Canberra Night Noodle Markets 2019: Vegan and vegetarian dishes put to the taste test

Is worrying whether there will be meat-free fare at any given event or restaurant still a thing? At least not so much in Australia. We're one of the fastest growing vegan food markets in the world.

So, of course, there’s a decent range of vegetarian and vegan options at this year’s Canberra Night Noodle Markets. We needn't have worried about that. But we sure can get excited about it.

Tofu gua bao at Wonderbao

For me, the tofu gua bao was the tastiest of the bunch. The silken tofu is a damn delight with its delicately fried coating and pillowy interior.

The pickled radish and crispy nori make for colourful toppings and the okonomiyaki sauce is deliciously creamy.

We can't look past the best bit of the bao: those buns! It's like gnawing into a cloud, you know, if they weren't sky vapour.

Vegetarian puffle at POKLOL

You’ve probably spied these curious bubble wrap-looking cones on your Instagram feed. While delicious as a dessert, POKLOL has brought a savoury version to this year’s Night Noodle Markets.

Their vegetarian puffle is soft and chewy, each bubble a joy to bite into. The mere sight of fries sandwiched inside the puffle might make one tremble, but rest assured there are fresh, crunchy vegetables which help break up the carb carnival.

Tom yum tater tots at Chinese Burger Funky Tots

Chinese Burger Funky Tots have brought not only a vegan salt and pepper eggplant burger but also tom yum tater tots.

These are potato gems topped with tom yum flavoured mayo, coriander, chilli, and lime. The tots are fresh from the fryer and so they make an audible crunch when you sink your chompers in. The seasoning is true to the dish name, bringing out those hot and sour flavours of tom yum.

Paella Balinese at Paella Del Mar

Paella Del Mar has created a sweet and smoky vegan dish called Paella Balinese. It's Indonesia meets the Mediterranean, a true holiday in your gob. The turmeric and galangal are hand ground with mortar and pestle to create this tasty, colourful feed.

Other vegetarian dishes at the markets include: mais and kanin at Hoy Pinoy, fried radish cake at May’s Malaysian Hawker, yakisoba at Little Kyoto x Pho Real, and Osaka noodles and gyoza at Donburi Station.

Other vegan dishes include: pad see ew at Bangkok Street Food, choi bao at Wonderbao and tofu rice paper roll at What The Pho.

One tip is to bring your own chilli flakes if you’re a spice lord like me. Most vendors don’t go overboard with the chilli factor.

The Night Noodle Markets run from March 1-10 at Reconciliation Place, Canberra. Open: Mon-Thu from 5.00pm; Fri 5pm-10.30pm; Sat-Sun 4pm-10.30pm, goodfoodmonth.com