Rockstar! - Christy Luo and the PowerUnit Rockband perform their rendition of "Friday".

Today was the first time since I got back from Taiwan that I attended a night market. While I had attended this night market event in the past, I was eager to see it in a new light, now that I had experienced the asian night markets for comparison.

Stage shows, goods, games and food highlighted this Asian fair called Night It Up at the Markham Civic Centre this weekend.

It is a nice little sample of the night markets I saw in Asia, but nowhere close to the variety of things offered in Asia. It is understandable considering this night market operates in the parking lot of the civic centre, while the asian night markets run for blocks upon blocks.

It seemed to have a lot of food which some of my friends deemed more “white” than Asian. Potatoes, ice cream, poutine were some of the food described in this category.

Yet, the irony is, that in Taiwan, such “white” food is the overseas specialty. If you make the night market like those in Asia, then the “white” food has to be served. Personally, I found that the food in Taiwan to be a creative fusion of foods from elsewhere.

I didn’t get to try too many dishes as it did get pretty pricey, and because I got there at 11p after work. When in Taiwan, I was impressed with how stuffed I’d get between NT100 to NT150, or about $3.30 to $4.95.  Here, $5 for three skewers and $5 for one pork belly bun later, I had already blown $10 and was still hungry. Talking to a friend later that night, he too felt that they were “raking it in”. It seemed like tourist prices for food that was decent, but not necessarily “out of this world”.

Fan favourites included the pineapple juice, served in a pineapple, and the ice cream with bacon.

As always, the stinky tofu was one of the most popular dishes with lineups (and stench) stretching forever.

Aside from food, games and entertainment, I was running into people I knew ever so often, so I was catching up with them. If you’re asian, there is no doubt you know many people at the event. For someone who lives west of Toronto and heads even more west for work, the busy Asian markets are a world away from what I am normally accustomed to.

If you are claustrophobic, the event might not be for you as you will feel packed in like a can of sardines. To put things in perspective, in one of the busiest night markets in Taiwan, I was stuck in one position for 15 minutes and I couldn’t even leave the flow of people.

I am tempted to head back for more food, if only it wasn’t so far away from where I live.

The Power Unit Youth Organization organizes this annual show that is definitely worth checking out, even if it’s just for the experience. This year’s event runs July 15 and 16.

While you are there, get your cheek swab’ed for the One Match program!

Rockstar! - Christy Luo and the PowerUnit Rockband perform their rendition of "Friday". This is an asian festival. We need the customary cell phone picture.

People milling about the stalls.

Pork belly bun.

Skewers!