Since 2013, Markthalle Neun in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district has transformed every Thursday into a vibrant stage for the world’s street kitchens. What began as a grassroots initiative to give cooks without their own restaurants a platform has grown into Germany’s first dedicated street-food market series. The Street Food Thursday is now a staple of Berlin’s culinary calendar, drawing thousands of visitors eager for authentic, unfiltered flavors from every continent.
Markthalle Neun: Peru and Taiwan Street Food
In two upcoming special editions, the historic market hall shifts its focus to the culinary heritage of Peru (September 24) and Taiwan (November 12). Unlike constructed fine-dining plates, these events celebrate the raw, historically evolved diversity of street markets—from Lima’s Pacific coast stalls to Taipei’s steamy night markets.
Street Food Special: Peru – September 24
Peru ranks high on the international fine-dining map, yet its elite cuisine would be unthinkable without the foundation of its markets and street vendors. The Peru Special reads the country’s cooking like a flavorful history book: a millennia-old Inca tradition, fused over centuries with African influences, Chinese (Chifa) migration, and Japanese (Nikkei) immigration, has created far more than a colorful stew.
Visitors can expect an honest street-kitchen experience:
- Ceviche – fresh fish cured in citrus juices, a coastal staple
- Lomo Saltado – sirloin strips stir-fried in a wok, blending Andean and Chinese techniques
- Anticuchos – fiery grilled skewers, often made from beef heart, with deep Afro-Peruvian roots
- Plus a range of other classics that reflect the country’s multicultural DNA
This is not a curated gourmet show; it is an excursion to the curbsides of Lima, transplanted right into the middle of Kreuzberg. The event highlights how Peru’s street food is both a daily survival craft and a living archive of migration, trade, and resistance.
Street Food Special: Taiwan – November 12
Following Peru, the focus shifts to East Asia. Taiwan’s legendary night markets – such as those in Keelung – have long been centered around city temples, blending spiritual and communal life with nocturnal dining. The cathedral-like architecture of Markthalle Neun offers a fitting home for this tradition.
Held as a partner event of Berlin’s Freedom Week, the Taiwan Special presents the island’s cuisine as a synonym for freedom, encounter, and cultural exchange. Its culinary layers tell a complex story:
- Indigenous Austronesian roots
- Mainland Chinese traditions (especially from Fujian and Guangdong)
- Japanese colonial influences (1895–1945)
- Post-war European and American elements through trade and military presence
The menu features iconic street fare:
- Fluffy steamed Gua Baos – soft buns filled with braised pork and pickled greens
- Crispy Taiwanese Fried Chicken – marinated, coated, and fried to golden perfection
- Icy Lychee Tea – a refreshing sweet counterpoint to the savory dishes
More than just a meal, the evening celebrates the “small but great happiness” of communal dining – a core value in Taiwanese night-market culture.
Background: Markthalle Neun and the Street Food Concept
Markthalle Neun, built in 1891, is one of Berlin’s last remaining historic market halls. After decades of decline, it was revived in 2011 by a private initiative focused on regional produce, artisanal food, and culinary education. The Street Food Thursday launched in 2013 as a weekly pilot – and quickly became a blueprint for similar events across Germany.
The hall’s management deliberately avoids “constructed gourmet plates.” Instead, they prioritize authenticity, historical continuity, and direct vendor-chef interaction. Each special edition is researched in collaboration with diaspora communities, ensuring that recipes and techniques remain as close to their original street-context as possible.
Both upcoming events are free entry (consumption pay-as-you-go) and run from 17:00 to 22:00. Further details on vendors, exact menus, and pre-order options will be published on the official Markthalle Neun website in the weeks leading up to each date.
Practical Summary Table
| Event | Date | Focus | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peru Special | September 24 | Afro-Peruvian, Chifa, Nikkei fusion | Ceviche, Lomo Saltado, Anticuchos |
| Taiwan Special | November 12 | Night-market classics, Freedom Week partner | Gua Bao, Fried Chicken, Lychee Tea |
| Venue | Markthalle Neun, Eisenbahnstr. 42/43, 10997 Berlin | Opening hours | 17:00–22:00 (free entry) |
Markthalle Neun: https://markthalleneun.de/kalender/sonder-maerkte/street-food-spezial-taiwan