#NewsFlash | Queens Night Market Is Back With Socially Conscious Side Dishes
BY QEDC It's In Queens
Queens Night Market took a two-week break during the U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. And now it’s about to come roaring back and operate on Saturday nights behind the New York Hall of Science until Oct. 30.
The first post-tennis QNM will mix tradition with altruism on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 6 pm to midnight. It’ll feature several dozen vendors (as always) and special fundraisers for local Hurricane Ida victims.
QNM pledges to give 100 percent of the night’s proceeds to support Queens flood survivors who are ineligible for — or unable to — receive FEMA assistance.
Plus, more than 30 vendors pledge to donate a fixed amount or a percentage of their profits from the evening’s sales.
In addition, QNM will ask visitors to make $5 suggested donations at the entrance gate.
“To us, this isn’t a political football,” said QNM Founder John Wang. “It’s a humanitarian question, and we want to help our friends and neighbors in Queens insofar as we can.”
Here’s a list of some new vendors for the fall season: Brazilian Cachorro Quente; Sylheti Doi Bora and Halwa; Indian Tandoori BBQ; Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup; Cuban Sandwiches and Ropa Vieja; Korean Doenjang-jjigae and Jjajangmyeon; Mexican Chicharron Preparado; Venezuelan Cachapas; Malaysian Grilled Skate Wings; Afghan Mantu and Shor Nakhod; Haitian Chocolate; Oaxacan Chivo and Lengua Tacos; Tibetan Tsel Bhakleb and Tsmathuk; and Japanese Dango.
Here are some of the dishes that returning vendors might sell during the fall season: Burmese Palatas and Tea Leaf Salad; Indonesian Kue Pancong and Tahu Pong; Peruvian Ceviche; Persian Crispy Rice; Malaysian Ramly Burgers; Portuguese Pasteis de Nata; Romanian-Hungarian Kürtőskalács; Bengali Jhal Muri and Fushka; Puerto Rican Pastelles and Rellenos de Papa; Asian Duck Baos; Jamaican Jerk Chicken; Filipino Balut, Diniguan, and Lugaw; Tibetan Momos; Cambodian Fish Amok; Singaporean Chai Tow Kueh and Mee Pok; Mexican Huaraches; Hong Kongese Soy Sauce Noodles; Colombian Arepas; Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken; and Salvadoran Pupusas.
QNM will operate every Saturday from 6 pm to midnight through Oct. 30, when the season concludes with a Halloween-themed event, complete with trick-or-treating and costume contests.
After opening in April 2015, QNM has averaged more than 10,000 visitors a week for a total of more than 1.5 million visitors. During this time, more than 300 new businesses — representing more than 90 countries — have launched.
Images: QNM