North District Night Market Oyster Omelet Hits TV; Vendor: 300 More a Night

[Staff Report / Reporter Chou Shih-chang, North District]

Since a cable TV food show recently featured an oyster omelet stall at the North District night market, crowds have lined up every night. The vendor said that since the day after the broadcast he has been selling three hundred more a night. "We don't even have enough pans."

The stall is run by a middle-aged couple who have been in business for more than fifteen years. Since the broadcast they open at six each evening and sell out before nine. "We used to sell two hundred a night. Now five hundred isn't enough."

It is understood that the queuing craze set off by food shows has spread to many food stalls in the North District. "If it was on TV, you have to try it," one member of the public said. Nearby vendors complained that the queues block the aisles and hurt business at other stalls.

Borough chief Chang Chin-shui said it is good that food stalls bring crowds, but vendors occupying the arcades and cooking fumes bothering neighbors also need to be addressed. "Lively is lively, but the environment matters too."