30 AAPI-Owned Businesses to Visit in May (and All Year Round) 

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in May, we’re highlighting a few downtown spots owned by members of the AAPI community. From adorable cafes to iconic restaurants to top-notch beauty salons, here are 30 AAPI-owned businesses to visit in Lower Manhattan. Note that this is by no means an exhaustive list — you’ll find even more businesses in our Shop Dine Guide. This is also a great time to visit the China Institute in America (100 Washington St.), an internationally renowned nonprofit dedicated to celebrating and teaching Chinese art, history, culture, language and more. 

Power Bowls

If you haven’t visited this Korean spot located at 29 John St. yet, you’re long overdue. The fast-casual restaurant’s fresh, flavorful rice bowls can be customized with proteins like bulgogi and spicy pork, along with toppings like kimchi, pickled vegetables, mushrooms and more. The passion that owners Silvia Kim and Elisa Kim bring to the food and the space is palpable. 

 d Elici

In addition to co-owning Power Bowls, Elisa Kim also owns d Elici, a sandwich shop at 71 Nassau St. Stop in for a delicious and affordable sandwich next time it’s time to mix up your lunch order — we’re big fans of the Cuban sandwich and the d Elici special sandwich. 

Bean & Bean

There’s a lot to love about this coffee shop at 71 Broadway owned by Jiyoon Han and her mother, Rachel. They prioritize relationships with women-owned coffee farms and producers, they donate a percentage of their sales to the Sloth Institute and the food and drinks are truly tasty. Next time you need a pick-me-up, grab a honey latte and avocado toast piled high with tomatoes and feta. You’ll feel your mood lift instantly, trust us. 

Lil Chef Mama

Mama Toon and her team at Lil Chef Mama (27 Cliff St.) specialize in bold, flavorful Thai dishes. In addition to classics like pad Thai and Thai fried rice, you can also try specials like the Kai Yang (grilled chicken marinated with Thai herbs, sticky rice, papaya salad and sweet chili sauce) and Ka Kob (frog legs served with garlic or basil sauce).  

Xi’an Famous Foods

How lucky are we to have an outpost of the iconic noodle spot right here at 8 Liberty Pl.? Order the spicy cumin lamb hand-ripped noodles or spicy Asian cucumber salad next time you want to turn up the heat. This is also a great NYC spot to take out-of-town guests — as long as they can take the heat.  

Bombay’s Indian Restaurant

Owner Sonal Vyas and staff are always ready to whip up a feast of delicious Indian food at Bombay’s Indian Restaurant (60 Pearl St.). You can’t go wrong with any order here, but we’re especially partial to the samosas, spicy lamb vindaloo and shrimp biryani. And you should definitely pair it all with the onion chili cheddar cheese naan, which is every bit as delicious as it sounds. 

Farida

This unique eatery featuring Uzbek, Kazakh and other Central Asian dishes was founded by Farida Ricciardelli. Next time you have folks visiting from out of town, take them to Farida (32 Cedar St.) for an order of traditional Uzbek plov (a dish of lamb, beef, rice, carrots and chickpeas), the red caviar and creamy butter blini and the handmade manti (large steamed steak-and-onion dumplings). You might have to roll yourself back to your apartment, but it’s 100% worth it.  

Takahachi Bakery

The desserts at Takahachi Bakery (25 Murray St.) are almost too pretty to eat. Executive Patisserie Naoko Mabuchi and owner Hiroyuki Takahashi have dreamed up a menu of creative pastries like the matcha mille crepe cake, orange wasabi mouse, black sesame cream puffs and more.  

Nobu

This outpost of the legendary restaurant is perfect for your next date night. Nobu Downtown (195 Broadway) has plenty of creative Japanese dishes like yellowtail jalapeno, black cod miso and, of course, a long list of sushi options. We’d be remiss not to mention the incredible cocktails here, like the Shishito Suave made with tequila, shishito cucumber shrub and lemon miso agave. 

Burte Lash & Nail

When it’s time to pamper yourself, head to Burte Lash & Nail (67 Liberty St.). The salon specializes in eyelash extensions as well as Japanese and Russian gel manicures. Owner Ari Tsedenbal and her staff will walk you through the many different options they offer and ensure you leave looking and feeling your best. 

MAUM Store

For curated home goods, MAUM Store at the Seaport (18 Fulton St.) is the spot to find handmade gifts from Asian-owned and operated brands. The store is created by MAUM Market, the largest Asian makers’ market based in California, and features hundreds of artisanal items like soaps, ceramics, paper goods and more. The space also hosts cultural events and workshops like rice cake making and tea ceremonies – you can buy tickets on its site to join.

Caravan Uyghur Cuisine

To say we were delighted when owner Abdul Ahad Bakri re-opened Caravan at 60 Beaver St. after closing its original location in 2022 is an understatement. Caravan’s delectable Central Asian noodle dishes will sate you in any season.

Vietspot

This casual Vietnamese eatery owned by Sophie Nguyen and Anthony Ruan delivers big on flavor. Vietspot (99 Nassau Ave.) is beloved by those in-the-know for its brisket pho and pork banh mi. It’s fast, fresh, and shockingly affordable — which means you’ll probably find yourself going back more than once a week.

