More than a dozen Asian-owned and -operated restaurants in St. Louis are joining together to support a nationwide movement inspired by a local television anchor who stood up for herself after being criticized by a viewer.
In early January, KSDK Channel 5 anchor Michelle Li received a voicemail that has since gone viral from a caller who complained Li was “being very Asian” and that “she can keep her Korean to herself.” The call came after the station aired a story about traditional New Year’s Day foods, and Li commented on the air that like most Koreans, she eats dumplings to mark the new year.
The incident drew widespread support for Li and propelled the #VeryAsian movement, instilling renewed pride from the Asian American community and others around the world. It has also led to the creation of the Very Asian Foundation by Li and fellow news anchor Gia Vang of Minneapolis.
Beginning today, 15 local restaurants and their owners, led by Shayn Prapaisilp of Thai eateries King & I and Chao Baan, are holding a weeklong fundraiser to close out Lunar New Year celebrations and raise money for the Very Asian Foundation.
The foundation’s mission is to amplify diverse AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) voices through education, storytelling and community connection.
A portion of sales from select menu items from each restaurant will be donated to the Very Asian Foundation from Feb. 7 to 14.
“Nobody should ever be attacked for sharing details about their culture,” Prapaisilp said. “If everyone took the time to learn about others, we would have more compassion, respect and care for one another. Our hope through this fundraiser is that members of the St. Louis community can stand in solidarity, while learning about AAPI culture through food –whether that be traditional dumplings or any of the other amazing offerings from our partners.”
Prapaisilp, in partnership with the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of St. Louis, is encouraging St. Louis to dine in or carry out from the following AAPI-owned and -operated establishments:
- Akar (7641 Wydown Blvd.): Dumpling of the day. With rotating dumpling offerings, guests can try options like a pork- and chive-stuffed dumpling with black rice vinegar and ponzu.
- Chao Baan (4087 Chouteau Ave #5): Potsticker starter. Five fried potstickers filled with chicken, cabbage, green onion and ginger. Chao Baan will also be donating 10% of total sales on Wednesday, Feb. 9, and Thursday, Feb. 10.
- Corner 17 (6623 Delmar Blvd.): Dumplings. Order any of the restaurant’s eight varieties of dumplings, including colorful options in purple, orange and green.
- Drunken Fish (numerous locations): Gyoza, regular and large orders, at Drunken Fish locations in Westport Plaza, Central West End and Ballpark Village.
- Hello Poke (Food Hall at City Foundry STL): Poke bowls built any way you want with different choices of proteins and toppings, with 5% of all daily sales donated from Friday, Feb. 11, to Sunday, Feb. 13.
- iNDO (1641D Tower Grove Ave.): Gyoza starter. Pork and chicken dumplings with sweet soy and fried garlic.
- Kimchi Guys (two locations): Kimchi Mandu appetizer (dumplings), fried kimchi and pork dumplings served fried or boiled at its locations on Laclede’s Landing and near Washington University.
- King & I (3155 S Grand Blvd.): Potsticker appetizer. Choice of fried or steamed, stuffed with chicken and served with a light soy sauce and green onion. King & I will also be donating 10% of total sales on Wednesday, Feb. 9, and Thursday, Feb. 10.
- Mai Lee (8396 Musick Memorial Dr.): 10% of total sales will be donated on Thursday, Feb. 10.
- Nami Ramen (278 Skinker Blvd.): Appetizers. Nami Ramen will donate a portion of proceeds from all appetizer sales for the weeklong giveback.
- Nippon Tei (14025 Manchester Road): Gyoza, pork and chicken dumplings.
- Nudo House (two locations): 10% of total sales will be donated on Thursday, Feb.10, at its locations in Creve Coeur and the Delmar Loop.
- Sando Shack (pre-order and pick-up only): Special menu items, Chicken Katsu Sando and Spicy Chicken Katsu Sando, are available only for pre-order (here) and pick-up at the Hello Poke kitchen inside of the Food Hall at City Foundry. 10% of sales will be donated on Monday, Feb. 7, Wednesday, Feb. 9, and Thursday, Feb. 10, from 5 to 7 p.m.
- Seoul Taco (numerous locations): Potstickers made with pork and vegetables. Seoul Taco will donate 10% of sales on Wednesday, Feb. 9, and Thursday, Feb. 10, from all its locations in Chesterfield, The Grove, Kirkwood and the Delmar Loop.
