Night Market - Chinese, South San Francisco

2308 South Spruce Ave, South San Francisco CA 94080
(650) 634-8388
Hours: Mon-Sat 11am - 2:30pm
Parking: parking lot and street parking

Last Visited: June 25, 2017

Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $ to $$

Night Market opened a few months ago and is located next to Spruce café across the street from Hung To Restaurant.  The signage is discreet and if you didn't know what was there, it would be easy to pass it by without a second glance.  Winnie told me about it as she had heard good things.

Enter Night Market and it's a bit dark.  You'll see a small screen along with a menu holder.  On the right is an 'Order here' sign along with a tv screen above it showing today's specials.  Available today were items like cola chicken and pineapple buns (which come out of the oven every 30 minutes).  The menu is comprised of favorites, a choose your base and protein option, snacks, and drinks (tea, Asian soda, and fresh juice).

Folding tables are scattered throughout the space and surrounded by bright red and blue plastic stools.  The intent behind the design of the menu and environment is to mimic the night markets and hawker stands that are popular in many Asian countries where the food is the primary draw and the seating is purely functional, not beautiful.   The side brick wall has been painted with black chalkboard paint and individual bricks have been decorated with various drawings.  The rear wall serves as a projection screen for an Asian movie.  Along the walls are the stainless steel food carts with a space for you to peer at the various snacks and dishes in their pots.  There is also a drink station, which based on the mini wooden barrels present (typically used for sweet tofu), I would guess will also be a dessert station soon.

After you order, your number is called, sometimes several times depending on which station your order came from.  They have a tray at the main station so you can take your food back to your table easily and if you need help, they can also assist.  Condiments and silverware are found in the center of the room for you to serve yourself. 

- Curry Fish Balls (6 pieces) - These tender fish balls are cooked in a curry sauce and served three to a skewer.  Typical street food, these were very reminiscent of what you would find on the streets in Hong Kong.  Good. $2

- Night Market Hainan Chicken with rice - Generally, Hainan Chicken is almost as well known as its accompanying rice which is typically cooked with the broth used to cook the chicken, making the rice extremely flavorful.  Night Market does a great job with their Hainan chicken with rice.  The chicken is boneless and both are served with boiled cabbage (not bland because it too is cooked in the chicken broth).  A small serving of pickled vegetables (daikon radish and carrots), ginger and scallion sauce, and hot sauce are also served with the dish.  It's filling for a single serving, but could easily be shared. Great. $8

- Choose a base, choose a protein $8
Base: White rice, noodle salad, soup noodle, steamed buns (2 pieces)
Protein: Spicy tofu, fried tofu, Hainan chicken, satay beef brisket (+0.95), curry beef brisket (+0.95), roast pork belly, BBQ pork, pork chop

In Hong Kong, this has become a popular model for restaurants and often also includes choosing a sauce.  You can also add an additional protein for $3. 


- Satay Beef Brisket with Soup Noodles - From this menu of choices, I chose this combination.  The brisket was tender and well flavored.  The turnip was tender and cooked through, but the flavor from the sauce has not made it to the center of the turnip - it's almost as though the two were cooked separately.  Along with the brisket are tendons which were also tender.  The noodles and broth are served separately - the noodles were al dente and the broth was flavorful.  Two pieces of yau choy were served with it.  I would definitely get this again. $8.95

Desserts like pineapple buns and pudding cakes (more Hong Kong street food) are available.  The more you purchase, the better the price. 

Although the name is a bit of a misnomer right now since they're only open for lunch, the place is already quite popular and by the time I finished my lunch, the order line was almost back to the door.  It looks like there is some flexibility with seating as there are more tables not yet unfolded and there is also seating outside.  The food quality is on point and service, albeit minimal, is friendly.  I'll be back for sure and would recommend it to others.