Attention Foodies: The Southeast Asian Market Returns to FDR Park This May With 70+ Vendors
The secret is officially out. What was known throughout the Philly foodie community has garnered the attention of national publications including Food & Wine naming it, “one of the best markets in America.” Of course we’re talking about the Southeast Asian Market at FDR Park.
For over 30 years, each spring over 70 small restaurants and mom & pop shops set up at FDR Park for the market that extends all the way through October. This year the Southeast Asian Market’s opening weekend will be May 4th weekend. The hours of operation will be 10AM-6PM, Saturday and Sundays (except for Broad Street Run and Eagles Home Game days). However, the market will be open May 27th for Memorial Day and September 2nd for Labor Day.
“It should be noted that many of our vendors are refugees from Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and at the time of our resettlement in Philly during the 1980’s, the taste for our cuisine wasn’t readily accepted by the American palate, and so selling food as street vendors was how they were able to share our dishes. Because we are still years away from getting that permanent home for the Southeast Asian Market built, we are still operating as a pop-up market in cooperation with FDR Park to ensure that others get to enjoy the space as well, so we continue the two Spring and Summer locations – please check the website and social channels for location announcements, states the market’s Community Cultivator Catzie Vilayphonh
“We are also launching our own tours of the Market, so visitors can try out foods, ask questions directly with vendors but also learn the history of how our Southeast Asian refugee community helped to establish what we have today. Bring cash, try everything, share with your friends, ask permission from vendors before taking pictures or videos, tag us in your posts, and don’t forget hand sanitizer, wipes and sunscreen. Thank you for supporting our Southeast Asian refugee business,” Catzie added
The market will also feature pop-up spaces that will feature a new vendor for the day or weekend. Interested vendors can email [email protected] to inquire and apply. In addition to food at the market, some vendors also offer catering services as well as food products for you to cook at home.
As with last year, the Southeast Asian Market will be located over by the Broad Street side for May and June, then next to the Taney Baseball fields starting in July until October.
