VOL 37 NO 43 | OCTOBER 20 – OCTOBER 26, 2018

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 746 Seattle, WA

VOL 37 NO 43 OCTOBER 20 – OCTOBER 26, 2018

FREE 36 YEARS YOUR VOICE

Justice Yu: Don’t be fooled by the Asian sounding name

By Ruth Bayang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY “It’s important that people vote on the quality and content of the candidate, not based on demographics,” said Justice Steve Gonzalez about an op-ed written by his colleague, Justice Mary Yu. In the op-ed titled, “When Voting for Judges, Don’t Be Fooled by the Name — Vote for Justice Steve Gonzalez,” Yu wrote that most voters opt out of voting in judicial races due to a lack of information about candidates. Or they vote based on name familiarity.

Gonzalez is one of three justices up for re-election this November. And he

Justice Mary Yu

Justice Steve Gonzalez

Nathan Choi

is the only one facing a challenge on the ballot — from Nathan Choi, a Bellevue attorney.

“An ‘Asian sounding’ name might be attractive to our community, especially if you do not have sufficient information about his lack of qualifications,” Yu wrote. “But, please don’t be fooled by a name.”

In February, the Washington State Attorney General’s Office sued Choi for a wide range of campaign finance violations during the 2017 election year. In October 2017, Choi bought a full page ad in the Seattle Times with the headline, “Vote for Judge Nathan Choi” — suggesting to voters that he is already a

judge. The King County Bar Association found that Choi violated the bar’s Fair Campaign Practices Guidelines.

Yu wrote in her op-ed, “This is the second time Choi has filed against an incumbent judge (he previously ran against Judge Michael Spearman) without filing the proper paperwork with the Public

Disclosure Commission.

He has been cited for violating local election laws regarding signage and he has refused to cooperate with any of the bar association evaluations.”

In contrast, Gonzalez said “I’ve been willing to go before evaluation committees and have them call my references to ask me questions … All 11 of the bar associations rated me ‘exceptionally qualified.’”

Choi did not respond to requests to be interviewed for this story. On his campaign website, he states that he is a patriot and that he will be a “Rule of Law Judge. This makes me unpopular with the see JUSTICE on 13

Do Hoon Kim denied citizenship, ACLU-WA sues

Do Hoon Kim

By Staff NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY The ACLU of Washington announced on Oct. 16 that it is suing United States Citizenship and Immigration Services see KIM on 3

Doing Seattle Symphony plays on business the the cutting edge of creativity WMBE way and diversity

By Ruth Bayang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Are you a local, small, minorityowned, or womanowned business? The Port of Seattle wants you.

In an effort to address equity in Port contracting, the Port of Seattle Commission adopted Resolution 3737 in January to increase the utilization of women and minority business enterprise Mian Rice (WMBE) firms.

“Women or minority business” means a business that is at least 51 percent owned and controlled by women and/or minority including, but not limited to, Blacks, Native Americans, Asians, and Latinos.

A 2012 Port of Seattle study showed a disparity in utilization of minority contractors in airport construction and construction-related projects. The Port of Seattle Commission held three community outreach meetings in 2017 to get input on how to improve.

“We want more diversity in our contracting,” said Mian Rice, the Port’s small business development director.

■

By Jessica Kai Curry NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY The Seattle Symphony welcomed new president and CEO, Krishna Thiagarajan, previously of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, in September. Thiagarajan arrived just as Seattle Symphony made the news for winning “Orchestra of the Year,” a significant achievement which Thiagarajan attributes to Seattle Symphony’s innovative approach.

“I give my predecessor, Simon Woods, a lot of kudos for that,” Thiagarajan said. He also credited the symphony’s recording label, started in 2014, as being one of the moves see SEATTLE SYMPHONY on 6 Krishna Thiagarajan

TRAVEL > 7 10 Vietnamese street foods you’ve probably never heard of

TRAVEL > 9 Experiencing the aloha spirit of the Hawaiian Islands

BLOG > 12 Minimize your risks while traveling

THE TRAVEL SECTION IS SPONSORED BY

see RICE on 15 412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 • t. 206.223.5559 • f. 206.223.0626 • info@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com

asianweekly northwest

2

36 YEARS

OCTOBER 20 – OCTOBER 26, 2018

■ NAMES IN THE NEWS Hasegawa is new CAPAA executive director

Toshiko Hasegawa

Gov. Jay Inslee on Oct. 10 appointed Toshiko Hasegawa as executive director of the Washington State Commission on Asian and Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA). She replaces Michael Itti, who departed the position earlier this year.

Hasegawa currently serves as communications manager for King County’s Office of Law Enforcement

Oversight (OLEO).

Prior to OLEO, Hasegawa worked as legislative aide to King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles, where she worked in constituent services and on policy issues relating to immigration, human trafficking, and the justice system. She also served as fund development manager for the Japanese American Citizens League.

Hasegawa holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Seattle University, where she is currently pursuing her master’s degree. 

Mai Nguyen joins Seattle Goodwill

Mai Nguyen

Seattle Goodwill has named Mai Nguyen as its new Chief Financial Officer and Vice President.

Nguyen was previously the Athletics Director of Finance for Seattle University’s Athletics department, and the Chief Financial Officer for the Puget Sound Affiliate of Susan G. Ko-

men for the Cure.

Nguyen is the recipient of the Denise Louie Education Center 2016 Dream Award and ACLF Kip Tokuda Award in 2012.

Nguyen graduated from the University of Washington with a B.S. in Political Science and Government and Master of Public Administration. 

Sterling Bank opens WA branch

Photo provided by Joe Nguyen

Vietnamese community rallies for Tommy Le

celebration on Oct. 14 to honor the family of Tommy Le, and their part in influencing the King County Executive to revise the inquest process for police shootings.

The event was combined with a fundraiser for State Senate candidate Joe Nguyen — the first Vietnamese candidate in a general election in the White Center district.

Also present was State Sen. Bob Hasegawa. 

Joe Nguyen (5th from right) and Tommy Le’s family at Dalat restaurant in Southwest Seattle on Oct. 14.

Dalat Restaurant in southwest Seattle hosted a

Sterling Bank & Trust opened a branch in downtown Bellevue in September, expanding into the Seattle metro-

politan market.

The 2,100-square-foot branch is located at 1100 Bellevue Way Northeast.

Sterling Bank provides niche loan products, such as the Advantage Loan program — which it says has been popular with the Asian American community. The recent Asian Real Estate Association of America loan officer rankings included six officers from Sterling in its top 20.

Sterling Bank currently operates in four major metropolitan locations — San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and now Bellevue. 

My Life in 24 Frames

Eliaichi Kimaro Nine Elephants

Seattle artist Eliaichi Kimaro will be presenting the latest paintings in her encaustic mixed media series, “My Life in 24 Frames” on Oct. 23 at Columbia City Gallery.

There will be a brief talk where the artist will share the inspiration behind these paintings.

Kimaro is an award-winning filmmaker and artist.

She has served on numerous nonprofit boards, art grant panels, film festival juries, museum exhibition planning committees, and advisory committees. She is a member artist at Columbia City Gallery and the Center on Contemporary Art Gallery, and a juried member of the City of Seattle’s Ethnic Artist Roster. 

asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

■ COMMUNITY NEWS

OCTOBER 20 – OCTOBER 26, 2018

3

Seattle City Council considers dorm-style tents for homeless

SEATTLE (AP) — The city of Seattle in a bid to address its growing homelessness crisis is considering dormitorystyle tents that could house 150 people each.

KIRO-TV reported last week that the Seattle City Council is seeking a cost-efficient way to build hundreds of bed spots and recently debated creating the tent housing

now used in California.

Fred Podesta, who leads the city’s Navigation team dedicated to helping people find housing, warned against adopting the plan too quickly, urging the city to first ensure people living on the streets will embrace the design and its lack of privacy.

But Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, who recently toured a similar site in Los Angeles, said there can be large barriers between each bed, double beds for couples and space for pets, showers, lockers, and case managers. 

Help with DACA renewal application fee The Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) and 21 Progress, a Seattle-based community organization, announced on Oct. 16 that they will provide assistance in paying the Deferred Action

for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal application filing fees.

The scholarship funds are available to individuals who have or previously had DACA status, have a completed DACA

renewal application, and who reside, work, or study in the city of Seattle and meet certain income requirements.

DACA Scholarship applications will be available after completing an

interest form at https://goo.gl/forms/ Yf7uFcWHRLiVKWnz1. 

KIM from 1

country.”

Kim has served for nearly four years in the Army. In June 2015, he was awarded the Army Achievement Medal for professionalism and exemplary service, and a Good Conduct Medal on Jan. 11, 2018 for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active federal military service.

“Specialist Kim has served in the United States Army with honor and integrity for years, yet the government has left him to languish,” said ACLU-WA Legal Fellow Michael Youhana. “He lives in fear of being deported for no good reason.”

Kim was brought to this country from

South Korea by his parents in 2006 and grew up in the Los Angeles area. He enlisted in the Army in 2014 under the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program. The MAVNI program was established to recruit noncitizens with skills critical to the needs of the U.S. military, and the government is required to expedite the processing of naturalization applications for enlistees.

In recent months, MAVNI recruits have been abruptly discharged from the Army,

sometimes with no explanation, while the naturalization applications of other MAVNI recruits have stalled.

“Specialist Kim is upholding this country’s values through his honorable service,” said ACLU-WA Cooperating Attorney Thomas D. Adams. “The government should do the same by keeping the promise it made to him and his family.” 

(USCIS) on behalf of a decorated activeduty U.S. Army service member stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

The suit said the government failed to process Army Specialist Do Hoon Kim’s naturalization application and that violates the federal Administrative Procedure Act, which requires the government to process applications “within a reasonable time.”

“I enlisted in the Army to serve my country, and am honored to have served in active duty alongside many brave soldiers,” said Kim. “It would be an even greater honor to become a citizen of this

PICK UP OUR

SPECIAL ELECTION ISSUE ON OCT 25 THE DEADLINE FOR ADS IS OCT. 22

For more information, call 206-829-8482, or go to 21progress.org.

Staff can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

Make Your Voice Heard Vote Tana Senn & My-Linh Thai to represent us in Olympia!

Return your ballot by Tuesday, Nov. 6! No stamp needed.

Paid for by Friends of Tana Senn (D) P.O. Box 771, Mercer Island, WA 98040 Friends of My-Linh (D), Position #2, 11900 NE 1st Street, Suite 300, Bellevue, WA 98005

asianweekly northwest

4

OCTOBER 20 – OCTOBER 26, 2018

36 YEARS

■ NATIONAL NEWS

Washington state ends ‘racially biased’ death penalty

By RACHEL LA CORTE and GENE JOHNSON ASSOCIATED PRESS

“The death penalty is unequally applied — sometimes by where the crime took place, OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington’s Supreme Court or the county of residence, or the available unanimously struck down the state’s death penalty on Oct. 11 budgetary resources at any given point as arbitrary and racially biased, making it the 20th state to do in time, or the race of the defendant. Our away with capital punishment.

Execution was already extremely rare in Washington, with capital punishment law lacks ‘fundamental five prisoners put to death in recent decades and a governor- fairness.’’’ imposed moratorium blocking its use since 2014.

— Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst But the court’s opinion eliminated it entirely, converted the sentences for the state’s eight death row inmates to life in prison without release, and furthered a trend away from capital punishment in the United States.

“The death penalty is becoming increasingly geographically isolated,’’ said Robert Dunham, executive director of the

Washington, D.C.-based Death Penalty Information Center.

“It’s still on the books in 30 states, but it’s not being used in 30 states. It’s becoming a creature of the Deep South and the

Southwest.’’

Texas continues to execute more prisoners than any other state — 108 since 2010. Florida has executed 28, Georgia 26, and Oklahoma 21 in that timeframe. But nationally, death sentences are down 85 percent since the 1990s, Dunham said.

In the past 15 years, seven states — Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, and New York — have abandoned capital punishment through court order or legislative act, and three — Colorado, Oregon, and Pennsylvania — have adopted moratoriums.

In New Hampshire and Nebraska, lawmakers banned the death penalty, but saw those decisions overturned by veto or referendum.

The concerns cited in those states have ranged from see DEATH PENALTY on 11

Gecko butt-dials Northern California ‘bazillion’ times from gang expert pleads Hawaii seal hospital guilty to bribery

By JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo by Han Bui

HONOLULU (AP) — If you got incessant phone calls in the first week of October from a hospital that cares for Hawaiian monk seals, you were butt-dialed.

Or, more specifically, foot-dialed.

By a gecko.

Marine mammal veterinarian Claire Simeone was at lunch when she got a call from Ke Kai Ola, the Big Island hospital where she’s director. There was silence on the other end. Nine more silent calls followed. Fearing a seal emergency, she rushed back.

She wasn’t the only one getting calls, and people started asking why the hospital was calling non-stop.

Trying figure out why a “bazillion’’ calls were made from one line, she called the phone company and a rep tried to talk her through finding a possible line on the fritz. She walked into a lab and found the culprit. The gecko was perched on a phone, making calls to everyone in the recent call history with “HIS TINY GECKO FEET,’’ she wrote in a Twitter thread the next day, detailing the saga.

Social media delighted in the tale and some people offered jokes about a certain

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Harry Hu, who helped take down some of the biggest Chinese-American gang leaders in the San Francisco Bay Area, has pleaded guilty to taking bribes and helping a longtime informant avoid prosecution.

The former Oakland police gang expert faces up to five years in prison.

The Mercury News says a plea deal unsealed on Oct. 11 shows Hu acknowledging that the informant, Wing Wo Ma, treated him to Reno and Las Vegas

company’s gecko calling to save you money on your car insurance.

After discovering the mystery caller, Simeone caught the gecko and put it outside on a plant, she said on Oct. 9.

“If there’s a little gecko that helps us share the story of conservation, then that’s a win,’’ she said of the work she does caring for the endangered seals. “I think people needed a little pick me up with the news cycle.’’ 

Washington Impact ads get results!

Reach

2 Million Readers

Festivals, Fairs, car shows, resorts and golf courses love the results they get!

Inquire at this newspaper or call 360-344-2938 • ads@wnpa.com

trips and paid escorts.

Hu also admitted failing to notify the FBI of his suspicions that Ma was involved in a 2013 double killing in Mendocino County.

Ma later was indicted.

Hu spent 37 years infiltrating and fighting gangs with the Oakland PD and later with the Alameda County district attorney’s office.

Both agencies say he violated public trust. 

asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

OCTOBER 20 – OCTOBER 26, 2018

■ WORLD NEWS

5

Have 19 hours? World’s longest commercial flight takes off

By ANNABELLE LIANG ASSOCIATED PRESS SINGAPORE (AP) — The world’s longest direct commercial flight is back and taking travelers from Singapore to the New York region.

Operated by Singapore Airlines, the city-state’s national carrier, the trip takes slightly under 19 hours. Skipping a stopover in Frankfurt will save hours of traveling time, the carrier says.

Singapore Airlines launched the record-breaking route in 2004, but canceled it nine years later because of rising fuel prices. The route between

Changi Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey resumed on Oct. 11 Campbell Wilson, its senior vice president of sales and marketing, said the plane used for the route — an Airbus A350-900ULR — consumes 25 percent less fuel than an older generation aircraft of the same size.

“It allows us to offer a service that eliminates a transfer in the middle, it saves people six hours, it gets people there in comfort ... we think it’s going to be a good success,’’ Wilson said.

The flight won’t have any economy seats. Instead, it has 94 more-spacious

premium economy and 67 business class seats, which can fold out into a bed.

Business seats come with a mattress topper and firm and soft pillows.

Bathrooms in the premium economy section are fitted with a spray for hydration. Passengers will have 1,200 hours of movie and television content to choose from, up from the usual 1,000.

On Oct. 11, passengers on Flight SQ22 were invited to celebrations see SINGAPORE AIRLINES on 14

Hong Kong to ban e-cigarettes, other new smoking products HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong plans to ban e-cigarettes and other new smoking products to protect public health, the leader of the semi-autonomous Chinese territory said on Oct. 10.

Carrie Lam said in an annual policy address that her government was drawing up proposed legislation to forbid the import, manufacture, sale, distribution and advertisement of products used in the pastime known as vaping.

E-cigarettes typically contain the stimulant nicotine and there is little Carrie Lam

research on their long-term effects, including whether they help smokers quit. The rise in teenagers using e-cigarettes has alarmed health officials in the United States who worry users will become addicted and be more likely to try cigarettes.

The use of vaping devices has been widely criticized and more than two dozen countries have already banned them.

Numerous local governments in the U.S. have also sought to limit their availability, concerned especially about the possibility that young people will become addicts and begin using tobacco.

Worldwide, the market for cigarettes is declining, although mainland China remains the largest producer and consumer of tobacco products, with more than half of

the country’s men regular smokers. In Hong Kong, bans on smoking in public places have significantly reduced consumption and the mainland has followed in recent years by forcing smokers outdoors.

Lam’s speech focused on improving quality of life in Hong Kong, where education, health care, youth employment and the high cost of housing are key concerns.

Among the new policies announced is a plan to build new housing units that could provide homes for more than 1 million people.

Lam did not touch on controversial political issues in the territory, where Beijing has increasingly tightened its grip since Hong Kong’s handover from British to Chinese rule in 1997. 

Dennis Rodman benched for Yao Ming at Pyongyang friendly?

Seoul says Kim Jong Un wants Pope Francis to visit N. Korea

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — Has Dennis Rodman, the former NBA starturned pal of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, been benched for Chinese hoop legend Yao Ming?

The former Houston Rockets center and eight-time NBA all-star took center court in Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital, on Oct. 9 as Chinese and North Korean basketball players held a friendly match, part of a high-profile sports exchange between the two countries intended to help thaw ties that had been growing chilly over the past year.

Senior ruling party officials turned up for the game, but Kim, who was famously serenaded with the birthday song by Rodman in Pyongyang in January 2014, didn’t attend.

On the court, Chinese female basketball players who were visiting Pyongyang mixed together with North Korean female players to form two teams, called “Friendship’’ and “Unity.’’

The Unity team won the match, 107 to

By KIM TONG-HYUNG ASSOCIATED PRESS

Yao Ming (left) and Dennis Rodman (right)

106.

Yao Ming, towering over everyone else in the stadium, congratulated the players at the end of the game.

“Today’s friendly match will be a display of top basketball skills and the great sportsmanship of all the players from both of our countries,’’ Kim Il Guk, the North Korean minister of sports, said before the game began.

After a period of frosty ties, North see RODMAN on 14

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un wants Pope Francis to visit the officially atheist country, South Korea said on Oct. 9.

South Korea’s presidential office said in a statement that Kim told President Moon Jae-in during their summit last month that the pope would be “enthusiastically’’ welcomed in North Korea.

Kim has been intensely engaged in diplomacy in recent months in what’s seen as an effort to leverage his nuclear weapons program for an easing of economic sanctions and military pressure.