Aroy Dee Thai Kitchen

Fans of Thai street food, rejoice. Aroy Dee Thai Kitchen (20 John St.) serves up exactly what the name promises: “very delicious” food. We recommend that you try the papaya salad with sticky rice and the boat noodles with beef. The space is simple, but the flavors are anything but.

Hey Thai

Sleek and modern, Hey Thai (127 John St.) doesn’t shy away from spice or style. Located in the heart of the neighborhood, this spot doesn’t break a sweat when delivering an Instagram-worthy plating of panang curry or crispy duck. That being said, everything on the menu is a safe bet. 

Dim Sum Palace

This family-owned mini-chain has been a hit on the neighborhood since it debuted at 123 William St. in 2023, serving up steaming dim sum staples and other Cantonese fare in a vibrant space. Also check out Dim Sum Sam (also 123 William St.), the adjoining fast casual storefront.

Korin

Korin (57 Warren St.) is a specialty shop offering top-tier Japanese knives and tableware, many of which are handmade by traditional artisans. If you’re serious about cooking — or gifting something beautiful — this should be your new favorite place. It’s where NYC’s top chefs shop, and once you visit, you’ll see why.

Shinjuku Japanese Deli

For quick Japanese eats, stop by this cozy market, where you’ll find bento boxes and other prepared foods as well as all sorts of hard-to-find Japanese chips, desserts, drinks, Pocky and other snacks.  

Wolf Forest Cafe

This modern Vietnamese gem at 213 Pearl St. is your new favorite afternoon spot. Wolf Forest Cafe specializes in playful, meticulously crafted Asian-inspired bubble tea and treats. Regulars at this joint rave about its innovative take on classic banh mi sandwich.

Kuu

There’s no shortage of ramen in New York, but Kuu (20 John St.) holds its own with rich, slow-simmered broths and housemade noodles. While we think Kuu’s tonkotsu is a standout — velvety and deeply satisfying — don’t sleep on the miso veggie ramen either. The casual vibe and quick service make it an ideal go-to when that ramen craving hits hard.

Otani

This modern sushi spot at 59 Nassau St. is ideal for an intimate lunch with friends at any time of the week. The pork gyozas are a renown crowd-pleaser, but we also recommend that you try the a la carte sushi options. Add in an extensive sake list and impeccable service, and you’ve got yourself a destination.

Sushi & Co

This creative sushi spot at 67 Nassau St. specializes in sushi made with natural black rice, which is more nutritious than brown or white rice. Next time you need a quick but delicious lunch to take back to your desk, grab a sushi box, which includes rolls, salad and nigiri. The menu also includes noodle bowls, dumplings, rice bowls and salad.  

Imm Thai

Cozy Thai comfort food is what you can expect at this restaurant located at 80 Nassau St. We’d recommend stir-fried ribs in red curry next time you go. They’re cooked with a handmade chili paste created by the chef, and they’re amazing. That said, you also can’t go wrong with an order of the southern Thai chicken or the crab curry. Wash it all down with a sweet Thai iced tea. 

Silky Kitchen

This newly opened spot at 12 John St. whips up authentic Hunan cuisine like mapo tofu, wok-sautéed pork and pepper and pan-fried dumplings. Everything you’ll find here is big on flavor, so come here when you’re craving a bowl of something spicy, garlicky and wonderful.  

Goku Kitchen

Anime lovers will find much to enjoy at Goku Kitchen’s outpost at 26 Cedar St. The vibrant anime-inspired decor creates the perfect setting for the food, which includes everything from pork soup dumplings to gyu-don (a Japanese beef rice bowl) to scallion oil noodles and more. It’s all delicious and budget-friendly to boot.

Yeh’s Bao

Head to Yeh’s Bao at 38 Rector St. for a diverse assortment of Asian cuisine. This spot has delicious Chinese classics like string bean with garlic, General Tso’s chicken and beef and broccoli. Then, you have the namesake specialty baos, which come with mustard, lettuce, cucumber, tomato, and a house-made special sauce. Yeh’s Bao also offers an assortment of Korean food like bulgogi and dolsot bibimbap, plus hot pot. Come here when you’re in the mood for a little bit of everything. 

Koba Korean BBQ

At Koba Korean BBQ’s outpost located at 136 William St., you can expect to find fresh vegetables, delicious meats, hearty stews, fried chicken and more. One of its most popular options is the Koba Bowl, a choose-your-own-adventure of rice, noodles, crisp vegetables, proteins like beef bulgogi and spicy pork, and creative toppings like seaweed strips and gochujang sauce.   

Raj’s Indian Kitchen 

Raj’s Indian Kitchen (53 Nassau St.) is delicious and a great value. Generous portions of dishes like chicken tikka masala, saag paneer and lamb biryani are dished out alongside rice and naan for less than $15, making it an excellent deal. Plus, the staff here is incredibly friendly.    

Mikado

For fresh, delectable sushi and other Japanese fare that’ll transport you straight to Tokyo, stop by Mikado (164 Pearl St.). You’ll find bento boxes, lunch specials and a la carte rolls on the menu at this charming spot that seeks to uphold the essence of traditional Japanese cuisine.

ER Hot Pot Battery Park City

Er Huo Guo’s Battery Park City location (21 South End Ave.) is a welcome addition to the western side of the neighborhood. Its authentic Sichuan hotpot makes for an excellent mealtime adventure to enjoy with family and friend groups. The Instagrammable interiors are a fun bonus.

photo: courtesy Mikado