Asian Avenue magazine - December 2019

magazine December 2019 Volume 14 | Issue 12

S ’ E U N E V ASIAN A

Restaurant Peeks

King Buffet Meta Asian Cuisine

F O T S BE

Ikebana Rocks:

Japanese Flower Arranging in Denver

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7667 E Iliff Ave. Denver, CO 80231 2 Miles East of I-25 and Evans

Tel: 720.748.0700

W W W. C O M R A D E B R E W I N G . C O M

AKI Asian Hotpot ALL YOU CAN EAT

醉香鍋

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!

Sun - Thur: 11:30am – 9:30pm Fri - Sat: 11am – 10pm

12303 E Mississippi Ave Unit 127, Aurora, CO 80012 | Tel: 720.638.3193

What is Chinese Hotpot?

WINE & LIQUOR AVAILABLE!

Chinese hotpot is a communal eating experience, in which you order different ingredients to boil inside a simmering pot of broth. Think of it as Asian fondue where everyone at the table cooks their own food!

How to eat Hotpot?

At Aki, first choose your soup base (do you dig hot and spicy? Or are you more into herbal broths?). From there, choose your meats and seafoods ranging from beef slices, pork belly and meatballs to squid, fish fillets, shrimps and clams. Throw in your veggies: mushrooms, cabbage, spinach, sprouts, or boy choy, and the list goes on with over 20 options. Lastly, add your noodles and tofus, and don’t forget the dipping sauces! And the best part is that it is ALL YOU CAN EAT!

Kids age 3 and under: FREE Ages 4-6: $6.99 Ages 7-9: $10.99 Ages 10-12: $12.99 Seniors: $17.99

Adults: $20.99

The Confucius Institute at

Community College of Denver

22 S. Adams St. Denver 80209 303.399.1146 800.659.2656 TTY KavodSeniorLife.org

The Confucius Institute at Community College of Denver is a Chinese language and cultural learning center, established in 2007 with the support of the Chinese Language Council International (Hanban), to promote Chinese language training and intercultural understanding.

Our programs and services include: n Noncredit Chinese language and cultural workshops n Private Chinese language tutoring n Chinese language proficiency testing n Scholarships to study in China n China summer camps n Seasonal Chinese cultural events n Seasonal professional development training for Colorado K-12 Mandarin teachers n An educational resource center

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HUD-subsidized rents as low as ⅓ monthly income Renovated units and common areas 24-hour emergency response system Full calendar of life enrichment activities & trips Nutritious meals served 6 days a week

Call Melanie at 720.382.7833 for more information.

For more information about the Confucius Institute, contact: Jane Lim Jane.Lim@ccd.edu n 303-352-6510 CCD.edu/ci

Kavod Senior Life is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization providing housing and services to older adults and people with disabilities that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability or familial status.

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DECEMBER 2019

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in this issue EVENTS

8 9

Event calendar Finding Your Japanese Roots Japanese genealogy seminar on Feb. 8, 2020

SPOTLIGHT

11

12

13

Meet ophthalmologist Dr. Dishler of Dishler Lasik Institute Grammy Award-winning and Hawaiian artist Kalani Pe’a shared his music with Colorado Korean musician builds her repertoire in Indie Alternative

FEATURE

14

Ikebana Rocks: Japanese Flower Arranging in Denver

BOOK REVIEW

20

Our readers vote on this year’s best restaurants and businesses

14

Frankly in Love by David Yoon plus a Q&A with author David Yoon

22

South Korean film Parasite

23

Romantic comedy Last Christmas

RESTAURANT PEEKS

24 26

King Buffet opens in Arvada as the largest Chinese buffet in Colorado Meta Asian Kitchen offers contemporary Chinese cuisine with authentic flavors

DAAPIC COLUMN

27

Q&A with Jessica Jorgensen

ON SCENE

28 29

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December 2019 | Table of Contents

24

MOVIE REVIEWS

COVER STORY

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Best of 2019: Check out our final issue of the year to find our readers’ picks for the best Asian restaurants and businesses in Denver.

Inaugural Ramen-O-Rama Sold Out Local theatre group changes its mission and name at fundraising cabaret event

TAIWAN UPDATE

30

Taiwan Can Be a Valuable Partner in

the Global Response to Climate Change

ASIAN AVENUE MAGAZINE P.O. Box 221748 Denver, CO 80222-1748 Tel: 303.937.6888 E-mail: info@asianavemag.com www.asianavemag.com

Find us @AsianAveMag #AsianAveMag

Dear Asian Avenue readers, And just like that, we present you our last edition of the year: Best of 2019! Thank you to our readers for voting for their favorite Asian restaurants and businesses. In recent years, many new Asian businesses have opened including tea shops, hot pot restaurants and many more Asian dessert cafes and eateries. We are excited to share these with you and encourage you to visit these spots to try for yourself!

As the year winds down, we look forward to ringing in the new year! 2020 will welcome the year of the rat and we will again be hosting our annual lunar new year dinner. Save the date for Saturday, January 18 at Empress Seafood Restaurant. Find more information or purchase tickets online at asianavemag.com.

In this issue, our editorial director Mary Jeneverre Schultz has put together a variety of stories including two movie reviews for very different films: South Korean thriller Parasite and Hollywood rom-com Last Christmas. She also interviews two musicians—Hawaiian artist Kalani Pe’a and Connie Hong, indie alternative vocalist of Ivory Circle. Also, be sure to check out her restaurant peek featuring Meta Asian Cuisine at Avanti Food and Beverage. Our second restaurant peek this month highlights the largest Chinese buffet in Colorado, the newly opened King Buffet.

Happy new year all! See you in 2020!

Annie Guo VanDan, President Asian Avenue magazine | www.asianavemag.com Published by Asian Avenue Magazine, Inc. P.O. Box 221748 Denver, CO 80222-1748 Tel: 303.937.6888 | info@asianavemag.com

www.asianavemag.com

Publisher & Founder CHRISTINA YUTAI GUO

Editorial Director MARY JENEVERRE SCHULTZ

President ANNIE GUO VANDAN

Marketing Manager JOIE HA

Senior Designer C.G. YAO

Staff Writer PATRICIA KAOWTHUMRONG

Graphic Designer/Videographer LIJIN ZHAO

Staff Writer AMY NG

Web Designer JASON ZHANG

Intern CHANG LIU

on the cover

advertising

Asian Avenue is excited to share our last issue of the year: Best of 2019. See what our readers voted for as the best Asian restaurants and businesses in Denver.

Looking to promote your business?

Asian Avenue magazine offers businesses the most cost-effective way to reach consumers in the Denver/Boulder metro areas and beyond. For more information, call 303.937.6888 or e-mail us at marketing@asianavemag.com for our media kit and ad rates.

contributing writers Gil Asakawa, Jessalyn Herreria Langevin, Chang Tzi-chin

contributing photographers Antonio Agosto, Dan Langevin, Jessalyn Herreria Langevin, Joni Sakaguchi Asian Avenue magazine (ISSN 19321449) reserves all copyrights to this issue. No parts of this edition can be reproduced in any manner without written permission. The views expressed in articles are the authors’ and not necessarily those of Asian Avenue magazine. Authors may have consulting or other business relationships with the companies they discuss.

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President’s Note | asian avenue magazine

7

Event Calendar Dragon 5280 Holiday Book Pop-Up Thur. Dec. 12 | 10am to 9pm Barnes & Noble 960 S Colorado Blvd, Glendale Cost: Free and open to public cdbf.org/calendar.html

Dragon 5280 is hosting a free book pop-up to highlight Asian writers and books!

