Kødbyens Mad & Marked

Exactly the feeling you want when you go eat street food. Lots of people, sun, food aroma all over the place, the smell of bbq, beer and a little sweat. Awesome atmosphere and definitely recommended on sunny day. However since it’s in Copenhagen the prices are a bit on the expensive side of the scale

When I moved to Copenhagen 10 years ago, there was no such cool thing like this Mad og Marked. Even Netto closed at 6pm or something during weekdays. Good thing that has changed and that Copenhagen is now more like a big city than a sad hilbilly town.
Mad og Marked is like a mecca for a food lover. That said, the number of the stalls could be more, but it’s probably humane to keep wanting to have more — for now I’m just savouring the fact that this thing does exist, and that we could sit under the sun (or tent, more like) in the summer and buy the so-​called street food (so-​called because although the food is «street», the price is not) and pretend like we’re somewhere down in the Mediterranean.
It’s just a sad thing that this whole concept will be rolled up once the summer is gone. Come winter, we’ll be back in perpetual sadness in this sun-​less land.

As Antesa says, this place is 5 years overdue. It really makes me feel like I am back in California when I feel the sun on my face and see duck fat fries, arepas, tacos, bbq, and bao being sold in the same parking lot. The only differences are obviously the language, mobilepay, and being able to drink beer out in the open. Even when it is lightly raining, you can still enjoy a meal here as the organizers have thoughtfully provided a tent over the seating area. And it is divided into two sections to make it seem a little less like a cafeteria. Although I think there could be a little more space between benches, or maybe I need to eat fewer burgers to not have to suck in my gut when trying to get out of the seating area. Spirits always seem to be high here and I haven’t had a grumpy person serve me yet. The only downside is that stalls can change and that pork bun you wanted to get (but were too full to buy) may not be there next week, so get small portions to try a little of everything and keep up with the updates with either Mad & Marked or the stall/​pop-​up of your choice.

Always worth a visit — in rain or in heatwave. Some of the best little food stands with food from the every corner of the world next to locally produced vegetables, honey and even Danish wine. Sometimes I have just popped by for a quick bite other times I’ve been there for 4 hours :-)

So about 5 years overdue, Copenhagen has finally answered my prayers. Yes, I know we have been super lucky and things like Torvehallerne and Copenhagen Streetfood have quickly become institutions only in the past few years. But Streetfood is still too far away and still too expensive, and Torvehallerne will always and forever be my first love, but but but. BUT. Kødbyens Mad og Marked BLEW. ME. AWAY. TODAY.
Arepas, you guys. There’s this guy. His name is Max. He fell in love with arepas like I did: he tried them once, on a street in California (I discovered them in New York, but same same). He has no real business plan yet but his arepas are legit the real deal. They are fairly priced and they hit the spot on a sunny afternoon big time.
Then there’s Jane. Jane discovered the curing and fabulous effects of homemade bone broth (aka: chicken stock) and learned how this concept of drinking stock like tea is taking off in the US. She and her business partner are trying to get it to take off in Denmark with their company Broth (
). And gosh I hope they are successful, because their stock is delicious, nutritious, and just what the doctor ordered.
The difference between what Torvehallerne and Streetfood do and what Mad og Marked does, for me, is huge. Mad og Marked is grassroots. It’s where ideas and concepts start, and develop. It’s where people leave their comfort zones at the door and try new things. It’s where there are no rules and the stands you see may be in only their beginning stages of pure brilliance. It’s where trends are set. Mad og Marked is the true hipster in this outfit.
As it turns out, my two favorite stands will only make appearances on specific days through the inaugural first summer run of Mad og Marked, but this market deserves a weekly visit through the duration of their presence in Kødbyen. I will be back on the regular, and you should be, too.
#supportyourlocalbusinesses