Today we’d like to introduce you to Andy Kou.
Hi Andy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I moved from Diamond Bar, California to Portland, Oregon in 2019. Before that, I spent most of my life in Los Angeles working in the corporate world and climbing the corporate ladder. I had always loved cooking, but I had never cooked professionally or imagined that I would one day own a food business.
Starting my food cart was a completely different world. I went through all the struggles that come with starting a small business and had to learn a lot of things the hard way. Even today, I’m still learning something new every day. Owning your own business definitely isn’t all rainbows and sunshine, but every challenge has taught me something and helped me grow.
When I started Hawker Station PDX, I wanted to focus on the food I grew up eating—the flavors and dishes that feel familiar and remind me of home. Sharing that food with people in Portland has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.
Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for where I am today. Over the years, I’ve met so many amazing customers, many of whom have become friends. What started as a new chapter in my life has become a journey I’ll always be thankful for.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Roads are still not smooth lol
Endless shopping, trips to many different stores to shop, prep, trying to pinch pennies on products, trying to fit everything in a little tiny 8×16 food cart, never have weekends off, working on all holidays, putting in 14+ hours a day doesn’t mean it’ll be rewarding, dealing with constant mind fuck, “why is it slow today? Am I doing something wrong? Is there an event somewhere else today? Is my price too high? Pictures not good enough? Should I lower my price? The weather? The endless “what ifs”
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Hawker Station PDX is a tiny but mighty food cart located in Beaverton, OR inside of the famous Breakside brewery pod, yes us Oregonians, calls it “pod”, a food pod where is attached to the building with carts parked Station outside the building property.
We specialize in Hong Kong / Cantonese food, we’re known for our Hainanese chicken rice, braised pork belly and I hate to say it… The best orange chicken your mom will ever have 🙂
Also we have weekly specials!
Sets us aside from others? Nothing lol, I’m just trying to keep my manu simple, instead of improving or upgrading my dish, I’m just trying to bring the taste of my childhood, what I grew up on and share that with everyone.
My proudest moment? Still standing after 5 years and still going strong lol oooh! also 1 thing that makes me happy, really happy is when customer comes back after my food, tells me how much they like it, how much it reminds them of Hainan chicken they have overseas, those things makes me happy, I guess I’m very gullible.
To our readers? im just a guy who’s in his 40’s chasing a dream, whats my dream? I honestly have no clue lol, I’m just trying to survive, and I need money to feed my cat so come try my food?
Also to the people that wants to start ur own food business? Don’t lmao it’s not worth it unless you really love it, don’t do it for the money, cus the money is not there 🙂
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Gonna keep it simple, for me, return customers, people liking my food, customers became friends, actually that’s how I met my fiance. It’s through a return customer who became friends and introduced me to my fiance.
Why? Because I guess having no expectations brings the best results? If that makes sense? Everyday try to do the best I can and that’s all I can give, there is hundreds of things that can ruin my day, I just choose not to let that bother me, it’s harder said then done but I’m just trying my best… That makes me happy
Pricing:
- Hainanese chicken n rice come with broth – $16
- Pork belly -$18
- Soy sauce chicken $16
- Fried chicken n gravy $16
Contact Info:
- Instagram: hawkerstationpdx
- Facebook: Hawker station pdx
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/TQVFWsIbNF
