Images: Helen Page
Can you smell that? It’s probably the aroma of sizzling satay, fresh bao, and steamy dumplings drifting across the river. That can only mean one thing – you’re hungry. Okay, one more thing – Lucky Dumpling Market is back.
Now in its ninth year, the festival has once again transformed Elder Park into a vibrant open-air food playground. Running until Sunday, November 9, the market it’s an iconic fixture of Adelaide’s spring calendar and one of the city’s most-loved events.
Lucky Dumpling Market is a full-blown celebration of Asian street food, culture, and community. More than 25 vendors line the riverside this year, including three exciting newcomers – Please Send Noods, Xeo Xeo, and Just Sticks – joining returning favourites like Hoy Pinoy, Bao+, Homemade Dumplings and Phat Head Dumpling. Expect a mouthwatering mix of bao, noodles, satay, curries, and desserts spanning every corner of Asia.
Festival co-directors Elena Kirschbaum and Daniel Michael say it’s the perfect way to usher in warmer weather.
“Lucky Dumpling Market is timed perfectly to herald the arrival of spring,” they said. “There’s nothing better than marking the season with a yuzu spritz in hand and a plate of fresh dumplings by the river.”
Among this year’s highlights, Son In Law returns with their colourful character buns, Phat Head Dumpling debuts a mocha milk tea exclusive to 2025, and Shmochi by Shibui will keep sweet tooths happy with mochi doughnuts and pandan churros. Meanwhile, the new Sake Bar introduces premium sake and whisky flights, while the Coopers Bar and Coffee & Cocktails Bar keep visitors fuelled from day to night.
This year’s full vendor lineup is sure to leave you overwhelmed with indecision, because every spot is just so damn good.
Here’s what to expect:
- Please Send Noods*
- Xeo Xeo*
- Just Sticks*
- Son in Law
- Kaya Desserts
- Matsuri Japanese Street Food
- Namaste Momo Hut
- Astonish Patisserie
- The Thai Guy
- Toly
- Ong Noi
- Yum Yum Chap Chap
- Bao+
- Humpty Dumplings
- The Filipino Project
- Sookii La La
- Shmochi
- Bubble Bus
- Cane Sugarcane
- Chocolate & Co
- Hoy Pinoy
- Red Dragon Dumpling House
- Gyoza Records
- Naancho Naancho Man
- Spice Kitchen 89
- Phat Head Dumplings
- Gang Gang
- Homemade Dumplings
Bars are once again a big part of the action, with plenty to keep your glass full and your spirits high (literally). The north-side bar has had a glow-up, while the Sake Bar steps things up with premium sakes, sparkling sakes, umeshus, yuzushus and flavoured liqueurs curated alongside local importers. There’s also a seriously impressive line-up of Japanese whiskies, gins, vodkas and soju, with sake and whisky flights on hand.
There’s more. The hi-ball menu gets playful this year, blending Asian spirits with Strangelove low-cal sodas, plus boozy Vietnamese iced coffees and iced teas. The fan-favourite yuzu spritz makes its much-anticipated return, joined by sparkling sake RTD cans for easy sipping. Meanwhile, the Coffee & Cocktails Bar keeps the energy going from day to night, and the Coopers Bar shines a spotlight on local brews alongside Japanese beer icons Yebisu and Sapporo, both now proudly brewed in SA.
The OzAsia Festival Stage will also once again take over Elder Park from Thursday to Sunday, bringing live music, dance and cultural performances that set the mood and bring the colour. Organisers encourage midweek visits for those after a more laid-back experience.
In 2024, more than 168,000 people attended the riverside hotspot, and with this year’s standout lineup – and the weather turning up the heat over opening weekend – there’s really no excuse not to be one of them.
What: Lucky Dumpling Market
Where: Elder Park, Adelaide Riverbank
When: October 17 – November 9, 2025, Tues–Fri: 4.30pm–late · Sat–Sun: Midday–late
Web: luckydumplingmarket.com
Facebook: @luckydumplingmarket
Instagram: @luckydumplingmarket
TikTok: @luckydumplingmarket
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