This weekend is the first time Panda Fest, one of the largest Asian food festivals in the country, has come to Houston.
HOUSTON — May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and one of the country’s largest Asian food festivals is in Houston for the first time.
Panda Fest is taking over Buffalo Bayou Park this weekend. Food, music and cultural performance are drawing crowds from all over Southeast Texas who are eager to experience flavors and traditions from across Asia.
The festival features more than 60 food and merchandise vendors, as well as live entertainment. And, you guessed it, everything is panda themed – complete with giant panda inflatables, panda-shaped drink bottles and panda headpieces for attendees.
“There’s so much food, drinks. So much to shop, also,” Houston resident Aira Pervez said.
Visitors said the event offered a chance to explore new foods and cultures.
“I had the pork belly fried rice, and then we tried the sugar fruit. It was really, really good,” Houston resident Owen Hibbard said.
Houston resident Lorena Hibbard added, “We are a multicultural family, so we love to get into culture, see different food, colors, fashion, music.”
Vendors traveled from across the country to take part in the festival and share their culture with Houstonians.
The team behind Chan Bai Mei traveled from New York to sell tanghulu, a traditional candied fruit snack.
“We’re selling candied fruit,” said Vivian Chen of Chan Bai Mei. “It’s definitely an honor to be here with everybody. We’re from New York. We prepared the fruits fresh here, and I hope that everybody can have something new.”
Florida-based Mr. Takoyaki also brought its Japanese street food to Houston. They said they love it when people eat their fried octopus balls for the first time.
“They’re just always amazed, especially with the texture, how it’s crispy on the outside, a little bit soft and melty on the inside. They’re not really used to it, but then they try all the flavors together, they absolutely love it,” said Justin Nguyen of Mr. Takoyaki.
Festival organizers said Houston is now the 16th city in the United States to host Panda Fest, and they were excited to bring the event to the city during AAPI Heritage Month.
“I think it’s very important for people from other communities to learn about the Asian culture, and also for Asian people to embrace their own culture,” Panda Fest manager Yimeng Li said.
Panda Fest continues Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Buffalo Bayou Park in Houston.