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| - I love the concept of night markets and was excited to find out one was starting up in Cleveland. While the city has come far in the culinary scene, I always thought their Asian presence was lacking when you compare it to other comparable cities. Having a night market will do a lot to improve on that, and after their first season this past year, I think they're on the right track.
The main thing I wanted to see was something new, or at least legit street food. Something not like the Cleveland Asian Festival, where restaurants precooked their normal food, put them over burners, and served them in tiny bowls while charging a ridiculous price for it. Like if I wanted that, I would go to your restaurant and get more bang for my buck. Some restaurants did just that, served up plain food like fucking fried rice, which I get, it is good and people will buy it, but other restaurants had the right idea and introduced things they don't normally serve. Legit street food, cooked on the spot. Curry fish ball skewers for example.
It also opened the door for startups to bring something completely new to the table, like the vendor that was serving onigiri and freshly made takoyaki (something I always wanted to do but never had the balls to follow through with). THAT is legit street food and before then was unheard of in Cleveland.
They also have plenty of non-food related vendors, as well as music and entertainment. Don't forget the very cool yet somewhat creepy performers seemingly floating through the aisles at random times.
All in all it is a great time with good food. Summer fun at its finest. They're only going to grow from here.
Protip: if you don't want to pay for parking, there is plenty of free street parking a block or two away. Or pay for parking. I like getting close, free parking spots.
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