On Saturday, May 10, from 6 to 10 p.m., the first-ever Asian Night Market is taking place at the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center.
Brought to you by the team behind Vegan Night Market, in collaboration with a collective of local Asian community leaders including The Tucson Chinese Cultural Center, The Drop Dance Studio, Kira Kira Collectibles, The Chinese Chorizo Project, and Tuk Tuk Thai, alongside a passionate group of local Asian community leaders, this one-night celebration of the Asian diaspora in Arizona will transform the evening into a sensory experience of food, movement, music, art, and community.
Admission is free, and all are welcome!
Participating Food & Beverage Vendors
- Abstract Aquarium & Cafe – Waffle Dogs, Taiyaki, Fruit Tea, Banh Pate Sau
- Nick’s Sari Sari Store – Traditional Filipino dishes
- Filipina Fiesta – Filipino and Asian fusion cuisine
- Yum Yum Pocha_ – Korean noodles (meat and veg options)
- Takoyaki Balls – Japanese takoyaki and street eats
- Tuk Tuk Thai – Bold Thai street food favorites
- Tucson CCC – Spicy, salty Chinese chicken wings
- Ume Tea – Boba Tea
- Atekei Treats – Baked goods and traditional desserts
- Lahaina’s Shaved Ice – Hawaiian shave ice and Dole Whip
- Sweet Rolls and More – Rolled ice cream with Asian flavors
- Shuka Sweets – Baked goods and bread
- Transit Tea – Thai Chai, Japanese Matcha, Traditional Chai, Indian Black Tea, and more
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT & Shopping
- Lion Dance by TCCC Lion Dance Troupe
- Korean Drumming by Sounds of Thunder
- Polynesian Dance by Siva Maia
- Thai Dance by Konnika Richards and Danesia Dechavaranon
- Really, Truly (Ricky Tutaan)
- K-pop Cover Dance by Underskore
- Street Styles Dance by Dia Clones and The Drop Dance Studio
- Closing Dragon Dance by TCCC Lion Dance Troupe
- Official Arizona Cosplay Meetup
Plus, shop anime and pop culture collectibles, art prints, stickers, original illustrations, enamel pins, handmade candles and soaps, crochet plushies, stationery, tote bags, jewelry, custom artwork, and quirky vending machine surprises.
From L.A. to Phoenix, Asian night markets have become popular destinations where people come together to eat, hang out, and enjoy the energy of the evening. Tucson is long overdue for its own version — and this is the first step toward building one that happens regularly, several times a year.
The Asian Night Market is taking place at the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center, 1288 W River Rd., from 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 10.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
