Editor’s Note: This article was written for Mosaic, an independent journalism training program for high school students who report and photograph stories under the guidance of professional journalists.
On a warm autumn night, the Story Road Night Market in San Jose’s Little Saigon bustled with vendors and customers, and an aromatic trail of freshly fried popcorn chicken and sweet boba tea drinks led visitors from one end to the other.
The night market kicked off its 2024 finale Oct. 11, just outside Grand Century Shopping Center in the heart of East San Jose. Moveable Feast, a San Jose-based street food event caterer, hosted the free event.
Crocheted ghosts, mushrooms and chickens were among the handmade craft items for sale at the Story Road Night Market in San Jose on Oct. 11, 2024. (Nischal Jasti/Mosaic)
Moveable Feast founder Ryan Sebastian said the market was organized to emulate the lively street markets of Asia. He said in an interview with KQED that the event emphasizes Vietnamese culture and cuisine with food trucks and music.
Katie Le, 16, frequented the night market during its run of three weekends from July to October.
“I thought it was a pretty unique experience. I have never seen so much Asian cuisine at these markets, especially from my own culture,” said Le, a student at Silver Creek High School in San Jose. “I think it definitely made my experience feel more welcoming, and I felt more connected to my culture.”
Visitors walk through the Story Road Night Market in the parking lot of the Grand Century Shopping Center in East San Jose on Oct. 11, 2024. (Nischal Jasti/Mosaic)
The night market also hosted fusion cuisines, such as the Los Kuyas truck known for its Filipino-Mexican tacos.
Movable Feast incorporates retail vendors into its market. Many sold hand-crafted goods such as crocheted stuffed animals or accessories like press-on nails and Jibbitz pins for sandals.
Emmy Thang, 22, creates painted landscapes on tote bags and journals, among other items. She said her booth, called Artsy Ms. Thang, found success at the night market.
“It’s been really fun. It’s a lot of families, which is good for us because our target demographic is younger kids,” the San Jose State University student said. “There are definitely slow periods, but then there are times when the booth will be completely full.”
Visitors walk past booths and food trucks at the Story Road Night Market at the Grand Century Shopping Center in San Jose on Oct. 11, 2024. (Nischal Jasti/Mosaic)
Jaynee Toch, 16, joined Thang and her cousin to sell handmade keychains and earrings at the booth. She said working at the booth was an important learning experience and a chance to interact with community members. “This is like a breath of fresh air that I have been needing,” she said. “Not only do I get to meet new people, but I get to show my art to everyone.”
The night market’s commitment to delivering a cultural experience went beyond food and artisanal goods, providing a platform for music and live performances such as a martial arts group, a dance lesson, and singing.
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William Tran performed with his taekwondo program. He said it was his first time performing at a major event.
“It felt pretty good. There’s a little sense of accomplishment. It’s definitely something I want to do again when I have more experience.”
Tran, 16, had been practicing Taekwondo for three months before his performance.
Moveable Feast was created in 2011 as a food truck catering company, then expanded to provide marketing and consulting services. The company uses community resources to preserve the cultural values of the area through events like the night market.
Teen Lindsey Nguyen attended the Story Road Night Market’s summer and fall events. “It’s been a good time to hang out with friends. I think there’s a lot of food here and a lot of unique things to shop for that you usually can’t find at other stores,” she said.
Nanki Kaur is a senior at American High School in Fremont.
