Date Night Market: $60 Feast for Two at Pearlridge’s Village Night Market

Photo: Lucas Kamata

The night market in the Pearlridge parking lot fronting TJ Maxx starts at 5 p.m., when the day is beginning to cool down. Live music acts interacting with the crowd, fairy lights strung on tents, and the smell of delicious food creates a lively atmosphere. One tip up front: Bring a few friends along. Why? Seating is limited, and this way one of you can save a spot at one of the tables while someone grabs food. So how did our $60 foodie date go?

Market: Village Night Market
When: Saturdays, 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: 98-1005 Moanalua Road
Info: @village.events.hawaii

SEE ALSO: Date Night Market: Honolulu Harbor Nights

My favorite dish of the evening is the one we start with. Pelmeshki is a vendor specializing in Russian dumplings, or pelmeni. At Pelmeshki, for $16, you get 16 bite-size pierogies filled with a beef and pork mixture, served either steamed or pan-fried, but for the order we’re splitting, my girlfriend has the great idea of choosing both. I get it with sour cream, the traditional condiment, and it adds a light contrast to the meaty dumplings. I also ask try the shoyu chile, the most popular option.

Personally, my favorite meal is dumplings, like gyoza and rice. While I enjoy the crispy pan-fried dumplings, my girlfriend prefers the softer, steamed ones. It’s interesting to see how the different textures offer different experiences, making it an excellent option for a side dish or main course.

Photo: Lucas Kamata

As the night grows chilly, we warm up with a shared bowl of Miso Butter Corn Ramen from Ramen Spot Beach for $15.50. The savory, rich miso broth feels comforting. The ramen is sprinkled with tender chashu, bright green onions and an expertly marinated egg. The sweet corn is a nice touch, balancing out the butteriness. We’ve saved some of the pierogies from Pelmeski and we eat them alongside the ramen, almost like gyoza, which makes for a tasty and almost conventional combination!

Photo: Lucas Kamata

Our food adventure continued with a Clam Chowder Bread Bowl from Moore 4 U, especially irresistible since I’ve never seen a bread bowl at a night market. For $16, you get a hearty clam chowder or pasta inside a bread bowl. The clam chowder is thick, creamy and flavorful. While my bowl doesn’t contain clams, a generous amount of potatoes and crispy bacon adds texture and depth. The soft, fluffy sourdough bowl is perfect for dipping and soaking up every last drop of chowder. I’m a big bread fan and would get this again.

Photo: Lucas Kamata

To end our night on a sweet note, we stop by Da Mochi Guys for their Cookie Butter Crunch, a four-pack of pink mochi generously filled with cookie butter, for $10. The chewy mochi, with its sweet and slightly salted cookie butter filling, is the right dessert to finish our meal.

Photo: Lucas Kamata

Our total before tax tonight is $57.50 for a shared four-course dinner for two. Fullness factor for both of us is 10 out of 10. All in all, this night market offers an outstanding mix at good prices. The market says it will continue every Saturday evening through the holiday season, with no breaks. So bring friends, scope out the vendors and make a game plan for your own foodie date night at the market!

SEE ALSO: Date Night Market: A $60 Sunset Date at ‘Ono Grindz & Mākeke