Stop by Barnes and Noble Glendale to check out top picks for contemporary writing, teen readers, and dragon boat stories! There will be book readings by two local authors, Gil Asakawa and Dr. Kha Yang Xiong and imaginary dragon boat paddling lessons with a drums.

Send community events to info@asianavemag.com to be listed in next month’s event calendar.

PASCO’s annual New Year’s Eve Gala Tues. Dec. 31 | 6pm to 1am Hilton Inverness Hotel 200 Inverness Dr W Englewood Tickets: $65 Adult | $30 Child phil-amsocietycolorado.org The annual New Year’s Eve Gala hosted by Philippine American Society of Colorado will include dinner and dancing. The formal event will raffle off a 50” TV and hotel stay at the Hilton Inverness Hotel. There is limited seating so you are encouraged to buy your tickets early!

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Golden Shanghai

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143 Union Blvd. Suite #120 Lakewood, CO 80228 Direct: 303-985-4555 Cell: 303-669-5255

Upcoming Event

Finding Your

A

Japanese Roots in the U.S. and in Japan

re you curious about starting your family history journey? Do you want to document your ancestors, but aren’t sure where to begin? Do you wonder when your ancestors immigrated or if any of the women were picture brides? Perhaps you have questions about ordering internment camp records, or want to know if DNA can help you in your research. The opportunity for you to learn about all of these things is coming to Denver in February 2020.

Sakura Foundation is pleased to bring Linda Harms Okazaki to the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library as she presents “Finding Your Japanese Roots in the U.S. and in Japan.”

Kato Family - Photos Courtesy of Joni Sakaguchi

Linda is a fourth-generation Californian who is passionate about teaching people of Japanese ancestry to research, document and share their personal family histories. She has been researching her husband’s ancestry since 2012 and documenting his family history in the internment camps during World War II and in Japan. Linda is a charter member of the Nikkei Genealogical Society, a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the Genealogical Speaker’s Guild and the Daughters of the American

Omoto Family

Revolution and currently serves as past president of the California Genealogical Society. She also writes a bimonthly column called Finding Your Nikkei Roots for the Nichi Bei Weekly.

This seminar is suitable for all levels. It will cover historical events and laws in Japan and the U.S. which led to immigration, getting organized in genealogy, researching basic U.S. documents such as vital, census, land, military records, naturalization and internment records.

Linda will also cover understanding the records available in Japan (koseki, kakocho, land records), tips for translation, finding living relatives, traveling in your ancestral footsteps and a bit about DNA. There will be ample time for Q&A. This seminar is appropriate for Nikkei, as well as genealogists interested in learning about new record groups.

The Japanese genealogy seminar will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 from 10am to 2pm at the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, 2401 Welton Street. Registration is $25 and can be found on Eventbrite.com, search “Sakura Foundation.” Pre-registration and payment is required. Handouts and a light lunch will be provided.

Questions? Contact Stacey Shigaya, Sakura Foundation Program Director,

at staceys@sakurafoundation.org 303.951.4486.

or

Upcoming Event | asian avenue magazine

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MEET DR. DISHLER Ophthalmologist Jon G. Dishler MD has earned a spot in the top 1 percent of LASIK surgeons nationwide after performing over 70,000 procedures. A pioneer and innovator, Dr. Dishler has dedicated his entire career to the advancement of laser vision correction. He was the first surgeon in Colorado to perform 100-percent all-laser IntraLASIK, after developing and patenting several of his own laser vision correction technologies.

8400 E Prentice Ave. Greenwood Village, CO 80111 Tel: 303.793.3000 | www.dishler.com If you have been contemplating LASIK or laser vision correction, the Dishler Lasik Institute is the place to go. You will be in good hands with Dr. Dishler, who has paved the way in Colorado as the first opthalmologist to perform LASIK including bladeless all laser LASIK in the state.

“While the basic function of how LASIK works has not changed, the methods to achieve it have advanced considerably over the last 20+ years,” says Dr. Dishler.

“We now have better ways of making flaps with our VisuMax laser, the only one located in Denver, as well as the precise method of tissue removal with the Zeiss MEL 80 laser, also the only one in Colorado.”

Since 1982, Dr. Dishler has performed tens of thousands of laser vision correction procedures, making him one of the most experienced LASIK surgeons in the country. Patients from across the U.S. put their trust in Dr. Dishler, including 27-year-old Margo from New York. Earlier this year, she successfully had the SMILE procedure performed on both eyes.

“Margo had visited surgeons at prestigious clinics in New York and they had told her she was not a good candidate for LASIK because her eyes were too dry. She

then spent a year doing dry eye therapies because she was very motivated for better vision from surgery.”

She learned about the SMILE procedure, which has lower invasiveness and less risk of dry eye. Margo wanted a surgeon that was more experienced so she researched online and found Dr. Dishler, who has performed SMILE procedures since 2012 and was a clinical investigator for the U.S. SMILE study. Margo was very happy to have found an experienced surgeon.

SMILE uses a single laser to remove a tiny piece of tissue from the cornea which is the clear part of the front of the eye. This tissue is painlessly removed through a micro-incision made by the same laser. The process of creating the tissue segment to be removed only takes about 30 seconds, and the entire procedure which is silent is very quick.

“SMILE is particularly good for very nearsighted people with thick glasses and also for those with some degree of dry eye complaints. We also find it useful in first responders, or those who are more likely to rub their eyes after their procedure. SMILE works in a similar way to LASIK but does not require a flap,” says Dr. Dishler.

Internationally, and especially in countries such as China and Korea the SMILE procedure is dominant in being performed and now there have been about 3 million of these procedures performed worldwide.

Dr. Dishler says, “There are many centers offering LASIK, and some have advanced technology, but we believe our combination of methods brings patients a comfortable and proven method of improving their eyesight and in most cases eliminating the need for distance glasses correction.”

The Dishler Lasik Institute also has improved methods of screening patients to understand who will most likely benefit the most from which type of procedure.

With more than 37 years of experience in the field, Dr. Dishler says that giving the gift of vision is very gratifying because both the patient and the doctor can see the result almost immediately, and vision is our most important sense.

Dr. Dishler’s continual pursuit and dedication to advance the field of laser vision correction, as evidenced by him being the first on many horizons, means he is a specialist who is an expert leader in his field.

Visit Dishler.com for a FREE consultation today!

Air Force surgeon Dr. Nueffer and Paula RN

The VisuMax is used for SMILE LASIK procedures

Dr. Dishler with the Coopers from Wyoming.

Dishler Lasik Institute | asian avenue magazine

11

Spotlight

Grammy Award-winning and Hawaiian artist Kalani Pe’a shared his music with Colorado

Two-Time Grammy Award Winner for his debut album E Walea and sophomore album No ‘Ane’i.

Photo Credit: Antonio Agosto

By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

Colorado holds a special place for 36-year-old Hawaiian artist Kalani Pe’a.

Born in Hilo, Hawaii, Pe’a moved to Grand Junction to attend Colorado Mesa University. With scholarships and grants, he studied mass communications and was involved in musicals and acting productions.

“I love school,” Pe’a said, adding he graduated from high school as a salutatorian with a 3.8 GPA. His cousin had lived in Grand Junction, which made him feel comfortable attending school away from Hawaii.

