Queen Victoria (Suzuki) Night Market
Happy New Year!
The other day while I was having new year eve’s sangria at a friend’s house, someone put the new decade into perspective for me – at the dawn of 2010, I will have lived in a total of 4 decades. Eeep. I used to think that the “Noughties” (2000-2009) would have been that decade where I have to step out into the ‘real world.’ But by landing myself back in uni immediately after graduating from it, I have managed to avoid this real world business. So yeah, there are a lot of scary and yet exciting years ahead for me, as I’m sure there are for you as well.
But onto more pleasant matters. Summer! More specifically, summer in Melbourne. Which could only mean one thing… Heat stroke! Well, that and the Suzuki Night Market at the Queen Victoria Market is on! I’m not exactly uncovering a secret by telling you about this (and when you are jostled by thousands of strangers as you await one small plate of Dutch pancakes, you will understand what I mean when I say it isn’t a secret), but if you have been in the dark, are new to Melbourne, or haven’t been in a while and need a refresher, here’s a quick introduction.
Cam and I love the Queen Vic market. If you can be bothered, buying vegetables and meat there is the cheaper and fresher alternative than buying things from the supermarket. If you do go to the Queen Vic market, do hop over to their deli section and buy a little of everything. 
But I digress – the night market! Every year, starting about sometime in November up to about March, on every Wednesday night, the vegetable stalls are all packed away, the plastic chairs and tables are brought out, and the night market comes to life. Alongside stages where performers are playing all night, and vendors who sell everything from hats to soaps to turkish delight to novelty aprons to jewelry to palm readings, there is a long row of food stalls that smack you in the face with the full force of Melbourne’s diverse culture.
Oh my god the food stalls. I will try to name as many things as I can off the top of my head in one gigantic, delicious, grammatically-nonchalant paragraph. Paella dutchpancakes honeydumplings dumplings wonton lemonade sangria wine eggtarts crocodile kangaroo emu burgers cupcakes churros ethiopian food which I can’t remember the name of tacos nachos curry of all sorts gumbo. Yeah, okay this is too much of an effort to remember and list it all, and it’s making me far too hungry.
The point is, GO THERE. My suggestion, withdraw anywhere from about 30 to 100 dollars (and do it BEFORE you go there, the queues at the ATM machines are ridiculous.) Bring a friend/s. Then, go get a cup of sangria (I really like sangria…), and wander the whole lane of the food stalls, keeping in mind all the interesting things. Divide up the stalls between you and your friend and start queuing. The lines are long, especially at about 7 to 8 o’clock, and there are far too few tables to seat the amount of people. Don’t eat entire dishes by yourself, split many many dishes between you and your friends so everyone can have a bit of everything. My personal suggestions: eat kangaroo burger if you have never had kangaroo, drink sangria (it’s like a punch made with red wine infused with fruit/spices), try some ethiopian food (the lines are shorter because people don’t like trying new things, but it is amazing), and buy one of those beautifully designed cupcakes before they sell out (and they always do).
Suzuki night market. It’s not cheap, and it’s not like it’s amazing gourmet food or anything, but there are so many things to try. Definitely go if you haven’t already.
And have a great decade!
~~Hsiang~~
That was a great night out! =D Had fun (not too good for my subcutaneous fat though…) Can we go again before uni starts again?? Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease?!
And, i miss you both muchly. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas/NY. Tell me all about it when i get back!! xx