North Korea strictly controls the religious activities of its people, and a similar invitation for then-Pope John Paul II to visit after a 2000 inter-Korean summit never resulted in a meeting. The Vatican insisted at the time that a papal

Pope Francis (left) and Kim Jong Un (right)

visit would only be possible if Catholic priests were accepted in North Korea.

The Vatican’s priests were expelled by North Korea long ago and state-appointed laymen officiate services.

Estimates of the number of North Korean Catholics range from 800 to about 3,000, compared to more than 5 million in South Korea. 

asianweekly northwest

6

OCTOBER 20 – OCTOBER 26, 2018

■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR OCT 18

FALL NETWORKING AND LABOR LAWS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES Capital One Cafe, 333 Westlake Ave. N., Seattle 6-8 p.m.

UMAMI, A NIGHT OF HOT RAMEN AND HOT

MUSIC East Trading Co., 514 E. Pike St., Seattle 8 p.m.-1 a.m. do206.com/hotramen

19 2018 SCIDPDA ANNUAL FUNDRAISER Pacific Tower, 1200 12th Ave. #401, Seattle 5:30-8:30 p.m. buytickets.at/scidpda

SEATTLE SYMPHONY from 1 that put Seattle on the map internationally.

“The combination of a very dynamic organization…with a very dynamic city and region” were two reasons Thiagarajan accepted the posting. He added that the third reason was the people.

Thiagarajan comes to Seattle after an illustrious career in the United States and Europe. He began as a pianist, and has a doctorate in piano performance from the University of Maryland.

“I was very involved in playing chamber music with a bunch of good friends,” he explained. “I naturally started developing concert opportunities…This came out of the very mundane necessity to eat! And pay rent! Then at some point, somebody basically said to me, ‘It would be nice if managers were as conscientious about getting their artists paid like you are.’” Thiagarajan joked, “I took that to mean stop playing the piano and start doing this.”

Thiagarajan may have transitioned from on-stage to offstage, yet he remains a creative, and intends to promote creativity at the Seattle Symphony. To that end, he realizes that it is important for aspiring musicians and other artists to have role models, and for those role models to represent more of the population. Coming from a multicultural background himself — Thiagarajan is half Indian and half German — he got interested in classical music by listening to Claudio Arrau, a Chilean pianist, and playing Beethoven.

“What was important for me was to know that there is this Indian conductor, Zubin Mehta, who provides a pathway for somebody like me…in planning our season, we invite artists that can fulfill that function to showcase a diverse group of artists coming to our stage.”

Thiagarajan mentioned the Celebrate Asia festival, which this season will showcase South Korean stars Unsuk Chin, a classical music composer, and Seong-Jin Cho, winner of the 17th International Chopin Piano Contest.

THE WING’S HOUSE PARTY HOSTED BY WING LUKE MUSEUM Wing Luke Museum, 719 S. King St., Seattle 7-11 p.m. bit.do/WLHP

20 DIWALI: LIGHTS OF INDIA Seattle Center 12-6 p.m.

36 YEARS

KAWAIIWEEN 2018 Yesler Community Center, 917 E. Yesler Way, Seattle 12-7 p.m.

23 PEACETREES’ 23RD ANNIVERSARY LUNCHEON Four Seasons Hotel, Seattle 11:30 a.m.

“We want to be able to showcase these extraordinary musicians, and to hopefully spark some inspiration with the younger generation to know that they can replicate that path,” he said. Thiagarajan also discussed other programming with which Seattle Symphony strives to broaden its audience base, such as the “Untuxed” series, for people who want to “experience classical music in a more relaxed environment,” or the “[untitled]” series — “a very experimental, late-night concert which is actually in the lobby.” Thiagarajan also invited everyone to the opening of a new space in March 2019, called Octave 9, which will have the latest in immersive technology and be conducive to experimentation in electronic music.

“My main job is to be a good steward of Seattle Symphony for the foreseeable, sustainable future, to make sure that the people of Seattle have their orchestra,” said Thiagarajan. “The other side of my job is also to engage with as many people as I can in the community, build strong, durable collaborations throughout the community, and create as many access points as we can manage for people to come and experience what we have.”

Thiagarajan described his upbringing as multicultural and open. His father was a chemical engineer from Chennai, and his mother was a piano teacher from Munich.

“My parents never shoehorned us into one category,” he said. Growing up, Thiagarajan was exposed to South Indian Carnatic music and the Western classical repertoire. He played Police and Queen covers in a band in high school, and dabbled in acting. He keeps current with music coming out of Seoul and Tokyo, and now that Seattle is his home base, he is getting to know John Luther Adams, with whom Seattle Symphony won its first Grammy for Luther’s composition, Become Ocean.

Thiagarajan credits his father’s career success for providing him with a “stable platform” to explore the arts, and while he would be supportive if his own daughters, aged 11 and 13, chose similarly to himself or his wife — who is a violinist —

30

Register at 206441-6136, info@ peacetreesvietnam.org

27 BYOB - BRING YOUR OWN BALLOT PARTY! Centilia Cultural Center, 1660 S. Roberto Maestas Festival St., Seattle 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

FALL FRIEND-RAISER WITH REP. SHARON TOMIKO SANTOS Central Area Senior Center, 500 30th Ave. S., Seattle 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Suggested donation $50 RSVP to friendsofsts@ aol.com 602-8201805

he doesn’t think they will.

“They both lean towards creativity in what they want to do for a profession someday,” he said. “But I don’t believe that we have somebody clearly trying to follow the path of Mom or Dad. And actually, I think that’s a good thing. I really think that everybody needs to find their own way.”

For those that want to pursue the arts as a career, Thiagarajan offers this advice.

“If there’s nothing that you’d rather do in life — if there’s honestly nothing else you can think of that you really want to do, then do this. You have to be committed. You have to be passionate. You cannot waiver.”

No matter what level of accomplishment you achieve, Thiagarajan said, “If you have improved one person’s day by playing a concert that they could hear, then you’ve actually made a greater difference than you could imagine. At the same time, pay attention to your cash flow because you’re going to have to pay some bills.”

To Thiagarajan, the role of the Seattle Symphony as a vessel of the arts and humanities, is particularly crucial now, as we move out of a period since the 1980s and 1990s when the importance of the arts has been challenged.

“It’s not a binary conversation,” he insisted. “It’s not STEM versus the arts and humanities. It’s always got to be all of the above.…art is essential to life…it’s not just that little ingredient that makes life better…it is quintessentially why we are here.”

Thiagarajan expressed a love for Seattle because there are so many sources of inspiration that can be turned into art.

“If it’s the blue sky, the shape of a cloud, the water...to come back to Benaroya Hall [and] hear how a composer may have been inspired by these same things and translated that into music...These are the things that make life worth living and make it exciting.”  Jessica Kai can be reached at info@northwestasianweekly.com.

View the solution on page 14

ASSUNTA NG

Account Executives

JOHN LIU

rebecca@nwasianweekly.com

RUTH BAYANG

kelly@nwasianweekly.com

Publisher assunta@nwasianweekly.com Associate Publisher john@nwasianweekly.com Editor editor@nwasianweekly.com

HAN BUI

Layout & Web Editor han@nwasianweekly.com

REBECCA IP KELLY LIAO JOHN LIU

john@nwasianweekly.com

GEORGE HIRA

ghira@nwasianweekly.com

The only weekly English-language newspaper serving Washington’s Asian community. The NW Asian Weekly has one simple goal: “To empower the Asian community.”

The Editorial Board reserves the right to reject any advertisement, letter or article.

Subscriptions cost $40 for 52 weeks of the NW Asian Weekly and $30 for 52 weeks of the Seattle Chinese Post. The NW Asian Weekly owns the copyright for all its content. All rights reserved. No part of this paper may be reprinted without permission.

412 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98104 • t. 206.223.5559 info@nwasianweekly.com • ads@nwasianweekly.com • www.nwasianweekly.com

asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

OCTOBER 20 – OCTOBER 26, 2018

■ TRAVEL

7

10 Vietnamese street foods you’ve probably never heard of

By Stacy Nguyen NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

limes and a chili peppers.

When I travel to Việt Nam, the number one highlight for me is not even seeing family — it’s being able to sample dishes and food that I cannot get here in Seattle. And that’s not a knock on my family members — I love them. It’s more to illustrate to you just how freaking good Vietnamese food is.

Here are 10 dishes that are hard to come by stateside! (And if you happen to know of a good rendition here in Seattle, please let me know. And emphasis on good. I don’t want recommendations of crap versions, okay?)

Cao lầu is kind of a unicorn. You can only find it in the beautiful city-town of Hội An, which is so culturally dope it’s a UNESCO world heritage site.

Cao lầu is a dry-ish noodle bowl, and I think the noodles are what makes it distinct. They are fat, chewy, but not to the point that they’re like tapioca noodles. Supposedly, the noodles are so unique because there’s something in Hội An’s water. Cao lầu is a hodgepodge of savory sauce, local fresh greens, and crispy pork belly that you mix with chopsticks before shoving into your mouth.

2. Cao lầu

1. Hà Nội phở

3. Bánh khoái

Hà Nội-style phở

I know, it’s funny that I’m starting off my list with phở, probably the most recognizable Vietnamese dish to Americans. But here in the U.S., you’ve probably have never tried Hà Nội-style phở.