Back in 2001, when he started as a college freshman, he knew of 60 Hawaiians living in the western slope.

Currently, he informed that there are about 200 Hawaiians living in the Grand Junction area.

“I had the whole experience of living through the four seasons,” Pe’a shared. His first encounter with snow was in Colorado wearing shorts, sandals and a t-shirt.

At Colorado Mesa University, he also enjoyed his student/professor interactions with his vocal teacher, Dr. Jack Delmore, emeritus professor of music. Delmore,

12

December 2019 | Spotlight

who retired in 2018, encouraged Pe’a’s talent in music. He mentored Pe’a in vocals and music performance.

Like most stage performers, he admits to being nervous and anxious. Some of his strategies to face stage fright include consuming four cough drops, wearing a hat and drinking black coffee. Over the years, he observed other performers and band members on how they deal with nervousness. He noticed wearing glasses might be another tactic, too.

Categorized as Hawaiian Soul, Pe’a describes his music as Hawaiian with a lot of rhythm and blues influences, adding that the music is similar to Steve Wonder.

“Most of my arrangements are hulalike songs with different reps,” said Pe’a, admitting he pushes the envelope in this category.

Only releasing two albums, he is spoiled with winning a Grammy award for each album. Pe’a’s debut album, “E Walea,” released in 2016. The album won the Grammy award for “Best Regional Roots Music Album” and made history by being the first Hawaiian recording artist to ever win in the category.

He shared how much he loves his life, family and the direction of his career in music. His “ohana” defined as family includes his fiance Allan, mom, dad, and grandparents. “They are the pillars in my life,” Pe’a said.

Pe’a grew up on the big island of Hawaii.

He admitted he couldn’t snowboard in the sacred mountains of the big island.

While he does quite a bit of traveling for performances, one of his gripes is packing.

He wishes he could hire someone to pack his clothes for him, but admits he needs to pack his own “underwears.”

When he’s not performing or writing songs, he loves to shop and is a foodie.

Retail therapy includes buying for his friends.

To relax, his hobbies include playing tennis and drawing. “I love to doodle people and places,” he said.

For the first time in Denver, Pe’a performed at Daniels Hall - Swallow Hill Music last month on November 23.

Learn more about Kalani Pe’a and his music at kalanipeamusic.com.

By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

Korean musician builds her repertoire in Indie Alternative tunes As a middle-school educator, Connie Hong tapped into her musical talent as a way to teach her students.

Singer and songwriter Hong teaches at Liberty Middle School in Aurora. She studied music at University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. She also works as a voice teacher for students interested in expanding their musical abilities.

“My inspiration comes from life,” said Hong, adding her music is about relationships with family, community and God. “I loved it (music) so much that I couldn’t just let go.”

Music Her band, Colorado-based Ivory Circle, consists of three band members, including her on vocals, producer/multi-instrumentalist Chris Bebble and drums/ percussionist Rob Spradling. Her music is categorized as Indie Alternative. In this category includes: Coldplay, Imagine Dragon, Pearl

I at h t h c u m Hong o s it d e v o "I l just let go.” couldn’t Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, just to name a few.

Indie Alternative is a subcategory of music. Initially a form of independent music, it was based on small labels with low budgets.

Her music, found on iTunes, BandCamp and YouTube, sounds whimsical but full of

emotions. The tunes are catchy and stay with one all day. The lyrics are from the heart with life lessons on acceptance, rejection and death.

For Hong, she found challenges in being an Asian singer. “With so few roles for me, it’s already a struggle,” admits Hong, adding she is a shy introvert. But her love for music is strong in her persona.

Fiercely independent, 35-year-old Hong stands confident in her musical abilities. “I want to forge my own path,” said Hong. “I feel like this is what’s expected of me.”

Career Path Hong confessed her parents indicated great concerns for her career choices.

“They hoped it was just a hobby but acknowledged my talent for music,” Hong confessed. “It was difficult to quit my job and pursue music. I had a hard time convincing them.”

She believes her Type A personality allowed her not to be reckless in decision.

She acknowledged her parents’ concerns were “normal parent worry.”

Her music was first released in 2013.

Since then, Ivory Circle has appeared in a variety of venues: • Showtime Network as a promotional spot for cable channel Network’s The Affair, a featured song on VH1’s Couples Therapy • Underground Music Showcase in Denver • Opening acts for bands such as Copeland, San Fermin, San Lux and Caroline

Follow Mary Jeneverre Schultz on Instagram @Jeneverre

Smith.

• KTCL 93.3’s annual Home for the Holidays segment.

Appearances Last July, Ivory Circle performed on the stage of TedXMileHigh. TEDx brings the spirit of TED’s mission of ideas worth spreading to local communities around the globe.

She performed the song “We Will Run” / “Faces and Colors”. Her network in Denver connected her to an audition. She was unsure of logistics but it wasn’t a big stage setup, said Hong, adding it gave her band great exposure.

Hong entered her song entitled, “Never Let Me Go” into NPR Tiny Desk Contest last year. She has released four albums: Scalene, Isosceles, Equilateral, Entropy.

Other interests Hong shared her personal hobby of sewing and sustainable fashion. She enjoys visiting thrift shops, finding clothes and altering the outfits. “I love clothes,” said Hong, adding she sews from patterns. One can see her unique, flowing style in her videos.

To learn more about Connie and Ivory Circle, visit: ivorycircle.com tedxmilehigh.com/speaker/ivory-circle Her social feeds include: facebook.com/ivorycircle twitter.com/ivorycircle Spotlight | asian avenue magazine

13

Feature

IKEBANA ROCKS:

Japanese Flower Arranging in Denver

By Jessalyn Herreria Langevin | Photos by Dan Langevin

14

Akiko Ishiyama of Sogetsu School

Natalie Montecalvo of Sangetsu School

Karen Hench of Sogetsu School

Ayako Demartino of Sogetsu School

On the weekend of November 8 and 9, Ikebana International Denver Chapter 66 hosted their Annual Flower Show at the Mitchell Hall of Denver Botanic Gardens. Ikebana International Denver Chapter 66 is the local chapter of an international organization dedicated to Ikebana.

This year’s theme was Ikebana Rocks in which Ikebana practitioners incorporated rocks into Ikebana flower arrangements. In doing so, the theme spoke to one of the natural wonders of Colorado, the Rocky Mountains. The result was a variety of stunning arrangements.

Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement. Unlike

Western style flower arrangements that attempt to fill all the empty space with flowers, Ikebana makes use of the empty space and allows the audience to feel that particular absence and appreciate the flowers more. That being said, not all Ikebana arrangements contain flowers but rather follow certain principles defined by a particular Ikebana school.

There are over 1,000 different schools of Ikebana. Of those schools, the ones represented in Denver include Ikenobo, Ohara, Sangetsu, and Sogetsu.

While Ikebana practitioners come from a variety of backgrounds, the most common thread amongst them is that their love of flowers is fostered

and encouraged by close friends and family members.

Several board members and teachers of Ikebana International Denver Chapter 66 cited their mothers as their inspiration for beginning their Ikebana practice and eventually becoming the highly active and passionate Ikebana teachers and practitioners that they are today.

Take, for example, First Degree Master of the Ohara School, Aki Buckmaster. At the age of eight, Aki Buckmaster began taking Ikebana lessons because her mother was an Ikebana practitioner. Eightyone years later, she is a master teacher who provides lessons, demonstrates at exhibitions,

and continues to challenge herself and display her passion for Ikebana. Such dedication reverberates through the members of Ikebana International Denver Chapter 66.

