Courtesy Chao Baan
Menu offerings from Chao Baan, which will be donating 10% of all sales on Feb. 9 and 10 to the Very Asian Foundation
On New Year's Day, KSDK news anchor Michelle Li aired a news segment about the foods that Americans eat on New Year's Day. After reading the story, she ad-libbed, “I ate dumpling soup. That’s what a lot of Korean people do." The comment generated a viewer voicemail, accusing Li’s remarks of being “inappropriate” and that Li was “being very Asian” and “annoying.”
Li’s post about the experience gained a lot of traction and quickly became associated with the #VeryAsian hashtag. Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities and their allies embraced the hashtag and transformed it into a phrase of empowerment.
“The support has been terrific, '' says Shayn Prapaisilp of Thai restaurants King & I and Chao Baan. “We have really been moved by St. Louis' love and support throughout the planning of this initiative.”
Prapaisilp, along with the Asian American Chamber of Commerce and the Very Asian Foundation, are leading this dining donation. The Very Asian Foundation is “committed to amplifying diverse AAPI voices through education, storytelling, and community connection.”
When Prapaisilp asked restaurant owners to participate, the response was unanimous: “What can we do to help?” Restaurant patrons are encouraged to dine in or carryout from the AAPI-owned/operated establishments to show support. “Asian Americans are just as American as any other citizen, and we belong here as much as any other group of Americans who have come before or will come after us,'' says Prapaisilp. “Our food and our culture is a part of the wonderful fabric of America, and this country is at its best when it embraces all of its communities.”
Prapaisilp says the restaurant owners and Li are “thrilled” with the response. He explains that what began as an offhand conversation among restaurant owners has turned into a "great way” for the Asian community to celebrate the Lunar New Year and to support Li's new foundation. “We're also excited that Michelle has put St. Louis on the map with her activism, and we're hoping to highlight the great Asian restaurants that we have here in St. Louis.”
Here's a current list of participating restaurants:
- Akar (7641 Wydown)
- Chao Baan (4087 Chouteau) Donating 10 percent of total sales on February 9 and 10
- Corner 17 (6623 Delmar)
- Drunken Fish (both locations, CWE and Westport)
- Hello Poke (3730 Foundry Way). Donating 5 percent of total sales from February 11–13
- iNDO (1641D Tower Grove)
- Kimchi Guys (both locations, Laclede's Landing and Skinker-DeBaliviere)
- King & I (3157 S. Grand). Donating 10 percent of total sales on February 9 and 10
- Mai Lee (8396 Musick Memorial) Donating 10 percent of total sales on February 10
- Nami Ramen (278 Skinker): Donating a portion of proceeds from all appetizer sales for the weeklong giveback
- Nippon Tei (14025 Manchester)
- Nudo House (both locations, Creve Coeur and Delmar Loop): Donating 10 percent of total sales on February 10
- Sando Shack food truck (pre-order and pick-up only): Donating 10 percent of sales from 5–7 p.m. on February 7, 9, and 10
- Seoul Taco (four metro locations): Donating 10 percent of sales on February 9 and 10
