Most of us will probably never make it to merry old England to tuck into proper fish ‘n chips, or Singapore’s spicy street scene for Chili Crab in a Bag.
The MAR•KET in downtown Edmonds serves to fulfill your bucket list, from the traditional and classic, to the exotic. Indonesian Chef de Cuisine Hans Korompis grew up in Singapore, ran his own chicken rice stand, and cooked his way up from Tom Douglas’ restaurant empire to Shubert Ho’s at Salt & Iron and currently, Edmonds’ answer to Pike Place Market.
Thanks to Korompis’ Southeast Asian/Central American/Pacific Northwest influences, you can have your fish ‘n chips, crab in a bag, a lobster roll Maine would envy, and more fusion twists and turns — all in one convenient place, a stone’s throw from Main Street’s iconic water fountain.
“When we first opened and now actually, we've always wanted to do really awesome fish and chips and Baja-inspired fish tacos and lobster rolls (since not a lot of restaurants are making them) — something that the general public would love and frequent, and focus on our friendly, quick service, as well,” Korompis explains. “We also like to push the envelope by adding food memories that I had experienced growing up in Southeast Asia, and creative food ideas from getting inspired, while traveling to other countries using local PNW ingredients!”
The MAR•KET’s international menu will blow you away, and have you coming back for more.
The fish & chips (rock fish and beefy, baton-sized fries) are crispy on the outside and succulent-soft on the inside, with flavor boosts throughout, served with mashed minty peas and lip-smacking tartar. PS. Vegetarians get some love, too, with the crispy Halloumi version.
“We like to push the envelope by adding food memories that I experienced growing up in Southeast Asia, and creative food ideas from getting inspired while traveling to other countries, using local PNW ingredients!” —Chef de Cuisine Hans Korompis
At $27, the Lobster Roll may seem pricey — until you take your first bite of heaven…generous morsels of tender Maine lobster, cushioned in a toasted, fluffy Macrina Bakery roll, and dressed with house aioli, gherkins, arugula, brown butter, and celery. With fries. Worth every penny.
Singaporean Crab in a Bag — fried soft shell crab dripping in chilies, garlic, and other spices — is a great dish to-go, and a perfect companion, as you dip, drip, and devour on a leisurely stroll around town, maybe take in the sights heading down to the ferries in picturesque Port of Edmonds. This is a dish Chef de Cuisine Hans Korompis knows well, and perfected during his time in Singapore.
You can also see his deft Asian touch in the Malaysian Mee Siam (“Siamese noodles”), a sweet-savory rice vermicelli dish, made complete with a splendor of seafood (clams, squid, shrimp, prawn stock), fried shallots, a hard-boiled egg, and coconut milk.
And, where else can you get righteous Korean tteokbokki (stir-fried rice cakes), outside of Seoul? The MAR•KET serves theirs loaded with squid, clams, shrimp, mozzarella, gochujang (the stuff of kim chee legend), coconut milk, and pickled red onions.
You never know, you just might make it up to Maine…England…Singapore, after all. Until then, The MAR•KET’s here, ready to make your foodie dreams come true.
Close enough, right?
The MAR•KET — Edmonds Fishmonger & Eatery patio’s open every day 11 a.m.-8 p.m., with takeout available.
508 Main Street, 425-967-5329
Photography c/o The MAR•KET.