How to Go
What: Asian Food Fest
Where: Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Cincinnati
When: May 14-15, 4-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Sunday
Cost: Free
More Info: www.asianfoodfest.org
The sixth annual Asian Food Fest, taking place in Over-the-Rhine’s Washington Park this weekend, is about to let the rest of America in on a secret. In addition to established vendors from all over Greater Cincinnati serving delicacies from Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, China, India and Pakistan, the newly added “secret menu” booth will also offer dishes by local amateur chefs.
Tessa Xuan, in charge of media information and marketing for the Fest, explained the purpose of the secret menu booth was twofold: to expose more authentic and obscure Asian delicacies to the general public and to encourage talented cooks to take their recipes outside of the home.
“One of our vendors, Huit, started as a contestant in our cookoff series,” Xuan said. “They won, and that gave them the confidence to start their own brick-and-mortar restaurant. We’re taking that a step further, giving assistance to people who are great chefs but aren’t experienced in cooking for larger crowds. We want to expose their food to the public, and hopefully they’ll follow in the footsteps of Huit.”
The secret menu booth is a play on and extension of the secret menus many Asian restaurants possess. The trick is that customers have to proactively ask for them to order from them. The practice is a reflection of the historical need for Asian-American restaurants to alter their food for American taste buds while also retaining some of the genuine article for their fellow immigrants.
“It’s a common practice,” Xuan said. “If you’re Asian, you’ll usually know to ask for a menu that’s a little more authentic.”
The countries represented at the Asian Food Fest differ from year to year, either because of logistical issues (the Japanese restaurant, Maki Express, is closed for renovations) or the Fest’s overall mission statement.
“We want make sure that South Asia is represented, not just East Asia,” Xuan said. “That’s why we have an Indian and Pakistani vendor this year.”
Xuan said the Fest likes to show how much diversity there is in just one country.
“In China, there are so many cuisines depending on the region you’re in,” she said. “For instance, southwest China is known for the specific spices they use, whereas Chinese takeout in America is the same everywhere.”
All that being said, the Asian Food Fest also welcomes non-Asian foodies who like their fusion dishes. For instance, Red Sesame Korean BBQ places a Korean flavor in taco and quesadilla form. There are also increasingly well-known dishes such as Pad Thai and ice pops with creative Asian flavors.
“It’s a very inclusive event,” Xuan said. “Everyone can come in learn something. We want to be a premier cultural festival that’s up there with Oktoberfest and Taste of Cincinnati. We were at the Flying Pig, letting everyone know the Fest was coming up. We want to be something that’s well known and accepted in Cincinnati, not just a bubble of the Asian community.”
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