2011 Taste of Asia
Food Pavilion Vendors
NOTE: Marketplace and Taste of Asia Food Court vendor applications will open soon — we’re reviewing recommendations from previous years to improve the Marketplace and Taste of Asia Food Court
Here are the vendors chosen to cook up a culinary tour of Asia and the Pacific Rim at the 2011 CDBF (with some American-food choices for those of you who’d rather keep your taste buds in Colorado). We featured familiar booths: Thai Pepper is where chef Cha Hasadinratana yells out “Monkey Balls!” every time someone orders his beef and pork meatballs, which are deep-fried then grilled. And an old friend returned to the festival: Kokoro, the locally-owned chain that serves beef bowls and other Japanese dishes.
And, we featured our first-ever Asian Food Truck in a cool new Festival Food Truck Stop: Manna from Heaven, which serves Vietnamese food including the popular Viet sandwiches, the Banh Mi! You’ll find the Food Trucks listed at the bottom of the page.
(Note: If you’re interested in applying as a food vendor for 2012, submit your email and we’ll notify you in February when applications are being accepted.)
Read about the 2011 Culinary Contest winners
Here are the 2011 CDBF Taste of Asia Food Vendors:
Alpine Sausage Company
German | German bratwurst, veal bratwurst, hot links
Alpine Sausage Company is a family owned business and has been in business for over 39 years. All of our products are made locally at our Denver store and we are open to the public. We have a variety of sausage and lunch meats from around the world.
Bam-Bu
Pan-Asian | Crab Cheese Wontons, Mandu, Chicken Skewer, Beef Skewer, Lamb Skewer, Shrimp (over fried rice), Fire Chicken w/ side salad and fried rice, Noodle Bowl (choice of grilled beef or chicken), Kalbi Burger with French Fries (new item!) | www.bambu-dtc.com
We are Greenwood Village’s newest addition presenting a Pan-Asian mix of recipes. Bam-bu has emphasized its duties as a restaurant to attain authentic flavors from Vietnam, Thailand, Korea, India, and China without all the “bad” ingredients. With a bold design for the dining area to match a menu that captivates all eyes and palates, Bam-Bu welcomes you to try every dish, burden free.
BD’s Mongolian Grill
Mongolian | Teriyaki chicken, kung pao steak, ginger vegetables | www.gomongo.com
BD’s is a create you own stir-fry restaurant. We have many different meats and seafoods to choose from. Pile on you choice of fresh veggies and pick any of our 14 sauces for that extra flavor.
Berrie Kabobs
American | Fruit on a skewer drizzled with chocolate, frozen cheesecake
Berrie Kabobs and frozen cheesecake are made with high quality, fresh, delicious fruit, delectable chocolate, and amazing cheesecake. Berrie Kabobs are unique and well priced.
Bombay Station
Indian | Veggie curry bowl, Tuvar Dal bowl, Thali plate
Bombay station is a traveling food vending stand that has been in operation for 18 years and was founded in Telluride, Colorado. Bombay Station provides an essential service to festival patrons who are looking for a healthy and exotic alternative to standard festival fare. The food is very delicious Indian style gluten free vegetarian red curry and/or red lentil dal served over coconut jasmine rice.
Chez Thuy
Vietnamese | Spring Rolls (Shrimp or Tofu or Nem), Fried Chicken Egg Rolls, Grilled Pork Chops over Rice, Five Spice Chicken over Rice, Grilled Chicken or Pork Noodle Bowl, Grilled Pork Skewers, Fresh Coconut Drink, Fried Dumplings | www.chezthuy.com
Chez Thuy was founded by Thuy Le in 1993. She has been serving Colorado delicious Asian cuisine since the early ’80s and is always looking to promote the industry and offer her unique take on traditional recipes.
Denver Thai Lions Club
Thai | Fried wontons, papaya salad with sticky rice, yellow chicken curry
The Denver Thai Lions Club is a local chapter of Lions Club International, an international network of 1.3 million men and women in 205 countries and geographic areas who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities around the world. Locally, the Denver Thai Lions Club raise funds for their community service projects by participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and as a food vendor at the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival. One of The Club’s important projects includes hosting a 9 Health Fair on an annual basis at Wat Buddhawaram Buddhist Temple. Funds raised from the sale of great tasting Thai food will go towards The Club’s various projects throughout the year including sponsoring remote and underserved schools in Thailand, youth scholarships, and local citizens requesting financial need.
