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. 

 

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, Café Oasis, Szechuan Story 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. If you're in the mood for a latte, visit HQ Coffee, a Korean-owned café. 

 

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 public art over movie theaters, spend an afternoon at Little D Gallery in the Paseo District, which houses a collection of paintings, murals and installations by Vietnamese-American artist Denise Duong. You can also see her murals throughout OKC districts, including Bricktown, Asian, West Village, and Midtown, throughout the U.S. and overseas.

 

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 Midtown, try Riviere Modern Banh Mi.

For Korean food, try WOW Korean BBQ, Seoul Pocha or B-Won.  

For Chinese and Taiwanese cuisine, check out 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 or BAR SEN, both owned by Chef Jeff Chanchaleune, in the Plaza District.

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.  

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.