The Minnesota State Fair’s opening day on Thursday welcomed a fresh culinary lineup that reflects the state’s growing cultural diversity. Nine official new vendors brought 36 brand‑new foods to the fair, giving visitors a chance to taste dishes rooted in immigrant and BIPOC traditions.
New vendors and standout offerings
Among the newcomers, Union Hmong Kitchen presented a Hmong‑style corndog, while El Burrito Mercado offered tacos de mole. Saturday Dumpling Co. and Jive Turkey BBQ also joined the roster, promising a mix of Asian and Southern flavors.
Sahan Journal staff sampled several of the new items throughout the day. Afro Deli’s peri‑peri bowl drew particular attention. The dish combined two beef sambusas, fried peri‑peri‑spiced chicken, and sweet plantains, all served with basbaas, a green chili sauce.
First impressions from the tasting panel
Dymanh and Gabe noted that the sambusa filling was a bit dry, though they appreciated the overall flavor. “It tastes like taco meat,” Dymanh observed, adding that the herbs in the filling were not as pronounced as he would have liked. Gabe echoed the sentiment, saying the herb profile could be stronger.
Cynthia praised the basbaas sauce for its authentic heat, noting, “It’s not a Minnesota‑level spice.” Katrina, however, felt the peri‑peri chicken lacked the crispiness she expected, while Dymanh compared the peri‑peri sauce to buffalo sauce, an unexpected twist.
When it came to the plantains, the reviewers agreed the fruit was pleasant but did not stand out as a highlight. “I like it for what it is, and it’s a plantain,” Gabe said.
Why the new foods matter
These additions underscore the fair’s commitment to showcasing the state’s multicultural fabric. By giving immigrant and BIPOC vendors a platform, the fair not only expands culinary options but also supports small businesses and families who rely on the event for exposure and income.
Local families and visitors can explore the new offerings while enjoying the fair’s traditional attractions, from rides to agricultural exhibits. The fair’s organizers encourage attendees to sample the diverse dishes and support the vendors who bring their heritage to the Midwestern heartland.
Where to find the new dishes
A full list of the 36 new foods and the nine vendors is available on the Minnesota State Fair website. Readers are invited to follow Sahan Journal’s ongoing reviews for more detailed impressions of each dish as the fair progresses.
Original reporting: Sahan Journal — read the source article.
