Victoria Park is the largest park in Tower Hamlets, and one of London’s most visited green spaces. However, not everyone knows that every weekend it transforms into a street food and farmer’s market offering unique finds.
Victoria Park Market is a must visit as it is full of surprises and sells products that I have not seen in any other London market. Both sections are open every Sunday from 10am to 4pm; the street food market is also open on Saturdays from 11am to 5pm.
Shoppers can discover a wide variety of produce, from organic fruits and vegetables to locally baked breads and farm-made pies. I came across a unique stall entirely dedicated to Kimchi, something I hadn’t seen anywhere else.
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Kimchi & Radish offers a varied selection of flavored kimchi jars, ranging from wild garlic to beetroot, with even a rainbow variety. Made using traditional methods in South East London, the brand was born out of dissatisfaction with the quality of kimchi available in the UK.
Another highlight was the fishmonger in Sussex. Although fish stalls are common in food markets, I was pleasantly surprised to find fresh oysters for just £2.50 each, ready to be enjoyed on the spot.
You can also find a variety of sweets to take home, including homemade Italian tiramisu in various flavors and traditional Portuguese pastries. And that’s not all – if you have a dog, there’s even a stall dedicated to offering treats to your furry friend.
Pack and Clowder provides natural, healthy treats for your canine companion. I was delighted to see this as one of the most popular stalls, and I couldn’t help but spend time looking at its many happy customers.
The street food market has endless options, including paella, Vietnamese noodles, Chinese dumplings and Japanese katsu curry. You can also find a cute little ice cream and lemonade van for sunny days.
I decided to try two new cuisines: I started with an Afghani 24-hour marinated barbecue chicken rice box. It was served with black pepper yogurt, fresh mixed salad and a green secret sauce that just made the dish super tasty.
As you wait, you can watch the chicken fry right in front of your eyes, sure to make your mouth water. The gluten-free rice box is generously portioned and costs just £10.
2 Lads Kitchen also serves a vegan option with smoked spinach and chickpeas. If you’re not a fan of rice, you can enjoy the same two protein options wrapped in a fresh Afghani naan instead.
I tried a Malaysian rice box and loved it so much that I will definitely have it again! Eat Lah offers rice bowls with options such as coconut chicken, satay chicken, grilled tofu or grilled eggplant.
You can also mix two proteins, so I chose grilled tofu and eggplant, both perfectly cooked and a great combination. A single protein costs £11.50, while two proteins cost £12.50.
The dish comes with herb-infused blue rice, mixed salad, prawn crackers and a selection of sauces. Since I’m not a fan of spicy food, I opted for peanut sauce, and it was absolutely perfect – I couldn’t stop eating it!
Victoria Park Market is the perfect place for a relaxing day out. Located along The Nightwalk, between Bonner Gate and Gore Gate, you can find it with the postcode E2 9JW.
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