The “626" is a reference to the area code for much of the San Gabriel Valley, where immigrants from Taiwan, China, Hong Kong and Vietnam have established a diverse and constantly evolving food scene. The market returns to Santa Anita Park this weekend before moving to Alameda County and Costa Mesa.
Vendor Ryan Leung, left, and a helper prepare crab sandwiches at the 626 Night Market at Santa Anita Park on July 9.Leung, 29, who is from Hong Kong, worked on the 626 staff before opening his own stand. This was his second time at the market, selling soft-shell crab sandwiches and pork belly buns. “It was hard because it kind of stopped my career,” Leung said. “This is my steppingstone into owning a restaurant. So the pandemic put a pause on it. But I’m glad that everything’s back.”
“Now, this event can help us put money back into our savings instead of just pulling from the savings,” he said. Thanh and his friend, Kien Le, were driving by when they smelled the food and pulled over. Both were wearing masks as they wandered through the market.
Yum! Yum!