In order to become an Ikebana practitioner, one often finds a teacher and follows their guidance to eventually attain mastery. Current Ikebana masters recommend that a potential practitioner has a love of flowers, creativity, fearlessness, and discipline.

Ikebana practitioners are continually learning as there are many levels of mastery. Those looking to learn Ikebana firsthand can attend one of the workshops. Find details online at ikebanadenver.com.

Rita Dwivedi and Eli Rabito of Sogetsu School

Ikebana International Denver Chapter 66 board members and important members of the Ohara School. Left to right, front: Elisabeth Rabito, Aki Buckmaster, Rita Dwivedi, Beth Nelson, Lois Krause. Back row: Akiko Ishiyami.

December 2019 | Feature

Aki Buckmaster of Ohara School

Cover Story

NUE’S E V A N A I S A

We polled our readers and the votes are in for the best of 2019.

Thanks to many of you for casting your votes. We love that Denver is flourishing with Asian businesses and restaurants. Congrats to this year’s winners and cheers to 2020!

BEST OF

BEST HOT POT: AKI ASIAN HOT POT 12303 E. Mississippi Ave. #125 Aurora, CO 80012 Tel: (720) 638-3193 www.akiasianhotpot.com Aki Asian Hot Pot is encouraging diners to explore different ways of ordering hot pot by providing a list of tips on its website. The restaurant also offers the definition of hot pot, history and why it’s so popular in China.

Eaters love the wide variety of ingredients and sauces offered, as well as the ability to cook for yourself. Not to mention, it’s all you can eat at Aki! Honorable Mentions: (2) Seoul KBBQ and Hot Pot, (3) The Bronze Empire

BEST RAMEN: KATSU RAMEN 1930 S. Havana St. #4 Aurora, CO 80014 Tel: (303) 751-2222 www.ramendenver.com

Katsu Ramen’s menu offers traditional Japanese ramen, a perfect lunch item for a cold day in Colorado. The food is “authentically prepared” by an experienced Japanese chef from Osaka, Japan.

For diners, who want to try everything, the restaurants also provides ramen and rice bowl combo. Katsu Ramen offers happy hour specials from Monday to Friday (11am to 5pm).

Katsu Ramen has been selected for Best of Denver awards. The ambiance is vintage Japanese, especially when plastic food is displayed in the store front.

Honorable Mentions: (2) Tokio, (3) Uncle, (4) Sukiya Ramen Best of 2019 | asian avenue magazine

15

BEST CHINESE: HONG KONG CAFE 10890 E. Dartmouth Ave. Denver, CO 80014 Tel: (303) 696-6688 www.denverhongkongcafe.com Hong Kong Cafe is a local favorite and the #1 recommendation for Chinese food in Denver. Its menu covers a range of “typical” Chinese cuisine such as salt and pepper chicken wings and stir-fry noodles, as well as a unique baked rice and spaghetti selection.

Honorable Mentions: (2) Lao Wang Noodle House, (3) Golden Shanghai

BEST DIM SUM: STAR KITCHEN 2917 W. Mississippi Ave. Denver, CO 80219 Tel (303) 936-0089 www.starkitchenseafooddimsum.com Ask any long-time Denver resident for their favorite dim sum restaurant and nine out of ten times they will say Star Kitchen. In fact, during Chinese New Year, this restaurant is packed with diners from all over metro Denver and the surrounding suburbs. Diners have shared two-hour wait times during the Chinese New Year’s period and especially on weekends.

Honorable Mention: Super Star Asian Cuisine

BEST SUSHI: SUSHI DEN 1487 S. Pearl St. Denver, CO 80210 | Tel: (303) 777-0826 www.sushiden.net Opened on Christmas Eve 1984, and celebrating 35 years, Sushi Den continues to set the standard for high-quality seafood and is on the cutting-edge of Japanese cuisine.

The restaurant serves an average of 700 guests daily.

Toshi Kizaki was the first to create a distribution channel from the Nagahama Fish Market on Kyushu Island to deliver pristine seafood to Denver within 24 hours. Koichi Kizaki, Toshi’s brother visits the Japanese fish market and has deep relationships with the fishmongers to ensure the best quality fish.

Brothers Toshi and Yasu Kizaki share a passion with their guests and offer them an education in Japanese traditions and techniques. They host 16

December 2019 | Cover Story

quarterly sake tastings, intimate Omakase dinners, and an annual fundraiser, bringing more than 20 chefs/owners from Japan to cook alongside Denver’s culinary elite.

In 2020, Toshi and Yasu Kizaki will continue to offer a sake seminar, and their sushi making classes, a tasty, informative culinary experience where guests learn to create all styles of sushi rolls and nigiri sushi.

They will also host their 5th Annual Rooftop Party, which benefits the victims of the devastating earthquake which hit the Kizaki’s hometown, the Kumamoto Prefecture in southern Japan.

Honorable Mentions: (2) Hapa Sushi Grill & Sake Bar, (3) Uchi, (4) Go Fish

BEST ASIAN BAKERY: TOKYO PREMIUM BAKERY 1540 S. Pearl Street Denver, CO 80210 Tel: (720) 531-3784 www.tokyopremiumbakery.com The aromas of Japanese-style bread and pastry waft all over Pearl Street. On the weekend, Tokyo Premium Bakery shows lines of customers waiting to order their favorite morning delights.

Customers’ favorites include the authentic Matcha latte and Hojicha latte accompanying with their bread. Customers can also order Shoku-Pan (loaf of bread) online.

Honorable Mentions: (2) New Saigon Bakery, (3) Yum Yum Cake and Pastries

BEST ASIAN FUSION: BANGKOK TOKYO ASIAN FUSION 6020 S. Gun Club Rd. Unit E5, Aurora, CO 80016 Tel: (303) 627-6328 www.bangkoktoyo88.com Located in suburbia Aurora, Bangkok Tokyo Asian Fusion is a favorite for soccer moms, big families and those craving sushi. The restaurant offers a variety of special rolls and typical Japanese fares such as teriyaki, tempura, and katsu options. Other entrees include bamboo steamed dishes, curry and tofu selections. Lunch specials range around $8, perfect for those working from home or needing a lunch break from the office.

Honorable Mentions: (2) ChoLon Asian Bistro, (3) John Holly’s Asian Bistro

BEST INDIAN: LITTLE INDIA 330 E 6th Ave. Denver, CO 80203 Tel: (303) 871-9777 www.littleindiaofdenver.com BEST KOREAN: SEOUL KOREAN BBQ 2080 S. Havana Street, Aurora, CO 80014 Tel: (303) 632-7576 www.seoulkoreanbbq.com For many years, this restaurant has lured diners, who love Korean dishes and sushi. Now, it also brings in diners for its hot pot! Seoul Korean BBQ has won many awards for best of Korean cuisine in Aurora.

Diners can BBQ their favorite combination of meats or enjoy house specials including braised fish, broiled fish, mackerel, potato noodles, stir-fried squid and boiled tofu. Bring a big appetite since the restaurant offers large portions.

Honorable Mention: Dae Gee Korean BBQ

Vegetarians and vegan diners can feel comfortable dining at Little India.

Recommendations for diners include bharta makhni and dal makhni, house favorites of the restaurant. Other suggestions include channa masala and bhindi masala. Make sure you check on heat level. Wait staff are equipped to educate beginners to Indian food and those who love to spice it up.

