Fumiko Hozumi looks back fondly on her childhood summers in Japan, recalling vibrant festivals complete with fireworks and street vendors.
It’s been 20 years since she last experienced a summer in Japan, but that magic has inspired her entrepreneurial journey.
As co-owner of the vegan Japanese restaurant Obon Shokudo in Portland’s Central Eastside, Hozumi is set to partake in the inaugural Veganizer Asian Market on June 1.
This event, modeled after Asian night markets, aims to unite 50 small businesses and celebrate the fusion of veganism and Asian cultures.
Waz Wu, the producer of the event, expressed a desire to highlight the Asian origins of many vegan staples.
“Part of the reason I started doing these events was because I looked at vegan spaces, and they are predominantly white, with a very limited representation of what Asian food is,” Wu said.
He mentioned that ingredients like tofu, tempeh, seitan, and miso are often overlooked despite their connections to Asian cuisine.
Since its inception in New York City, Veganizer has evolved into an organization dedicated to expanding vegan options in the restaurant industry.
Currently, the Portland chapter is the only one remaining, thanks to Wu’s dedication and the support of the local food community.
“Portland’s always been a vegan destination.
People come here for vacation, and people care for the vegan food.
Beyond the vegan community, I think the food community has just been really welcoming,” Wu explained.
The Veganizer Asian Market will not only focus on food but will also serve as a platform for creatives to showcase and sell their goods.
“I’m able to do this because what I do appeals to everybody who loves food, not just vegans,” Wu stated.
Cyrus Ichiza, founder of Jade Rabbit, is among the vendors participating in the market.
Jade Rabbit offers vegan Pan-Asian dishes inspired by Ichiza’s Chamorro and Tsinoy heritage.
Having previously engaged with other Veganizer events, Ichiza shared excitement about this year’s market.
“It feels lovely to participate and promote events that kind of center Asian Americans,” he noted.
In his booth, Ichiza plans to serve vegan takoyaki, a popular Japanese street food, although he acknowledges that he’s often one of the few vegan vendors among traditional offerings.
Wu emphasized that while not every vendor is completely vegan, the focus will be on highlighting vegan options.
The market will feature additional attractions, such as a lion dance performance by White Lotus and live culinary demonstrations focusing on traditional dishes.
Hozumi and her husband Jason Duffany will be conducting a demonstration on how to make miso using nontraditional methods.
The duo, who have collaborated with Veganizer since before the pandemic, sought to introduce diversity into Portland’s Japanese food scene when they relocated to the city in 2014.
“We didn’t want to do anything like what you see in the U.S., like a classic Japanese restaurant with sushi and ramen,” Hozumi said, highlighting their desire for something unique.
At the market, they will be offering skewers made from marinated tofu, morel mushrooms, and seasonal vegetables.
“Tofu is a main ingredient for a lot of Japanese cuisine,” she added.
She hopes that attendees will gain a broader understanding of Japanese vegetarian cuisine during the event.
Wu shared the significance of highlighting Asian cultures in a space that honors the tradition of night markets, stating, “There are so many night market style events, but we sometimes forget that these night markets are Asian in origin.”
The market will donate 10% of its ticket sales to APANO, a nonprofit focused on uniting Asian communities in Oregon.
Tickets for the Veganizer Asian Market are offered on a pay-what-you-can basis, which includes free, $5, or $10 options.
“I just want to get as many people into the venue to support the vendors and see what a Veganizer event is like,” Wu expressed, reflecting on the unknown turnout for the event.
Hozumi’s aspiration to recreate her childhood experiences of Japanese summer festivals comes full circle through the Veganizer Asian Market, blending nostalgia with a modern twist on Asian vegan cuisine.
If you’re interested in delving into this culinary celebration, here are the event details: Veganizer Asian Market, from 5-10 p.m. on Sunday, June 1, at Redd on Salmon, 831 S.E. Salmon St., Portland.
Join the event with tickets available online or at the venue, encouraging support for local vendors and the rich tapestry of Asian culinary heritage.
For more information, follow @veganizerpdx on Instagram.
image source from：https://www.oregonlive.com/living/2025/05/portlands-veganizer-asian-market-aims-to-increase-representation-in-vegan-spaces.html
