'Must-see' markets draw night crowds

The Auckland Night Market at Botany Town Centre is one of several across the city. Photo / Greg Bowker

We visit some unique eateries in and around Auckland. Today, we check out the city’s burgeoning night markets.

Turning carparks into eateries where diners sit on plastic stools and share their table with random strangers may not sound like a recipe for success.

But it has worked for Auckland couple Victoria Yao and Paul de Jonge and their growing following of stall holders and diners.

Night markets started as an experiment in 2010 at the then Westfield Pakuranga and now pack punters in by the thousands.

Now there's at least one operating in Auckland or somewhere close to the city every night from Tuesday to Sunday.

At the markets you'll find everything from American barbecue ribs, French crepes and Belgian waffles to Chinese fried buns and dumplings.

Tourist Rossanna Chan, 34, says Auckland's night markets have become a "must-see" attraction.

"I came here because my travel agent in Hong Kong told me when I am in Auckland, I cannot miss the night market," said Ms Chan, who visited the Botany night market.

For dinner, she shared a bowl of xuan la mien (hot and sour noodles) and a "taniwha" burger with her partner, Ronald.

"I think it's great because here we get familiar Asian food and also a chance to try local specialties."

Market founder and owner Mr de Jonge, 54, said the market had become their "second home", and a place where they've hosted many dinners for friends. "It's just great to have a place where you have hundreds of different relatively cheap food options, and you don't have to worry about the after-dinner mess," he said.

Co-founder Ms Yao, 49, said she decided to introduce the Asian night market concept here because families had few evening outing options.

The fact that malls closed early and had massive sheltered carpark space meant there was a ready venue for an all-weather night market.

Between 5000 to 10,000 people pack each night market, and tables are often full.

"Often you see people sharing tables, they don't seem to mind and enjoy the experience, and in fact make new friends in the process," Ms Yao said.

Food stalls operate under temporary brightly lit tents, giving the market a very carnival-like feel.

There are also non-food stalls selling consumer goods, and services ranging from massage and ear candling to fortune telling.