Honorable Mentions : (2) Yak & Yeti, (3) Monsoon Cuisine of India

Best of 2019 | asian avenue magazine

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BEST VIETNAMESE: PHO 95 1401 S. Federal Blvd. Denver, CO 80219 Tel: (303) 936-3322 www.pho95noodlehouse.com The number 95 holds great significance for these owners; it is the year the family immigrated to the US. Pho 95 is a staple on Federal Blvd. and won Asian Avenue’s previous best pho awards. To encourage repeat customers, they offer a rewards program that is set up online. In addition, the restaurant offers the Pho-King Challenge at its Centennial location. The challenge includes two pounds of noodles, two pounds of meat, 200 ounces of broth and a separate plate of vegetables.

Honorable Mentions: (2) Saigon Bistro, (3) Saigon Basil BEST ASIAN FOOD TRUCK: NO KE ALOHA Email: askus@nokealoha.com Tel: (720) 492-4321 www.nokealoha.com

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BEST THAI: PEARL OF SIAM 18660 E. Hampden Ave. Aurora, CO 80013 Tel: (303) 617-7408 www.pearlofsiam.net For six years, Pearl of Siam has won best of Denver’s 7 A-List. Craving Thai food? This restaurant offers authentic cuisine that is both healthy and delicious. Discounts are offered to law enforcement officers and military personnel. Menu options include rice and noodle dishes, curry dishes. Visit them at lunch when specials include Pad Thai, Fried Rice and Curries with a price point of $9.95.

Honorable Mentions: (2) US Thai Cafe, (3) Aloy Modern Thai

BEST ASIAN SUPERMARKET: H-MART (AURORA) 2752 S. Parker Road, Aurora, CO 80014 Tel: (303) 745-4592 www.myhmart.com

The Aurora-based food truck No Ke Aloha provides catering services throughout the Denver Metro area and beyond.“We have been so blessed with amazing feedback and support. We appreciate each and every one of you who have shared your stories and experiences about your connections to Hawaii,” said co-founder Shauna Medeiros. “Hawaii is such a special place that exudes and perpetuates Aloha and we hope that we are bringing all the light and love to our extended ohana here in the Mile High.”

The Korean-owned supermarket opened its first Colorado location in January 2004. Packed with shoppers, H-Mart is best visited during the weekdays, when most people are working. Weekends and holidays show long lines and huge crowds for the numerous selection in Asian grocery choices. The grocery store offers a mini fish market, where shoppers can ask for cleaning and frying of the fish onsite. A bakery is also found in this store. The produce area shows a lot of different varieties of fruit and vegetables, even durian, mangos and papayas.

Honorable Mentions: (2) Miss B’s Vietnamese Food Truck, (3) Koi & Ninja Cambodian Wings

Honorable Mentions: (2) Pacific Ocean Supermarket (Aurora), (3) Pacific Ocean Marketplace (Denver)

December 2019 | Cover Story

BEST BUBBLE TEA: TEA STREET 4090 E. Mississippi Ave. Denver, CO 80246 Tel: (720) 863-8636 www.teastreetdenver.com Locally owned by a Colorado family, the owners of Tea Street wanted to share their love of Hong Kong milk teas and Taiwanese bubble teas. The menu offers classic teas, milk teas, speciality teas, winter melon, slush and specialty drinks. December marks their anniversary month.

Check out the website (teastreetdenver.com) for BOGO, free gifts, free toppings and 20 percent discounts.

Honorable Mentions: (2) Kung Fu Tea, (3) Lollicup, (4) Sharetea Belmar BEST SEAFOOD BOIL: THE CRAWLING CRAB 781 S. Federal Blvd.

Denver, CO 80219 Tel: (303) 936-0123 www.thecrawlingcrab.us Seafood lovers dig The Crawling Crab.

The menu includes a variety of crabs, lobster, shrimp, clams and crawfish.

Need a kick to your meal, the restaurant offers cajun spices too. Be ready to use your fingers to peel off all the meat from the claws. Reminiscent of New Orleans’ crab boil, it’s the perfect place to dine when longing for this southern meal.

Honorable Mentions: (2) The Asian Cajun, (3) Yabby Hut

BEST ASIAN DESSERT: SNOWL 1930 S. Havana St. #5-6, Aurora, CO 80014 Tel: (720) 542-9902 www.snowlcafe.com The dessert shop started in H-Mart. But the popularity of desserts allowed owners to move to a site in Aurora. Decorated in a boho manner, the interior lures customers to stay and enjoy their dessert. The favorite at SNOWL is taiyaki, a fish-shaped waffle cone filled with ice cream. The menu board shows a wide range of options. Ask for suggestions because it’s hard to decide on which dessert to order!

Honorable Mentions: (2) Meet Fresh, (3) Milk Rolled Ice Cream BEST ASIAN ORGANIZATION: ASIAN PACIFIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER 1537 Alton Street, Aurora, CO 80010 Tel: (303) 923-2920 | www.apdc.org Asian Pacific Development Center (APDC) is powered by its rich heritage of AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander) advocacy and exists today to serve and support all immigrant, and refugee communities with a whole health, community-based engagement approach through health, education, and advocacy.

To keep up with APDC’s events, follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/apdcf or on Instagram @apdc. colorado. APDC hosts volunteer opportunities, trivia nights, dinner experiences, and even calligraphy workshops. APDC is kicking off the new year with its adult education classes. Registration will be held at its offices or contact Heidi Burgess at heidiburgess@apdc.org.

Honorable Mention: Dragon 5280

Best of 2019 | asian avenue magazine

19

Q&A with Author

David Yoon

Photo Credit: David Zaugh

Title: Frankly in Love Author: David Yoon ISBN: 978-1984812209 Pages: 432 | Price: $12 Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers Website: davidyoon.com/

frankly-in-love

Q: What inspired you to write this book?

A. When my daughter was born, I just sort of naturally started to remember all kinds of details about my childhood and adolescence (which I think a lot of new parents do). One thing I remembered was the fact that my parents had very traditional ideas about who I could date (only Korean girls) which led me to hide my love life from them as a result. Only much later in life did I realize how strange that was—to hide such an important part of my life from such important people in my life. I figured this memory would make the great basis for a story: a boy with traditional parents who teams up with a girl (also with traditional parents) to pretend to date each other so that they can see whoever they want in secret. What could possibly go wrong? While such a fake-dating trope is a time honored tradition in rom-com, I also figured out it would be a great way to explore issues of racism, immigration generation gaps, and how to bridge those gaps.

Q: What do you want readers to walk away with after reading the book?

A: One of the things I learned while writing Frankly In Love was how challenging it was to look at the world—especially multi-cultural America—from

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December 2019 | Book Review

the perspective of new immigrants like Frank’s parents. It’s easy for native-born Americans to dismiss people like them as racist, but the truth is much more nuanced and yes, difficult. Things get even more complicated when love is involved: not just the love between Frank and his girlfriend, but Frank and his parents. A big part of Frank’s central journey became one of acceptance.

Namely, how do you accept family members who drive you crazy, without judging them or wishing they were different? And how do you love them?

For me, romantic love doesn’t exist in a vacuum free from politics or expectation by others—I would love my readers to come away looking at their own relationships in a similar light, and then asking themselves: how can they give and grant acceptance to people they fundamentally disagree with?

Q: What are your future projects?

