Market Ramble in Newark

Story and photos by Merideth Pakier

THE NEWARK FARMERS’ MARKET FEELS OUTSIZED for this little city that sits like an island inside of Fremont. Dozens of farm stands sit alongside local artisan crafters, and a strong lineup of prepared food vendors reflects the Bay Area’s diverse cuisines.

 

 

Many farms offer fresh produce items that are central to East and South Asian cooking and can be hard to find in mainstream grocery stores. I found myself up close with stacked bundles of amaranth and fenugreek greens at the XIONG FRESH PRODUCE stand, green chayote squash and purple banana flowers at TOP PRODUCE, and sugar cane stalks at YEE VUE FARM. There’s so much variety that you can easily find everything from organic strawberries and stocky daikon radishes to artichokes and mint, all from a single vendor. The produce alone is worth the trip, but it’s easy to find your bliss from among the market’s prepared food offerings, and you can chill out in the seating area where there’s live music by local talent.

Arrive early if you want to beat the line at LA KALIDÁD. This Filipino-Californian bakery’s ube custard buns, black sesame morning buns, and vanilla bean flan tarts have many devoted followers.

For a boost of caffeine, I visited MAGICAL BOX, a shining white trailer serving coffee, matcha, and unique flavor combinations like a blueberry cheesecake latte. I opted for their F-ICE Cold Brew, a cube-less iced coffee. The vendor had earmarked a percentage of sales for donation to Groveland Emergency Food Shelf in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Caffeine seekers may also want to stop by LE MIL’S COFFEE. The beans come from co-owner Milana’s family farm in Chikkamagaluru, India, and are roasted in Berkeley. The friendly team is eager to provide guidance on the best roast for your home setup, whether you’re brewing French press, espresso, or a simple daily drip.

If you’re looking for something warm and substantial to devour on the spot, SALVIRICANS delivers with handmade pupusas. They offer many vegetarian fillings, and all are cooked to order on a comal at the back of the tent. The loroco and cheese version is crisp on the outside, gooey on the inside, and super satisfying.

 

 

For small-batch goods to take home, visit NOT YO MAMA’S KIMCHI for their range of pickled vegetables and namesake ferment. The marinated cucumbers—crisp and refreshing in a nutty sesame-vinegar dressing—are perfect with rice and fish.

At Santa Clara County–based SMALL BEES, jars of raw, unfiltered local honey gleamed gold in the bright morning sun. I was also tempted by their beeswax candles, lip balms, and soaps.

IAN’S PORK BBQ is the place for delicious Filipino comfort food, and their sisig is a standout—tender, juicy, and tangy, with just the right citrusy, vinegary kick. As you take your first few bites, consider that you could save the rest and enjoy it at home with steamed rice and a runny fried egg. ´

The Newark Farmers’ Market is open Sundays from 9am to 1pm at 2086 Newpark Mall, Newark.

 

When Meredith Pakier is not writing as part of the Market Hall Foods marketing and communications team, she’s hiking with her dog, Nico, and dreaming about starting a garden.