Sacramento’s largest Asian American, Pacific Islander night market returns
More than 40 Asian American and Pacific Islander-owned businesses will return to the Capitol Mall for the largest AAPI festival of its kind in Sacramento.
The annual AAPI Night Market is coming to downtown on Friday, May 15. The event is in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month and features AAPI vendors, retailers and artists.
Organized by the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce, the night’s proceeds will go to supporting AAPI-owned small businesses in Sacramento, according to Matt Sumida, the marketing manager for the Chamber.
Asian communities are one of the fastest growing communities in California, including the Sacramento region, Sumida said. He noted that AAPI businesses and communities play a significant role Sacramento’s economy.
“Their footprint, economically, both as employers, people who own businesses as well as just consumers...continue to grow in terms of influencing impact,” Sumida said. “This particular event spotlights that by centering local AAPI vendors, specifically in the food, beverage, and retail space.”
The night will include performances from local AAPI musicians, with R&B artist, Ume, headlining the night. Other artists include Soosh!, originally from Sacramento, DJ Umami and Basi Vibe.
Famous Sacramento-based chefs, Billy Ngo of Kru and Craig Takahara of Binchoyaki, will have a cook-off during the night market. The so-called hero ingredient of the competition is rice, Sumida said.
“It’ll be a really fun opportunity to have an engaging way to see these chefs in action,” Sumida said.
Featured vendors will include a mixture of small businesses and brick and mortars, Sumida said. These food vendors and retailers include:
- Aloha Shave Ice
- Baboy Boys
- Blue House Korean BBQ
- Boba & Bites
- Bubble Hive
- The Creative Space
- Chez Chibi Bakery
- Daesign Studio
- Dellsubi
- Dream Bowlz
- Eckoeckos Studio
- Ecojoyous
- The Golden Pineapple
- Humble Root
- Jojo’s Hawaiian Fried Chicken
- Kandelita
- Kinjo Hand Roll Bar
- Lamify Shop
- Lemon Squeezy
- Lunar Links
- Maiz
- Magm.Art
- Mifas
- Moi An Vietnamese
- My Lumpia Lady
- Myzz Piggy’z Tiger Bite
- Namaste Foods
- Nox Barbecue
- Permanent Jewelry
- Pinorrito
- Rainbow & Bubbles
- Ravayat
- Rhome’s Bistro
- Rskustoms Sun Kissed & Co.
- Sapha Kafae
- Shibainc Cafe
- Sourdough Studio
- Spicy Lao Papaya
- Sugarcane Hut
- Sushi Obsession
- Tomo Tea House
- Tiny Cutie Studio
The AAPI Night Market began five years ago as a way to celebrate Sacramento’s AAPI-owned small businesses, Sumida said. The goal was to offer a platform for the businesses to be discovered, he explained. In the past, the night market has attracted more than 4,000 people to the Capitol Mall.
“We’re just providing an avenue where (small businesses) are able to get exposed to that many people,” Sumida said. “It’s just another avenue for them to get visibility, additional customers, and for people to discover them.”
The night’s festivities will begin at 5 p.m. and end at 10 p.m. Tickets are available online for $30 before the event $35 at the door, according to the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce’s website.