Hà Nội is the second largest city in Việt Nam and also its capital. It resides in the north of the country, which is noteworthy because Việt Nam was demarcated into North and South during its civil war, which ended in 1975. Because of the complicated politics of the war and the emotions it stirs up among Vietnamese diaspora, the overwhelming majority of whom are refugees from the South — we don’t see Hà Nộistyle phở ever in Seattle. As my parents say, it’s communist phở, and they’re not into it.

You gotta try it at least once though, if only to compare it to what has become iconic in the States. The phở we know well in the U.S. is Saigon-style phở, or Southern-style. It’s super pimped out compared to its granddaddy, Hà Nội-style phở, which is a minimalist beef noodle soup with simple adornments. You don’t get hoisin or sriracha with it. You get

LESS DRIVING. MORE FLYING.

Photos by Stacy Nguyen/NWAW

Cao lầu

Bánh khoái

Bánh khoái literally means “likable carbs” because Vietnamese people tell it like it is. Bánh khoái hails from see STREET FOODS on 16

asianweekly northwest

8

36 YEARS

OCTOBER 20 – OCTOBER 26, 2018

■ ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

“THE NIGHT PARADE” puts you in the middle of the fright

By Andrew Hamlin NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Once a year on a special night, a hundred demons and spirits come together and parade through the streets of Japan led by the

powerful spirit known as Nurarihyon. The demons revel while people hide in their homes. If a human should cross paths with the parade, they will be spirited away and taken to the other side.

That’s the underlying story of the “Hyakki Yagyō” or “Night of a Hundred Demons,” a piece of Japanese folklore adapted as “The Night Parade” by Tom Dang and Kendall Uyeji, and directed by Dang for Pork Filled Productions (PFP). The show puts the audience very much in the middle of things, with ghosts and other otherworldly apparitions flowing past.

“I was intrigued by the idea of an annual parade of demons from all regions of Japan,” commented Dang. “It was a great metaphor for celebrating diversity and inclusivity and I knew I had to do something with it. From there, my theater company held workshops to devise narratives and build on the lore. We went through about 15 drafts of the script over the last two years, and then Kendall signed onto the project and it took off.”

Dang studied drama at the University of Washington and divides his time between Seattle and Los Angeles. Roger Tang, one of Pork Filled Productions’ producers, approached him to help PFP branch out into areas that the company hadn’t tried before.

Dang had already worked on an immersive theater project in L.A. and projects locally with his own REBATEnsemble — he proposed that his company work with Tang’s to create “The Night Parade.”

“I directed this piece by myself, but Kendall was often in rehearsals working in tandem with everyone,” the director elaborated. The script we wrote has a lot of abstract directions and demands.

“Kendall, being the writer in the room, is often of the mind to simplify and take the pen to the script if something wasn’t working right away. Obviously, this created a very interesting dynamic since my directing and storytelling style is kinetic and relies on experimentation with the actors. We would often negotiate with each other to let one step back and allow the

ASIAN FOOD & GROCERY

90

10500 SW BEAVERTON-HILLSDALE HWY/ BEAVERTON, OR

Since

1928

th

ANNIVERSARY

other to assert influence. It’s a very constructive relationship as we both know that we are always working in the interest of the production.”

The show includes folks of Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese, Laotian, Cambodian, and Thai ethnicities, working as actors or behind the scenes. After settling on a final script, Dang reached out to some actors he’d known before, and also held open auditions.

The production’s notable for using a mystery site — an audience member won’t know where the show happens, until after a ticket is purchased.

“The reason why it had to be private and exclusive gets revealed in the story. Logistically, we tell our audiences that it is a mystery site but that it is in the Crown Hill neighborhood. We also promise a close walking distance to Crown Hill Park and guarantee parking.”

In addition, Dang promises, the show will station ushers near the site, to make sure folks get where they need to go; and a setup resembling a “matsuri,” or Japanese festival, to draw attention.

“When you work with a new space, a found space, and additionally a space not designed for theater, the challenge becomes about making the space work with you and for you,” Dang concluded.

“We had to build around and utilize structures in the space and justify them as part of the exhibit. I think we did quite well, and the experience will be a fantastic one.”  “The Night Parade” runs Oct. 17–Nov. 3. All performances will be at a mystery site and disclosed when tickets are purchased. For prices and more information, visit porkfilled.com/wp/2018/08/ pfp-teams-with-rebatensemble-to-immerse-audiences-injapanase-demons-and-folk-tales.

Andrew can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

WEEK1928 3 • OCT. 17-23, 2018 Since

WEEK 1 Oct. 3-9, 2018

ASIAN FOOD & GROCERY

699 120th AVE NE / BELLEVUE

Since

1928

Celebrating All October Long!

Visit uwajimaya.com to learn all ASIAN FOOD & GROCERY about our 90th Anniversary 501 SCelebration GRADY WAY / RENTON Events.

FREE UWAJIMAYA CUTTING & SERVING1928 BOARD with $90 PURCHASE Since

Limit One Per Customer, Per Day. While Supplies Last.

YOUR VOICE

■ TRAVEL

asianweekly northwest

OCTOBER 20 – OCTOBER 26, 2018

9

Photo by Nina Huang

Photo provided by Alaska Air

Experiencing the aloha spirit of the Hawaiian Islands

Black Sand Beach on Maui

By Nina Huang NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY The Hawaiian Islands are a special place for many visitors who vacation there every year.

Daniel Chun, Director of Sales, Community and Public Relations for Alaska Airlines’ Hawai’i office, attributed the aloha spirit to the reason people keep coming back.

When to travel

Chun said that the Hawai’i trade winds keep things pretty comfortable all year round. On average, the temperature is 75 to 85 degrees. From a cost-perspective, the two shoulder

Kauai

periods — between peak and off-peak seasons — from mid-August to early December, and December through March usually have great airline deals, with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.

According to the Department of Transportation’s summary report for flights from the first quarter of 2018, the average Alaska Airline fare from the West Coast to the islands was $268.

“It’s most ideal to visit two because each island is so different and they have distinct personalities,” Chun explained.

Chun said that people stay for eight to nine days on average. Folks coming from the East Coast often stay for

up to 10 days due to the longer flight. He recommends two to three days per island visit.

Chun said that the nice thing about Alaska Airlines is that they serve the main Hawaiian islands, Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawai’i (colloquially known as the Big Island) with daily nonstop departures from ten West Coast cities. Also, Alaska has the most nonstop flights to the most destinations between Hawai’i and the West Coast. They have added new routes from San Francisco to Kona earlier this year and Sacramento to Kona is expected to start at the end of the year. see HAWAII on 13

asianweekly northwest

10

36 YEARS

OCTOBER 20 – OCTOBER 26, 2018

Tomato section at Uwajimaya

Photo by Yuxia Li

Photo by Han Bui

Snacking with less guilt and fewer calories

Photo by George Liu

■ PUBLISHER’S BLOG

Cereals

Photo by Kelly Liao

Edamame

Almond milk at Uwajimaya

Stock photo

Photo by Han Bui

Photo by George Liu

Yogurt and seeds topping

A spoonful of peanut butter

Photo by Han Bui

Photo by George Liu

Assorted nuts

Organic seaweed snacks at Uwajimaya Miso soup

By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY “Oh, temptation, temptation!” said one of my staff members. “I like only unhealthy snacks,” she said.

Sugary chocolate, fresh white bread, and cakes are her favorite snacks. I don’t blame her. I was in her shoes once. Then, I got some health scares—first, a near-stroke, then being diagnosed as pre-diabetic.

A severe headache hit me so bad, it felt like a sharp knife stabbing me, and it had spread to my face. These words frightened me…“You have signs of a stroke,” said my doctor. “Your blood pressure is 130.”

My normal blood pressure was under 110.

After talking for a while, I calmed down.

He took my vitals again, and my blood pressure dropped to 120.

How I got to that point was my fault— rest when I didn’t, eat when I shouldn’t.

My habits of indulgence or destruction ranged from consuming too many cookies to chips, ice cream and pastries. I was a compulsive eater, obsessed with sweets.

The more sugar I ate, the more I craved it.

I also was a sucker for white rice. At the time, we didn’t know about the option of brown rice. I was young then, and I thought I was invincible!

Most people take drugs to curb their high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

My doctor recommended the same for me and I gave myself an ultimatum.

I decided to take the pills for one month, and quit without consulting my doctor. I

was determined not to depend on drugs.

I realized the risks I was taking. I could have died. What I did was tough, but wise.

The first month was hard, I was worrying if it would kill me. After that, it was a nobrainer.

My decision not only saved my life, better eating habits started to emerge.

Immediately, I withdrew from sugar and white rice. After six months, I lost my craving for sugar. Gradually, I ate less and less white rice. Six years ago, we switched to brown rice. We used to eat white rice once a week. Now, we don’t even miss it.

I still love desserts, but not if it’s too rich or sugary. If a cookie is too sweet, I stop eating it after one bite. I enjoy natural ingredients. Fresh food is what crave.

Here is the result. With healthy food choices in my diet, I have more energy than ever, and less frequency of catching the flu every year. When I get a cold, I recover quickly. All because I eat healthy 90 percent of the time. The other 10 percent, I give myself a break. Let the dragon out of my body—that is, eat whatever I want, so I don’t feel deprived. Since my taste buds have adapted to fresh foods, I miss them after going astray for a while.

If you get hooked on junk food, find other healthy substitutes. My staff members suggest some healthy snack ideas.

Rebecca: “Walnuts boost brain power.

Edamame (soybeans) provide protein.

