Join us in celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and the AAPI-owned businesses we love.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI). We're proud to honor, celebrate, and amplify the voices, experiences, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the local community and beyond.
Observed every May, AAPI encompasses the peoples and descendants of the Asian continent and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands), Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia), and Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, and Easter Island).
We celebrate AAPI Month in May due to its cultural significance, as it commemorates the immigration of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869—with much of the work performed by Chinese immigrants.
And since sharing good food is always a great way to celebrate culture and heritage, here are a few of the incredible local AAPI-owned businesses and products we carry, love, and enjoy.
Nong’s Khao Man Gai
Nong Poonsukwattana arrived in Portland, OR, from Bangkok in 2004 with just $70. Five years later, she opened her first food cart serving the iconic Khao Man Gai—chicken and rice with a side of soup and her signature sauce. Today, Nong has two restaurants that have become Portland favorites. And now, you can take home her famous Khao Man Gai Sauce, available at New Seasons!
Tân Tân Café & Delicatessen
A family-owned gem in Beaverton, OR, Tân Tân has been serving up traditional Vietnamese Bánh Mì, pho, and house-made delicatessen hams and pâté for over 20 years. In 2017, they launched their own retail line of Tân Tân Vietnamese sauces, crafted from beloved family recipes. These include Peanut Sauce, Hoisin Sauce, and the fan-favorite Mom's Hot Chili Sauce. And you can find them all at New Seasons!
Origami Catering
We've partnered with Origami for over 14 years to bring New Seasons customers delicious grab-and-go sushi, hot bar favorites, and soups made with sustainably sourced seafood. Casey Bonsi, the owner and founder of Origami, was trained by renowned sushi chef Shiro Kashiba in Seattle, WA, and combines the traditional Japanese technique he learned with Pacific Northwest flavors.
Sibeiho
Co-founded by Holly Ong and Pat Lau, Sibeiho is a women-owned Singaporean food startup based in Portland, OR, showcasing the tastes, sights, and textures of Singapore (with Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Nonya culinary influences), including three signature ready-to-enjoy Sambal chili sauces: Boomz Sambal, OMG! Sambal®, and AF Chili Chunka Sambal. All three were an instant hit with New Seasons customers.
Bui Natural Tofu
After moving to the U.S. from Vietnam, the Bui family never imagined continuing their decades-old tofu-making tradition. But in 1998, they took the leap and started their own business out of a garage. Today, they’ve grown into a deli and grocery in N.E. Portland, OR, offering delicious favorites like salad rolls, sticky rice, desserts, and, of course, their signature tofu. Find these tasty offerings at New Seasons!
We Love Local
Connecting our communities with the producers of the region's best-tasting and most ethically grown food—that's what fuels us.