Superabundant Dispatch: Manila clams with chorizo and this week’s news nibbles

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
It’s impossible to overlook the contributions Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made to Oregon’s culinary landscape, especially over the past year. The “Vegan Chinese Kitchen” by Hannah Che embraces the Portland-based author’s heritage through plant-based cooking, and landed on the New York Times “Best Cookbooks of 2022″ list. Carlo Lamagna, Thomas Pisha-Duffly and Vince Nguyen made Oregon proud with their coveted James Beard Awards noms. But long before prestigious “best of” lists put them on the national radar, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders were already making the Beaver State a ridiculously good place to eat — America’s oldest tofu company, Ota Tofu, is located in Portland, for one. And though its menu isn’t Chinese, Oregon’s oldest restaurant, Huber’s, happens to be owned and operated by the Chinese American descendants of the eatery’s first chef, Jim Louie. (Oregon’s oldest Chinese restaurant, Republic Cafe, is also more than a century old.)