Those snacks make me feel satisfied.” It see BLOG on 14

1

Rated "Exceptionally Well Qualified" by the King County Bar Association, Asian Bar Association, Latino Bar Association, QLaw Bar Association Marcus Naylor has earned the respect and admiration of prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, and clients during his 26 years of legal experience. Born in South Korea and adopted by American parents at age nine, Marcus worked hard and became a respected attorney. As a part-time judge, he has presided over every type of civil and criminal case. He will be an outstanding full-time judge.

Endorsements King County Democratic Party, King County Republican Party, Judge Janet Garrow, Justice Barbara Madsen, Justice Mary Yu, 30+ Judges, 50+ Attorneys, Clerks and Bailiffs, King County Labor Council, King County Corrections Guild, and Seattle Marshals Guild.

WWW.NAYLORFORJUDGE.COM PAID FOR BY NAYLOR FOR JUDGE, P.O. BOX 20084, SEATTLE, WA 98102

asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

OCTOBER 20 – OCTOBER 26, 2018

■ EDITORIAL

11

Best known as the owner of the Seattle Seahawks and cofounder of Microsoft, Paul Allen died on Oct. 15. He was 65 years old.

Just two weeks ago, Allen announced that the nonHodgkin’s lymphoma that he was treated for in 2009 had returned.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella called Allen’s contributions to the company, community, and industry “indispensable.”

“As co-founder of Microsoft, in his own quiet and persistent way, he created magical products, experiences and institutions, and in doing so, he changed the world,” Nadella wrote on Twitter.

Childhood friend Bill Gates said he was heartbroken about the loss of one of his “oldest and dearest friends.”

“Personal computing would not have existed without him,” Gates said in a statement. “But Paul wasn’t content with starting one company. He channeled his intellect and compassion into a second act focused on improving people’s lives and strengthening communities in Seattle and around the world Gates and Allen became billionaires when Microsoft was thrust onto the throne of technology.

With his sister Jody Allen in 1986, Paul Allen founded Vulcan, the investment firm that oversees his business and philanthropic efforts.

Allen built what is now Vulcan’s corporate headquarters in

DEATH PENALTY from 4 procedural matters, such as the information provided to sentencing jurors in New York, to worries about executing an innocent person or racial and other disparities in who is sentenced to death, as was the case in Washington.

“The death penalty is unequally applied — sometimes by where the crime took place, or the county of residence, or the available budgetary resources at any given point in time, or the race of the defendant,’’ Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst wrote in the lead opinion.

She added, “Our capital punishment law lacks ‘fundamental fairness.’’’

Defense lawyers had long challenged the death penalty on those grounds, noting the state’s worst mass murderers and serial killers, Green River killer Gary Ridgway among them, had received life terms, not death. In a 5-4 ruling in 2006, the justices rejected an argument from a death row inmate that he shouldn’t be executed because Ridgway hadn’t been executed.

This time, death penalty critics were armed with more data about how capital punishment works, including a statistical analysis by University of Washington sociologists. Their report showed that although prosecutors were not more likely to seek the execution of Black defendants, juries were about four times more likely to sentence Black defendants to death.

Lake View Cemetery Seattle’s Pioneer Cemetery Est. 1872

Photo by Assunta Ng

Seattle mourns its true son A group of Native Americans chanting for Paul Allen in front of Vulcan in the ID, on Oct. 17.

the International District (ID) on the northwest corner of South Jackson Street and Fifth Avenue South. Then he lobbied heavily to get the city to replace the Kingdome next door and build a state of the art outdoor stadium.

Despite initial protests from ID businesses and community members about the football stadium, it has increased the visibility of the ID. Parking spots are swiped by fans attending the Seahawks’ home games, but Allen gave us a Super Bowl.

Vulcan has provided funding to many Asian nonprofit organizations and Allen donated Seahawks merchandise for auctions.

“Now the information is plainly before us,’’ Fairhurst wrote.

“To the extent that race distinguishes the cases, it is clearly impermissible and unconstitutional.’’

Gov. Jay Inslee, a one-time supporter of capital punishment, imposed the 2014 moratorium.

“Washington state is now among a growing number of states that has eliminated this costly and capricious sentencing program of capital punishment,’’ Inslee told a news conference.

“The certainty of death in prison remains the same. Today’s decision does not let anyone out of prison.’’

The ruling came in the case of Allen Eugene Gregory, a Black man who was convicted of raping, robbing, and killing Geneine Harshfield, a 43-year-old woman, in 1996.

“However one feels about the propriety of capital punishment in theory, in practice the death penalty is imposed in an unfair, arbitrary, and racially biased manner,’’ one of his attorneys, Lila Silverstein, said in a written statement.

Dozens of former state judges took the unusual step of urging the court to use Gregory’s case to strike down capital punishment. Among them was former Justice Faith Ireland, who sided with the narrow majority in upholding capital punishment in 2006.

The court did not rule out the possibility that the Legislature could come up with another manner of imposing death sentences that would be constitutional. The governor said he

In April 2017, Allen pledged $30 million toward a permanent housing facility for as many as 100 low-income and homeless families in Seattle. Vulcan was also tapped to be the Seattle Housing Authority’s partner on the $300 million redevelopment of the Yesler Terrace public-housing complex into a mixed-income community.

Mayor Jenny Durkan called him a “true son of Seattle.”

“Just like his parents, Paul brought a curiosity and love of knowledge to as many people and as many fields as he could.

And whether it was at MoPOP or with the 12’s at CenturyLink or through Upstream and so much more, Paul always took the time to make sure we had a lot of fun along the way,” Durkan said in a statement.

Beyond Microsoft and Vulcan, Allen founded the Allen Institute for Brain Science and the aerospace firm Stratolaunch, which has built a colossal airplane designed to launch satellites into orbit. He has also backed research into nuclear-fusion power.

Allen was on the list of America’s wealthiest people who pledged to give away the bulk of their fortunes to charity.

“Those fortunate to achieve great wealth should put it to work for the good of humanity,” he said.

Humanity, and Seattle, are thankful for such a gift as Paul Allen.

He made our world a better, more vibrant place. 

did not expect lawmakers to try, but if they did, he’d veto it.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson has said that he plans to ask the Legislature to move next session to take the death penalty law off the books, something Inslee said he’d sign.

Dunham said it was important that the ruling was based on the facts of Washington’s use of capital punishment.

“Those are issues that plague the death penalty everywhere it’s administered,’’ he said. “We’re certain to see prisoners challenging the death penalty in other states using the reasoning of the Washington Supreme Court.’’

The court didn’t reconsider any of Gregory’s arguments pertaining to guilt, noting that his conviction for aggravated first-degree murder “has already been appealed and affirmed by this court.’’

Earlier this year, the state Senate passed a measure abolishing the death penalty, but it failed to pass in the House.

“There is a profound shift in our state and country that the death penalty is below us as a civil, just, and moral society,’’ Democratic Sen. Reuven Carlyle, who had been a sponsor of those previous attempts, said in a text message.

Republican Sen. Mike Padden, who voted against the death penalty abolition, said he was troubled by the ruling’s impact.

“The death penalty should be rarely used, but I do think it should be an option in the most heinous cases,’’ he said. 

www.buckleylaw.net d

S������ O����� 675 S. Lane St. Suite 300 Sea�le, WA 98104 Office: (206) 622-1100 Toll free: (800) 404-6200 Fax: (206) 622-0688

T����� O����� Wells Fargo Plaza Suite 1400 Tacoma, WA 98402 (appointment only)

An Independent, NonProfit Association

Our law firm has recovered over $200 million for clients Featuring

Traditional SidebySide Monument Properties

206-322-1582

1554 15th Ave East (North Capitol Hill)

Our Attorneys & Staff Proudly Serving the Community

 Auto accidents  Back & neck injuries  Brain damage  Wrongful Death  Permanent Disability  Pedestrian Accidents  Quadriplegia/Paraplegia

 Slip & fall  Product Liability  Con�ngent fees (no recovery, no fee, costs only)  Same day appointments  Before & a�er work appointments available  Free ini�al consulta�on  Home & hospital visits available

Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum Selected as Super Lawyer Selected as Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the United States Member of Several Bar Associations

asianweekly northwest

12

■ TRAVEL

OCTOBER 20 – OCTOBER 26, 2018

36 YEARS

Minimize your risks while traveling Most people are thrilled to drive a Mercedes-Benz. But I sensed trouble when my husband George rented a brand new Mercedes-Benz when we were in England a few years ago.

“No, I don’t want a new car,” I objected.

“And I don’t want a Mercedes.”

“The (car rental) guy told me that this is the only car they had left,” George replied.

He and I are not vain about fancy cars; we are practical and care more about the merits of automobiles than their brand.

“Okay, you better buy full insurance,” I said.

“Yea,” he said. It’s only a small fee when you add insurance to your car rental charge.

Some credit cards offer rental car insurance — check with your credit card company and make sure liability insurance is included.

It’s risky for George to drive in England for two reasons. We were unfamiliar with the country, and he’s not used to the steering wheel on the right side of the car. Actually, there’s another reason, England’s roads are hard to program on the GPS. You have to know the exact name with the exact spelling to be programmed so you can get the correct directions. A dot and hyphen can be challenging to enter on the GPS. On the first day, George drove from the London airport to Windsor. It was pretty straightforward. However, on our second day, we missed an exit driving to Oxford, and ended up on the wrong road. There, the car hit the tail end of a double-decker bus because George couldn’t see the bus. The Mercedes! Don’t ask.

The brand new car’s front was bent and crooked. The damages were over $1,000 U.S. We spent four hours waiting for the tow truck and the car rental company to send us another car.

The good thing was, we paid nothing.

