The Asian District is one of the most distinctive areas of Oklahoma City, thanks in part to its thriving culture and unique history.
In the mid-1970s, thousands of refugees, primarily from Vietnam, found a home in this area of OKC after the Vietnam War. Those refugees became Oklahomans, started families, revitalized neighborhoods and became integrated pillars of the greater OKC community.
To honor the veterans from Vietnam and their American allies, Military Park was created just south of NW 25th between Classen and Military Ave. The Vietnamese American community of OKC raised funds to provide a statue called “Brothers in Arms” that depicts American and Vietnamese soldiers standing in solidarity, leading many residents to refer to the area around Military Park as “the Vietnamese heart.”
Today, the Asian District is filled with eclectic and delicious dining establishments where you can spend a full day learning about culture and heritage through cuisine.
To Start Your Day
HQ Coffee, operated by second-generation Asian Oklahoman Andrea Schultz, is the perfect place to start your day in the city. Here, you will find signature drinks like flavored matcha and latte varieties, including ube and black sesame.
Mochinut, with a blend of Japanese and Korean influence, brings tasty mochi donuts to OKC. Start your morning off with something sweet like the ube coconut or try one of their more unique combinations like matcha Oreo.
Mom-and-pop Vietnamese bakery Quoc Bao Bakery is serving up some of the most delicious bites in the city. Enjoy their banh mi sandwiches and grab a slice of their honeycomb cake on your way out.
While Asian flavors are woven throughout the neighborhood, the Asian District is home to a variety of other globally inspired cuisines that contribute to their diverse breakfast and coffee culture.
One of the most unique-to-OKC coffee experiences is The Red Cup, a vegetarian cafe in the Asian District. Along with sipping your favorite beverage, you can also enjoy a wide selection of tasty breakfast and lunch options like the biscuits and gravy or the Red Cup patty melt.
Speaking of coffee, there are a couple of other options worth mentioning. Classen Coffee Company is a traditional coffee shop with a delicious assortment of baked goods. They are centrally located and have a serene atmosphere for those who want to sit indoors or outdoors to soak in the district for a while.
One of the best breakfasts in the Asian District, and quite possibly the city, can be found at Cafe Kacao. This authentic Guatemalan and Latin food restaurant located on the north edge of the Asian District serves up a phenomenal breakfast, brunch and lunch selection. Each menu item is highly acclaimed, like their Salvadorian pupusas or wild berry pancakes, and their coffee beans are even shipped in directly from the Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve in Guatemala, making a delightful pairing with whichever dish you choose.
Grab a Snack
Founded in 1979, Super Cao Nguyen is OKC's oldest ethnic grocery store and still carries some of the freshest produce, poultry, fish and meats in town. Whether you are looking for a pantry staple or to try something brand new, this market’s combination of family, history and authenticity makes Super Cao Nguyen a bucket-list stop for shoppers of all ages.
For Lunch and Dinner
Food is at the very heart of OKC's Asian District. So, while you are in town, check out one (or all) of these restaurants adored by locals and travelers alike.
Serving up authentic Vietnamese food and drinks is Pho Lien Hoa, a cozy, family friendly restaurant. Known for their pho and noodle soups as well as different vermicelli dishes, this relaxed dining experience is a delicious inside look into our city's Asian Oklahoman culture.
Founded in 1984, Grand House was the first restaurant to bring a traditional dim sum dining experience to Oklahoma. Ever since, they have been serving up an extensive menu of Asian cuisine, including sushi, pan-fried noodles, seafood and, of course, dim sum.
Lee's Sandwiches is a beloved sandwich shop that has called OKC home for over 15 years. Rooted in family and tradition, Lee's fits right into the fabric of the Asian District, serving up a unique combination of dishes with Asian, European and American influence.
Locally owned Chinese and Vietnamese restaurant Golden Phoenix sits right in the heart of the Asian District and is cooking up some of the city's favorite dishes. Their specialties are roast duck, crispy pork, Vietnamese-style seven courses of beef and much more.
Annual Events
If you are visiting in the fall, attend the Asian Night Market Festival, named #2 on USA Today’s 10 Best Night Markets in 2026. Hosted by the Asian District Cultural Association, this exciting event is full of performances like the lion dances and K-Pop dance competition, food vendors, eating contests and more.
No matter what cuisine you are searching for, put the Asian District on your itinerary for your next visit to OKC. Your taste buds will thank you for it.
