Dubai: From mango treats to pad Thai noodles, the new floating market at Global Village is now open to visitors, with one side dedicated to a variety of traditional foods fromThailand.
Gracefully floating on the canal, by the Far East Asia pavilion, each kiosk boat is offering its own speciality foods and drinks reflecting Thailand’s rich culture and popular floating markets.
The 23rd edition of Global Village opened its doors on October 30, with 27 pavilions representing 78 countries, and a line-up of live concerts, entertainments and delicious cuisines.
The newest attraction at the six-month long festival, running until April 6, 2019, features more than 10 traditional food vendors from Thailand’s towns and villages, to share their culture through their authentic foods.
Thai cafe-owner Sasamol Wongworatewa, who is visiting the UAE for the first time, was among the first vendors to set up her coconut stand on the canal.
“We have everything from coconut juice to coconut ice-cream to traditional Thai dessert dishes like ‘Taptim Grob,’ which is coconut pieces with tofu in coconut milk,” Wongworatewa told Gulf News.
Visitors can try out the combination of crunchy and sweet dessert for just Dh25 a plate.
Next door to the coconut shop was vendor Pattharanit Toey from Thailand, who displayed her speciality ‘mangoes’ along the kiosk’s stand.
“We have fresh mango juice, mango smoothies, ice cream, waffles and dry mangoes at this shop,” said Toey.
She pointed out that for visitors willing to taste one of Thailand’s famous dessert dishes, mango with sticky rice would be her recommendation.
Meanwhile, a few boats down the canal, was Wawa W.’s kiosk selling popular dishes such as Pad Thai Green Curry, grilled meat balls, and grilled fermented minced fish, a delicacy in Thailand.
“I would say the Pad Thai is always the most popular dish among visitors. We are really enjoying having a kiosk on the canal, especially since we don’t work at the floating market back home,” he said.
The floating market, which expands along the canal, will be brining popular cuisines from more than 38 outlets on boats, bank-side kiosks, and Tuk-Tuks, decorated to reflect their country of origin.
Guests can also enjoy an array of cuisines at the festival with more than 150 food and beverage outlets scattered around the park.
Flavours from all corners of the globe can be sampled with 23 restaurants and cafés offering unique meals for all tastes including cuisines from Mexico, the Gulf and Cuba. New offerings this season bring you tastes from Uzbekistan, Kuwait, Italy, Afghanistan and China as well as popular the Emirati cuisine. Guests can also sample the world’s best street food with kiosks that offer a wide range of authentic snacks, sweets and beverages, many of which are available only at Global Village.
Visitors can enjoy a treat of their choice while taking in the festive atmosphere and local handicrafts.
Each pavilion showcases its country’s or region’s most beautiful monuments and landmarks with popular markets, authentic products, heritage corners and cultural performances.
Top attractions
■ 27 pavilions representing 78 countries
■ Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation pavilion and Al Sana’a pavilion celebrating Emirati culture
■ ‘Live our Heritage’ festival featuring the best of Emirati culture and craftsmanship
■ More than 100 professional performers
■ Free-to-attend live concerts every Friday by leading performers such as Jason Derulo, Elissa, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Neha Kakkar, Mohammad Munir and Rabeh Saqer
■ Carnaval funfair is back with six new rides, 100 video games and an enlarged gaming area that includes new interactive games.
■ ‘Wheel of the World’ featuring a 50-metre LED screen displaying live scenes and views of Dubai.
Details
What: Global Village 23rd season
When: Till April 6, 2019
Where: Shaikh Mohammaad Bin Zayed Road
Timings: 4pm to midnight (Saturday to Wednesday), 4pm-1am (Thursday, Friday and public holidays)
Mondays reserved for families and women
Entry fee: Dh15
How to get there: Four bus routes from Al Rashidiya metro station, Al Ittihad station, Al Ghubaiba station and Mall of the Emirates metro station
