Visit the Southeast Asian Market in Philadelphia

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Park has been a public institution for over a hundred years, and while Philadelphia’s green spaces have flourished over the past century, with lush vegetation blooming on every corner in the spring, something Another one that has grown here is the Southeast Asian Market, which has gradually become one of the best food markets in the United States.

About forty years ago, Laotian and Cambodian refugees fleeing war in their home countries came to the City of Brotherly Love to start anew. What they discovered was a strong, supportive diaspora alongside a larger Southeast Asian community looking to share pieces of their home with each other.

It all started with a Laotian couple selling their papaya salad from their van. It gradually transformed into a family of vendors distributing the cuisine of their culture throughout the city, including alleys, street corners and throughout the park. Over the years, and between intermittent police arrests, more and more Southeast Asian families joined in, selling their food whenever possible.

This group of families grew to a dozen, then a few dozen more. And rather than remain a secret, three entities – the Cambodian Association of Philly, FDR Park’s Vending Association and FDR Park Leadership – have come together to legitimize their operations, so vendors no longer have to fear having their property confiscated by law enforcement. .

“Before 2020, the market was a target of the city police,” Sarun Chan, executive director of FDR’s Southeast Asia market, told Food & Wine. As Chan explained, the organizations stepped in to contact local police, showing them that the market had a strong connection to the park and an official point of contact.

“We really want to make sure that this space is no longer targeted and can just be an important space for healing and sharing the flavors of their community,” Chan added.

Today, the marketplace board also provides support and resources to sellers, including training and educational programs on obtaining the appropriate business license and preparing their tax returns.

Indeed, this market is much more than just a place to sell food. It transcends the boundaries of a traditional food market; it is a sanctuary of shared experiences and a testament to the resilience of the many immigrants and war survivors who kept and continue to keep the market alive today.

See and taste for yourself. Philadelphia has a ton of delicious food options (we’re looking at you, cheesesteaks) and the Southeast Asian Market offers a unique taste of the city. Start your culinary journey by enjoying a cup of fresh sugarcane juice or Vietnamese coffee. Then move on to stuffed Cambodian chicken wings, then a container of mango and sticky rice for dessert. It’s a veritable cornucopia of irresistible treats. You can’t go wrong trying just about anything.

The market operates seasonally from April to October, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Bring cash, as many vendors accept paper payments exclusively. Check hours of operation and preview participating vendors at fdrseamarket.com.