A small square behind the New York Hall of Science, in the northwest corner of Flushing Meadows Corona Park, has developed into one of the most exciting culinary addresses in New York in recent years. The Queens Night Market is not located in tourist Manhattan, but in the western part of Queens. Locals in particular meet here in their thousands – at least at normal times – every Saturday, although a gathering could hardly be less homogeneous anywhere else: people of around 120 different nationalities live in the district, around 90 of whom are represented at the market.
—You can eat your way from all continents at the street food market in Queens.
(Photo: Christian Verlag)
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There are 300 stalls at this street food market, and they are usually run by first or second generation of immigrants. Most of the time, the whole family helps to prepare Ćevapčići, kimchi pancakes or huaraches with mashed beans. Most people are unlikely to have heard of a number of dishes before. There are two rules in the market: You can only get a stand if you offer a dish that is related to your origin or history. And: No meal can cost more than six US dollars.
An oral history project documents the life stories of the stand operators
The Texan market was initiated by John Wang in 2013. Together with Storm Garner, who helped out from the start and who is now married to him, Wang published the book with the simple title “New York”. In it he tells the story of the market, which has become the condensate of the whole city, in which people from all over the world gather to make their way.
But above all, the two let the salespeople speak. Storm Garner started an oral history project on the market three years ago; the interviews with the stand operators form the basis of the book, which also includes many atmospheric photographs by John Taggart. In addition to the recipes for their dishes, the vendors reveal their stories, which are at least as interesting as a culinary foray into the Queens Night Market.
John Wang, Storm Garner: New York. 88 new cult recipes from over 40 countries. Translated from the English by Kate Reiserer. Christian Verlag, Munich 2021. 272 pages, 26.99 euros.
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