Cincinnati’s Asian Food Fest, presented by Kroger, takes place Saturday, May 11, from noon-10 p.m. and Sunday, May 12, from 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 the SkyStar observation wheel,” said Cynthia 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.
2019 Asian Food Fest Restaurants and Food Trucks (click to enlarge)
THE FOOD
Thirty three 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 to $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,” said Bao Nguyen of the Asian 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.”
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,” said Erin 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,” said Lam Dang of Asian American Cultural Association of Cincinnati.
Created in 2010, Asian Food Fest’s goal is to help make Cincinnati a more diverse, accepting, and delicious city. Its aim is to promote diversity in the Cincinnati region by celebrating Asian food, culture, and communities, while working to encourage even more Greater Cincinnatians to be part of the growing Asian food scene.
A portion of the proceeds from Asian Food Fest will benefit the 501(c)(3) non-profit Asian American Cultural Association of Cincinnati and future Asian cultural events in Greater Cincinnati.
For more information about the Asian Food Fest, including the complete entertainment schedule, click here.
The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber serves as a bold voice for the interests of its 4,000-member businesses and their more than 300,000 employees. The Chamber is committed to expanding the region’s talent base by attracting new residents and finding new ways to connect employers to skilled workers.
For more information, visit www.cincinnatichamber.com.
Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber
