Ring in the Lunar New Year with These Small Businesses

Lunar New Year is Tuesday, February 1st. The festival celebrates the beginning of a calendar year whose months are cycles of the moon and cycles of the sun. In Chinese culture, the festival is commonly referred to as the Spring Festival. Other East Asian cultures will also celebrate on February 1st, including Korean New Year and Vietnamese Tet. In Portland, these communities are spread throughout the City, most notably along 82nd Avenue, the Jade District and Old Town. Here are just a few small businesses you can support in honor of this day:

  • 82nd Avenue: Hong Phat Food Center sells fresh tropical fruits from Hawaii year-round, quality local meat and fish, fresh Asian herbs and vegetables, and a large selection of spices. If Dim Sum is what you are after, try Ocean City Seafood, which serves an endless variety of family-style dishes from different regions of China. Chungdam Korean Fusion serves all your favorite Korean dishes complete with Cheesy Corn, Korean fried chicken, bibimbap, and silkworm pupae.
  • Foster: Not only do they serve up some of the best bánh mi in Portland, An Xuyen Bakery also bakes a full array of delicious French and Vietnamese pastries and breads.
  • Gateway: Lily Market, a family-owned and operated grocery store since 1983, will be closed on 2/1 in observance of Lunar Year, but visit them any other time for a great selection of produce, housewares, gifts, and snacks.
  • Hawthorne: Tibet Spirit is the dream of Lhekshy Gyatso from the Amdo province of Tibet. All items are hand selected, one-of-a-kind items for meditation and ritual. Down the street, Road to Tibet Imports carries a diverse selection of items for Buddhist practice, such as Tibetan prayer flags, wheels, bells, dorjes, Tibetan singing bowls, and more.
  • Jade District: Fubonn is the largest Asian shopping center in Oregon, complete with a grocery store, foot spa, tailor, chiropractor, and food options including Rockin Crab, Sokong Dong Tofu, and Bun and Pho House. Nearby, check out Master Kong for regional Chinese breakfast and lunch hits, centering on the Tianjin and Guangdong regions of China, and Ha VL, an unassuming Vietnamese eatery popular for its daily changing soups and sandwiches.
  • Lents: You’ve probably seen their work on the famed McMenamins signs, or countless other local businesses’ facades. Lents’ own Studio Sign Company specializes in hand-painted signs, graphic design, and other sign-making services. Atlas Dental opened in the Lents Town Center over 2 years ago. Not only does this dental studio offer all the typical services, owner and founder Dr. Hieu Pham is a well-known breakdancer. 
  • Lloyd: Euphoria specializes in body piercing, tattoos, and permanent makeup. Appointments or walk-ins are accepted! Release some tension with the help of Vivi Massage, specializing in foot and body massage.
  • Midway: Oriental Food Value Supermarket is a family-owned grocery store that carries hard-to-find-items from overseas. They have a broad selection including meat, produce, dry goods, deli items, and a food court.
  • Old Town: Lan Su Chinese Garden welcomes the Year of the Tiger with eight evenings of traditional lantern viewings. Plus, don’t miss the lights of the dragon and phoenix lantern sculptures. For traditional Chinese teas, Red Robe Tea House has an online store with a variety of loose-leaf teas and teaware. Don’t forget to check out the historic Chinese Gate at NW 4th and Burnside, complete with two bronze lion statues. 
  • St. Johns: Banh Mi Up is a modern take on the classic French and Vietnamese-inspired sandwiches. In addition to a handful of grilled meat and vegetarian options, the po’ boy-meets-banh mi mashup, stuffed with tempura shrimp, and a version featuring fried chicken katsu, are both successful spins on the traditional. For your skincare and hair removal needs, Ana Huang has you covered at Esthibar.
  • Williams District: Reclamation specializes in handmade goods and plants. Be sure to say hello to their resident shop pet tortoise, Elliot! For traditional Vietnamese fare with modern influences, try Lua. You are sure to find a new dish you will love.

This list is non-exhaustive. There are plenty of other ways to celebrate Lunar New Year in your favorite neighborhood business districts. How do you plan to ring in the new year? Show us on Instagram and Facebook.