This past weekend, I finally made it back to 626 Night Market at Santa Anita Park — and let me tell you, it lived up to the hype.
If you’ve never been, imagine a neon-lit playground of street food, music, art, and people from all walks of life just vibing under the stars. The moment I walked in, the smell of grilled meats, fried bao, and spicy noodles hit me like a wall of joy. Within 10 minutes, I had skewers in one hand, a mango slushie in the other, and the sound of a local DJ bumping in the background.
It’s chaotic. It’s overwhelming. It’s perfect. What I Tried (and Loved)
Let’s start with the food. I went in with a loose plan… which immediately got wrecked the moment I saw the lines. So I embraced the spirit of 626: wander, graze, repeat.
Here are a few standouts from my night:
- Ube mochi donuts: Warm, chewy, not overly sweet. Worth the wait.
- Elote bao buns: Mexican-Korean fusion? Yes. Weird? Also yes. Delicious? Absolutely.
- Grilled squid-on-a-stick: Still the unofficial mascot of 626, and still as satisfying as ever.
- Watermelon juice in a mini keg: Over-the-top and refreshing. Not practical, but who cares?
The food alone is worth the trip — but the energy is what makes it stick.Why 626 Still Hits Different
You can go to a lot of food festivals in LA, but this one has a very specific San Gabriel Valley heartbeat. There’s a certain pride in watching young creators run their booths, families repping their heritage through flavor, and kids discovering new tastes for the first time.
There’s K-pop playing at one vendor, anime hoodies for sale at another, and people lined up 20 deep for something called a “pho burrito.” It’s a celebration of cultures colliding — and it all works.One More Weekend Left
If you missed it — good news: 626 Night Market is back this weekend, August 29–31, same spot, same energy, new excuses to go back and try what you missed.
Here are a few tips if you’re going:
- Go early or go late – 6–8 PM is peak chaos.
- Bring cash and comfy shoes – or at least someone who will wait in line while you scout dessert.
- Share everything – it’s the only way to make it to round four without tapping out.
Final Thought
In a city where things are always changing, it’s cool to have something you can count on every summer. 626 isn’t just about eating — it’s about community, creativity, and showing off what makes the SGV one of the most unique corners of LA.
See you there (I’ll be the guy double-fisting boba and looking for more mochi).