A. Well, I just sold an adult thriller about the internet called Version Zero, which should come out in very early 2021.

And I just handed in the first draft of my next young adult novel, which is due out in fall 2020. I can’t say much, just that it’s a contemporary that revolves around love, nerds, and rock & roll. I also might be working on something with my wife, heh heh.

Q: What are your hobbies/interests?

I love playing music, drawing, taking photos, and designing video games. I also love eating. Good thing I’m in Singapore this week for the Writer’s Festival!

Q: Anything else you would you like to share?

I say it all the time and I know it might sound a teensy bit cheesy, but I really sincerely do believe that love is everything. I’ve been so blessed to have a house full of love with my daughter and Nicola (my favorite writing partner!), and they give everything meaning.

ABOUT THE BOOK David Yoon’s extraordinary novel Frankly in Love is a heart wrenching and hilarious coming-of-age story

narrated by Frank Li, a teenager trying to navigate first love while also living up to the expectations of his Korean parents. Acquired in a heated tenhouse auction, the book has been optioned for film by Alloy Entertainment and Paramount Players, with foreign rights sold in 16 countires.

High school senior Frank Li is a Limbo – his term for Korean-American kids who find themselves caught between their parents’ traditional expectations and their own Southern California upbringing. His parents have one rule when it comes to romance – “Date Korean” – which proves uncomplicated when Frank falls for Brit Means, who is smart, beautiful ---and white.

Fellow Limbo Joy Song is in a similar predicament, and so they make a pact: they’ll pretend to date each other in order to gain their freedom.

What starts as the perfect plan soon becomes complicated, and sets Frank on a journey that brings him to a better understanding of his family and all their contradictions.

Yoon has created a story within the well-tread rom-com trope of fake relationships becoming more than a façade that is completely unique. This book is the arrival of a sensational new voice in YA literature, a fresh take on identity that is full of hilarity, heart, and relatability.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Yoon grew up in Orange County, California and now lives in Los Angeles with his wife, novelist Nicola Yoon and their daughter. He drew the illustrations for Nicola’s #1 New York times bestseller, Everything Everything. Visit him at davidyoon.com.

Frankly in Love | asian avenue magazine

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Movie Reviews

PARASITE The Webster dictionary defines parasite as a person who exploits the hospitality of the rich and earns welcome by flattery. It’s also defined as an organism taking away nutrients without an equal exchange.

Moviegoers were shocked, thrilled and puzzled at the recent release of a South Korean film, which debutted at the Chez Artiste in Denver.

Shocked at the ending, thrilled at the constant twists and turns and puzzled at how not just one person but a whole family could attempt to get away with something.

The story builds empathy for a poor family of four, trying to just survive in a basement. A college friend introduces the son to a wealthy family as a poten-

tial tutor. Fraud and deception starts to build the suspense as the son brings his sister as an art therapist, father as the family’s chauffeur and the mother as the cook and maid.

In the middle of the story, viewers already know through gut instinct that the ending will be tragic. But before telling too many details, go watch it for yourself.

The set design is amazing. The house, which comes from the imagination of the director, is set up as a place of minimalism. The secret hideout is beyond imagination.

Categorized as black comedy, the movie depicts the vast differences between classes of the rich and poor.

“Parasite” is a worthy winner of the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival,

the first South Korean movie to win the prestigious top prize. Director Bong Joon-ho has called it an “unstoppably fierce tragicomedy.”

This black comedy film made movie watchers shake their head as they left the theater, trying to figure out how it all ended the way it did. This director is definitely on the watch list as critics call him the next Steven Spielberg.

Parasite,” a Neon release, is rated R for “language, some violence and sexual content.” It has received a five star rating.

Both reviews by Mary Jeneverre Schultz 22

December 2019 | Movie Reviews

LAST CHRISTMAS If you’re a fan of the Hallmark channel, here’s a movie to add to your list of holiday activities.

Director Paul Feig mixes holiday, a little romance and a lot of music from British musician George Michaels.

Summary Kate (Emilia Clarke) goes through her life aimlessly with no goals and little ambition. She struggles with her job in a year-round Christmas store. She couch surfs with several of her friends. She also avoids her family. Then, she attempts to audition for several Broadway shows but looks like a “hot mess.”

Until dashing, dapper Tom (Henry Golding) appears out of nowhere.

Through her interactions with Tom, she starts seeing her world through volunteering, engaging with her family and looking for the mysterious Tom. Of course, through film previews, movie goers can guess something tragic will unfold at the latter part of the movie. Before giving away too many details, take a break from holiday shopping and watch this holiday film that will be a Christmas classic.

Background Set somewhere in London, British accents add some appeal to the movie.

Immigration, diversity and family acceptance are issues explored throughout the movie.

The soundtrack of George Michaels is heard throughout the movie, especially the tunes of Last Christmas. Listen to the lyrics and one can guess the story line of this movie.

Movies Reviews | asian avenue magazine

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Restaurant Peek

By Lijin Zhao

Explore Colorado’s

Largest Chinese Buffet

King Buffet, Colorado’s largest buffet, has opened in Arvada. The restaurant has more than 200 types of dishes including both Chinese and Western cuisines, so you can enjoy a variety of flavors. As with most buffets, lunch and dinner options are different, and dinner offers more variety.

The Mongolian barbecue is a highlight of King Buffet with its rich variety of vegetables and meat. Fresh beef is preserved in advance and topped with a tradition-

al Mongolian barbecue sauces. After customers select their ingredients, their dish is cooked on an open iron griddle. A few moments later, you can enjoy your delicious Mongolian barbecue.

In addition, King Buffet has many kinds of hot stir-fry, roast chicken and spiced spareribs. The seafood— whether shrimp, sashimi, sushi or shellfish—are fresh, pure and meaty. The rare beef pie is also very attractive.

Mongolian Barbecue’s Origin Mongolian barbecue was created by the Taiwanese comedian and restaurateur Wu Zhaonan. A native of Beijing, Wu fled to Taiwan during the Chinese Civil War, and opened a street food stall in Yingqiao, Taipei in 1951. He originally wanted to call the dish “Beijing barbecue.”

However, there was political sensitivity as Beijing had recently been designated as the capital of Communist China.

So he settled with “Mongolian barbecue” instead, even though the food has no direct connection to Mongolia.

Wu’s food stall became very popular and even attracted foreign diplomats and wealthy business people, despite

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December 2019 | Restaurant Peek

etables (such as cabbage, tofu, onion, broccoli, and mushrooms).

The bowl of ingredients is handed to the chef who adds your choice of sauce, then transfers everything to the grill.

being a cheap eatery. Sadly, his stall was later destroyed by flooding caused by a typhoon, in which Wu nearly drowned.

He then developed a highly successful career as a comedian and exited the restaurant business, while numerous imitators emerged to capitalize on the popularity of the dish he created, with Genghis Khan, Tang The round shape of the grill Palace, Great Khan, and Heavenly Khan allows two or more chefs to among the oldest and most popular. cook food simultaneously Mongolian barbecue was later successful- and to cook quickly. Due to ly introduced to the West. the thinly sliced ingredients, the food is typically cooked How to Eat Mongolian Barbecue in one revolution of the grill.

Typically, diners select a variety of Oil or water may be added to ease raw ingredients from a display of thinly cooking. The ingredients are stirsliced meats (such as beef, pork, lamb, fried continuously over the high turkey, chicken, and shrimp) and veg- heat.

