Merdeka is Malaysia's independence day, and Taste of Merdeka is one of the very few places in New York where you can eat your way through that cuisine in one afternoon - laksa, satay, kuih and the rest - without hunting across three boroughs. Culture Lab LIC stages it in an open industrial lot with performance and a marketplace running alongside the food. Admission is free with RSVP, so the only real cost is deciding how many plates you can carry.
What to expect
An outdoor lot with food vendors, market stalls and a performance area running through the afternoon. Expect a community-organized feel rather than a slick festival production, with a crowd that skews Malaysian and Southeast Asian diaspora plus curious locals. Seating is casual and limited.
Good to know
- The 7 to Vernon Blvd-Jackson Avenue or the E, M and G at Court Square are close
- RSVP ahead even though admission is free
- Bring cash - small food vendors move faster with it
- Enter through the parking lot at 46th Avenue
- Seating is casual, so a folding chair or a blanket helps
- Gantry Plaza State Park is a short walk for skyline views after
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Common questions
What is Merdeka?
Merdeka is Malaysia's independence celebration, marked annually by Malaysian communities worldwide.
Is admission free?
Yes, admission is free with RSVP; food and market purchases are paid.
Where is Culture Lab LIC?
At 5-25 46th Avenue in Long Island City, with entry through the parking lot.
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