New Season Opens at Queens Night Market

by Maya Abdoussala
June 6, 2023EJohnson
Patrons explore various cuisines on May 6, 2023, at the Queens Night Market in Flushing, NY. Over 60 food vendors are featured in this year’s night market.

Article and photos by Maya Abdoussala | May 24, 2023

Since its inception in 2015 by John Wang, the Queens Night Market in Flushing, New York has attracted hundreds of thousands of patrons from the Queens borough and beyond. Each year, an array of food vendors, artists and entertainers gather and fill the open space behind the New York Hall of Science. Though some choose to drive, most visitors find their way to the event via the Queens-bound 7 train. The market, which is open from April to October, welcomes guests on Saturdays from 5 pm to midnight.

A cook salts skewered meat at Mister Bocadillos, which sells Brazilian churrasco.
Patrons form a line at Mister Bocadillos’ sugarcane juice and esfihas (Brazilian meat pies) stand.

The annual summer event, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors per night, is back on schedule for the third year in a row since its cancellation in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year features cuisines from over 30 countries, including Myanmar (Burma), Sierra Leone, Malaysia and Peru.

Hungry patrons queue in front of a ramen stand by Menya Jiro. At each tent, patrons have their pick of food, generally starting from $3 and capping at $6, paid in cash.

The second and final Preview Night in early May brought enough visitors to fill the grounds. While many were able to secure $5 advance tickets through the Queens Night Market website, even more eager patrons lined up to purchase $8 tickets at the gate. The venue was lined with tents, bins and picnic tables, along with ATMs and portable toilets for guests’ convenience.

A worker at Cotton Candy Art layers colors to create an eye-catching treat. Cotton Candy Art creates cotton candy with an emphasis on design.
A little girl enjoys her cotton candy from Cotton Candy Art.

About an hour and a half after its 5 pm opening, the Queens Night Market became increasingly crowded with families, couples, foodies and even pets. Street food vendors like Brazilicious, Gi Hin Mama Food (Squid & Lamb Skewers) and Nomad Dumplings (Tibetan Momos) had dozens of customers lined up to try their specialities.

Food vendors fill orders as patrons fill the park.
The Nomad Dumplings tent is illuminated by a neon sign.
A satisfied patron with his chicken dumplings from Nomad Dumplings.

In what is widely considered to be the “World’s Borough,” returning favorites like Caribbean Street Eats offered savory bites like phoulourie (fried split pea powder and flour with turmeric and spices), shark sandwiches, and rotis. Patrons were invited to sample some of the many cuisines that can be found across Queens, all in one night.

A cook prepares buns for the Brazilicious Brazilian Steak Sandwiches. The “buns” are chipotle yuca rolls that sandwich strips of juicy steak, onions, tomatoes and greens.
A cook at Caribbean Street Eats checks on the bakes (fried flour) for the shark sandwich.
A Queens Night Market patron, Gotay, takes a bite out of his six-dollar chicken roti from Caribbean Street Eats. Gotay, who has attended similar events in the city, attended the Queens Night Market for the first time and was amazed at the variety of choices available. “I’m definitely gonna be back,” he said.

The Queens Night Market has been an avenue for businesses to not only establish themselves, but also for them to grow into standalone spots. In 2017, a popular vendor, Burmese Bites, opened their own food cart in Long Island City before securing a vending spot in the Queens Center Mall in 2021.

Palatas (fluffy, layered flatbread) are being made on the grill at the Burmese Bites tent.
A couple enjoys their purchase from Burmese Bites.

At the Queens Night Market, grills stay fired up until closing at midnight. While perusing the market, attendees are entertained by a selection of music from local artists and bands. There are also art vendors selling paintings, knitted toys and vintage jewelry.

At Sholay Barbecue, Rajeev prepares lamb chops over a flaming grill.

The market is open without an admission fee every Saturday until October 2023.