INCLUDES TASTY VIDEO TOUR | If you haven’t yet experienced this every-weekend outdoor bazaar in outer East Portland, check it out this weekend, or before Labor Day weekend …
Many find the White Lotus Summer Market to be a great place in outer East Portland for shopping, dining, and socializing.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
If you’ve driven along SE 82nd Avenue of Roses north of Foster Road in August, perhaps you’ve noticed the colorful canopies that pop up in July and August in the parking lot of the Emmert Cali Saigon Mall – formerly a Fred Meyer Store – bordering SE Mitchell Street.
This vendor conclave signals the return of the White Lotus Summer Market.
Overseeing this session of the White Lotus Summer Market is White Lotus Foundation cofounder Sydney Lau.
“New this season is that the market schedule expanded from four to eight weekends this year, running through Labor Day weekend,” announced Sydney Lau, one of the founding members of the White Lotus Foundation and on their Board of Directors.
See highlights of a visit to the White Lotus Summer Market:
“We’ve continued hosting this marketplace because nowhere in East Portland can one find a market like this,” Lau told East Portland News.
Leaders of the foundation were originally inspired, now several years ago, by the Richmond Night Market in Vancouver BC, Lau remarked.
It’s Sheila, of Sheila M. Wong Graphic Design, showing one art prints for sale.
“This is more than a market, it’s an event – one that highlights Asian American and Asian Pacific Islander vendors and entrepreneurs,” Lau explained. “We wanted to have something like this, here in Portland during the summer, when the weather is nice.”
On each of these Saturday and Sundays, visitors can shop from among 45 to 50 different vendors. “While we focus on accepting Asian American and Pacific Islanders vendors – and depending on requests we get – vendors from other related cultures are also invited to join us.”
Saucing another supper entrée, here’s Johnny Vongbouthdy of Juicy VJ’s Wings and BBQ.
Adam Petersen and Blake Abigail enjoy the family dining area that provides a place to relax and enjoy the market.
The savory scent of traditional and fusion hot ready-to-eat meals was wafting through air when we visited on August 9th. Other vendors offered Asian prepared foods. Yet other sellers offered items ranging from clothing, to works of art, to personal services.
Traditional dance performances, such as Nattasinh Lao PDX, entertain the audience and enliven the marketplace.
Later in the day, the demand for freshly-cooked food increases.
“What we hope most is that we are bringing the community together,” observed Lau. “Whether it be the people who come to the market to shop, eat, or just to hang out – or it’s the vendors who meet other vendors – all of it creates a greater sense of community here in outer east Portland!”
The White Lotus Summer Market turns into a “night market” as the sun sets.
White Lotus Summer Outdoor Market
Open Saturday and Sunday through August 31
2:00 until 10:00 p.m.
Emmert Cali Saigon Mall
Shun Fat Supermarket parking lot
5253 SE 82nd Avenue of Roses, 97266
For more information, see their webpage: CLICK HERE.
© 2025 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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