AAPI Heritage Month is an observation held every May to celebrate and recognize Asian American Pacific Islander influence, history and culture. It’s a great opportunity to visit your favorite AAPI-owned restaurant, attend an AAPI-hosted event or spend a sunny afternoon immersing yourself in all the Asian heritage that Oklahoma City has to offer. From the Asian District to the Night Market at Scissortail Park, continue reading for ways to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month in Oklahoma City.  

 

A vibrant hub of culture in the Asian District

There’s no better place to begin a celebration of AAPI Heritage Month than our very own Asian District, located roughly between NW 23rd and NW 30th, right off Classen Blvd. Start off with lunch at VII Asian Bistro, Pho Lien Hoa, Pho Cuong, Lido, Grand House Asian Bistro, Golden Phoenix, Fung’s Kitchen, Bún Box, Café Oasis, Szechuan Story, Hot Pot Heroes or Lee’s Sandwiches, then satisfy your sweet tooth with a boba tea drink from one of the many tea shops in the area: Sharetea, Gong Cha or Teapioca Lounge.

 

OKC Metro AAPI Heritage Month Events

The major event happening in Oklahoma City for AAPI Heritage Month is on May 10. Come down to Scissortail Park for a Night Market in special celebration of AAPI Heritage Month from 5:30-8 p.m. In partnership with the Asian District, the event will feature delicious food, unique retail vendors and lively cultural performances.  

On the following day, attend the Asian Mini Market in Downtown Edmond on May 11, from 5-8 p.m. Also hosted by the Asian District, this event includes vendors, cultural performances, and lion dancing. This event is a miniature version of the annual Asian Night Market Festival in October each year. 

 

Immerse yourself in Asian arts and entertainment

Catch a showing of Asian cinema at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art (OKCMOA) Noble Theater. As one of the few repertoire cinemas in Oklahoma City, the OKCMOA Noble Theater plays classic, international and independent cinema. Check out their upcoming screenings calendar and see if they’re playing any Asian or Asian-American films that pique your interest. Chances are high they’ll have something entertaining, educational or inspiring to freshen your perspective and transport you to another time or place.  

If you prefer art galleries over movie theaters, spend an afternoon at Oklahoma Contemporary and check out Postcards from Home: Maisha Gera Baswani, an exhibit running from February 22-July 22, 2024. The exhibit features Baswani’s photography portrait series of 47 contemporary Indian and Pakistani artists and their accounts of passed down memories of the 1947 Partition that created the two nation-states of India and Pakistan. This exhibit offers a nostalgic, multi-generational perspective on a historical event that has shaped geopolitics in South Asia and the lives of many South Asians.  

 

Every bite is a cultural experience

If you’re looking for Asian cuisine beyond the perimeters of the Asian District during AAPI Heritage Month, Oklahoma City has plenty to offer. Below are restaurant recommendations broken into groups by cuisine type and region of Oklahoma City.  

For Indian and Pakistani fare, check out Taj Cuisine of India and Sheesh Mahal in central Oklahoma City, or Gopuram Taste of India, which has two locations, one in northwest Oklahoma City and one in west OKC.  

For Japanese cuisine, try Tokyo Japanese Restaurant, Sushi Neko, Musashi’s Japanese Steakhouse and Tamashii Ramen, all in central Oklahoma City.  

For Vietnamese in northwest Oklahoma City, try Pho Lien Hoa.

For Korean food, try WOW Korean BBQ or Seoul Pocha in central Oklahoma City and B-Won in south Oklahoma City.  

For Chinese and Taiwanese cuisine, check out Mi Xian and Formosa Street Food & Bar in central Oklahoma City and Szechuan Bistro in northwest Oklahoma City.  

For Thai fare, consider Thai House, Kao Mun Gai, Tana Thai and Sala Thai in central Oklahoma City.   

And for Laotian, try Ma Der Lao in central Oklahoma City.

Lastly, stop into an Asian grocery store to pick up some fresh ingredients for your own Asian-inspired meal during AAPI Heritage Month. If you’re in central Oklahoma City, go to Super Cao Nguyen or China Town Supermarket. If you’re in southeast Oklahoma City, try OK KO-Mart Oriental Foods. They all offer hard-to-find but delicious Asian produce such as bean sprouts, bok choy, Asian pears and Chinese cabbage, as well as plenty of imported crackers, chips, candies and drinks.  

Whether you try a new restaurant or attend an event for AAPI Heritage Month in Oklahoma City, use this month as a springboard to explore what the AAPI community has to offer in Oklahoma City. And beyond May, continue staying involved in events and supporting AAPI-owned businesses. Your participation will enrich your life and foster community growth.  

For more trip inspiration, check out our two-day itinerary for exploring Asian history and culture in OKC and Asian OKC page.