When I first heard about the Richmond Night Market, I imagined something small: a few food stalls, maybe a stage, some vendors selling trinkets. What I found instead blew me away. From the moment I stepped off the Canada Line SkyTrain at Bridgeport Station and followed the crowd, the air was already heavy with the smell of grilling skewers, sweet waffles, deep-fried squid, and bubble tea. Lights blinked above, music thumped from the stage, and waves of people surged past me in anticipation.
As a Canadian travel blogger, I’ve been to markets across the country, but Richmond’s Night Market is in a category of its own. It’s not just food—it’s a sensory overload, a festival, a social gathering that runs from May until October, drawing thousands of people every weekend. The hardest part isn’t finding something to eat; it’s figuring out which stall is worth your appetite.
During my first visit, I made mistakes—choosing the first short line I saw, missing out on stalls that people raved about, and running out of cash when I needed it most. Over time, after many weekends wandering the market, I developed strategies to uncover the best food stalls without wasting time or money.
This article is my personal guide, written for first-time visitors who want to make the most of their Richmond Night Market adventure. I’ll give you ten detailed tips on finding the best food stalls, each based on my real experiences. Along the way, I’ll share the platforms I use to plan my trips in Canada—like Booking.com for hotels, Expedia.ca for flights, Airbnb for unique stays, Klook or Viator for tours, and OpenTable for restaurant reservations outside the market.
Tip 1 – Follow the Longest Lines
The first lesson I learned at Richmond’s Night Market was this: long lines are not a nuisance, they are a compass. The stalls with the longest queues usually signal the most beloved dishes.
One night, I walked past a booth selling spiral-cut potatoes on sticks. The line stretched halfway across the aisle, and I almost ignored it. But curiosity won. After thirty minutes of waiting, I bit into a hot, crispy, spiral potato dusted with spicy seasoning. The crunch, the salt, the slight burn of chili powder—it was worth every minute.
Advice for First-Timers: Don’t shy away from lines. They’re part of the experience. If you’re short on time, split up with friends—each of you line up at different stalls and share the haul afterward.
Tip 2 – Trust the Smells in the Air
The night market is a sea of aromas. Sweet, savory, spicy—all swirling together. The first time I visited, I let my nose guide me. That’s how I discovered the grilled squid stall.
I followed the smoky scent of charred seafood until I found a booth with flames leaping from a grill. The squid was brushed with sauce, fanned out on sticks, and served hot. It wasn’t on my list of “must-tries,” but it became one of my favorite discoveries.
Advice for First-Timers: Walk slowly and let the aromas guide you. Sometimes the best food stalls are the ones you didn’t plan for.
Tip 3 – Look for Handwritten Signs and Specialty Menus
Not every great stall looks flashy. Some of the best meals I’ve had came from modest booths with handwritten signs. One stall offered Taiwanese popcorn chicken, advertised only by a chalkboard. The chicken was golden, crunchy, sprinkled with basil leaves, and served in a paper cone.
What impressed me was the specialization. The stall sold only popcorn chicken and bubble tea. That focus told me they put all their energy into perfecting those two items—and it showed.
Advice for First-Timers: Don’t judge by appearance. Look for stalls that focus on one or two items rather than a full menu. Specialization is often a sign of quality.
Tip 4 – Ask Locals in the Crowd
On my second visit, I noticed groups of locals chatting excitedly about their favorite stalls. I struck up a conversation with a family waiting in line and asked them where they usually eat. They recommended a Korean fried chicken booth I had completely missed.
That chicken—crispy, sticky with sauce, sprinkled with sesame seeds—became my highlight of the night. If I hadn’t asked, I never would have found it.
Advice for First-Timers: Don’t be shy. Ask locals in line or even the staff working nearby. People love to share their favorites, and you’ll discover stalls that guidebooks don’t mention.
Tip 5 – Use Cash for Speed, But Bring Enough
Many stalls accept card payments, but cash still rules at the night market. One evening, I ran out of cash just as I spotted a dessert stall selling Japanese taiyaki stuffed with red bean paste and soft-serve ice cream. The line moved quickly for cash payers while card transactions slowed things down.
I had to run to the nearest ATM, and by the time I returned, the line had doubled. That taught me a simple lesson: bring plenty of small bills.
Advice for First-Timers: Carry CAD \$40–\$60 in small denominations. It makes transactions smoother and keeps you from missing out on popular stalls.