Grammy’s Goodies
Italian/Sweets | Pizza, rice crispy treats, chocolate chip cookies
We are a family owned and operated business, serving homemade italian specialties.
Imperial Chinese Restaurant
Chinese | Sesame chicken, vegetable lo mein, Imperial rolls | www.imperialchinese.com
Since the Imperial Chinese Restaurant made its debut in 1985, it has become, quite simply, the standard by which all other Denver Chinese cuisine is judged. Owner Johnny Hsu, who has created a tradition of large scale, fine Asian establishments and owns the exquiste Palace Chinese Restaurant in south Denver. And while diners have remained loyal over the past two decades, so have the restaurant critics.
Kokoro Restaurant
Japanese | Beef or Chicken Bowls, Sushi, Sobaghetti (Yakisoba), NEW: Bento Boxes | www.kokororestaurants.com
Kokoro serves the Denver Area with quick delicious Japanese food including rice bowls, noodle dishes, sushi and other traditional Japanese food at reasonable prices. Kokoro has been serving the Denver area for the past 25 years. We are excited to participate in this years Dragon Boat Festival, where we celebrate Denver and Kokoro’s rich Asian heritage. At the Kokoro booth, you will be transported to a Japanese food festival unlike any other event in Denver. We’ll be serving Edamame and Inari Sushi, California and Shrimp Tempura Roll Sushi, Beef Bowl, Chicken Bowl, Sobagetti Noodles (Beef, Chicken or Vegetarian) and a special Bento Box combination (including rice bowl or Soba Noodles, two pieces of Sushi, and some Edamame or Inari).
Little Grass Shack
Hawai’ian | Hawai’ian shave ice and snacks | www.SpreadingAloha.com
Little Grass Shack started as a small venture out of a garage nearly eight years ago, where Maile Inagaki and her father strung leis out of fresh flowers from Hawai’i. Since then Maile has added on Polynesian dancing and now, Hawaiian Shave Ice. If you follow Little Grass Shack on Facebook or Twitter you can see where they will be dancing and serving up shave ice next.
Lollicup Denver
Taiwanese | Boba drinks, slush, milk teas, steamed red bean buns | www.lollicupdenver.com
Lollicup Denver has been serving Boba drinks in the Denver area since 2003. Our store location offers a wide selection of drink flavors and additions, including the most popular, bobas. These sweet and chewy tapioca balls (bobas) can be added to milk teas, slushes, snowbubbles, and iced tea for an unusual and delightful drink experience.
Queen of Vietnamese Martyrs Church
Vietnamese | Spring rolls, eggrolls, BBQ skewers | www.giaoxudenver.org
“The Foods of Vietnam.” Over many centuries, Vietnam has been occupied and colonized by China, Mongolia, and France. During these periods of dominating foreign influence is how the unique Vietnamese cuisine you find today involved.
Smooch Frozen Yogurt & Mochi
Japanese | 21 flavors of Mochi ice cream and a variety of frozen yogurt | www.smoochco.com/
Smooch Frozen Yogurt & Mochi, located in Downtown Boulder, crafts all natural, non-fat frozen yogurt topped with fresh fruit and sweet treats. Smooch’s yogurt products are certified with real life active cultures. They also serve a line of premium mochi ice cream, organic tea, smoothies and organic steel cut oatmeal. Smooch Frozen Yogurt & Mochi is the perfect match for Colorado’s healthy, active and thriving lifestyle. Locally owned and operated.
Thai Pepper
Thai | Monkey Balls, spring roll, Thai stick, Pad Thai | thaipepperfortcollins.com
Thai Pepper is based in Fort Collins and is the best Thai restaurant in town. We have been a part of the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival for eight years. We are the home of THE MONKEY BALLS — come see us and lets us ring the bell for you. Ding! Ding! Ding!
Tropical Paradise
Laotian | Laotian sausages, Papaya salad, fresh sugar cane juice, fresh coconut milk
We are serving food from Laos a country in the Southeast Asia. We will be serving our fresh sweet sugar cane juice and coconut juice. Also we will have delicious traditional Laotion dessert, rice stuffed in a bamboo stick which has one First Place in the 2009 and Second in the 2010 Culinary Competition in the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival.
