Yay! It's the first day of the Richmond Night Market, and we were lined up an hour before opening because I needed to take pictures of all the booth and their menu (link to the post here).
This year, we embarked on a seafood-only adventure and were impressed!
F03. Crayfish Dumplings
The first stop was crayfish dumplings. Having never tried crayfish before, I wasn't sure what to expect. Unlike shrimp, crayfish boasts a firmer texture and a unique flavour. The dipping sauce was a game-changer, adding a burst of savoury goodness. If you're a lobster fan, you might find these crayfish dumplings equally delightful.
Crayfish Dumplings (F03) from Richmond Night Market |
F12. Korean Pancakes
Next up were Korean seafood pancakes. We're big fans of these seafood pancakes and always order them at Korean restaurants. While these were delicious, featuring fresh shrimp, squid, and scallions that added pops of flavour, we did miss a bit of textural contrast. A hint of crispness from a slightly browned edge would have elevated them to new heights.
Seafood Pancake (F12) at Richmond Night Market |
F66. 100% Fresh Juice
After two savoury dishes, we needed a drink and spotted a freshly squeezed juice booth with choices of cucumber, orange, or carrots. I went for classic OJ and was not disappointed. It was easily the healthiest drink offered in the Richmond Night Market!
100% Fresh Orange Juice (F66) at Richmond Night Market |
F58. Lao Er BBQ Squid
While enjoying our refreshing OJ, we hopped in line for some grilled squid. A few vendors were offering this tempting treat, but we decided to try booth F58 - Lao Er BBQ Suide. I'm glad we went there. It was fantastic! The squid was cooked to absolute perfection, and the unique blend of spices was genuinely exceptional.
Lao ER BBQ Squide st Richmond Night Market |
F41. Dango House
Now, it's time for something sweet. We couldn't resist indulging in some dango. We grabbed one topped with matcha and another with red beans. Both were delicious, but the red bean stole the show. The chewy rice balls were bursting with sweetness, and the red bean paste added a delightful textural contrast. Yum!
Match and Red Bean Dango inside Richmond Night Makret |
F24. Sushi Hotdog
For our penultimate dish, we tried a new vendor: sushi hot dog. I was scared that there was land animal meat in this dish, but as hubby correctly guessed - there was no hotdog. It's essentially sushi formed into a hotdog shape. The exterior is made of fried rice wrapped in seaweed, and the filling is pure seafood delight. I opted for the salmon, which came topped with fresh salmon slices, creamy avocado, and refreshing cucumber. This one ended up being my husband's favourite dish (though the grilled squid remains my champion!).
Philadelphia Salmon Sushi Hotdog (F24) from Richmond Night Market |
F17. Fishball
Before calling it a night, I wanted to support one of the Filipino booths we spotted. Kimshaker's Food Hub Filipino Cuisine had fish balls calling my name. If I could eat meat, I would have grabbed some siomai and kikiam, too, but for now, the fish balls hit the spot. The flavour was reminiscent of squid balls I'd had back in the Philippines, but the sauce took me straight back to the bustling streets of Manila. Pure nostalgia in a bite!
Fish Ball from Kimshaker's Food Hub Fiilipino Cuisine |
Opening night at the Richmond Night Market was delightful. The crowd was manageable compared to previous years, making it a relaxed and enjoyable experience. The lines were reasonable, and we could savour each dish without feeling rushed. We'll definitely be back for more around the first week of July. Hopefully, I'll shed a few more pounds by then and indulge in some meaty goodness. Or maybe I'll take on a vegetarian challenge and explore the fantastic vegetarian options the market offers. Either way, you can bet we'll be back for another delicious adventure!