Named for the mineral prized by cultures around the world for centuries, the Jade District embodies everything the green gemstone represents: prosperity, kindness, and a connection to the past. Centered around the intersection of Division Street and 82nd Avenue, this Southeast Portland neighborhood is a place where diverse traditions — primarily of Asian communities — come together to tell a unique story of incredible food, artistic expression, and camaraderie.
Why You Should Visit This Week: Spice up the Night
That shared buy-in didn’t happen overnight. It has taken over a decade of hard work from APANO, the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing equity through leadership, advocacy, and grassroots development. Everything the group has achieved takes center stage at the Jade International Night Market.
Portland Community College’s Southeast Campus will host the 10th annual event on Saturday, Aug. 29, 4-10 p.m. Beneath the warm glow of paper lanterns, thousands of visitors can explore more than 120 multicultural vendors, selling food and beverages, art, and handmade goods, while enjoying lion dances, Mexican baile folkorico, and other performances.
Food & Drink: A Hot Pot Hot Spot
While the Jade District is a figurative blend of different ingredients, Beijing Hot Pot Restaurant captures that essence in a literal — and extremely tasty — sense. Drop marbled slices of rib-eye or lamb into the simmering broths along with tofu, mushrooms, and assorted vegetables to make a stew that’s sharable and satisfying.
🦐 Trade the dumplings for crawfish but keep everything bubbling just down the street at Rockin Crab, a Louisiana-inspired Cajun seafood boil spot.
🧋 Mojo Crepes specializes in sweet Japanese desserts, fusion hot dogs, and colorful Taiwanese bubble teas — you can even play billiards while you chow down.
🍳 The title of “best breakfast sandwich” belongs to Balong Panaderia, a Filipino American bakery that stacks eggs, bacon or longganisa sausage, and cheese on pan de sal or cheddar scallion biscuits slathered in sun-dried tomato aioli.
🥬 Find Vietnamese cuisine such as bánh mì or potstickers, made vegan and vegetarian, at Van Hanh Restaurant.
🫔 Just try not to drool over the plates at Lindo Yucatan (spoiler: it’s impossible). You can’t go wrong whether you order the panuchos, salbutes, empanadas, or tamales.
Shopping: Cultivate Your Hobbies
There are two other worthwhile stops on any visit to the Jade District — and they align quite well with Portlanders’ interests.
First, indulge your green thumb (or ruthless plant-killing tendencies, we don’t judge) at Portland Nursery, which offers a vast selection to chloro-phyll your space with greenery. It hosts classes and special flower sales too (they can also test your soil for lead at an Aug. 30 event).
If you’re more serious about pedal power, Italian cycling clothing company Biciclista has its U.S. showroom in the neighborhood, and we have to say, this rosy fit is particularly on point.
Did we miss your favorite spot in the Jade District? Send us a line to share your recs.
