Cincinnati’s Asian Food Fest, presented by Kroger, will happen Saturday, May 11, noon-10 p.m. and Sunday, May 12, noon-8 p.m., at The Banks. The festival, produced by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber in partnership with the Asian American Cultural Association of Cincinnati, will take place on Freedom Way between Elm and Walnut Streets. The event is free and open to the public. A record crowd of 40,000 enjoyed Asian Food Fest in 2018.
“The regional Cincinnati community has embraced Asian Food Fest and helped this unique event grow year-after-year. Moving to an expanded location at The Banks will allow Asian Food Fest to flourish with more vendors, an even larger audience and the additional attraction of theSkyStar observation wheel,” saidCynthia Oxley, director of Asian Food Fest.
Asian Food Fest celebrates the culture, cuisine, entertainment and drinks of Asian communities including Cambodia, China, Hawaii, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
THE FOOD
33 regional restaurants and food trucks will participate. Fans of Asian Food Fest will enjoy a mouthwatering tour of Asian foods, in the form of small plates, priced from $2$6. The event is free and open to the public.
“As Cincinnati’s Asian food scene continues to expand, Asian Food Fest is evolving and staying ahead of pace,” saidBao Nguyenof theAsian American Cultural Association of Cincinnati. “This is our ninth production of Asian Food Fest, and we’re proud to have created a new and continuously growing Cincinnati tradition.”
2019 Asian Food Fest Restaurants & Food Trucks:
(BOLD= NEW FOR 2019)
·Adelinda’s Lumpia
·Alaingold
·Bamboo Kitchen
·Boba cha
·Bread House Bakery Cincy
·Bridges Nepali Cuisine
·China Gourmet
·Christine's Casual Dining
·Dai Trang Bistro
·Dope! Noodle and Dumpling Shop
·Eam Kruesah
·HaolePino Hawaiian-Filipino Island Cuisine
·Huit Food Group
·Injoy Street Food
·Kona Ice
·Kung Fu Tea
·Lang Thang Group "Pho Lang Thang/Quan Hapa"
·Mahope
·Men Can Cook by Citrus and Sago
·Ono Grindz
·Our Lady of Lavang Church
·Pho Kimmy
·Poke Hut
·Puffs N' Buns
·Roll On In
·Saigon Market Street Food
·SiamOrchid Thai Restaurant
·Stone Bowl Korean Restaurant
·streetpops
·Tea 'n' Bowl
·Thai Express
·Vannon's Cambodian Street Food
·Yat Ka Mein Noodle House
Additionally, “Secret Menu” items will again be available at Asian Food Fest. The term “secret menu” comes from a frequent practice at many Asian restaurants in America. These establishments often have a secret menu available only upon request. The menu features more traditional and authentic Asian dishes.
VIBRANT MIX OF CULTURES
In honor of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, Cincinnati’s Asian Food Fest will host a celebration of our region’s Asian American employees and entrepreneurs, Saturday, May 11, 2 p.m., at the event’s main stage.
“Our vibrant mix of cultures makes the Cincinnati region a prosperous place to do business and call home,” saidErin Rolfes, corporate affairs manager of Kroger Cincinnati-Dayton division, presenting sponsor of Asian Food Fest.
ENTERTAINMENT
Asian Food Fest Unplugged will headline the entertainment line-up at Asian Food Fest.
"We are really hyped up for this year's entertainment line-up. It's going to be something we have never done before. Along with our traditional Asian dances/performances, we are introducing a three-hour Unplugged session featuring National Asian Artists (Mark Joshua, Melissa Polinar, Jeff Bernat and Tribal Theory) sharing their talents at Cincinnati’s Asian Food Fest,” saidLam Dangof Asian American Cultural Association of Cincinnati.
Complete Asian Food Fest 2019 Entertainment Schedule:
Saturday, May 11:
MAINSTAGE
1-1:30 p.m.
FASO
2-2:20 p.m.
Asian Employee Resource Group Kickoff-
Angel Colón and Diana Victoriano, The Kroger Co.
2:20-2:50 p.m.
Joy Flower Music Center
3-3:30 p.m.
Sayaw FilipinOH
4-4:30 p.m.
Bing Yang Chinese Performing Arts Center
5-5:15 p.m.
Pamana Dance Group
5:30-6 p.m.
Sakura Ladies Chorus
6:30–10 p.m.
Asian Food Fest Unplugged – Mark Joshua
Asian Food Fest Unplugged – Melissa Polinar
Asian Food Fest Unplugged – Jeff Bernat
Asian Food Fest Unplugged – Tribal Theory
DJ STAGE
Noon
Gabriel
2 p.m.
Xanati
4 p.m.
Shef
5 p.m.
Druskii
6 p.m.
Astropat
8 p.m.
Bitflip
Sunday, May 12:
MAINSTAGE
1-1:15 p.m.
Confucius Institute - Miami University
2-2:40 p.m.
Mark Joshua
3-3:20 p.m.
Young Pohnpeian’s in Cincinnati - Micronesia Dances
4-4:20 p.m.
Maktan - Filipino Martial Arts w/ The School of Combative Arts
5-5:40 p.m.
Cincinnati Dayton Taiko
6-6:30 p.m.
Chinese Folk/QiPao Dance
7-8 p.m. p.m.
DJ - Shef
DJ STAGE
Noon
Spam
2 p.m.
Will Ross
4 p.m.
Doboy
6 p.m.
Astropat
Learn more at asianfoodfest.org.