Simon Food Favourites: SIFF 2009 Night Noodle Markets

15 November 2009

SIFF 2009 Night Noodle Markets: 2nd visit, Hyde Park, Sydney (19 Oct 2009)

Hyde Park, Sydney

http://www.siff.com.au/events/noodle-markets

The ever-popular Poffertjes

Poffertjes aren't Asian but they seem to always be popular at just about every market and festival where food is being served. There was a major production line in the kitchen to keep up with demand. They're probably one dish I've found where you know exactly what you'll be getting although I wish they actually served them with a fork rather than those annoying toothpicks which are close to useless in eating them. Another dish I think usually matches what you expect are the dumplings. Chinese Dim Sum King served up pretty standard yum cha style food including some pretty decent BBQ Pork Buns. As feared the bain-marie dishes of Phatboys Thai Chicken Honey and Beef Black Bean weren't particularly inspiring and so I'd probably just try and stick to the freshly steamed dumplings in future Night Noodle Markets.

Other visits to SIFF 2009 events:

• 19 Oct 2009 - Night Noodle Markets

• 13 Oct 2009 - Sugar Hit Sheraton on the Park

• 13 Oct 2009 - Night Noodle Markets

• 7 Oct 2009 - Let's Do Lunch Aria Restaurant

Poffertjes Please: 12 mini pancakes with maple syrup, chocolate topping, whipped cream and fresh strawberries $10

Poffertjes Please stall

Chinese Dim Sum King: 2 BBQ Pork Bun $5, 4 dumplings $6 for 4

Chinese Dim Sum King: BBQ Pork Bun $2.50

Chinese Dim Sum King stall

Phatboys Thai: Chicken Honey, Beef Black Bean with rice $10, 2 Vegetable Springs Rolls $5

Phatboy Thai Vegetable Spring Roll $2.50

Phatboys Thai stall

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SIFF 2009 Night Noodle Markets, Hyde Park, Sydney (13 Oct 2009)

Hyde Park, Sydney

http://www.siff.com.au/events/noodle-markets

Popularity is its downfall

I've had a love/hate relationship with the Night Noodle Markets for many years now. I love the lighting, lanterns, outdoor atmosphere and idea of the event but find the food mostly disappointing, sometimes overpriced for what you get in terms of overall quality and freshness, and crowds and queues too overwhelming at the best of times. I guess a festival of such popularity basically inherits these contrasting qualities and shall unfortunately always be. Promotional claims of a 'mix of fabulous street food' and 'authentic Asian hawker market' should really be taken with a grain of salt if you value your food and authenticity. In saying all this I'll still probably be drawn to it next year and will try and find some hidden gems from the mediocre. It's good to see the Night Noodle Markets went green this year, with recyclable food and beverage containers and special waste-disposal units.

The food stalls this year seem to be dominated again by the Thai cuisine serving pretty much similar offerings of springs rolls, curry puffs, satay and precooked choices in their bain-marie. A few Chinese dumpling stalls are scattered throughout including Din Tai Fung (lacklustre taste for me but beautifully made) and there always seems to be a Gozleme, Poffertjes and Serendipity Ice Cream stall — they never miss a beat at these festivals do they. I can't remember seeing any Indian, Indonesian, Korean or Vietnamese stalls which I think would add some welcomed variety. The Pebblle Thai Chicken Satay for $4 was huge which I noticed The Heart of Food buy and photograph. Thais R Us Spring Rolls were enormous too at $2.50 each. The complimentary Ferrero Rondnoir was a nice highlight for me — anything free has got to be good right. For me you'll find quicker service, cheaper and better freshly wok fried dishes in any Haymarket food court but unfortunately there won't be the al fresco dining atmosphere.

Other visits to SIFF 2009 events:

• 19 Oct 2009 - Night Noodle Markets

• 13 Oct 2009 - Sugar Hit Sheraton on the Park

• 13 Oct 2009 - Night Noodle Markets

• 7 Oct 2009 - Let's Do Lunch Aria Restaurant