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QuickTake:
The Asian Night Market is back for its fifth year on Friday, May 22 in Eugene. Coinciding with Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, the event boasts cultural performances, iconic street foods, hands-on activities and a lively marketplace.
Thai food should be loud and layered.
A smacking example: the creamy Tom Yum soup at Chaiyo Thai Bistro in Eugene. While the shrimp are succulent and snappy, the piquant blend of fish sauce, galangal, kaffir lime and chili steals the show.
You can find Chaiyo’s hot and sour soup, plus more diverse and delicious bites from local food trucks and restaurants, at the Asian Night Market from 5-10 p.m., Friday, May 22, at the Farmers Market Pavilion in Eugene. The event is produced by the Asian American Council of Oregon.
As the Asian market celebrates its fifth year, patrons can experience cuisines from across Thailand, India, Taiwan, Japan, China and Hawaii.
It will be Chaiyo’s third year as a food vendor. For owner Jutatip Chaithawat, 45, the event is a chance to share the dishes she grew up with in Thailand.
Chaithawat learned to cook from her mom and by eating her way through Bangkok’s vibrant night markets. (According to her, a trip to Thailand will lead to a little weight gain, if done right.)
After moving to Eugene in 2008, she worked in the kitchens of numerous Thai eateries, including Sabai, Sweet Basil and a food truck she later acquired and launched Chaiyo out of in 2015.
The owner of the food truck had stepped back to open a cafe in Springfield and asked Chaithawat if she wanted it. After years of grinding in other Thai restaurants, much of that as a single mom, opening Chaiyo Thai Food Truck allowed her to cook and support her family on her terms.
“I was excited every day when I saw a customer,” Chaithawat said. “They’d say, ‘Oh, you make my day, I love your food.’”
A decade later, she expanded her enterprise and opened Chaiyo Thai Bistro in Eugene’s Santa Clara neighborhood last September.
Although she now operates two eateries, she is still usually found in the kitchen, cooking for her customers. Her son, Aidan Murray, is no different.
“I just made like 10 pad thais,” said Murray, 21, during a quick break at the bistro.
Murray said he’s excited to fry up crispy spring rolls at the night market and introduce folks to different Thai dishes. Take pad kra pao, for example, a fragrant stir fry with minced meat, Thai basil, garlic, chili and a punchy sauce that’s finished with a fried egg. He and his mom make it often for lunch.
Chaithawat named both her eateries “Chaiyo” after the Thai expression, which conveys joy and cheer. It’s also fitting for a night market that celebrates foods, arts and craftsmanship throughout Asia.
More bites at Asian Night Market
Eleven food vendors will serve up signature dishes at this year’s Night Market, including sushi burritos from Subo Sushi and house-made dim sum and other southern Chinese fare from Spice N Steam.
Ugly Dough Pizza is adding fusion to the mix with its teriyaki and Thai curry pies.
For vegan options, Taste of India will offer chana masala and crispy veg samosas, and Oriental Village will have wok-fried yakisoba noodles.
Got a sweet tooth? Head to either Kona Ice or SweetBay for colorful shaved ice and to King Whippy for soft-serve treats. Nothing Bundt Cakes will offer two gluten-free bundtlets — chocolate chip cookie and lemon raspberry — alongside its best-selling flavors, including red velvet and white chocolate raspberry.
Quench your thirst with Bobablastic’s iced, creamy and blended bubble teas and lemonade.
Performances, artisans and more
Beyond food, Asian Night Market will open the stage to lion dancing (Chinese), hula dancing (Hawaiian), Bhangra (a folk dance and music genre from Punjab) along with other traditional performances.
You can also catch a demonstration of Chinese martial arts, drumming and hands-on activities for children and adults.
At the marketplace, find a Japanese capsule toy vending machine, fruit-shaped ice cream treats, flower bouquets, jewelry and handcrafted cutlery and textiles.
“It’s an opportunity to share our heritage as integral to the fabric of the broader community,” Asian Night Market event director David Tam said in a statement. “We encourage people to bring their family and friends for a fun Friday evening of Asian cultural heritage.”
