STREET FOOD CIRCUS | FOOD REVIEW
Old Stable Yard, John St, Cardiff. www.streetfoodcircus.co.uk
As the summer blossoms and the sun (sometimes) shines, Street Food Cardiff has moved outside to its circus-loving new site. Tucked slightly behind NoFit State Circus’ building on John Street, but signposted with a bright and colourful entrance, is their brand new festival-esque Street Food Circus.
Taking place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday this month, Street Food Circus has a great summer BBQ vibe – though there is plenty more than hotdogs and burgers on offer. The deceptively big site centres around a big top tent (providing a bar, and shelter for bad weather, whist also embracing the circus vibe) that is surrounded by street food vans.
The vendors work on rotation, so you never know just who you’re going to get, but there is certainly no shortage of talent in the list. With so many tasty trucks on offer the most difficult part of the Street Food Circus is deciding where to eat.
I started with a Moo Bao from Chinese vendor Hokkei, a takeaway owned and run by two Masterchef finalists. This doughy steamed bun was full to the brim with the perfect combination of soft and flavoursome beef brisket, kimchi (Korea’s national dish of pickled cabbage with chilli; this sharp side dish isn’t usually my favourite, but is brilliantly paired here), coriander and red cabbage.
On to main course number two and I wandered on over to Purple Poppadom’s Street Kitchen, the street food version of Canton’s award winning Indian restaurant. They were serving up Frankie rolls: omelette-covered flatbreads filled with curry-inspired goodness. I went for the tandoori chicken tikka filling which was rich and tasty, and paired with suitably a sharp pickled cucumber.
There was plenty more to try, but highlights included spectacular Dirty Fried Chicken, the tender and tasty 24-hour-smoked pulled pork of Hang Fire Smokehouse and Mr Churros’ light and sugary churros, served with melted chocolate.
words HEATHER ARNOLD