There was little paperwork involved, we didn’t need to file any claim forms. The car rental company took care of everything.

Our insurance covered everything, but not our spirit. We were shaken. But without insurance, we would have felt even worse.

Then, George struck the sidewalk when we left the garage the next day. Oh yes, the damage was obvious. Again, the insurance covered it. It’s unusual for George to have two accidents in two days. He has a solid track record of being a good driver for decades in the U.S. When you travel in a strange land, it can be a totally different story.

Photo by George Liu

By Assunta Ng NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY

Our rental car getting towed.

I didn’t know anything about travel insurance at first. Our friend Vi Mar, a former travel agent, taught us to get insurance in 1990. Newspaper work was unpredictable. We didn’t know if we could leave our office for two weeks during Christmas. “For your peace of mind, get insurance,” she said. If anything happens, the loss would be minimal.

There were several family emergencies since then, and we travel as usual with insurance coverage. My mother-in-law was close to dying, and we didn’t know if we should travel. Then, my mother was sick and I hesitated to plan trips. But with insurance, we were comfortable to plan cruises and flights months in advance, since we could cancel our trip anytime. There were no worries.

One friend argued she doesn’t believe in buying travel insurance. “I get home safe from every trip, and nothing ever happens,” she said. “And the insurance companies just make all the money from me.”

If nothing ever happens in my trips, I count that as blessings not only for myself, but the insurance company too. I’d rather they make a little money and my stress of facing a huge unexpected loss, reduced.

and we felt helpless. We didn’t know how to get doctors or where to get help. He was sick because our family doctor prescribed medicine that was too strong for him. His body didn’t react well. I asked for help from the hotel when we were in Venice.

When the doctor arrived, my husband refused to let the doctor see him. He didn’t have any confidence in the doctor. I still

Assunta can be reached at assunta@nwasianweekly.com.

碧近山駕駛學校

Beacon Hill Driving School Beacon BeaconHill HillDriving DrivingSchool School

www.beaconhilldrivingschool.com www.beaconhilldrivingschool.com www.beaconhilldrivingschool.com

☆Knowledge test and Drive Test now available ☆Knowledge ☆Knowledgetest testand andDrive DriveTest Testnow nowavailable available at our school by Walk-In/Appointment. atatour ourschool schoolby byWalk-In/Appointment.

Walk-In/Appointment. ☆Thirty years experience, ☆Thirty ☆Thirtyyears yearsexperience, experience, Knowledge Test Knowledge KnowledgeTest Test Drive Test Drive DriveTest Test Knowledge Test Test now available available in English, Knowledge Knowledge Testnow now availableininEnglish, English, Chinese, Japanese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Russian, Chinese, Chinese, Japanese,Korean, Korean, Russian, Spanish && Vietnamese Vietnamese Lanuages.

Spanish Spanish & VietnameseLanuages.

Lanuages.

Getting sick on the trip

Are you aware that your health insurance plan may not cover you when you travel overseas?

If you get sick, it could be a financial disaster or mental drain. A couple of times, my husband got sick during our trips,

had to pay the doctor for just showing up.

Bring the right medicine for travel.

Last year, when we were in London, my husband had diarrhea due to eating over-greasy stuff. I didn’t bring any antidiarrhea pills. If we visit China, I would have brought the anti-diarrhea kind. I brought constipation-relief pills only. It’s important to have both.

Also, don’t drink the water from the restaurants when you travel. Ask for hot water, which is much safer, and will save you a lot of grief.

Stay away from street food. They often look good, but you have no idea now the locals prepare them.

Salt and vitamin C should be on your packing list. Salt water is best for sore throat. Vitamin C boosts your immunity from any colds or flu. Bring medicine, including antibiotics, to fight colds and flus. You might be able to buy those conveniently outside the hotel. However, when you are really sick, it’s handy to have those next to you.

It’s no fun when you are sick during travel. Plan and do as much as you can to protect your health — it is the best plan for travel. 

We can help you with: We Wecan canhelp helpyou youwith: with: Kirk Wong Kirk KirkWong Wong

Steve Wong Joanne Klein Steve SteveWong Wong

Mastering the basic fundamentals of •••Mastering Masteringthe thebasic basicfundamentals fundamentalsof of safe driving safe safedriving driving Reducing and minimizing accidents •••Reducing Reducingand andminimizing minimizingaccidents accidents Learning all mechanical and safety •••Learning all mechanical and Learning all mechanical andsafety safety procedures procedures procedures Smooth turning and maneuvering •••Smooth Smoothturning turningand andmaneuvering maneuvering Parking •••Parking Parking Passing the knowledge test and •••Passing Passingthe theknowledge knowledgetest testand and driving test with ease driving test with ease driving test with ease all of our vehicles are equipped with Dual all allofofour ourvehicles vehiclesare areequipped equippedwith withDual Dual Steering Wheels, Dual Brakes/Gas petals, Steering SteeringWheels, Wheels,Dual DualBrakes/Gas Brakes/Gaspetals, petals, and Instructor Mirror. and andInstructor InstructorMirror.

Mirror.

Office: (206) 725-2077 Office: Office: (206) (206) 725-2077 725-2077

Owner Kirk Kirk Wong Wong (206)579-5010 (206)579-5010 Steve Steve Wong Wong (206)794-1343 (206)794-1343 Owner Owner Kirk Wong (206)579-5010 Steve Wong (206)794-1343 Owner Kirk Wong (206)579-5010 Joanne Klein (206)579-5006 Joanne Klein Klein (206)579-5006 (206)579-5006 Peter Peter Klein Klein (206)579-5006 (206)579-5006 Joanne Joanne Klein (206)579-5006 Peter Klein (206)579-5006 Peter Klein (206)579-5006 May Wong (206)725-2077 Stanley Ho Ho (206)423-6678 Stanley Stanley Ho(206)423-6678 (206)423-6678

2341 15th Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98144 2341 234115th 15thAve. Ave.S., S.,Seattle, Seattle,WA WA 98144 98144

Office Hours 9:30am-6pm, Monday-Saturday (Sunday by appointment only) Office OfficeHours Hours9:30am-6pm, 9:30am-6pm,Monday-Saturday Monday-Saturday(Sunday (Sundaybybyappointment appointmentonly) only)

asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

OCTOBER 20 – OCTOBER 26, 2018

■ ASTROLOGY

13

Predictions and advice for the week of October 20–26, 2018

By Sun Lee Chang

Rat — Are you considering going down the road less traveled? Although it appears to be a shorter route, there could be some surprises along the way.

Ox — By making a nod to the past, you choose to honor what has gone before you. Others will notice and appreciate the respectful gesture.

Tiger — Don’t let a side issue distract you from the important business at hand. The consequences of the latter far outweigh the former.

Rabbit — You have far more flexibility now than ever before. It could take a while to get used to it, as you may still be in the former mindset.

Dragon — As you approach the next goal marker, you are wondering where to go next. For you, choosing the destination is often more challenging than actually reaching it.

Snake — You have the ability to reach a depth that others simply are not able to go. What you find could have lasting impact on your point of view.

Horse — Does it seem as though you have been slower to react recently? There is no need to worry about taking the time to process a significant decision.

Goat — At long last, the wheels you set in motion quite a while ago are finally going to pay off. However, the reward might not be what you expected.

Monkey — Giving up is simply not in your vocabulary this week. A final push could yield the breakthrough you have been seeking.

Rooster — A true connection should last despite a long period and distance apart. When you meet again, it will be as though hardly any time has passed.

Dog — Instead of apologizing for what you can’t do, focus instead on accomplishing what you are able to get done. This shift will leave a lasting impact.

Pig — The best gifts are often the ones that you don’t see coming. Whether you are the recipient or the giver, a spontaneous act of generosity benefits both.

WHAT’S YOUR ANIMAL SIGN? RAT 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 OX 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 TIGER 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 RABBIT 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 DRAGON 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 SNAKE 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 HORSE 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 GOAT 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 MONKEY 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 ROOSTER 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 DOG 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 PIG 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007

*The year ends on the first new moon of the following year. For those born in January and February, please take care when determining your sign.

Chun who was born and raised in Oahu has come to appreciate the Big Island more.

“It’s not often where you can drive on open roads and the island of Hawai’i gives you that opportunity. Driving from the west to the east side of the island lets you see some really interesting and beautiful terrain. It’s a different type of natural beauty and there are some parts that make you feel like you’re driving on a different planet,” he said.

People who haven’t been to the Hawaiian Islands will be surprised to experience how different the islands are.

Visitors can have a completely different experience on Maui than on Oahu which is just a short plane ride away.

Chun described Maui as a nice mix of Oahu and Kauai.

There are really great natural wonders like Haleakala and the Lavender Farm, but there’s also nightlife and lots of things to do.

Oahu is the capital city of Hawai’i and has about one million residents. It’s more than just Waikiki Beach — there’s world-class dining and shopping, and a lot of culture and art-related events.

Chun said people visit Kauai for its natural beauty as it’s one of the oldest of the main Hawaiian islands.

“It’s a lot more laid back and a lot of people go to Kauai for adventure and hiking,” he said.

Respecting nature

Chun advised visitors to be respectful and cognizant of nature on the islands.

“Never turn your back to the ocean and heed the signs, especially on Kauai. Pay attention to the ocean and respect the ocean,” he said.

Chun also mentioned that earlier this year, state lawmakers passed the “sunscreen bill” that would ban skincare companies from selling and distributing sunscreens on the islands that contain two chemicals deemed damaging to coral reefs. Hawai’i is the first state to pass a bill designed to protect marine ecosystems by banning such sunscreens.

