Saigon Night Market brings a taste of Asia to Sarasota

By Ian Swaby
| 11:45 a.m. January 26, 2026

Jay Poon holds a container of takoyaki, with his wife, Sadie Poon.

Sarasota
Neighbors

What started in a parking lot in St. Petersburg about three years ago with about 10 tents, has now grown into a festival with dozens of vendors.

Co-organizer Vishal Vellody said his Indian background helped inspire the Saigon Night Market festival that debuted Jan. 24-25 at J.D. Hamel Park in Sarasota.

"One of the most important things is just hanging around making fresh food and hanging out with family," he said. "We took that idea, and that's kind of what Saigon Night Market is," he said.

The event, which drew about 5,000 attendees, showcased numerous family-owned small businesses with cuisine from countries including Korea, Japan, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and even some from cultures outside Asia, as well as the chance to participate in karaoke.

Attendees crowded the street waiting in line to taste dishes like takoyaki, a ball-shaped Japanese dish of fried dough stuffed with savory ingredients, while others perused crocheted key chains and other Asian-themed items available for sale.

Vellody said in the community-based culinary environment of Asian cultures, there are fewer hurdles to selling street food, but the festival gave others the chance to enjoy that experience with many family-owned small businesses.

"We ensure that everyone's insured and official, but still bringing that street food vibe," he said.

Carlos Calixtro goes for a round of karaoke.

Aline Romero and her husband, Chris Romero, browse crochet items.

Andrew Mendoza holds Baby Boy, a blue-tongued skink who was showcased at Emit's Adventure.

Angelica and Romeo Sin of Bestie Asian Express prepare orders of noodles.

Jinglong Yin of G&S seasons the meat skewers he is grilling.

Julian Aggarwal, 8 (center) meets Chamillionaire his grandmother Halina Kondratowicz, mother Izabela Aggarwal and Olivia Aggarwal, 2, at the Emit's Adventure tent.

Sandro Mangione, 4, and his father, Mike Mangione, take to the microphone to sing karaoke.

Cataleya Alvarez, 8, and Leaylah Zuniga sing a round of karaoke.

Fresh trays are prepared at Mr. Takoyaki.

A table was set out by Spiritual Life Coach & Energy Healer.

Mina Anderson-Wolfson holds a guinea pig, Brownie, at the Emit's Adventure tent.

Lam To, Justin Nguyen and Kathy Doan of Mr. Takoyaki prepare orders of takoyaki, a ball-shaped Japanese dish of fried dough stuffed with savory ingredients.

Liz Khodzhaieva and Aeon Johnson explore the crochet items.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.