Exploring the 101 Night Market: The Best Street Food in the SFV

From Woodland Hills to Lake Balboa

You might be wondering: Why is it called the 101 Night Market if it is nowhere near the 101 Freeway? Originally, this bustling Los Angeles night market started its journey right off the 101 Freeway in Woodland Hills. Due to its massive, explosive popularity, the organizers quickly realized they needed more space to accommodate the growing crowds and vendor waitlists.

Recently, it relocated to a much more spacious venue in Lake Balboa, situated right at the corner of Sherman Way and Balboa Boulevard. They kept the iconic name, but the new Sherman Way food market location offers even more room to explore, eat, and hang out.

Viral Food Vendors: The Ultimate Taste Test Deep Dive

The true mark of an incredible SFV night market is its diversity. From sweet treats to savory masterpieces, the 101 Night Market delivers global flavors with an authentic, vibrant street food feel. We brought our appetites to try some of the most talked-about dishes in the Valley:

The 3-in-1 Beso de Angel Cake This is not your average dessert; it is an absolute masterpiece from a local family business. The Beso de Angel cake seamlessly layers rich chocolate cake, traditional tres leches cake LA style, and creamy flan all into one perfect slice. What truly sets it apart is the structural integrity—it doesn’t jiggle or fall apart—and the deeply comforting, homemade taste. It completely avoids that industrialized flavor you often get from store-bought cakes, making you feel like you are eating straight from a family kitchen.

Authentic Thai Boat Noodles Transport yourself directly to the bustling streets of Asia with this deeply flavorful Thai boat noodle soup. Featuring a dark, rich beef stock, this bowl is loaded with tender steamed beef, beef tendon, and traditional meatballs. The imported noodles are lightweight, soaking up the savory broth perfectly without making the dish feel overly heavy.

Debbie Dogs: Korean Corn Dogs & The Ramen Burger If you want a fun, viral culinary mashup, you have to visit Debbie Dogs. First, we tried their Korean corn dog LA style—specifically the Hot Cheetos version. Unlike American corn dogs, these use a special yeast batter, resulting in a perfectly crispy exterior wrapped around an entirely melted cheese center, all dusted in spicy Hot Cheetos. But the real showstopper? Their viral Ramen Burger. Featuring a quarter-pound beef patty, melted cheese, fresh arugula, and a homemade teriyaki sauce, it is entirely encased between two perfectly crisped ramen noodle “buns.” The layers of flavor are absolutely incredible.

Ribeye Tacos on Purple Corn Tortillas Elevate your standard taco Tuesday with these juicy, smoky Ribeye tacos Los Angeles locals are lining up for. The meat is grilled to perfection, maintaining that tender, smoky barbecue flavor. They are served on striking, ultra-soft purple corn tortillas and piled high with fresh cilantro, onions, pico de gallo, and a medium salsa. It is messy, beautiful, and absolutely delicious.

Giant Crispy Chicken Taquitos Forget the brittle, dry taquitos you might be used to. These are massive! The ends of the shell deliver that perfect, satisfying crunch, while the chicken inside remains incredibly tender and juicy. They are served fully loaded, smothered in a mountain of fresh guacamole, rice, beans, and a signature fried jalapeño.

Habanero Honey Fried Chicken This dish is a brilliant exercise in culinary deception. Your first bite is pure, sweet honey. It lures you into a false sense of security before—boom—the intense habanero heat kicks in immediately. It is spicy, sweet, totally addictive, and definitely not for the faint of heart!

Candied Fruit Skewers (Tanghulu) A staple of global street markets, tanghulu LA vendors are bringing these gorgeous, sweet treats to the Valley. Enjoy the highly satisfying crunch of a hard candy coating, immediately followed by a burst of fresh, natural juice from strawberries and grapes.

Beyond the Food: Supporting Local Artisans

While the incredible San Fernando Valley food scene is definitely the main draw, a great night market is also about community. The 101 Night Market features fantastic local artisans and small businesses perfect for browsing between bites.

If you are looking for unique, handmade candles LA, we highly recommend stopping by LMA Candles. They offer a massive variety of non-traditional scents that you simply won’t find at big-box stores. We absolutely loved their phenomenal guava candle—it is the perfect, refreshing scent to bring a piece of the summer market vibe home with you.

Plan Your Visit

Whether you are a local resident looking for a new weekend hangout or a foodie just visiting the area, the 101 Night Market is officially one of the hottest food markets near me and an absolute must-visit destination.

• Location: 16955 Sherman Way, Los Angeles, California 91406

• Connect: Follow them on Instagram at @101nightmarket