One of Brisbane’s best kept secrets until now, Brisbane Genki Market is a cross cultural showcase of arts and crafts, new and second hand goods and amazing street food, all with a uniquely Asian flavour.

Held on the last Sunday of every month in Brisbane CBD, the market has grown in the number of stall holders and the variety of wares and food on offer since its beginning early in 2021. With an emphasis on local and handmade, you can find crochet and macramé creations including plant hangers (plants too), jewellery, ceramics, gift cards and art. Some stalls sell a curated range of beautiful imported goods such as Japanese ceramics and writing sets, and there’s even a stall selling new and preloved vinyl records.

Much of the delectable street food at Brisbane Genki Market has a Japanese emphasis with takoyaki (octopus fritter balls), taiyaki (fish-shaped filled sweet pastry), dango (skewered mochi with a range of flavours and toppings), matcha cakes and iced matcha latte being just some of the regular favourites. You can also often find croquetas (Spanish croquettes), delicious confectionery and coffee.

Right next door to Japanese grocery store Genki Mart in Charlotte Street, the market surrounds has had a makeover with the walls lined with bamboo cladding and paper lanterns giving it some Japanese back alley charm. Mitch Fujimoto, Genki Mart owner and founder of Brisbane Genki Market along with his team, says he started the market because there were a lot of local people with unique skills ­creating art, pottery, jewellery and other products who were looking for an outlet to be able to sell direct to the public.

“I hope that Genki Market will be a stepping stone to them having their own stores one day. Yes, there are other markets around but they have a few hurdles to joining. We had a carpark that nobody uses on Sundays, so I thought, ‘Why not?’” Mitch says. “I like the market because it has built a community now. It’s got a positive feeling about it. Every time a market ends I have that feeling of achieving something really good!”

The next Brisbane Genki Market will take place on 30 January at 123 Charlotte St Brisbane. Patrons are advised to keep an eye on Brisbane Genki Market’s ­­Instagram @brisbane.genkimarket for any announcements regarding COVID.

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