SOUTH PHILADELPHIA - May is Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month and FDR Park is home to Southeast Asian Market vendors.
Strolling the stalls, customers can find traditional street barbecue, spicy tropical salads, sweet drinks and so much more. Additionally, for this refugee community, finding belonging took many years.Countries represented in the market include Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.The crowds gather around the hot smoke of the grills, and, nearby, fresh green papaya is found for salads."We cook chicken, beef, sausage," said vendor Doauk Nay.Freshly pressed sugar cane is found in the market.
Khai Chiev runs Suga Daddy at the Southeast Asian Market. "I’m Cambodian. I grew up in South Philadelphia," Chiev remarked. "This is actually where we found our space.
I’m over 40 now. I’m still here."FDR Park became a green sanctuary space for refugee families missing their homeland in Southeast Asia.