Step onto the bustling streets of Asia without even leaving Melbourne when the Hawker 88 Night Market returns to Queen Victoria Market every Wednesday night from April 9 to May 7, 2025. This five-week celebration of food, culture and entertainment is set to transport visitors on a tantalising journey through Asia’s most vibrant hawker-style markets.
Expect sizzling street food, electrifying live performances, immersive cultural experiences and the return of last year's viral cocktails including the Flaming Mandarin Sunset (sake, mandarin, grenadine and 151 Rum) and the Frozen Watermelon Shochu (shochu, watermelon, lime and mint).
Weekly themes:
Each week, Hawker 88 Night Market will showcase the diversity of Asian culture with dedicated themed nights and an entertainment line-up that will have visitors dancing, feasting and exploring their way through the market’s lively sheds and laneways.
•Wednesday, April 9 - Pan-Asian Night: Kick off with a spectacular showcase of Pan-Asian culture featuring Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese and East Malaysian dance performances; a K-pop dance crew; a lion dance procession and an Asian fusion band to cap off the night.
•Wednesday, April 16 - Bali to Bangkok Night: experience the energy of Southeast Asia with martial arts displays; Malaysian and Filipino traditional dancing; Indonesian gamelan drumming and a Thai music band.
•Wednesday, April 23 - Rising Sun Night: step into a world of rhythm and colour with Japanese Taiko drumming; K-pop dancers; Chinese traditional performances; a Filipino live band; plus roving geishas and Korean costume parades.
•Wednesday, April 30 - Bollywood Night: get swept up in the magic of Bollywood with vibrant dance performances; a Bollywood dance-off workshop; Sikh dancing; henna mural making and an epic curry-eating competition.
•Wednesday, May 7 - Yin and Yang Night: closing night promises an unforgettable mix of Chinese and K-pop dancing; a squid game-inspired DJ set and a traditional Chinese costume parade.
Food and drink highlights:
This season, Hawker 88 welcomes a host of exciting new traders alongside returning favourites showcasing fresh and innovative offerings.
•Wok Boy: get your noodle fix with the fiery black pepper beef, Singapore noodles and aromatic Chinese-style noodle soup with noodles made fresh on-site each night.
•Pork Yum: indulge in melt-in-your-mouth Asian-flavoured pork belly, slow-roasted over cherry wood charcoal, served with fresh Asian slaw.
•Singa Seafood Bar: indulge in the ocean's bounty with the signature seafood boiler, luxurious XO oysters and half-shell scallops.
•The Laksa Shack: warm up with an aromatic laksa hot pot, or choose from classic prawn, chicken or veggie laksa options.
•Crispy Rice Sandwich: try a unique street food sensation with crispy rice sandwiches, filled with braised pork, pan-fried beef or sausage and cheese.
•Flamin’ Skewers: experience the authentic flavours of Cambodia with sizzling chicken and lemongrass beef sticks and refreshing salad rolls.
•The Li’l Dumpling Van: dive into a world of delicate dumplings and crispy spring rolls, including the must-try barbeque pork buns.
•Bboy’s BBQ: discover the true taste of Filipino barbeque with hearty pork, chicken and beef ribs bowls and char-grilled pinoy teriyaki.
•Son in Law: treat yourself to spicy Thai fried chicken, whimsical fried chicken and waffle bao buns and visually stunning cartoon fairy floss.
•Black Pearl Melbourne: quench your thirst with trendy Japanese Taiwan bubble tea drinks, a perfect sweet treat to accompany any meal.
With free entry, Hawker 88 is Melbourne’s midweek passport straight to Asia.