NEW: Taste of Asia Food Truck Stop
Colorado Buffalo Grill
American | Funnel cakes, buffalo hot dogs, sweet potato fries, kids meals | www.coloradobuffalogrill.com
The Colorado Buffalo Grill Inc. is currently in its eighth year as a mobile Restaurant We’re serving up delicious Buffalo burgers at the south east cornor of Ponderosa and Parker Roads. Our 100% Buffalo bratwurst won 3rd place in the culinary competition at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival in July 2003. We also sell all of our cuts of delicious all natural grass fed Buffalo meat. Our Ranch is located 10 miles south of Elizabeth Colorado.
Manna From Heaven
Vietnamese | Food truck serving Banh Mi (Vietnamese Gourmet Sandwiches), Banh Trang (Vietnamese Popped Rice Plate), Banh Bac (Vietnamese Savory Steamed Buns), Potstickers (Chicken Veggie & Grilled Dumplings, Manna Seashells (Thai Flavored Semolina Pasta Shells), Spring Rolls on Salad | www.MannaFoodTruck.com
We are a Vietnamese Inspired -Gourmet Food Truck that gives your Taste Buds a “Culinary Adventure Ride.” OUR GOAL is to entertain your taste buds with the combination of the familiar local fares with exotic blends of heavenly cuisine from around the world. However, OUR MISSION is to “FEED The HUNGRY & HELP The HOMELESS.” Each day we take 10% of our net sales to make meals to feed those who could not afford a meal themselves.
Route 40
Argentinian| Empanadas, Milanesa Sandwich, other Argentinian sandwiches, Chimichurri fries, potato croquets and Alfajor cookie sandwich | www.route40foodtruck.com
Master of the Argentinean asado, Felipe Cufre has a vision to bring the best recipes of his native country to you. Born in Buenos Aires, he spent the last seven years living in Patagonia, the windswept, mountainous, majestic countryside of southern Argentina. Over the past 25 years Felipe has mastered the art of fire — the essence of the asado. Of Argentinean grilling Felipe says, “its simple, when the aroma of asado is in the air, your tastebuds can’t help but take notice.” Argentina has a rich culinary culture and history. With a mixture of Italian, Spanish, and French influence, Argentinean cuisine is a medly of flavors that has become its own. The tradition of asado began in the Pampas, the expansive and lush countryside. The Pampas is the reason that Argentina has a reputation for producing some of the best meats in the world. By the way, Route 40 isn’t a reference to Colfax Avenue. Route 40 is Argentina’s longest and most spectacular road. It spans more than 3000 miles (the distance from New York to San Fransisco), passing along the spine of the Andes from the border with Bolivia in the north to the end of the world.
I have a family of seven vegan what do you recommend for food at the festival??
Good question, Julie. I’m sure we’ll have some food at the festival suitable for vegans, but let me check and see if I can find out!
Hi Julie, our food vendors unfortunately don’t state whether they serve food that’s appropriate for vegans, but we do have a variety of food available, so I’d be surprised if there was nothing you and your family could eat. Sorry I’m not able to get more details. I’ll keep trying to see if I can find out.
Hi Julie, good news: Bombay Station, our Indian vendor, serves all vegan dishes, and mostly organic as well.
Why are we seeing more non-Asian food vendors appearing and less Asian food vendors? I have been going to the CDBF for 6 years now and have been seeing less and less Asian food vendors showing up and more non-Asian food vendors.
Thanks for your comment, Doug! We actually have added an Asian food vendor this year compared to last year, and the reason there are more non-Asian vendors this year is our new “Food Truck Stop” — unfortunately there’s only one Asian food truck in the area for now, and we got that. We’ve always tried every year to feature many more Asian food booths than non-Asian, and try to balance them so that one cuisine isn’t over-represented. We think you’ll find we have a good balance this year, and that there’s more room in the Taste of Asia area. Let us know afterwards what you thought!
I will, thank you. But, I am sure you can see where I am coming from. It’s an Asian festival to celebrate Asian cultures in Colorado as well as in America and worldwide. Incorporating western influences is the leading cause for the dwindling Asian cultures in Asia. For example, in the Philippines, it is becoming harder and harder to find traditional Filipino culture and that includes the foods. During my visit to the Philippines in 2008, I was only able to experience traditional Filipino food, because, I went to Filipino websites and found traditional recipes and made the dishes for myself and my fiance at the time. She, nor her family knew how to cook the traditional dishes and they recommended that we should go to Pizza Hut or McDonald’s rather than even suggesting a Filipino restaurant. I guess what I am saying is that with the incorporation of western traditions and cultures is eroding the rich and beautiful Asian traditions. It’s like going to an Asian restaurant and ordering a burger or asking for a fork.