Tip 6 – Arrive Early, Stay Late
Timing matters. When I arrived at opening time one Friday, the market was quiet. I used those first thirty minutes to scout the stalls, jotting down what I wanted to try. By 9 p.m., the crowds were thick, and lines had tripled.
On another visit, I stayed until closing. Near the end of the night, some vendors offered discounts or bigger portions to clear stock. That’s how I scored an extra skewer of lamb kebabs for the price of one.
Advice for First-Timers: Arrive at opening to scout, then circle back later. Or stay late for deals and a calmer atmosphere.
Tip 7 – Watch for Signature Dishes
Each year, certain dishes become the stars of the Richmond Night Market. One summer, it was Japanese-style cheese tarts. Another year, deep-fried milk skewers. Vendors often compete to create unique, Instagram-worthy dishes.
I make a point of scanning social media before I go. Instagram hashtags like #RichmondNightMarket usually reveal the trending foods. That’s how I discovered a stall selling rainbow-colored grilled cheese sandwiches. Watching the cheese stretch in bright colors between two slices of bread was as fun as eating it.
Advice for First-Timers: Check social media before your visit, and keep an eye out for unusual creations. These signature items often become your most memorable bites.
Tip 8 – Share Everything
The Richmond Night Market is overwhelming because there’s too much food for one person. My first night, I tried to eat full portions alone, and by my fourth dish, I was full and frustrated.
Now, I go with friends, and we share everything. We split skewers, cut waffles into pieces, and divide noodles into small bowls. This way, we can taste ten or more stalls in one evening without bursting.
Advice for First-Timers: Bring at least one friend, maybe two. Sharing allows you to maximize variety and discover more favorites.
Tip 9 – Balance Sweet and Savory
I once made the mistake of eating nothing but savory food for two hours—squid, dumplings, kebabs, noodles. By the time I craved dessert, my stomach was too heavy.
On another visit, I alternated: dumplings first, then a mango shaved ice, then skewers, followed by taiyaki with matcha ice cream. The balance kept me satisfied and refreshed.
Advice for First-Timers: Alternate sweet and savory dishes. It keeps your palate excited and prevents food fatigue.
Tip 10 – Don’t Forget Drinks
Food steals the spotlight, but drinks are part of the night market experience. Bubble tea is everywhere—classic milk tea, fruit teas, even wild creations like cheese-foam toppings.
One night, I discovered a stall selling fresh watermelon juice served in half a watermelon. It was icy, refreshing, and perfect after spicy skewers. Another time, I tried sugarcane juice pressed on the spot.
Advice for First-Timers: Save room for drinks. They cleanse your palate and cool you down on warm summer nights.
Practical Details for Visitors
- Admission: Entry to the Richmond Night Market usually costs around CAD \$8–\$10. Tickets can be bought on-site or in advance through platforms like Eventbrite or bundled tours on Klook and Viator.
- Getting There: The easiest route is the Canada Line SkyTrain to Bridgeport Station. From there, it’s a short walk. Use a Compass Card for seamless transit, as I explained in my earlier writing.
- Accommodation: For hotels near the market, I use Booking.com to find convenient stays within walking distance. For more character, I book unique homestays on Airbnb.
- Flights: Visitors flying into Vancouver International Airport can book through Expedia.ca, often bundling flights with hotels and car rentals.
- Dining Outside the Market: When I wanted to eat in Richmond outside market hours, I used OpenTable to reserve dim sum at Fisherman’s Terrace or sushi at Gami Sushi.
Emotional Reflections – Why the Market Matters
The Richmond Night Market isn’t just about food. It’s about community, discovery, and joy. Every time I go, I feel part of something bigger—a shared feast under the summer sky. Children tug at their parents’ hands toward candy stalls, couples share skewers, and groups of friends laugh while juggling plates of dumplings.
For me, the best part is the anticipation. Each stall holds a promise: a new flavor, a new memory. The challenge of finding the best food is not a chore but an adventure.
Finding the Best Stalls Is Finding Your Own Story
If you’re visiting Richmond for the first time, let the night market be your playground. Use these ten tips—follow the lines, trust the smells, ask locals, arrive early, share with friends, and balance your bites. With a little strategy, you’ll uncover the stalls that make the Richmond Night Market legendary.
And don’t forget: planning platforms like Expedia.ca, Booking.com, Airbnb, Klook, Viator, and OpenTable complete the journey, ensuring that every detail—from flights to hotels to meals—is as smooth as your night market adventure.
Because in the end, the Richmond Night Market is more than a food fair. It’s where taste, culture, and memory collide—and the best stalls are waiting for you to discover them.
