Greater Vancouver | Asian Night Market Culture
Richmond Night Market
The largest Asian-style outdoor night market in North America, held in Richmond every year from May to October. Taiwanese popcorn chicken, Japanese takoyaki, Korean fried chicken, Hong Kong cart noodles… take one loop around in an evening and you'll find just about every Asian street food there is.
? Opening hours
Open from early May to mid-October, Fridays through Sundays plus public holidays. Friday 17:00-23:00, Saturday-Sunday 15:00-23:00 (hours are adjusted slightly each year, so check the official website).
?️ Admission
Adults $4-5 CAD (cash or credit card accepted), free for children under 12. Admission doesn't include food, and each food item runs about $6-15 CAD.
? Transport
Take the Canada Line to Bridgeport Station, then walk about 5-10 minutes. It's the most convenient direct SkyTrain route, with no need to drive.
?️ What to do if it rains
Most stalls have tent coverage and stay open in light rain. But we strongly recommend going on a sunny day, as eating outdoors makes for a much better experience.
A Guide to Exploring the Richmond Night Market
The Richmond Night Market was the first place I went on my very first weekend after arriving in Vancouver. The moment you step out of the SkyTrain station, you can see the crowds and lights from afar. Admission is just $4-5 to get in, and there are over 100 food stalls inside.
My advice is: walk a full loop and check out all the stalls before deciding what to eat, rather than lining up at the first thing you fancy, because there may be something better further along. Almost all the items you'd find at a Taiwanese night market are here—like gua bao, popcorn chicken, large fried chicken cutlets, and bubble tea—but prices are of course higher than in Taiwan (a serving of popcorn chicken is about $10-12).
Besides the food, there are also souvenir stalls, handmade jewellery, game booths and more. The whole atmosphere is lively, perfect for bringing the kids or for family visiting Canada for the first time. We suggest the crowds are busiest after 7-8 p.m., giving it that lively night-market feel; if you want to avoid lines, arrive at 5-6 p.m.
Night-market must-eats and must-sees
? Taiwanese popcorn chicken / large chicken cutlets
Several stalls sell it every year. The crispy chicken cutlet, topped with Thai basil, is full of authentic Taiwanese flavor. A portion is about $10-12 CAD and is one of the most popular Taiwanese foods at the night market.
? Japanese Takoyaki
A must-have street snack at almost every Asian night market, takoyaki is made fresh on the spot—crispy outside, soft inside, drizzled with sauce and topped with bonito flakes. A box of 6 is about $8-10 CAD.
? Bubble tea / Taiwanese-style drinks
Several drink stalls offer authentic Taiwanese-style bubble tea, passion fruit tea, mango pomelo sago and more. A cup costs about $7-9 CAD, and it's a must-drink after exploring the night market.
? Hong Kong-style cart noodles / soups
Hong Kong-style street noodles, with a variety of toppings to choose from and a warming hot broth. When you visit the night market in the cooler autumn weather, a bowl of hot noodle soup is especially comforting.
?️ Handicraft stalls
The non-food area has lots of handmade jewelry, hand-painted goods, and fun souvenirs. You don't have to buy anything, but it's fun just to browse—some Taiwanese or Asian artists sell their work here.
? Game Stalls
Traditional night-market games like ring toss, balloon darts and pinball, with some pretty good prizes. Bringing the kids to play in this area for 30 minutes really adds to the night-market experience.
❓ Frequently asked questions
On which days is the Richmond Night Market open?
Open every year from May to mid-October, Friday through Sunday and on holidays. Saturdays and Sundays are the busiest; Fridays have fewer people and shorter queues.
How much of a budget is enough to bring?
Admission $5 + 3-4 food items for about $30-40 + drinks $8 = roughly $50 CAD per person lets you eat to your heart's content.
Should I still go if the weather is bad?
You can go in light rain, as most stalls have tents. But the experience is poor in strong winds and heavy rain, so it's best to wait for a nice weekend.