I apologize for my rant, but, I think it is valid in this case. Anyways, I look forward to seeing everybody again and having a great time. Thank you for doing what you can to preserve what is left of Asian traditions.
Hi Doug, we totally agree with your comment about cultural appropriation. I should have mentioned that we had three other authentic Asian vendors approved but they had to drop out for family reasons, and it was too late to replace them.
It’s a tough challenge to educate the public about authentic Asian cultures while maintaining the best festival experience for everyone. Thanks for being a supporter of the festival!
That is truly unfortunate. It would have been awesome if they could have shown up. You are right about trying to educate and keep things extra fun and exciting. I wonder if it would be possible to include more martial arts performances. That seems to draw larger crowds. Maybe, like I experienced a few years ago, I went over to the FACC tent and they had little samplers of their traditional foods. Maybe suggesting that each group include something like that into their educational programs. Nothing speaks louder than a growling stomach hahaha. Also, encouraging each group to include loud exciting performances may also draw interests. If you can grab somebody’s attention and get their blood flowing faster, they will be more inclined to learn more. For example, the Colorado Taiko Drummers. They are loud, fun, exciting and beautiful, but I digress hahaha. Utilizing the media will also draw more attention to the festival and more groups will be more inclined to include more into their education programs, ie; food, music (both loud and soft), dances, languages, etc.. I’m sure you have noticed that people are becoming more interested in the excitement of a video game because it gives the the adrenaline rush without having to leave the house. Why not give people an adrenaline rush that will draw them to the festival? I personally know that each and every Asian country has traditional ways that cause that adrenaline rush. Again, I apologize for my rambling, but, it’s hard to contain my passion for a culture that I have loved ever since I can remember.
Great suggestions, Doug! You think along the same lines as we do — maybe you should volunteer next year?
Last year the Korean tent in Gateway to Asia gave out samples of kimchee that were very popular, so we do suggest to organizations that giving out samples of traditional foods might be a good way to help educate visitors.
Thanks — you’re a great CDBF fan!
I would be more than happy to volunteer next year if I am still here in Colorado. I did in fact catch a whiff of the kimchee but, I did not know they were giving samples. I guess I should pay better attention. I actually had my mind more on taking pics and video. But, yes, I will be applying as soon as you start accepting applications for next year. Thank you and everybody for providing such an awesome festival.
what is the average price of food? how much money should i bring?
The average cost of food items ranges from a couple of dollars to $8 or so, but bring enough to try a variety of cuisines and items!
Congratulations on another successful year!!! Thank you for all the hard work in organizing the festival. Food court is one of my favorite places to visit (I’m a foodie when not doing DB). I’m a also racer/athlete… and finding food on in-between races that doesn’t have a long line AND will give me energy (and not make me want to sleep) is importatnt. So, I’m very glad there’s lots of carbs (rice) and not too much fried foods around. I’m glad to support the Vietnamese church vendor and eat their yummy combo rice noodles.
It’s also a great way to find new restaurants and then places to visit post-race. Too bad, the restaurant Boa can’t have a stand there. I love their food and Liz is a character (she wants her own Dragon Boat to race). This year, with the races finishing before the vendors tore down, I was able to go back and eat some things I couldn’t pre-race. I like finding new things, like this year I found Smooch. OMG – different flavored mochi ice creams – a raspberry white chocolate one! I savored it back at our race team tent. So, glad you are keeping the vendors posted on the cdbf.org website, so I can look up places and their websites here and will definitely go make a visit to Boulder very soon to satisfy my craving!
All in all, I thought it was a good mixture – there was something for everyone. For me, it was difficult to decide on what would go in my tummy because everything looked so good.
Like the food truck idea too, since those are becoming more popular! I just visited the ones they have on the Civic Center (Tu-Th).
Keep up the great work!!! The races were very well-organized this year – stayed well on schedule. We all were able to enjoy it even more!
warm regards,
Kelly
Thanks, Kelly! We appreciate your nice comments, and glad you love the festival so much. Good luck in future races!