Lucky Rice 2010: Night Market @ DUMBO
The Night Market scene ubiquitous in many Asian countries touched down on DUMBO on this beautiful warm spring evening. This was the brain child of Lucky Rice Festival founder, Danielle Chang. Celebrity Chef and owner of the Momofuku restaurants, David Chang played host to this splendid feast of both traditional and asian-inspired street food.
Getting to DUMBO was quite a trek but was so worth it the moment one sees how festive the event was. Lit lanterns were strung from pole to pole, vibrantly colored canopies lined a square block which housed the Malaysian Pavillon and the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck & the Dessert Truck made special appearances.
The Lucky Rice team is absolutely splendid. The surprise of the evening was the cocktail area at 155 Water Street where asian inspired cocktails and sake flowed endlessly for ticketed guests. And, for those worried about drinking like a fish at an outdoor event – the team was a step ahead – 155 Water Street was equipped with WCs for your drinking pleasure.
Clockwise: (1) The atmosphere under the DUMBO archway. (2) The seating area at the Malaysian Pavillon. (3) The booths at the Malaysian Pavillon with the Bridge in the background.
These booths served up traditional Asian street food. Clockwise: (1) Taiwanese [stinky tofu and mantao] from Baohaus. (2) Korean [assorted sweets and rice cakes] from Kam Gang San. (3) Indonesian [satay skewers] from Satay Junction.
Spotlight: The Malaysian Pavillon
Clockwise: (1) The vibrant colors of the Malaysian Pavillon and the lit lanterns with the archway in the background. (2) Malaysian Sweet called Bubur-Chacha in these flavors - potato, eye bean, tapioca pearl and pandan leaf in a sweet creamy coconut broth from Forbidden City Bistro. (3) Traditional chicken stay. (4) Traditional Curry Mee (Curry Noodles) from Penang. (5) A vendor serving roti canai. (6) Modern take on Malaysian cuisine – Beef Rendang Sloppy Joe from Cafe Asean.
My Favorites:
Clockwise: (1) Freshly steamed Barbecue Rainbow Carrot Buns with Carrot Hoisin Sauce from Dirty Candy. (2) Seafood Ceviche with shrimp, octopus, calamari, aji panca, heart of palm, orange, serrana, bonito from Zengo. (3) Foie Gras and Beef Short Rib Dumpling from Delicatessen. (4) Adobo Pork Belly with Atchara from Kuma Inn + Umi Nom. Atchara are pickled julienned green papaya whose sweet sour taste balanced the fat of the pork belly.
The Ultimate Asian Comfort Food:
TOP: Modern Twist to Asian Comfort Food – (Left) Bindaeduk: Korean Mung Bean Pancake with Vegetables, Shrimp and Bacon. (Right) Little Poh Poh – Chocolate Cupckae with Red Bean Frosting. Both of these magnificient inspired dishes are from My Brooklyn Kitchen. BOTTOM: Traditional asian street food at night markets in Taipei. (Left) Taiwanese Spicy Sausage Patty. (Right) Taiwanese Sticky Rice with peanuts and pork wrapped in lotus leaf .
Tip for next year: Take a cab to DUMBO. There are no elevators at the York Street subway station. Walking up from 3 subteranean levels is absolute hell. Or, use the High Street subway station.
Photos: © TheNYFashionista.com
