Feel the ahhhh~ 😌🍜
A year ago, I was filmed for a Travel Portland / @travelportland campaign. I had been an extra for a couple of television shows, but it was surreal to be front and center with extras supporting me instead! The @industry______ team was incredibly cool and professional, making me so comfortable when I'm typically a mess in front of a camera. They captured my essence, enjoying delicious ramen from Afuri / @afuriramen_pdx while wearing fogged-up vanity glasses. It was honestly one of the most unique, fun experiences in my life.
Several months afterward, I was told by a friend at Travel Portland that the campaign was already out to the world. I shared the YouTube video with my family, and now I am considered the Movie Star of the Chen family. Ultimately, I am honored to have represented both Portland and the AAPI community through this work. I love this city and I hope to continue to give back to it as best as I can.
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#pdx #foodblog #travelportland #aapi #ramen #feeltheahhhh
🛫 April Food Highlights ft. Chicago & Anaheim 🛬
This felt like a very long month! I forgot that I travelled so much between my spontaneous trip to see friends in Chicago and a long-planned trip to Final Fantasy Fan Fest in Anaheim. It was really nice to reconnect with people across different parts of my life, especially as time passes and we quickly forget how long we have known each other.
As usual, please take care of yourself and your loved ones. Stay vigilant.
P.S. Instagram has forced me to post this from my desktop, so I am limited to 10 pictures until they fix the app. 🫠
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#foodblog #foodphotography #foodtravel #foodpics #April2026
🌦️ March 2026 Food Highlights 🌦️
What happened to this month? Despite the dreaded Daylight Saving time shift, the additional sunshine has been refreshing to break up the spring showers. While I've been heads down this month in Portland, I'm excited to travel in the coming month. I also look forward to more people walking around and indulging in our wonderful food scene.
As usual, take care of each other and stay vigilant.
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#pdx #pdxeats #thisisportland #foodphotography #foodblog
🍛 February 2026 Food Highlights 🍛
This month flew by with the New Year celebration, birthdays, and settling into a new job. The unsettling dry winter has been good for my spirits, but I worry about drought in the summer to come. Otherwise, I have been biding my energy to prepare for spring in hopes of growth, change, and renewal.
Keep thriving and take care of each other. 💚
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#pdx #pdxeats #foodphotography #foodpics #february2026
✊🏻 January 2026 Food Highlights ft. San Francisco ✊🏻
It has already felt like a year since the start of 2026. I switched careers, enjoyed a short food vacation with my boyfriend, and watched the continued cruelty of our country wreak havoc on the most vulnerable of our neighbors and community.
I do not post much about "politics" on this account to maintain my mental health, but I fear what could happen if Portland ever faces a surge of federal agents like Minnesota. I fear not just for myself as a naturalized citizen, but any person of color who happens to be in the wrong place and wrong time with a name on their list. I fear we do not know the extent of the cruelty of those who are detained and the suffering they endure without due process.
Despite these fears, I remain hopeful that our country will swing back toward justice and humanity. Progress is a pendulum and we are experiencing a heavy back swing.
Stay vigilant and take care of each other. We have to.
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#foodblog #foodphotography #immigrantsmakeamericagreat
🎀 December 2025 Food Highlights 🎀
We made it another year, folks! I also managed to achieve last year's resolution of posting monthly highlights! It has been a good way to reflect on the past month, both in terms of highlighting the food and sharing my general thoughts during the month.
For 2026, I will try to cook more and put in some good hours on my new wok! Who knows, maybe I will make some content around it if I have the time.
Remember to be good to each other and yourselves. A new year marks a new beginning and many possibilities.
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#pdx #pdxeats #foodphotography #foodblog #foodpic
🍂 November 2025 Food Highlights 🍂
Another month flies by and I have been seeking the comforts of rice, pasta, and soups. Otherwise, I have had many good eats for celebrations and special events, especially with loved ones.