When cooking is complete, each finished dish is scooped into a bowl and handed to the diner. Many Mongolian barbecue restaurants follow an allyou-can-eat buffet format, and allow multiple visits to the grill including King Buffet.

All in all, King Buffet covers a wide range of items. The interior decoration is exquisite, and the ambiance is welcoming. The service is of high quality and the food is served at an affordable price! It is a great new spot that you don’t want to miss!

Address: 5220 Wadsworth Bypass Unit S Arvada, CO 80002 Tel: 720-749-5185

King Buffet | asian avenue magazine

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Restaurant Peek

Meta Asian Kitchen offers contemporary Chinese cuisine with authentic flavors Located in Avanti Food and Beverage 3200 N Pecos St. Denver, CO 80211 A wife and husband team are changing the expectations of Chinese cuisine in Denver with a modern twist.

Chef Kenneth Wan and his wife Doris Wan set up Meta Asian Cuisine in Avanti Food and Beverage on Pecos Street.

Their food stalls are introducing Chinese cuisine as street fare.

Meta Asian Cuisine, set up in an upscale neighborhood of Highlands, entices late-night customers, adventurous eaters and those looking to expand their culinary palates.

“We want to fill the gap between food court and sit-down restaurant,” said Wan, who has worked in New York for 10 years in the restaurant industry.

Wan grew up in the kitchen of his parents as they managed and owned a take-out Chinese restaurant in Boston.

The duo brainstorms and strategies on their menu. In fact, they taste test with family members, double check recipes with parents and ensure the food

Contemporary Chinese cuisine

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December 2019 | Restaurant Peek

comes from their Hong Kong heritage.

The brainstorming results in family-style, shareable platters. While the menu stands, the restaurant offers daily specials, including beef stir fry, spam and eggs, miso soup and congee with fried dough as a way to try out various food with the public.

“I love introducing food,” said Wan, who moved to Denver in recent months after the urging of his sister, Joanne Liu, lead ambassador of the Denver Cosmos, a community for Asian women.

UNIQUE FLAVORS • Calamari – This appetizer dish is cooked East Coast style seasoned with ginger, Hong Kong salt, scallions and Fresno peppers. It’s the perfect portion for those who love to share their platters.

• Homemade Chicken Dumplings – The dumplings are perfect to dip with Meta’s chili oil and soy sauce. Fresh shallots and cilantro dress up the plate.

Hong Kong Street Cakes

By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

• Sichuan Rice Cakes – These rice cakes come with napa cabbage, bok choy and potato. The texture is gummy and the flavors jump out with delicious Chinese spices. Wan indicated fellow cooks fight over the bottom of this rice cake dish.

• Hong Kong Street Cakes – Chinese bubble waffles dressed with vibrant colors of red strawberries and purple Filipino yam called “ube” as ice cream, this dessert serves as the ideal ending to a culinary explosion of the Far East.

For years, the couple dreamed of owning a restaurant. While Wan studied economics, his wife comes from a technology background. He knew his calling was the kitchen. They are both passionate about sharing their food with others.

“It’s not a job, it’s a lifestyle,” she said, admitting to an arduous schedule. Learn more at www.meta asiankitchen.com.

Sichuan Rice Cakes

1. You’re the Denver Asian American Pacific Islander Commission’s liaison to the city. That makes you an “honorary Asian!” Has being part of our commission made you feel a part of the AAPI community?

Without a doubt. Through my time being the liaison for DAAPIC I have had the opportunity to work with so many wonderfully passionate people who have opened my eyes to cultures and ethnicities I knew very little about.

2. How long have you been the “guide” for DAAPIC, and what is your typical day like?

I have been DAAPIC’s liaison for five years now. My days vary as with many jobs but primarily my role focuses on data, research, writing, and communications (social media and website). My role as liaison is my favorite because I get to be involved with community members. It takes me out of my normal desk job where I get to interact with so many community members and community advocates.

Q& A

5. Were you surprised by anything when you became involved with the Asian community?

I didn’t realize there were so many ethnicities under the AAPI umbrella, each

with beautiful and complicated stories.

The idea of the model minority myth was new to me, and the more I learned about it the angrier I got – which just fueled my passion to be the best ally to the AAPI community that I can be.

6. Tell us about your favorite experience with the commission.

DAAPIC hosted a listening session with 30 AAPI service providers. The commission created a report with results and recommendations from that session. These recommendations have guided the commission’s work. I am proud of all the work the commission put into it – from start to finish.

7. What do you think is DAAPIC’s biggest challenge?

Being seen. In public discussions about minority communities, many times AAPIs are forgotten about. Because of the model minority myth and because they are smaller in numbers, I think. But leaders need to recognize that this is the fastest growing group in the U.S. and they should be taken seriously.

8. Have you ever traveled to Asia?

Sadly, I have not been to Asia but on my list is Japan and India. I’ve heard so many wonderful things about both places – the scenery, the history, the people, and I also love their food.

3. How has DAAPIC changed since you’ve been part of it?

I think DAAPIC has become louder, in the best way possible. The commission has a larger presence in the community.

People know what it is and are constantly asking to be involved in our work.

4. What would you like for DAAPIC to accomplish?

For the past few years, data disaggregation and language access have been front of mind for the commission, so I would love for DAAPIC to make meaningful change in both regards at the city level. Even if it’s department by department.

It’s so necessary for the AAPI community to have sturdy data and to be able to access the services and programs the city provides in their native languages.

DAAPIC Column

Jessica Jorgensen Jessica is the City of Denver’s Liaison between the Denver Asian American Pacific Islander Commission and the city’s Agency for Human Rights and Community Partnerships.

She’s a tireless leader for the commission, and we all consider her an “Honorary Asian.”

Interview by Gil Asakawa

9. What’s your favorite Asian cuisine, and why?

Vegetarian sushi – I really love the sauces, the veggies, avocado and rice. I also love vegetable tempura – if it’s fried I generally like it. And curry – the spicier the better. I’m vegetarian and Asian cuisines offer so many delicious options for people like me.

10. Is there anything else you’d like to share with Asian Avenue readers?

I am beyond grateful to be an ally. I try hard to be helpful but in a supporting role. This is the AAPI community’s fight and story and I am so lucky and proud to have some small part of in this important work. Thank you for welcoming me with open arms.

DAAPIC Column | asian avenue magazine

27

On Scene

RAM

INA UGU O-R R AM AL AS OL

EN-

DO

UT

Article by Jessalyn Herreria Langevin Photos by Dan and Jessalyn Langevin These multipurpose spork, knife, and chopsticks combos were perfect from sampling ramen.

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On Saturday, Nov. 16, ramen lovers filled the RiNo Fairgrounds to sample a variety of ramen and Asian-inspired dishes at Denver’s first and only ramen festival: Ramen-O-Rama. Restaurants and vendors from all over the Denver metro area dished up their best ramen or side dish in hopes of winning the award for best ramen.

For those unfamiliar with this delicious concoction, ramen is a Japanese dish consisting of wheat noodles, meat or fishbased broth, soy sauce or miso flavoring, and toppings such as pork, dried seaweed, and scallions. In its cheapest form, ramen is known as Instant Noodles or Cup Noodles the survival food of broke college students everywhere. That being said, ramen has a

history that’s at least over a century old.

