Hi, WELCOME IN
Please take off your shoes & make yourself at home.
We are Upstate Asians (USA), owned and operated by Chef & community organizer JJ Kingman.
We exist to make locally made Asian products accessible to Upstate New Yorkers.
In the Spring of 2026 will be moving to our land based home on the native lands of the Mohican people, currently known as Athens NY, West of the Hudson River.
To find out more, pitch a collaboration or pre-order your Chili Oil, contact us
HI FROM JJ
Hey there! I’m JJ. I’m a Chinese-New Yorker chef, Wu-Tang devotee, community organizer and fashion designer with a Taurus sun and Libra moon. I really care about providing all folk with tasty food that looks and feels good. I cook, serve and create as a way of connecting and honoring my ancestors. Shout out to Dong!
I’ve been living in Upstate New York for the past six years, and I’m tired of missing the quality Asian spots I grew up with in NYC. And so, I’m following my dream to create an Upstate Asian Hub that showcases the richness of the Asian diaspora.
My heart is rooted in community and mutual aid. I am creating this project together with my wife and dinner partner Lyss Burns and together, we are determined to open this project as an invitation to collaborate—whether you want to get involved, pitch an idea, or simply learn more. We look forward to welcoming you in Athens this spring.
