Korean American Night
Korean American Night: One of the Largest Korean Public Events in Portland Since 2018
PORTLAND, OR — On Friday, May 17, from 3 PM to 11 PM, inner Southeast Portland will come alive for the first Korean American Night (교포 나이트) — a high-energy block party and cultural showcase that marks one of the largest free public Korean events in the region since 2018.
What began as a small, curated gathering has grown into a bold, full-day street festival that blends food, music, art, and community storytelling. Taking place at SE 2nd and Salmon, and presented in partnership with Emma Evans as part of the I Hope You Get Rich Series by Asian American Town, this unique event celebrates the creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit of the Korean American diaspora.
More Than a Party — A Cultural Moment
“This isn’t just a party,” say organizers. “It’s a celebration of complex, intersectional Korean identities—of persistence in the face of erasure, cultural appropriation, and pressure to conform. We’re building space to be loud, visible, and joyful.
Korean American Night highlights a generation of creators who have pushed beyond the bounds of traditional expectations to thrive in food, art, design, and performance. The event sets a new benchmark for cultural festivals, offering a deeper, more inclusive vision of what Korean American expression looks like today.
WHAT TO EXPECT
🎵 Live Performances & Creative Activations
DJ Gazin spinning high-energy beats throughout the night
Joe Kye – acclaimed looper and violinist, bringing fusion sounds and storytelling
Bethany Kim-Yin – powerful, site-responsive movement performance
Katalyst PDX – a Portland K-pop dance collective
Food adventures on loop from local public figures in the food world, Judiaann Woo and Nick that goes by Chicken Nick on Instagram
🍽️ Korean Food Vendors
FOMO Chicken – Aged salmon ssam, smoked pork belly ssam
Aji Fish Butchery – Bacon-wrapped salmon dogs with kimchi mayo, salmon skewers, kimchi rice balls (주먹밥)
Suul K-Food – Fried chicken, tteok-bokki, and more comfort classics
Sweet Seoul – Bungeo-ppang (Taiyaki-style Korean fish-shaped pastry)
Bap PDX – Asian-inspired baked goods
Blu Spot – Small-batch Korean-inspired ice cream
🛍️ Craft & Art Vendors
Yoo Be Skincare – Korean lifestyle and beauty brand
Lune Knives – Korean-American knife maker
Glass Studio Jah – Handmade glass jewelry
Woolybuds - Handmade jewelry
Eunbi Creates – Art prints inspired by diaspora narratives
Cheeky Art Studio – Bold and playful artwork rooted in identity
...with additional vendors and creators being announced daily!
Korean American Night is a bold reimagining of public space—turning a city block into a celebration of cultural pride, innovation, and community power. This one-night-only experience will leave a lasting impression, spotlighting the richness and diversity of Portland’s Korean American and Korean diasporic community.