Step into the three-day weekly wonder of the Fremantle Markets and experience some of Perth’s most exciting food stalls. With cuisines represented from around the globe, you’ll find noodles from Japan, arepas from Venezuela, Ottoman Borek from Turkey and plenty more. Get globetrotting, and experience a taste of a multitude of countries without leaving Western Australia.
Palace Patisserie
A busy corner stall in The Hall is always bustling with punters, sipping Turkish tea and tucking into authentic Ottoman-era delicacies. Their Borek flies out of the eatery, layered filo baked with tangy feta cheese and tender spinach or minced beef with cheese is another favourite, as are the pizza-like Etli Ekmek and mini filo Samsa pies stuffed with lamb and veggies. A slice of traditional Turkish Baklava or Knafeh with rose-scented tea or syrupy coffee is the perfect finish.
What the Bao
Asian flavours in a soft bao bun for a modern twist on the classic snack inspired by traditional Chinese street food, What the Bao is one of the busiest stalls at the Fremantle Markets, and for good reason. The fillings are a fusion of flavours from different countries: Taiwanese Pork Belly with crushed candied cashew; Japanese Panko fried chicken dressed with wasabi mayo, Korean Bulgogi Beef, or their Singaporean chilli soft shell crab with pickled pawpaw. Veggie Bao options include deep-fried tofu and teriyaki sauce for an easy bao bite on the go.
What the Bao
Kachapas
Teleport to the heart of Venezuela at Kachapas, a family-run affair with a short menu serving just four main dishes, including arepas (Latin burgers) made to order and vegan options like Venezuelan cachapas (made with gluten-free corn tortilla). Empanadas are handmade with premium minced beef and a vegetarian option of black beans, cheese, and plantain. Then add a side of tequeños (fried breaded halloumi cheese sticks) with signature sauces: guasacaca (avocado), chilli sour cream or Kachapas’ jalapeño sauce. Their homemade picante is infused with Venezuelan ‘Diplomatico’ rum.
Artisan Dough Bakery
Artisan Dough Bakery is best known for its specialty sourdough loaves, which use locally sourced, grown, milled, and organic ingredients. Along with a solid selection of cakes, pastries, quiches, and sausage rolls, it’s the gourmet toasties (considered some of Western Australia’s best) that lure the crowds. With fillings like chorizo, basil, tomato chutney, and cheese; spinach, mushroom, truffle oil, red onion and cheese; mac n cheese with bacon; a honey and cheese toastie – and not forgetting the trusty ham, cheese and tomato combo – they certainly are hard to resist. There are plenty of choices for the kid, too: Nutella and vegemite/cheese are two favourites.
Artisan Dough Bakery
Acropolis Souvlaki
If you long for authentic Greek flavours, Acropolis Souvlaki’s sensational souvlaki and traditional yiros are classic Mediterranean street food. They pride themselves on supporting local growers with the freshest quality ingredients, including free-range pork belly and locally sourced vegetables. Marinated pork, chicken, or mixed from the spit is served in warm pita bread with salad, homemade tzatziki, and chips. Their Breakfast Souvlaki is an excellent late-morning option: scrambled egg, bacon, cheese, and chips wrapped in pita bread with a choice of sauce: Acropolis mustard, homemade tzatziki, BBQ, sweet chilli, or hollandaise. Ask for spicy paprika for extra bite.
Eggspot
Soft brioche buns filled with fluffy scrambled eggs, Eggspot is a busy central stall for the ultimate brunch fix. Get in line for their famous “Hash Stash” with eggs, melted cheese, a crispy hash brown and homemade chipotle. Or their classic “Big Brekkie” with added bacon, cheese, avocado and hickory smoked BBQ sauce. They also rustle up a burger menu using cumin-infused homemade beef patties with a cheesy omelette, pickled cucumbers, and sauces. Or opt for a fried chipotle-brined chicken version that’s more than a handful.
Eggspot
Akira Japanese Cuisine
Traditional Japanese dishes at this hole-in-the-wall eatery that overlooks South Terrace serve up several kinds of noodles (udon and ramen), miso soup, pickled vegetables (tsukemono), and Donburi with fish or meat. Katsu Don and their Beef Udon are go-to’s on the menu, with a side of pork gyoza and seaweed salad as ideal side plates. A scoop of Black Sesame ice cream is the perfect finish.
Viet Kites
Viet Kites are renowned for their signature Croissant Banh Mi, a Vietnamese and French fusion of roast pork belly in flaky in a buttery croissant (from Zonts Bakehouse) with a layer of homemade chicken liver pâté and crunchy pickles with an added kick from fresh chilli and coriander. Or try the Charcoal Banh Mi (all the same fillings in a charcoal bun). Viet Kites is famed for this dish, so expect crowds to wait eagerly for their order on the weekend. Their noodle salad bowls are another popular dish topped with roast pork belly, lemongrass chicken or tofu. Fresh young coconut or Vietnamese iced coffee are the optimum drinks of choice.
Other important savoury shout outs include Michele’s Crepe Suzette French crepes, which have been operating at the Fremantle Markets for over two decades; Chibugan Corner for authentic Filipino food; tasty charcoal-grilled meats and satay chicken from Sate Freo; classic Indonesian rice dishes at Bali in Perth; Brazilian Barbeque and the Bratwurst Bar for authentic Greman sausage made in WA. The steamed momos at Tibet Stove, glass noodle salads at Xoi Saigon, Indian street food from The Saffron Bar, whole food wraps at Raw Raw Raw and sushi from Olivia’s Kitchen.
Viet Kites
Save some room for… Freo Baby
Freo Baby’s buckwheat poffertjes is a classic Dutch dessert and popular street snack in the Netherlands that is served with love (and lots of chocolate) at Fremantle Markets. These mini pancakes are small, fluffy treats made in a special cast iron pan and served by the dozen with powdered sugar. Then, add toppings. The ‘Stroop’ is a thick Dutch caramel sauce, or try the Apple Cream Caramel for some added fruit flavours. Lemon Curd and Lavender offers a citrus kick, and velvety Nutella with Strawberries always wins the popular vote. Milo Malt with Butter is for the more adventurous palate.
The sugar hit continues. Sugar Artist’s handcrafted ensaymada’s (a Filipino soft, sweet butter bun covered with buttercream); Muffle’s take on the trusty waffle; creamy Portuguese custard tarts from Popii; handmade chocolate from Element (the white chocolate with finger lime and lemon myrtle is a fan favourite); Fremantle Fudge, The Honeycake, natural fruit icy poles at Luby Lu, Levi’s Doughnuts, DNK Cupcakes, macaroons at M Town (with 20 delectable flavours to choose from) and Gluten Free Donuts by sisters Priscilla and Anne Ballantyne. For a caffeine hit, grab a brew from Otis Express, Little Boy Blue, or Black Cherries Espresso, whose beans are from Papua New Guinea, India, and Kenya and are roasted in Perth.
Freo Baby
All images © Fremantle Markets
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