Tag: 8188 SE Division

Community, Food and Drink, History

Behind the Wok a Restaurant History Archive

On May 30th, APANO launched its online archive titled Behind the Wok: A Tribute to Iconic Chinese American Restaurants in Portland’s Jade District. This digital collection documents the shift in Chinese American dining toward East Portland. This online repository focuses on six restaurants that represent the phases of Portland’s Asian community’s eastward move from Old Town Chinatown. The work preserves stories from the families behind some of 82nd Avenue’s most iconic restaurants, attempting to create a record of these community cornerstones that are often missing from traditional archives.

Promotional materials for APANO's online archive, including a card reading 'Behind the Wok: Honoring Chinese American Restaurants in Jade District,' coasters, buttons, and a matchbook featuring iconic restaurant illustrations.
Behind the Wok promotional items including tote bag, matches, pins, and coaster

The inaugural cohort of restaurants includes Hung Far Low, Canton Grill, Chinese Village, New Cathay, Legin, and Wong’s King. However, the project aims to expand the digital archive over time, documenting the history of these foundational restaurants and their enduring cultural impact on the East Portland Chinese American community. The early evening launch party included several family representatives who came of age in and around the restaurants preserved in the archive. Their recollection and photos of these gathering places represent some of the only records of what they symbolized to the region beyond their decades of food service.

Aerial view of a neighborhood layout with labeled blocks and streets in East Portland, highlighting areas for development and existing infrastructure.
Guide map, copyright 1933 by Terry Tebault Inc. with Behind the Wok notations Courtesy APANO

Conversations following the presentation continued to reveal more history and a deeper understanding of the role these Chinese American staples represented for the community, supporting the need for such an archive. Without the historical seedwork released last month, these accounts would fade, and other untold stories would remain unknown to a community built on that history. The group working on Behind the Wok noted how difficult it was to obtain information, partially because news articles often failed to document changes that impacted this community and how people’s cultural humility kept them from lauding their accomplishments. However, in terms of storytelling and praising others, participants and attendees expanded the group’s understanding of their shared history.

A hand holding a commemorative button for the Behind the Wok Digital Archive Launch on May 30, 2025, featuring an illustration and the event name.
Behind the Wok promotional pin commemorating the launch date

That night’s brief open conversation revealed how many more details could end up in the digital archive. APANO is working to preserve the memory of the Chinese American restaurant as a community meeting place and support system for immigrants settling in Portland. The nonprofit purchased the Canton Grill property in 2022 for future housing development and named one of its other housing projects after Legin restaurant as a way to enshrine those shuttered establishments in the community’s consciousness. The project team invites people to visit the Behind the Wok digital archive regularly for in-depth information about their contributions to East Portland. APANO will host a celebration of the Canton Grill on June 27th from 4 to 9 p.m. at 8188 SE Division Street. That event will focus on the Canton Grill Memorial Project and further inform the cultural preservation efforts.

Article and photo’s by

Jacob Loeb

Disclosure: Attendees of this event, including the author, received free food and promotional items related to the project.

Community, Event

Jade District Planters Project

On April 6th, Jade District organizers will host a series of interactive workshops focusing on greenspaces in East Portland. The two-part workshop takes place from noon to 3 p.m. on April 6th and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 20th. People should sign up online for the free in-person events held inside the APANO Community Space at 8188 SE Division Street. In May 2024, teams will distribute the mosaic planters designed at the workshops and invite local businesses and community members to help fill their planters with new plants.

The Jade District Planters project allows community members and small businesses to learn about inequities in green infrastructure and join efforts to address this issue in East Portland. Attendees will learn how green spaces impact health for all residents, particularly those near busy roads like 82nd Avenue, SE Division Street, and the Interstate-205 freeway. This community art project will create unique mosaics placed on planters around the Jade District. Planters alone will not address higher temperatures seen during heat events. However, this initiative will spotlight the positive effects of adding greenery to the streetscape and possibly encourage more investment in future green spaces in the area.

The first workshop focuses on plants’ role in keeping neighborhoods happy and healthy. Groups will get an introduction to mosaic creation and meet to create their unique mosaic designs. The second workshop provides open studio time for community members to meet and work on making their mosaics. Participants can come to work on the project at any time during those hours. People are encouraged to learn about how communities benefit from access to trees, parks, and gardens. Attendees will hear about the work planned that addresses missing greenspace and discover how they can get involved in community efforts.

By

Jacob Loeb

Community, Event

Small Business Support Event on the 28th

Small business owners and people considering opening a new venture are invited to the 2023 Small Business Resource Fair to learn about available support. The Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO) and Jade District, in partnership with Community Services Network, will bring together representatives from over nine groups to answer and guide entrepreneurs. The event will run from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on February 28th at 8188 SE Division Street.

Pre-registration for this free resource fair is available online. Participants will receive complimentary food and a chance to win prizes through a raffle. Event organizers encourage all small business owners to attend, even if they do not have questions in mind. They see this as an opportunity for business operators to share information with others and learn more about resources available to grow the business community. Representatives from Prosper Portland, PDX 311, Bureau of Development Services, and other business support providers will join APANO’s Small Business Advisor team at the event to talk with the business community.

Small businesses are the backbone of Portland’s economy, and the city has received recognition for its supportive environment for entrepreneurs. However, running a small business is far from easy. These last few years have amassed excessive pressure on business owners dealing with rising costs, labor shortages, and crime-related costs. The 2023 Small Business Resource Fair aims to bolster support for businesses in the area and is an opportunity for people to tap into support they may not have known existed.

By

Jacob Loeb

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