We went to the market area to try the street food festival StrEat Helsinki yesterday (in the afternoon of Saturday 22.3). The portion sizes were supposed to be kept small and the prices per portion low, so that one could try many dishes. Access to the festival area was free.
It was a lovely sunny day, most of the snow gone again, and just about everyone out and about wanting to try the food. When we arrived, some of the kiosks had already sold out on their food. The organisers were expecting 10 000 visitors, they got 20 000 (as per their facebook page). So a huuuge success for the organisers!
As for us, we didn’t get to try any of the food but bought the kids some sausages and reindeer meatballs from the normal main market, not an amazing culinary experience but happy kids and a nice little outing anyway. The street fair was so crowded that getting around with a stroller plus looooong queues to the vendors plus two tired kids felt like too much of a hassle and too little of enjoyment. This way we still had a relaxed family afternoon in the fresh air.
I hope StrEat Helsinki will be back, but that it next time is more widely spread out (eg the esplanade next to) to make it more accessible!
Free But Fun 
[…] weekend the Streat Eat will be on again. Being such a huge success last year, it has now been divided over both Saturday and Sunday and there will be street food sold […]
Wow, sounds like a great happening. Maybe next time they will exΕect more people and you can try more foods π Yes lots of people and long ques are not good for tired kids .( The reindeer meatballs sounds interesting.
Hopefully, the huge turnout definitely would encourage them to organise the event again!
Funny though, I didn’t think so much about the reindeer meatballs – not something we’d eat weekly at home but also not a huge rarity here – but many readers have commented on them. I suppose that’s not sonething you get everywhere?!
I have never heard of reindeer meatballs π But we dont have reindeers here π
I have tagged you: π
http://theblackberryboys.wordpress.com/2014/03/26/twenty-questions-the-mummy-tag/
Thanks, I’ll get to it soonish!
I love street food. It can be so difficult to juggle food and a little one though.
So many variables… π
I love street fairs like that – we have several options a couple of times a year, but I remember when Mr. T was little that most of them were more hassle than they were worth – now that he is older, it is more fun -and more expensive, too! π
Yes, there is the cost always. The bigger they get, the more everything costs…
Reindeer meatballs? Yum!
They are delicious!
Reindeer meatballs!! Wow!! Now that’s something I have never had…and would love to try out! π
Welcome! π
I am sure with the sun out and no snow, many people will be yearning to go out for fresh air! It certainly looks a great day out with the young ones even if the place is crowded π
You are right, and the area IS very nice with boats, markets, handicraft shops, cafes and some museums + a park next to
I love eating my way through markets π
You love eating your way through everywhere!! π Sounds like a great day out though! And you said the magic word – sausage π
Reindeer sausage…? Cool!
Reindeer meatballs this time but tasty anyway!
I LOVE meatballs π
Now you know where you need to be next year this time of the year!
Oh yes, I do, and as I smelled some bacon too, I think you’d been quite happy to join me even without the culinary experience of a standard sausage!
Mmm, feeling hungry even though I just had breakfast π
…and there were some cakes you might have been interested in trying too!
NOW you tell me?!?
π
Yes, crowded events aren’t the best for kids. The organisers sound like they surprised themselves and need to plan bigger for next time! Love the idea of smaller cheaper eats so everyone can have a try though.
Oh yes, good surprise and in the nwws they promised to be back!