London has a lot of markets. Like, I think about 90% of my weekend plans that don’t involve bars or pubs revolve around a market of some sort. This is not a problem because unlike markets in Asia, which I usually find to be sensory overload, markets in London, though usually crowded, are much easier to deal with.
Last weekend I was intent on tracking down Bao, a Taiwanese street food vendor famous for their buns, for an Asian food fix. I saw on Twitter that they would be at Netil Market on Saturday afternoon. I’d never heard of Netil Market, but as soon as I saw that the tagline on their website is “not another chuffin’ market” I knew it would be a place I liked.
So, on Saturday I schlepped on over to Hackney (Aside: why, oh why, is the Overground always shut on the weekends between me and where I want to go?) and met my friend Meghan who lives nearby and could be my guide from Hackney Central to the market located near London Fields.
Netil Market takes place in a small fenced in area off Westgate Street. Most of the food vendors have built temporary structures, as opposed to the carts you usually find at markets. One guy was selling shakes out of a VW van and another had built an elevated seating area. Vendors have jewelry, clothes, records, cards, and books set up on tables and racks. And my favorite part? It wasn’t terribly crowded. There were a fair amount of people but I didn’t ever feel the urge to clock someone before my first meal. Unlike, say, at Borough Market.
I was also happy that I immediately spotted Bao’s bun bar. I made a beeline toward the woman taking orders, handed her £3.50, and a few minutes later I was holding a pocket of deliciousness in my hands. I went with the pork belly gua bao, which is a steamed bun filled with slow braised pork belly, caramelized peanut shavings, homemade pickles, and coriander (cilantro). The bun was perfectly soft, without being chewy, and the filling carefully walked the line of sweetness in savory dish, without crossing it. I was halfway through the bun when I decided I will be following Bao around London this winter.
Being the glutton that I am I can’t go to a market and just have one thing. Oh, no. So, Meghan and I shuffled over to Lucky Chip for a heaping order of chili cheese fries. Made with both pork and beef, the chili had a Mexican spice to it and went perfectly with the seasoned fries, shredded cheese, and drizzle of sour cream.
And because I didn’t want chickens to be left out of my diet that day, I got one last savory treat at Breddo’s Tacos. The confit chicken taco with arbol and lime aioli was juicy and spicy, an amazing find in a country that has some of the worst Mexicano food I’ve ever had the displeasure of trying (sorry, England),
Meghan and I were both sufficiently full at this point but when we saw the selection of sweet treats at Victoria Yum we made the executive decision to ignore our bodies and eat more. We got a salted caramel brownie and piece of pumpkin cake to go and did some market browsing while noshing on dessert.
We laughed at funny cards, I bought my first record for my newly acquired turntable (Janis Joplin), and we slowly made our way toward London Fields where we greeted with a patch of beautiful autumnal wild flowers.
Netil Market was basically my perfect Saturday afternoon.
Why do I live so far away again?
Visitor Information: Netil Market is open every Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm at 13-23 Westgate Street, London Fields, E8 3RL.
Thanks for highlighting this market! I’ve only been to a few in London (like Borough market) but this seems absolutely fantastic.
Ashley of Ashley Abroad recently posted..The Eat/Do/Party Guide to Koh Tao, Thailand
It was! I like Borough Market, but I loved the more laid back atmosphere here. You’ll have to check it out the next time you’re in this part of the world
Oh my, all that food looks amazing!
I wish I could have that pork bun now!
Jessica Wray recently posted..Teaching in Spain with BEDA: Making Money & Knowing What to Expect
It was fabulous! Is there any good Asian food in Madrid?
I commend you for getting the goddess that is Janis as your first record.
Also, as a Brit who’s lived in Mexico, I can confirm that YES – we have sucky Mexican food. Seriously, no-one here knows anything of real Mexican – even TexMex – food.
Also, now that I sense you’re a foodie, I feel better about the fact that when we go out to dinner on Monday, I’m more than likely going to eat A LOT. Hahaha.
Ceri recently posted..My Five Favourite Things in October
I think we did fairly well on Monday, eh?
I went to Bao when I was around King’s Cross Station, waiting to meet a friend there! The steamed pork bun was sooooo good! It was on King’s Boulevard, and I also had a great jalfrezi burger there from another stand. I love how street food is making a comeback in the UK
Those chili cheese fries look absolutely fantastic, too. I’ll have to hunt down this place when I’m next in London!
Tom @ Waegook Tom recently posted..Fantasy Five Reboot: Turkey
Oh yeah, they are there with KERB. I’ve been meaning to check that market out for a while now. I will have to go and see if I can track down this jalfrezi burger. Sounds delish!
Also, next time you’re in London let me know and we can hunt them down together