Cathay Members’ Choice Awards 2024: Asia’s most unmissable street market

Welcome to the Cathay Members’ Choice Awards: our flagship awards which celebrate everything that makes the world so amazing – as voted for by you, our global community of members. Discover the winner that captured your hearts – and your votes – as well as the contenders that made it to the shortlist. 

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Winner: Raohe Night Market, Taipei

Bowls heaped with shaved ice, the unforgettable aroma of stinky tofu, and endless styles of fried potatoes – Raohe Night Market offers the quintessential Taiwanese street food experience. Smaller than some of Taipei’s other night markets, it’s easy to navigate and explore, making it ideal for first-timers. Just be sure to bring two essentials: your appetite and a sturdy umbrella, especially if you’re visiting during the rainy season from May to September.

Itaewon Market, Seoul

The neon-lit strip of Itaewon Market – a 1.4-km-long shopping street at the heart of Seoul’s Itaewon district – is usually teeming with savvy shoppers on the hunt for fresh K-beauty and K-fashion finds. When your wallet needs a break, pop into one of the lively bars and restaurants for some après-shopping cocktails and bites. The market is home to a surprisingly international lineup of restaurants and cafes, including Czech, Mexican and Pakistani cuisines.  

Ximending Night Market, Taipei

More of a modern shopping district than a traditional night market, Ximending is where hip, young Taiwanese come to shop and play. Often compared to Tokyo’s Harajuku, this tourist-friendly hotspot boasts a high concentration of quirky attractions, from maid cafes and a Hello Kitty-themed 7-Eleven to 24-hour restaurants and street food stalls serving some of Taipei’s best bites. Come for the retail therapy and stay for the lively street atmosphere. 

Chatuchak Market, Bangkok

The mother of all Asia’s street markets, Chatuchak feels like a mini city with over 15,000 vendors covering 14 hectares. Known as the world’s largest weekend market, this open-air bazaar in northern Bangkok has 26 sections, selling everything you can think of – plants, antiques, vinyl records, homeware, clothing, exotic fruits, and even pets. Spend a day exploring this labyrinthine marketplace and be prepared to haggle for the best price.

Luang Prabang Night Market, Laos

No visit to Luang Prabang is complete without a trip to this bustling market for authentic handicrafts. At night, hill-tribe traders from different local ethnic groups flock to the centre, selling unique handmade goods like ceramics, lamps, blankets, bed covers and silk scarves. If you’re more of a gourmand, peruse the food market for coffee, homemade whiskies and a taste of real Laotian street food.