Harlem Celebrates Korean Restaurant Owner Amid Racist Attacks

HARLEM, NY — Amid a spate of attacks against Asian New Yorkers that have rattled the city, Harlem leaders rallied around a beloved Korean American restaurant owner on Wednesday, celebrating her service to the neighborhood over nearly 40 years.

The honoree was Betty Park, owner of the soul food chain Manna’s, which has nourished Harlem with pig's feet, collard greens, oxtails and cornbread since 1985.

Those present on Wednesday said Park, known as “Miss Betty,” has done far more than feed the neighborhood — she has also hired local residents to staff her restaurants, sponsored afterschool programs and supported nearby churches, according to Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, who organized the event outside Manna's Malcom X Boulevard store.

"From African Americans to Latinos, everybody love her," said Evangelist Robert Rice, Bethel Gospel Assembly Evangelist and one of several clergy who spoke Wednesday.

Despite the celebratory tone, the backdrop of Wednesday’s event was the string of unprovoked attacks on Asians walking down city streets, from the brutal beating of a Filipino woman in Hell’s Kitchen to a man’s assault in Harlem last month.

Police have counted at least 31 anti-Asian crimes so far in 2021 — far more than the four reported last year — but that number is likely an undercount.

“We are here today, collectively, to address the senseless hate crimes against Asians in the city," Rice said. “We don’t tolerate no hate crimes from nobody, whether you’re black, white, Chinese ... it’s unacceptable.”

The news conference also served as an impromptu campaign event, thanks to surprise appearances by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Ray McGuire, the former finance executive — two of the leading candidates for mayor.

Park, whose family first opened a fish market in Harlem in 1983, arrived "when it was not popular to come to this community," said State Sen. Brian Benjamin, who is himself running for city comptroller.

Today I honored the owner of Manna's in Harlem for her service to the community -- Ms. Betty Park.

We rallied with local clergy members in support of Betty to end violence against the Asian community. This violence must stop now, it's on ALL of us to stand up. pic.twitter.com/zEE24cdzNX
— Senator Brian Benjamin (@NYSenBenjamin) April 14, 2021

Park's tenure in Harlem did not get off to an easy start. Shortly after her arrival, a fight at another Korean-owned store led to a three-month boycott of Korean shops by Harlem residents, according to a 2010 Edible Manhattan profile.

By Wednesday, however, Park had felt the love.

"Betty Park without Harlem is nothing," Park said near the end of Wednesday's rally.

Calling on the mayor to provide help for people who suffer from mental illness, Park said she was "not worried" about the recent attacks, given the support she has at home.

"We love each other, we help each other, show this kind of love message and unity, I think that we're going to win."