Asian Students’ Intercultural Association held its annual Asian Street Market on Oct. 3, serving delicious food from China, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Bhutan, India and more.
13 food booths lined the road outside of the Larita Boren Campus Center. Just a few moments after the event’s start time of 5 p.m., students from all over campus had filled the street, waiting to try dishes like kimchi pancakes, mango sticky rice, pork adobo and panipuri.
A large banner hung behind the ticket table, featuring the word “Asiatown” written in colorful bubble letters. Hanging paper lanterns outlined the seating area and two prayer trees invited attendees to write a prayer on a slip of paper and tie them to the branches.
Zoe Newhof, senior orphans and vulnerable children major, serves as co-president of ASIA. She said the event allows Asian students on campus to share their culture with the Taylor community through various dishes.
“I want people to love the food, love the experience,” Newhof said. “I also want people who are attending to be appreciative or curious about other cultures and other countries around the world…And then I want international students, Asian students, to feel a small piece of home.”
Sophomore computer science major Juan Delgado especially enjoyed the mango pomelo sago from China, which he found to be sweet and delicious. He anticipated trying other cuisine items as well, especially the kewa datshi from Bhutan.
Another pleasure of the Asian Street Market, he said, was meeting and supporting the people behind the food.
Winslow Belohlavek, a freshman math education major, also highlighted the cooks’ talent.
“Big shout out to Jun Sheng and DJ’s noodles,” Belohlavek said. “I think the line over there is still the longest, just because it’s that good.”
A missionary kid from Kyrgyzstan himself, Belohlavek hopes to contribute to next year’s market.
Van Kim, junior elementary education major and ASIA cabinet member, helped cook for the event. For Kim, the event blesses people on both sides of the food booth. Not only are attendees able to try a dish for the first time, the international students who cook for the event are given the chance to make the food that reminds them of home.
“So it’s like a good mix of both worlds for people that have never tried (asian food) and people that miss it,” Kim said.
While the Asian Street Market occurs every fall, the event inhabited a new location on campus this year. Booths lined the road between the campus center and Rupp Communication Arts Center, and tables for people to eat at were set up in the space in front of Rupp.
In previous years, the event was held at Bond Plaza, the patio and lawn in front of the student center. Due to construction in that area this year, the club leaders had to think of an alternative.
Attendees found the new space to be a big hit.
Taylor O’Neal, senior creative writing major, said she especially likes how the sitting area was separate from the area where people were exploring the food booths.
Kim also said the new location gave the event an authentic feel, really putting the “street” in Asian Street Market.
Attendees continued to visit the tables until each booth sold out, one by one. Later in the evening, students also competed in a spicy ramen eating challenge.
Newhof hopes the club’s events continue to build bridges between Asian students and the rest of campus. She wants Asian students to feel comfortable sharing their culture with others and the rest of campus to be inspired to learn more about cultures different from their own.
As the sun set on the street market, students trickled out with full stomachs and the satisfaction of a good time.
“Overall, I mean, it’s just beautiful weather, great people, good music. I had a great time,” O’Neal said.
