May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month and the perfect time to branch out and support the humble businesses in town. Whether you're a frequent visitor to some of these places or looking to add to your frequent haunts list, here are some Asian American and Pacific Islander-owned businesses:
A Dong Market: Vietnamese-owned grocery store with primarily shelf-friendly goods, limited frozen and fresh foods plus a fresh sushi and deli stand. Also sells kitchen tools, home goods and an extensive snacks and spices section. Address: 2990 Silverton Road NE
Happy Curry Foods: Indian grocery store and commercial kitchen under one roof, primarily selling prepared and frozen goods, with owners who also make fresh food including samosas and chutneys. Address: 2771 Commercial St. NE
Ocean Star Seafood Market: Chinese grocery store with the only live seafood section. The store has a decent selection of pantry goods and some fresh produce, but is primarily focused on its seafood. Address: 3875 Market St. NE
Pacific Islander Mart: The newest addition to the Asian grocers in the last year, this Hawaiian-owned grocery store offers a smaller selection of shelf-friendly goods and frozen produce. The mart has weekly shipments of frozen fish from Hawaii including parrotfish, among other others. Address: 415 Lancaster Drive NE
Que Huong Oriental Foods: Vietnamese-owned grocery store with primarily shelf-friendly and frozen foods, plus extensive kitchen goods section. Also has limited section of freshly baked goods. Address: 3352 Silverton Road NE
Taj Indian Grocery & Sweets: Indian grocery store with primarily shelf-friendly goods, much of it being spices and snacks. The store has a limited fresh produce and frozen products, along with clothing and home goods. Address: 5040 Commercial St. SE
Wing Wa Oriental Market: Chinese grocery store with dessert stand inside. The store carries fresh, frozen and shelf-friendly Asian foods, as well as kitchen tools and home goods. Address: 3315 Lancaster Drive NE
Blue Willow Restaurant - 1985 Lancaster Drive NE
Canton Garden - 3225 Market St. NE
Chen's Dynasty - 5069 River Road N
Chen's Family Dish - 2138 Lancaster Drive NE #139
China Gourmet - 1405 Broadway St. NE
Chinn's Restaurant - 4835 Commercial St. SE
Golden Crown Restaurant - 365 Liberty St. NE
Gold Dragon Restaurant - 4645 Commercial St. SE
Hong Kong House and Lounge - 3583 Commercial St. SE
Jade Garden - 625 Lancaster Drive NE
Kuong Chan's Chinese Restaurant - 2290 Fairgrounds Rd NE
Lucky Fortune - 1401 Lancaster Drive NE
Lucky Garden - 4157 Rickey St. SE
Lum-Yuen Restaurant - 3190 Portland Road NE
Yan Yan Chinese Cuisine - 3305 Lancaster Drive NE
Nanay's Ba-Hi - 1510 Fabry Road SE (Beehive Station)
The Manila Fiesta - 1952 McGilchrist St. SE
Hawaiian Time - 545 Wallace Road NW, 1252 23rd St. SE
Wild Pineapple Grill - 1225 Howard St. SE
The Shaka Brah Hawaiian Food - 4699 Portland Rd NE (Cafe), 4743 Lancaster Drive NE (Shades of Brew Taphouse)
Bright Indian Food - 8983 Truckman Way NE
Cuisine India - 1220 State St.
India Palace - 377 Court St. NE #3526
Little India - 1510 Fabry Road SE (Beehive Station)
Spicer Bite - 4106 State St. (The Yard Food Park)
503 Sushi Bar - 189 Liberty St. NE MZ-1
Bento Box Sushi - 3284 Lancaster Drive NE
Cary's Bakeshop - 2945 Liberty Road S
Fuji Rice Time - 159 High St SE
J's Teriyaki - 613 Lancaster Drive NE
Manna Japanese Comfort Food - 4845 Commercial St. SE
Momiji Japanese Restaurant - 3411 Commercial St SE, 4590 Silverton Rd NE, 1221 23rd St. SE STE 140, 1211 Edgewater St NW Suite #1, 2195 Hyacinth St. NE
Sushi Kyo - 4689 Commercial St. SE
Su T Bar - 3875 Market St. NE
Sushi Takara - 1970 Lancaster Drive NE #111
Sushi Ya Sushi Salem - 401 Center St. NE
Teriyaki Diner - 1895 25th St. SE
Yum Yum Teriyaki - 2927 Broadway St. NE
Happy Bibim Bap House - 635 Chemeketa St. NE
KKOKI Korean BBQ - 3610 Center St. NE
Bangkok Thai Bistro - 1130 Royvonne Ave. SE #105
Big Blue Thai BBQ - 2679 Commercial St. SE
Hong Thai Express and Cuisine - 4155 Rickey St. SE #134
Jasmine Flower Thai Kitchen - 4106 State St.
Lan Xang Lao-Thai Cuisine - 5080 Commercial St. SE
Lottie's Pad Thai Food Cart - 1510 Fabry Road SE (Beehive Station)
Mina's Cafe - 3995 Commercial St. SE
Sweet Home Thai Cuisine - 4140 River Road NE
Thai Beer Restaurant - 1130 Lancaster Drive SE
Thai Cuisine of Salem - 2916 Commercial St. SE
Thai Orchid Restaurant - 234 Liberty St. NE
Tup Tim Thai Cuisine - 3860 Commercial St. SE
Kim Huong Vietnamese Restaurant - 2950 Silverton Road NE
Pho Keizer - 3400 River Road N
Simply Pho - 3405 Commercial St. SE
Super Pho Beef Noodle Soup Vietnamese Cuisine - 1630 Lancaster Drive NE
China Buffet - 2407 Lancaster Drive NE
Chubby Bao House - 440 State St. Suite 110 (Fork Forty Food Hall)
Fresh Elements Restaurant - 364 Center St. NE
Great Wall Buffet - 2875 Commercial St. SE
Love Love Teriyaki - 4555 Liberty Rd S. #250
Love Love Teriyaki Lancaster - 3802 Center St. NE
Marco Polo Global Restaurant - 300 Liberty St. SE
Miyoko Buffet - 636 Lancaster Drive NE
Oriental Chinese & Sushi Restaurant - 1812 Lancaster Drive NE #1023
Tiga Sushi Bar & Asian Bistro - 260 Liberty St. SE
Helen Ng Mun TayneCommemorating the groundbreaking life of a Salem Chinese American
Em Chan covers food and dining at the Statesman Journal. You can reach her at echan@statesmanjournal.com, follow her on Twitter @catchuptoemily or see what she's eating on Instagram @sikfanmei.ah.