Ramen-O-Rama was a celebration of Denver’s ramen scene and the culture surrounding it. Vendors served up anything from traditional ramen flavors such as Kyu Ramen’s Tonkotsu to new takes on ramen with new flavors and toppings such as the chicharrones incorporated into Park & Co.’s ramen or the unique and smoky flavor of Mizu Izakaya’s Southern Japanese Seafood Ramen. The variety of ramen vendors meant festival-goers would leave with a new restaurant or dish to try.

Lines for ramen vendors were quite long but attendees could opt to grab something from the shorter food lines or peruse the merchandise booths while they waited for their next ramen sample.

Perhaps the most entertaining of the non-ramen vendors was Tea Street Denver. Festival-goers brave enough to walk away from the ramen lines were enchanted by the in-depth trio tasting of unique teas. Other notable vendors included the Japanese Art Network artists with their incredible artwork and handicrafts. As each session came to an end, Taiko drummers from Denver Taiko gave a performance to wow the crowds.

After all the voting, Kyu Ramen took first place followed by Ninja Ramen in second with Sera’s Ramen Enclave and Rolls

By Chubby Cattle tied for third. Based off of the popularity, buy your tickets early for next year’s event. Visit ramen-o-rama. com to learn more.

Central Vietnamese Brisket Ramen from Ace Eat Serve

The staff from Mizu Izakaya smile as they serve the masses of ramen lovers.

Rolls By Chubby Cattle featured ramen with quality grade 5 wagyu beef.

December 2019 | On Scene

On Scene

Local theatre group changes its mission and name Article and photos by Mary Jeneverre Schultz Theatre Esprit Asia (TEA), founded in 2012, is rebranding and changing its name to Insight Colab Theatre.

With the onslaught of fan fever over the film production of “Crazy Rich Asians,” both Hollywood and Broadway are scrambling to find and cast Asian actors/actresses, playwrights and scripts to bring alive on the live stage and big screen.

“The retirement of TEA’s artistic director raised questions about the organization’s future. Celena [Martinez] and I thought that it would be a shame to let something like TEA cease to exist, especially given the small number of minority theatre groups remaining in Colorado,” said Tarika Cefkin, one of Insight Colab Theatre’s founders.

“Insight Colab Theatre is a result of hours of conversations with the Asian American creative community about what appeals to diverse artists and what would give us a sense of ownership,” Cefkin continued.

To kick off the rebranding, Insight Co-

lab Theatre assembled a Cabaret show last Nov. 24 at The People’s Building and raised $1,500 to kick off the new group.

Still looking to increase their fundraising efforts, the theatre group is hoping to ramp up volunteers and in-kind donations for the start-up in 2020.

“We hope to provide fresh perspectives to well-known works and shine a light on new voices in our community.”

a leading role. By creating a new entity with inclusivity and collaboration at its core, we hope to provide fresh perspectives to well-known works and shine a light on new voices in our community,” added Tria Xiong, co-founder of TEA and board member of Insight Colab Theatre.

Insight Colab Theatre hopes to grow its board membership to 12. So far, the seven current board members include: Tarika Cefkin, Arlene Hicks, Sumi Lee, Celena Martinez, Cecilia Pang, Jennifer So, and Tria Xiong.

Insight Colab Theatre gets its name from ‘colab’ as a take on collaboration and a nod to a collaborative and democratic decision-making model. Lab shows that they will workshop pieces and be an educational forum.

A formal introduction of the new season will follow in 2020.

For more information or if you are interested in getting involved, please contact insightcolabtheatre@gmail.com. A website is under construction.

This new venture will expand from its roots in the Asian American community to a truly diverse and multicultural collective, featuring plays with non-traditional, diverse casting, acting workshops to train the next generation of minority actors, and writers’ series to explore identity, race and privilege.

“We will always honor our Asian American roots and history, but we recognize that there are still few opportunities for any marginalized group to be seen in

Founded by pan Asian American artists, Insight Colab Theatre spotlights inclusive, innovative, and inspiring works to illuminate our shared human experience.

Mile High Happenings | asian avenue magazine

29

Taiwan Update

Taiwan Can Be a Valuable Partner in the Global Response to Climate Change Concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide recorded at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii hit a historic high of 415 parts per million in May 2019. The World Meteorological Organization has also released data showing that June 2019 was the hottest month in history, breaking records from New Delhi to the North Pole. As President Hilda Heine of the Marshall Islands, an ally of Taiwan, has urged the world, it is not worth arguing or debating whether climate change will come to pass, for it is happening right now.

As a member of the global village, Taiwan is striving to combat climate change and protect the Earth. Indeed, we are playing an indispensable part in the vital task of bequeathing a sustainable environment to future generations.

As a result of the current international political situation, Taiwan has been barred from participating in the Conference of the Parties held under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Nevertheless, we continue to pursue means of making contributions to the international community. We have passed the Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Management Act, setting long-term goals for Taiwan’s reduction of greenhouse gases, and formulated National Climate Change Action Guidelines and a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Action Plan.

With a clearly outlined roadmap for national carbon emission reductions, the key points of this plan include promoting energy transformation; assisting manufacturers to become green, low-carbon enterprises; developing green transportation and expanding the use of low-carbon vehicles; upgrading energy-saving design standards for the exteriors of new buildings; helping livestock farms recycle biogas; and strengthening methane recycling from waste landfills and industrial wastewater.

Moreover, the approval of a Greenhouse Gas Control Implementation Plan proposed by local governments shows how Taiwan is responding to climate change collectively, from a central level to a local level.

Our government has made significant progress in developing Taiwan’s renewable energy sector in recent years, actively pursuing policies designed to reduce coal-fired power generation, increase our use of natural gas, and promote green development.

Taiwan has brought together the relevant central government agencies to formulate a National Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan, constructing a resilient system that responds to eight aspects of climate change: disasters, basic infrastructure, water resources, homeland security, coastlines, energy and industry, agriculture, and health. In the field of health care, we are placing

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December 2019 | Taiwan Update

special emphasis on medical hygiene and epidemic prevention, disaster reduction, and emergency and disaster recovery capacity, safeguarding national health and prioritizing the protection of our most vulnerable citizens.

In terms of conservation, we will sustain our agricultural production resources and biodiversity, bolster monitoring and early-warning mechanisms, strengthen natural disaster rescue and insurance systems, and integrate technologies designed to boost the resilience of the agricultural, forestry, fisheries, and animal husbandry industries. We are also operating and managing nature reserves, establishing long-term ecological monitoring systems, and strengthening the conservation and appropriate use of our nation’s species and associated genetic material. All of this is aimed at safeguarding food safety and establishing sustainable agricultural practices that are well adapted to climate risks.

According to Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, more than 10,000 extreme weather incidents occurred globally between 1997 and 2016, taking countless lives and destroying homes. As the world continues to face climate change crises, this global issue requires a global solution. That means that every person, as a member of our global community, must join in and search for a solution.

It is unfair for Taiwan to be excluded from international organizations on the basis of political prejudice. Our exclusion contradicts the spirit of related climate conventions, which urge all nations to work together to combat global climate change, and overlooks both the concept of climate justice emphasized in the Paris Agreement and the significance of calling on all nations to take climate action.

Taiwan is a responsible and sincere friend to the international community, and is ready to contribute. We would be pleased to share our experience in good environmental governance, disaster prevention and early-warning systems, upgrading to energy efficient technologies, and high-tech innovation and its applications. We are striving to make the world a better place, and believe that Taiwan can be a valuable partner in the global response to climate change.

By Minister Chang Tzi-chin Environmental Protection Administration Executive Yuan, Republic of China (Taiwan)