Market feasts from around the globe

A spectacular array of exotic fruits in all shapes and sizes, the heady aroma of fragrant spices and the busy clatter of woks in action – the Global Food Markets experience in the City of Logan is difficult to find elsewhere.

There’s no doubt diversity is the key ingredient to the market’s success, which has made its long-awaited return to Logan Central’s upgraded Croydon Road precinct.

Every Sunday from 6 am until noon, the area transforms into a bustling open-air market filled with culture, history and culinary delights.

The Global Food Markets is home to a range of fresh produce stalls and street food vendors serving up dishes such as patongo, airy Thai doughnuts to dip in condensed milk, and perfectly poached Hainanese chicken served over a bed of fluffy and gingery broth-infused rice.

This vibrant destination has become a weekend must-do for locals and visitors, who descend upon Logan Central with empty stomachs and plenty of shopping bags.

Among the 100 or so stallholders is Kingston resident Nom Kebngoen, who often catches the eye of curious shoppers with her selection of unusual-looking fruit and veg – for instance, scaly eggfruits that resemble dragon eggs.

While there’s a growing audience for unique produce, marketgoers also keep returning for Nom’s wealth of knowledge.

Those in the know head straight to her stall for time-tested recipes that incorporate lesser-known herbal ingredients, including bitter melon, holy basil and turmeric.

‘I help those who come to the markets with the benefits of my produce, as my father used to be a herbal doctor back in Cambodia,’ Nom says.

‘These are the fruits and vegetables I like to eat myself, so I always try my best to engage and explain the health benefits of what they’re buying and how to cook with them.’

Nom’s sunny disposition belies the steely resilience of a survivor, having escaped the Khmer Rouge regime that ruled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979.

After paying smugglers with jewellery to cross the border, she lived in a Thailand refugee camp for 9 years.

‘In 1988, I was fortunate to receive sponsorship to move to Australia where I began a new chapter of my life,’ Nom says.

She initially began growing a variety of organic produce in her backyard to help with some health problems.

I used to trade with cousins and friends as we all grew different types, and now I sell for 7 different families under my stall each Sunday,’ she says.

‘It’s great to see people discover new flavours and traditions, and it brings everyone together.’

Her current bestsellers include jackfruits – a ginormous tropical tree fruit that resembles a rectangular melon – and sugar bananas, which have a thinner skin and are sweeter than many other banana varieties.

Now in her fifth year as a stallholder, Nom says the markets has become much more than just a place to sell produce.

‘It’s fulfilling to know that I’m contributing to healthier lifestyles and supporting local food culture,’ Nom says.

Above: Cecilia Ossa, originally from Sudan and now at Chambers Flat, with her fresh produce at the Global Food Markets. Photo: Josh Woning.

‘It’s amazing to see such a wide variety of international foods and products that reflect the rich cultures of the people in our community.

‘Many of us were once refugees and now we feel incredibly blessed to have a better life here in Logan.’

You’ll find Hillcrest’s Tic Choomwantha cooking up scrumptious Thai cuisine such as fresh and tangy papaya salads, smoky pad thai noodles and beef noodle soup, which are all fan favourites. She moved from Thailand about 5 years ago and describes the markets as ‘one big family party’.

Chambers Flat resident Cecilia Ossa has more than just fresh produce at her stall.

Besides pumpkin leaves, amaranthus and bean leaves on offer, Cecilia has plenty of stories to tell as a Sudanese refugee. Not too long ago, she was constantly on the move and hid in forests to avoid armed rebel forces.

The Global Food Markets is open every Sunday from 6 am until noon, located in Croydon Road, Logan Central, next to Woodridge train station.

Photo above: Tic Choomwantha, from Hillcrest, with her Thai goodies at the Global Food Markets. Photo: Josh Woning.

Photo at top: Kingston’s Nom Kebngoen, a Global Food Markets stallholder with fruits, vegetables and an incredible story to tell. Photo: Josh Woning