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Noodle Market vendors almost double stock ready for the Saturday crowds

Georgina Connery
Georgina Connery

The large crowds on Friday night at the Enlighten Night Noodle Market.
The large crowds on Friday night at the Enlighten Night Noodle Market.Jay Cronan

The Enlighten Night Noodle Market vendors are re-stocked and ready for the Saturday crowds.

Reconciliation Place became a truly bustling marketplace as crowds queued to get their first serve of the Enlighten Night Noodle Markets on Friday night.

Canberra's dumpling devotees ate more than 10,000 serves at Friday's at the Enlighten Night Noodle Market.
Canberra's dumpling devotees ate more than 10,000 serves at Friday's at the Enlighten Night Noodle Market.Jay Cronan
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More than 24,000 people made their way through the gates on the first night to sample some of Australia's best Asian food.

Fairfax Events manager of operations Alexandra Burgess said it was a thrill to see such an enthusiastic turn out - proof Canberra had just as many eager epicureans as Sydney and Melbourne.

"These sorts of crowds are typical of our events in Sydney and Melbourne," she said.

Enlighten Night Noodle Market are popular for a reason.
Enlighten Night Noodle Market are popular for a reason. Jay Cronan

"We thought it was going to be a bit more of a slow build, but it is clear Canberra was hungry to have this event in the city."

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The #nightnoodlemarket hashtag was hot but among the selfies and food-photos were comments about crowds and queues.

Ms Burgess said the event was busy but those that flocked to check it out got their fill and quickly.

"They're numbers the vendors are used to," she said. "Night one was busy and people lined up to try lots of different things, but they are really only in the lines for a few minutes."

Canberrans gobbled up more than 10,000 pork buns and dumplings and Sydney-based N2 Extreme Gelato technicians sold more than 800 scoops on the first evening of trade.

Hoy Pinoy's Kyla Tarvina said of the 5000 skewers sold, the pork belly with banana ketchup glaze skewer was the most popular on Friday night.

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"The first night was amazing," she said. "We have a bit less than doubled the stock and are ready to go again for a big Saturday night."

With gorgeous glowing lanterns and the spectacle of Enlighten around it, the markets are a great alfresco dining experience, and there is plenty of opportunity to grab a quieter meal too.

"We have to remind everyone the markets are open for nine more nights," she said.

The Enlighten Night Noodle Markets run till March 8 and stalls open 5pm on weekdays and 4pm on weekends.

Georgina ConneryGeorgina Connery is a reporter for The Canberra Times.

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