The bill would take effect in 2021.

He also has similar guidance for hikers. Visitors should always have enough water, stay on the trails, don’t trespass, don’t climb the waterfalls, and avoid unnecessary hikes.

Koko Head is a nice trail for those visiting Oahu, he said.

The same goes without saying when visiting the

JUSTICE from 1 Main Stream Media and the Establishment.”

Yu wrote, “I urge the Asian Pacific Islander community to exercise the right to vote for a judge based on competence and experience and not because a name sounds like someone from our community.”

It goes on to say, “I have served with Justice Gonzalez as a trial judge and

volcanoes. “Don’t take the lava rocks home, respect the mana “spirit” of this place and let it be,” he said.

He recommended visitors take the Pono Pledge which is a program by the Big Island Visitors Bureau to encourage tourists to be responsible.

In support of the environment, Chun explained that earlier this year, Alaska Airlines became the first domestic airline to remove plastic stir straws from their flights and airport lounges, an initiative that is important to many ocean communities, like the state of Hawai‘i.

Photo by Nina Huang

HAWAII from 9

Embodying the Aloha spirit

Chun said that the aloha spirit is literally the law of the land and has been written into Hawai’i’s revised statutes.

For Chun, Aloha is the essence of relationships in which each person is important for a collective existence.

“It permeates everything, as a local person, it’s how we treat others, how you’d want to be treated and how we view hospitality. We treat everyone like they’re your guests in your home, that’s what the aloha spirit embodies,” he said.

Chun said that Hawai’i is not just about sun, sand, and surf. If that’s all it was, people could find that in a ton of other destinations in the world, but people keep coming back.

“It’s a special feeling they get when they land on our shores, perhaps it’s the aloha spirit, but there’s an intangible spirit or feeling that they just don’t get anywhere else,” he said.

For those who want to bring something home with them, Chun recommended sweets and goodies from the Honolulu Cookie Company or Big Island Candies.

Food scene

Chun explained that in the past two decades, due to Hawai’i’s melting pot, chefs have been reflecting that and taking Hawaiian cuisine to a new level.

“The restaurant scene has just exploded and it’s much more than just luaus here,” he added.

Chun’s favorite Hawaiian food is poi (Hawaiian dish made from the fermented root of the taro, which has been baked and pounded to a paste) with kalua pork mixed inside. He likes to order it at Highway Inn in Oahu.  Nina can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

now at the Supreme Court, and he is intelligent, hard-working, efficient, thoughtful, and committed to community service. His background and experience in the position makes him uniquely qualified to remain on the Supreme Court, and he is someone you can trust.”

Justices serve six-year terms with a mandatory retirement age of 75.

Though the positions are elected, appointments are made by the

governor when there is a midterm vacancy. Gonzalez was appointed by former Gov. Christine Gregoire and he was elected to subsequent terms.  For more information about judicial races, go to VotingforJudges.org to see how each candidate has been rated.

Ruth can be reached at editor@nwasianweekly.com.

Kailua Beach in Oahu

ISLAND RECOMMENDATIONS Where to Stay » Hawai’i - Kohala Coast, Keauhou, or Hilo » Kauai - Poipu, Kapaa, Princeville, or Hanalei » Maui - Kihei, Wailea, Kapalua, Lahaina, or Hana for those who want a more secluded experience » Oahu - Waikiki, Ko Olina, North Shore, or Kailua/Kaneohe/Lanikai Where to Eat » Hawai’i - Huggo’s » Kauai - Hamura’s Saimin » Maui - Sam Sato’s » Oahu - The Pig and the Lady Chun’s Favorite Beaches » Hawai’i - Hapuna Beach » Kauai - Anini Beach » Maui - Kaanapali Beach » Oahu - Kaimana Beach

PROMOTE YOUR REGIONAL EVENT STATEWIDE WITH A $325 CLASSIFIED LISTING OR $1,575 FOR A DISPLAY AD. CALL THIS NEWSPAPER OR 360-344-2938 FOR DETAILS.

asianweekly northwest

14

EMPLOYMENT

“Chinese Information and Service Center is looking for a full-time Program Assistant for the Elderly Program. Duties include providing support service which is primarily targeted at ethnic Asian minority groups, under close supervision of the program supervisor. Experience in working with low-income and /or limited or non-English speaking immigrant families, disabled adult and elderly in Seattle/King County highly desirable. Extensive outreach (50%) to collaborative sites such as senior buildings and community centers is required. Bachelor degree in social services or related human services preferred. Fluent in Chinese and English (Cantonese and/or Mandarin), valid WA driver license, own car and insurance and ability to use computer effectively in daily work required.

OCTOBER 20 – OCTOBER 26, 2018

FOr SALE

ragdoll kittens that seem to be bluepoint mitteds and blue bicolors, sealpoint mitteds and a seal bicolor. We are the longest established Ragdoll breeder in the Everett area, over 15 years, with purebred TICA-papered cats. Kitten #1 is a bluepoint mitted maybefemale with gray on the right heel.

Kitten #2 is a bluepoint mitted maybe-female. Email us and we’ll send your our general information. If interested, email us once a week to establish your place on the waiting list. $950 each. Email: tinnient@hotmail.com

Starting $15.83 per hour. Cover letter and resume to CISC, 611 South Lane St., Seattle, WA 98104 attention Kevin Chan or email <kevinc@cisc-seattle.org>.

No phone calls please. Interview will be granted to qualified applicants only. Position closed until filled. For details, please visit www.cisc-seattle.org.”

EMPLOYMENT

Outdoor Research is hiring experienced fulltime sewing operators, especially Flatseam, Coverstitch, and Single needle machine operators. This position will be eligible for medical insurance and paid vacation benefits.

Please come apply in person at 2203 1st Ave S. Seattle, WA 98134 or fax resume to 206-467-0374 or email jobs@orgear.com Looking for: Wok Chef w/ decent English. Prep/Pantry cook w/ little English Experienced. Little English fine. Good pay with excellent benefits. Capital Hill, Seattle.

206-790-2811

Get your Classified Ad here now!

Place a 6 line classified ad for just $30! Or $5/line for a week. Your ad will also be placed in our Seattle Chinese Post and nwasianweekly.com.

Call 206-223-0623

SINGAPORE AIRLINES from 5 at the gate, where flight attendants performed songs including the hit “New York, New York.’’ New York cheesecake and hot dogs were served.

Tilo Kruger was boarding the flight with three friends — all members of the “first to fly’’ club, which was formed after the inaugural Airbus A380 flew from Singapore to

KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON NOTICE TO BIDDErS Sealed bids will be received by the King County Procurement Services Section, 3rd Floor, 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, until 2:00 PM of bid opening date for the following listed bids.

To download a document, go to our web page at: http://www.kingcounty.gov/procurement. King County encourages minority business enterprise participation. King County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its programs, services, and employment opportunities.

1281-18-MYP OPENS: November 6, 2018 Off-Site Storage, Paper and Electronic Media 1282-18-rLr OPENS: November 6, 2018 Laboratory Testing Services, Hazardous Materials Subscribe to the Northwest Asian Weekly $40 for one year.

Name____________________________ Address __________________________ City _____________________________ State____Zip Code _________________ Phone ___________________________ Mail to: NW Asian Weekly 412 Maynard Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98104

Sydney in 2007.

Kruger will not be spending time in New York. He plans to quickly leave for Atlanta and then travel to Houston.

After a short stopover, he will then travel to Manchester before heading home to Ireland after some 34 hours in the air.

“I just want to explore how the aircraft looks, and party time hopefully. It’s a nice hobby. I get the opportunity to

BLOG from 10 is simple to make, just boil for three minutes with a piece of ginger and salt.”

Kelly: “Yogurt is great.” She also makes a healthy powder by grinding plain yogurt, chia seeds, flax seeds, and black sesame seeds. Anyone can make their own favorite snack powder and mix with milk.

Xia: “My kids and I have cereals for snacks. Cereals such as bran flakes and wheat, and oatmeal are nutritious and delicious.

They are also filling.”

John: “Celery with peanut butter. Nut bars are filling and have lots of protein.”

Nancy seconded nut bars. She constantly snacks on mixed nut bars.

Lei Pei: “Dried fruits like dried mangos, plums, bananas, etc. Fresh fruits are good too.”

Ruth: “Hard boiled eggs and turkey meatballs.” Turkey is

RODMAN from 5 Korean leader Kim Jong Un has visited China three times this year, and traditional proclamations of friendship between the two neighbors have been resurrected.

Speculation continues as to whether Chinese President Xi

come to Singapore, stay here, be in the city, but then also see other destinations,’’ he said.

Other passengers were more apprehensive. “I’m not sure what I’m going to do for 18 1/2 hours. Watch all the movies I can, I guess,’’ said Peggy Ang, who is on business trip to Orlando.

“My cousin said ‘Hey, this is in the press.’ I’m going to take pictures and show her,’’ she said. 

a rich source of protein and has less fat than chicken or beef.

Happy snacking!  Assunta: My list is long. I definitely love walnuts and soybeans. Any nuts are a great source of protein. Try pecan, Assunta can be reached at pistachios, almonds, and cashews. Speaking of peanut butter, I assunta@nwasianweekly.com. am fond of scooping up two teaspoonfuls of peanut butter once in a while.

Seaweed, especially wakame seaweed from Asian grocery stores — they give me iron and other vitamins. Also, stock your fridge with smoked salmon. Although I don’t drink, I SOLUTION from SUDOKU on page 6. envision my late mom nibbling on smoked salmon with a glass of red wine. That fish is a strong brain food. Definitely, baby tomatoes. A glass of almond coconut milk is my new snack.

