Northwest Asian Weekly published its first edition on February 5, 1983, as the successor to an English insert in the Seattle Chinese Post that debuted in September 1982.

It was distributed for free and had a circulation of 9,500 prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

[3][4] In May 2024, Ng sold Asian Weekly to a group of four investors.

[5][6] Northwest Asian Weekly's print version were widely distributed in Seattle, primarily at Asian American businesses, grocery stores, and restaurants.

They were also available at businesses in other parts of King and Snohomish counties, as well as public libraries statewide.