The autumn leafs are a reminder that life is a cycle and we must rest before we may flourish again. Take care of yourselves and each other. 🧡
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#pdxeats #foodphotography #foodblog
🇹🇼 October 2025 Food Highlights: Taiwan Edition 🇹🇼
It is a strange feeling to return to your birth country, only to come back much older with a fragmented, elementary vocabulary. I have accepted that feeling as part of my identity and am thankful that Taiwan has been both approachable and hospitable despite my challenges.
My last two solo trips to Taipei gave me the confidence to plan another trip, this time for my boyfriend Tim's first trip to East Asia. I also got to see my mom this year, as she did not want to travel due to the current political environment of the US. To make it a wholly novel experience for myself, I booked a bus tour for Tim and me to explore the different regions of Taiwan, including Sun Moon Lake, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and the various natural sites of eastern coastal Taiwan. It was a great, comprehensive, whirlwind tour with culturally important spots (indigenous and religious) and a great hotel selection. I hope to visit these different parts of Taiwan again in future trips!
Overall it was a very successful, relaxing vacation. Tim ate to his heart's content at a lot at buffets (not shown), which makes his fit right into the culture. We visited many of my "tried and true" spots in Taipei as well as some new ones, reassuring that my taste is not bad and that I can continue to find great spots all over Taipei (and beyond)!
I will make updates to my Taiwan Google Map soon™ so you can use it as a resource for future trips to my beautiful home country. Until next time, please take care of yourself and each other. ❤️💙🤍🇹🇼🇺🇸
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#blog #foodblog #foodpics #October2025 #taiwan #taipei #tainan #kaohsiung #taitung #travel #travelblog #foodphotography
🌦️ September 2025 Food Highlights 🌦️
This month just kinda flew by! It certainly wasn't from a lack of events happening in the world, perhaps also because it is a time of transition into fall. We managed to get some temperate sunshine in Portland this month, a welcome gift before we bundle up and become cozy for the remainder of the year.
I'm preparing my trip back to Taiwan in early October, this time with my boyfriend in tow to introduce him to my birth country and explore its various regions together. Expect a Taiwan edition of this monthly recap! 🇹🇼🍜📸
Until then, be well to each other and yourselves.
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#pdx #pdxeats #pdxfood #thisisportland #foodphotography #foodblog #foodpic #foodpics #September2025
❤️🔥 August 2025 Food Highlights ❤️🔥
This month flew by with some notable events: an arbitrary burger week, new adventures for some of my favorite favorite chefs, the opening of Ranch 99 in SE Portland, and the one-year anniversary with my boyfriend!
I know I have been gloomy these past few months with my commentary, but I truly remain optimistic in the future of this city & the people who make it such a great community. Let's continue to stay strong, focused & vigilant, fam.
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#pdx #pdxeats #localeats #pdxfood #foodblog #foodpic #foodpics #thisisportland #foodphotography #August2025
⛅ July 2025 Food Highlights ⛅
It has been an eventful summer month, filled with celebrations of success and community. But there was also a sudden loss for my love, and being present to support him where I can.
In between those moments, there were the injustices at the national and global level which are out of our immediate control. It is hard to feel hope in times like this, but we have to hope in order to work towards a better future.
Anyway, here are some of my nicer pictures this past month. I am still here supporting my regular spots but also branching out when the opportunity arises (and my diet allows for it).
Until next time, take care of each other. ❤️
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#pdx #pdxeats #pdxfood #foodblog #foodpics #foodpic #foodphotography #July2025
🌦️ June 2025 Food Highlights 🌦️
This past month has been filled with many highs and lows, but I will focus on the highs as most people are aware of the heinous acts harming our vulnerable and marginalized communities.
June marked the start of summer (despite the sporadic weather), bringing seasonal fruits, busy crowds, anniversaries, celebrations, and the promise of better days. On a personal note, I was happy to spend Father's Day celebrating my father's life with my boyfriend. We spent the day going to a seafood breakfast buffet and steak dinner with matcha lattes in between. The seemingly simple acts of love really make life worth it, you know?
As usual, be kind to yourselves and help one another if you are able. ❤️
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#pdx #pdxeats #pdxfood #foodblog #foodpics #foodphotography #June2025
