Taste of Asia returned to Madison Square Park for its sold-out fifth annual celebration, bringing together more than 40 of New York City’s leading AAPI restaurants for an evening celebrating food, culture, and community. The event raised a record-breaking $1.83M for Apex for Youth and Madison Square Park Conservancy.
Founder Simon Kim (Gracious Hospitality Management) and co-chairs Eva Chen, Laura Kim and Michael Chung brought together over 1000 guests alongside a star-studded host committee including Prabal Gurung, Jenny Han, Chriselle Lim, Eric Nam and more. Other notables in attendance included Martha Stewart, Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal, and more.
Guests gathered in Madison Square Park to experience tastings from top restaurants such as Sushi Noz, Atoboy, Bánh Anh Em, COQODAQ, Dhamaka, Joo Ok, KISA and Nowon, among others. The evening also featured a special collaboration between Shake Shack and COTE Korean Steakhouse, bringing together two iconic New York dining institutions for the occasion.
The evening included celebrity red carpet arrivals, Michelin-starred bites, DJ tunes, champagne toasts, a dynamic drawing for prizes such as courtside Knicks tickets and a private karaoke party for 20 at COQODAQ.
The fifth annual event raised over $1.83 million, with 100% of proceeds benefiting Apex for Youth and Madison Square Park Conservancy. The funds will support Apex for Youth’s work empowering Asian American youth from low-income and immigrant backgrounds through impactful mentorship and critical resources, and Madison Square Park Conservancy, which funds, maintains, and programs the historic park. Simon Kim founded Taste of Asia in 2021 to celebrate the diversity and vitality of AAPI culture and cuisine in New York City and beyond, in the incomparable setting of his favorite NYC park, and the event continues to expand its reach and philanthropic impact every year.
Taste of Asia 2026 is proudly supported by the following sponsors: Millennium Management, Stephanie Ng & Richard Li, Phillip Lee & Aram Hur, Aki Maki & Tammy Li, Alger, Forth Foundation, IRONGREY, Judith Ehm Foundation, Karen & Robert Lee, Melissa Ko & Doug Hahn, Prashant & Saira Lal, Resy/American Express, Serena & John Liew, SK (SK America and Passkey), SpotOn, Teresa Tsai, Tiffany & Co. and the YS Kim Foundation. Through their generous contributions, these sponsors help make the annual celebration possible while furthering Taste of Asia’s mission of bringing communities together through food and raising critical funds for Apex for Youth and Madison Square Park Conservancy.
Image credit: Jason Lowrie/BFA