Miso soup is wonderful. I buy the instant kind. Just mix it with boiling water.

A word about chocolate. If you buy dark chocolate, it definitely has less sugar. Dark chocolate with almonds is irresistible. It also has anti-aging properties. Always have it in your pantry.

Jinping will visit North Korea in return.

Yao Ming, who at 7’6’’ was one of the tallest players in the NBA, is the head of China’s Basketball Association.

He arrived with a high-level delegation on Oct. 8 that includes China’s equivalent of a sports minister. 

SERVICE DIRECTORY CONTACT JOHN TO PLACE AN AD ON CLASSIFIED PAGE 206-223-5559 JOHN@NWASIANWEEKLY.COM

36 YEARS

The American Legion Cathay Post 186

Serving the community since 1946

cathaypost@hotmail.com

DONE RITE

PSYCHIC PALM & TAROT CARD READINGS MASTER HEALER & FENG SHUI SPECIALIST

206-487-8236

$10 off reading when you mention this ad

CARPET CLEANING

Tell past present, future, helps in love, marriage, business. Break your bad luck and troubles.

Re-store good luck.

(425) 789-1974

$1,000/DAY

HONG LAW FIRM, PLLC

(737) 200-1055

Bankruptcy Chapter 7  Personal Injury Landlord-Tenant  Simple Wills

POSSIBLE ONLINE!

www.retirenow2018.com

206-856-8291  honglegal@gmail.com

Frank S. Hong, A�orney at Law avvo.com

» PERSONAL INJURY

» WRONGFUL DEATH

» AIRLINE DISASTERS

» DOG BITES

» BICYCLE ACCIDENTS

» PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS

Mandarin, Cantonese & Korean Interpreter available

206-625-9104

WEBSITE: HLG.LAWYER

asianweekly northwest

YOUR VOICE

OCTOBER 20 – OCTOBER 26, 2018

RICE from 1 The Port of Seattle has been successful in increasing small business utilization since the implementation of the Century Agenda in 2012, which included small business goals. The Port has reached almost 30 percent of total dollars spent on small business contracts.

The goal now is to triple the number of WMBE firms doing business with the Port of Seattle, and increase to 15 percent the percentage of dollars spent on WMBE contracts by the year 2023.

“We’re getting more granular in our approach,” said Rice. “Instead of small businesses, we’re focusing on WMBE firms.”

Rice said the Port is adjusting its Request For Proposals and construction contracts to reflect its desire to have more WBME participation.

The Diversity in Contracting Program strives to provide a more receptive environment for the utilization of WMBE firms, and to ensure that businesses and contractors of all tiers working on Port contracts and subcontracts utilize WMBE firms, wherever feasible or as required.

Since the passing of Resolution 3737, Rice said he has seen a lot more interest from WBME businesses.

“A lot of WBME firms now feel like they have a chance at being a partner in our projects,” Rice said.

On Oct. 11, the Port of Seattle announced two brand new restaurants that will open on new mezzanine dining levels in 2020.

Salty’s at the SEA and BrewTop Social and The Mariners Homeplate & Dugout Bar were selected following an open and competitive bidding and evaluation process — both ownership groups include small, locally-owned, and Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (ACDBE).

ACDBE is a federal program, whereas the Diversity in Contracting Program deals with state contracts.

But their goals are similar — to level the playing field for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses.

When The Mariners Homeplate & Dugout Bar and Salty’s at the SEA and BrewTop Social open, the Port of Seattle says there will be more women and minority-owned businesses operating at Sea-Tac than ever before.

“This is a huge step for the Port of Seattle,” Rice said about the Diversity in Contracting Program.

“The port is not a small entity and while change won’t happen overnight, we are pointed and headed in the right direction.”  To sign up for contracting opportunities, view bid opportunities, or other information, go to: portseattle.org/business/bid-opportunities.

To view the Port’s procurement and roster management system, go to hosting.portseattle.org/prms.

Ruth can be reached at editor@nwasianweekly.com.

A PLACE FOR MOM HAS HELPED OVER A MILLION FAMILIES FIND SENIOR LIVING. OUR TRUSTED, LOCAL ADVISORS HELP FIND SOLUTIONS TO YOUR UNIQUE NEEDS AT NO COST TO YOU. CALL 855-415-4148.

Access YOUR Opportunity!

The Port of Seattle is committed to expanding opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses. Learn more about upcoming events and register to receive information about opportunities in construction, consulting, and goods and services.

LEARN MORE www.portseattle.org/smallbiz

15

asianweekly northwest

16

36 YEARS

OCTOBER 20 – OCTOBER 26, 2018

the central (middle) region of the country, where Huế is.

Huế is the former imperial city that used to house Việt Nam’s monarchy. The food here is petite and embodies extremes — really spicy, really salty, really sweet, and really sour — all at once. Accompanying this petite crispy rice pancake stuffed with pork, shrimp and other goodies is nước lèo, which — traditionally — is a sweet-salty sauce made from liver. Lazy people who are scared of liver have adapted this sauce using peanuts. But in Huế, you can find the original gangsta.

(If you’re familiar with bánh xèo, it might interest you to know that that popular dish is probably the direct descendant of bánh khoái.)

4. Mì quảng

Photos by Stacy Nguyen/NWAW

STREET FOODS from 7

Chả cá lã vọng

accompanied with peanuts and sesame rice crackers. Dill is a rare herb in Vietnamese cuisine, so this dish was trippy when I first tried it. You pan-fry chả cá lã vọng yourself, tableside.

The restaurant in Hà Nội is notable because they charge American prices for this dish, something like $12 USD a person, which is nuts. My mom championed this dish when we were in Việt Nam together. We griped when we learned how relatively pricey it is and warned her that it better be awesome. Guess what? It was.

8. Chả giò Mì quảng

Named after the Quảng Nam province, mì quảng is a noodle bowl that can’t decide if it wants to be soupy or dry, so it decided to stay staunchly middle about it. The small pool of broth on the bottom is really salty and not super sippable.

This is a dish meant to be mixed.

Mì quảng’s wide, soft rice noodles are sometimes colored yellow with turmeric. (My photo shows an unassembled frog version of this — yes, frog.) An iconic part of this dish is the crush of peanuts and bánh tráng (toasted rice crackers) sprinkled over the top of this for texture.

5. Nước chanh muối

Nước chanh muối is basically a limeade drink — with a fistful of salt thrown in. (It kind of reminds me of Gatorade?)

When I went to Việt Nam with my family, my siblings hated this and I loved this. This drink is made with preserved limes — limes that have been pickled for weeks in a container full of salt.

After the limes lose their green and take on a yellow-y hue, they are ready. You smash slices of the preserved lime, rind and all, with sugar before adding ice Nước chanh muối and water. It is awesome and probably an acquired taste for most Americans. (So maybe I was wrong, and it’s not like Gatorade at all.)

6. Bánh ram-ít

Bánh ram-ít

Bánh ram-ít is a savory mochi-like ball filled with pork, shrimp, and mung beans. These balls are steamed or boiled until cooked through — and then only the bottom half are fried. After which, little salty semi-dried shrimp bits are sprinkled on top for extra flavor. Talk about gilding the lily.

I like to imagine imperial cooks brainstorming back in the day because they were bored or maybe oppressed by their boss. I like to imagine them going, “Okay, guys, we need to bring this rice ball up to next level. What should we do?”

And then another cook was like, “You know what we should do? Fry it. But only half of it.”

7. Chả cá lã vọng

There’s a restaurant in Hà Nội that is famous for this tumeric fish noodle dish, also flavored with dill and scallions,

Nem lụi

Chả giò

Chả giò are egg rolls, for you non-Viets out there. I do not like to call them spring rolls because that translation makes no more sense to me than egg roll does. I believe a super literal translation of chả giò is something like, “minced meat sausage roll-lump.”

Anyway, so you know what egg rolls are all about — but in Việt Nam, nearly all of them are wrapped in rice paper or really fine rice noodle sheets (pictured) and then fried. They are not wrapped in the wheat wrapper like what we typically find in the U.S. The rice wrapper is crazy crunchy when done right and oftentimes, petite and adorable. I try to make this at home but what I make is always gross because I don’t have the Vietnamese mom magic.

9. Nem lụi

Vietnamese people out there can probably tell I am favoring Huế food like, by a lot. It’s because the food there is so good!

Nem lụi is a little bitty sausage wrapped around lemongrass stalks and grilled. You eat it wrapped up in rice paper, a bunch of herbs, other greens, and sometimes thinly sliced green fruit like bananas (peel and all!), star fruit, or green mango (pictured).

You dip the bundle in fish sauce or liver sauce and then just go to town on it.

10. Nem chua

This one is fun and also not really for the faint of heart. Nem chua is a cured raw pork sausage wrapped in banana leaf. There’s often a fat slice of garlic, hot chilis, whole peppercorns, and pig skin mixed into the sausage. Its name

Nem lụi

basically translates into “sour sausage,” which again, proves that Vietnamese people just love the unadorned truth. The texture of the finish product is firm and not mushy. The taste is savory, sour, and different notes of spicy — from the bit of raw garlic to the searing heat of the chili to the subtle dull Nem chua sting of peppercorns. It’s like someone got real creative when they invented this!

Sometimes, Vietnamese home cooks will get squeamish about raw pork and irrational fears of trichinosis and will make nem chua with raw beef. I don’t like that. Go big or go home, you know?  Stacy Nguyen can be reached at stacy@nwasianweekly.com.