Do the noodle dance

Not exactly sure what the noodle dance would look like (perhaps a sperm-like wriggling, coupled with jumping?), but a number of people (myself included) did a spontaneous jig when getting close enough to the Night Noodle Markets in Hyde Park to smell the noodly-goodness.

The Night Noodle Markets are an institution at the Sydney International Food Festival (previously known as Good Food Month). Of all that is on offer, this is one of the most affordable and accessible ways to take part in the food festivities. For two weeks in October, Hyde Park is transformed into a series of upmarket hawker stalls. Free entertainment abounds, elegantly costumed women dance on a central stage set amidst lanterns and light shows and parades of Chinese drums and Lion dancers snake expertly through the tightly packed tables, chairs and crowds.

We arrived at 7.30pm to find the park heaving with people. Queues looked revoltingly long, but once we made up our minds about which stall to eat from (East Ocean Restaurant for yum cha style food) it was an easy 5 - 10 minutes to the front of the line. We ordered one of the many meal deals on offer - salt and pepper squid with a 10 piece dim sum for $25 - and it was handed over steaming hot and fragrant within seconds. Despite the crowds, we quickly scored a table and chairs for 9 people, and this seemed to be the case for most.

The offering from East Ocean was good value, comfortably feeding two hungry people. The dim sum included a selection of the the less expensive items - deep fried spring rolls and pork buns - as well as a couple of nicer pieces like steamed prawn dumplings. It is possible to purchase the dim sum items individually for $2 each if you only want your favourites. The salt and pepper squid was the winner though; the batter was light and crisp, the balance of salt and pepper was just right and the squid was tender, with no stringiness to speak of.

Healthier options are also available at the markets if you are so inclined, my flatmate ordered a gently spiced, lemon-laced, seafood and salad plate from Seafood and Eat It. If Asian cuisine is not for you, there is a token gozleme stand amongst the hawker food. Toby's Estate and the delightful Serendipity ice cream also have stalls, and there are a couple of bars - including a Coopers beer garden - onsite too. The only critique would be that although the festival had advertised that they were taking a green approach this year some vendors were still serving food in plastic containers, rather than using the recyclable plates.

The loveliest aspect of the festival, and this alone is worth going along for, is being able to experience a beautiful part of Sydney made into a functional and vibrant social space for people to come together - and on a weeknight, no less. My only regret is not leaving space for noodles.

The 2009 Night Noodle Markets are on Oct 12-16 and 19-23 from 5.00pm-9.30pm in Hyde Park. Head to the official site for more information about what is happening during the Sydney International Food Festival.