Thailand’s rich culture and popular floating markets.
The 23rd edition of the Global Village opened its doors on October 30, with 27 pavilions representing 78 countries, and a line-up of live concerts, entertainment and delicious cuisines.
The newest attraction at the six-month festival, running until April 6, 2019, features more than 10 traditional food vendors from Thailand’s towns and villages, to share their culture through their authentic cuisines.
Thai cafe-owner Sasamol Wongworatewa, who is visiting the UAE for the first time, was among the first vendors to set up her coconut stand on the canal.
“We have everything from coconut juice to coconut icecream to traditional Thai dessert dishes like ‘Taptim Grob,’ which is coconut pieces with tofu in coconut milk,” Wongworatewa told Gulf News.
Visitors can try out the combination of crunchy and sweet dessert for just Dh25 a plate.
Mango dessert
Next to the coconut shop is vendor Pattharanit Toey, who is displaying her speciality mangoes. “We have fresh mango juice, mango smoothies, ice cream, waffles and dry mangoes at this shop,” said Toey.
She pointed out that for visitors willing to taste one of Thailand’s famous desserts, mango with sticky rice would be her recommendation.
A few boats down the canal is Wawa W.’s kiosk selling popular dishes such as Pad Thai, Green Curry, grilled meat balls, and grilled fermented minced fish, a delicacy in Thailand.
“I would say the Pad Thai is always the most popular dish among visitors. We are really enjoying having a kiosk on the canal, especially since we don’t work at the floating market back home,” he said.
The floating market, which expands along the canal, will be bringing popular cuisines from more than 38 outlets on boats, bank-side kiosks, and Tuk-Tuks, decorated to reflect their country of origin.
Guests can also enjoy an array of cuisines at the festival with more than 150 food and beverage outlets scattered around the park.
Global flavours
Flavours from all corners of the globe can be sampled with 23 restaurants and cafés offering unique meals for all tastes including cuisines from Mexico, the Gulf and Cuba.
New offerings this season bring tastes from Uzbekistan, Kuwait, Italy, Afghanistan and China as well as popular Emirati cuisine. Guests can also sample the world’s best street food with kiosks that offer a wide range of authentic snacks, sweets and beverages, many of which are available only at the Global Village. Visitors can enjoy a treat of their choice while taking in the festive atmosphere and local handicrafts.
Each pavilion showcases its country’s or region’s most beautiful monuments and landmarks with popular markets, authentic products, heritage corners and cultural performances.