Parkville Market: Exciting New Vendor Lineup Including Taiwan Night Market, Taste of Portugal and KOJI2GO

Parkville Market, a hub of international cuisine, has graced Hartford with four new vendors. Taiwan Night Market, the Taste of Portugal and KOJI2GO have opened, and we hear that Flor do Mar has launched since we visited with a completely gluten free menu, each adding new, exciting, flavorful dishes to an already highly tasty market. 

Parkville opened during the height of the pandemic in May of 2020, starting with only five vendors, all take-out. Now, three years later, the market is vibrant. 

“Now being at 21 vendors we’ve really rounded out the different, uniqueness to the food that we offer,” Matt Sousa, Vice President of Operations at Parkville said. “If we’re lacking something then we go out and try to find whatever it is.”

Although it’s difficult to pick a favorite stand at the market, Taiwan Night Market is definitely a front runner. Their World Star Chicken, fried to a crispy perfection, was one of the most flavorful pieces of chicken I’ve ever tasted! Also delicious were the beef noodle rolls that have such an interesting mix of textures between the tender cooked beef, soft noodles, and the combination of crunchy and fresh garnishes. Altogether with the sauce, it was a great dish.

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KOJI2GO had some of the most interesting and creative items of the day, specializing in fried sushi rolls and other delicious fried goodies. The Parkville Market roll (shrimp and chicken tempura, avocado, cucumber, sweet chili sauce, and spicy mayo) combined many flavors and textures to create a bomb roll. The K.F.C, Koji fried chicken, paired with a spicy mayo sauce was mouthwatering. The brand also owns Hartford Poke Company and Okinawa Boba at Parkville Market. 

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The Taste of Portugal also opened from a chef you will know, Chef Rui Correia, former owner of Douro in Greenwich. Here you can enjoy Portuguese specialties including bifana (slow-cooked pork shoulder served on a toasted Portuguese roll ), as well as the famous Francesinha Sandwich with thick slices of white loaf bread with ham (Portuguese Fiambre), sausage, cheese, and steak. The sandwich is then topped with more cheese, usually taken to the oven to melt, and lastly, a slightly spicy sauce on top

The beauty of Parkville is that it offers something for everyone. You can find many visitors on their lunch break looking for a quick bite, or foodies like me seeking the full eatery experience. 

“It depends on what kind of mood you’re in, and that’s kind of what I want it to be. A one stop shop so that if you wanted birria tacos you could get birria tacos, and if you wanted just a plain cheeseburger you can get that,” Sousa said. “So that was kind of what we had envisioned, you can get just about anything… If you come in here with a big group they’re going to have something for everybody.”

Parkville hosts many events for the community from salsa dancing, bingo night, live music, trivia, and more. Looking ahead, Parkville hopes to expand and plans to introduce more forms of entertainment. 

“We have the hall which will be able to host events upwards of 400 to 500 people… And then we’ll have, hopefully, a brewery next door on the other side. And then we’ll be able to bring in more retail, and I think that’s the piece that we’re missing, retail and entertainment,” Sosa said.

Parkville has both indoor and outdoor seating so is accessible all year round as well as an arcade on the second floor for guests’ enjoyment. The market has a very fun, welcoming vibe and serves something for everyone.

“The tough part is you come in here and you’re like I want to try this one, this one, and this one and you get to two of them and are like I think I reached my limit already,” Sousa said. 

It’s hard to resist not gobbling everything down at Parkville so bring friends, share some amazing eats and expect many leftovers!

Parkville Market is located at 1400 Park Street in Hartford. You can check out their website or Instagram @parkvillemarket for more information about the vendors, events, and news.