Celebrating AAPI Heritage Through Food
Sharing Culture Through Food
Food is more than a meal – it’s memory, migration, and meaning.
We’re spotlighting halal, AAPI immigrant-owned restaurants across California that nourish their communities with love and legacy.
Supporting these small businesses means:
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Uplifting immigrant stories
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Fighting cultural erasure
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Investing in local economies
Celebrate this Asian American Pacific Islander month by exploring food from a new culture.
The Spots
Simpang Asia
Cuisine – Indonesian
Location – Culver City, CA
Things to try –
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Mie Tek Tek noodles
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Martabak Telor
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Nasi Goreng
Palmsugar
Cuisine – Thai
Locations – Inglewood & Westwood, CA
Things to try –
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Panang curry
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Drunken noodles
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Pad thai w chicken
Ma’s
Cuisine – Chinese
Locations – Rowland Heights/ Anaheim/ San Diego, CA
Things to try –
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House spicy popcorn chicken
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Special spicy stir fry noodle
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Sweet & sour shrimp
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Spicy lamb steak
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Beef dumpling
Old Mandarin Islamic
Cuisine – Chinese
Location – San Francisco, CA
Things to try –
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Mongolian beef
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Cumin lamb
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Beef pancakes
Halal Street Hot Pot
Cuisine – Hot Pot
Location – Newark, CA
Things to try –
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All you can eat halal hot pot experience
Jasmine Restaurant & Market
Cuisine – Burmese
Location – Culver City, CA
Things to Try –
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Pan Tay Kau Swe
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Fried Rice Noodle
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Khau Swe Thoke
I Can BBQ
Cuisine – KBBQ
Location – Irvine, CA
Things to try –
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All you can eat halal Korean barbecue experience
Kabul West
Cuisine – Afghan
Location – San Diego, CA
Things to try –
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Kebob plate
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Koobideh plate
Charminar
Cuisine – Indian
Location – San Diego, CA
Things to try –
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Butter chicken
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Haleem
Super Dumpling
Cuisine – Chinese
Locations – Culver City & Orange, CA
Things to try –
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Spicy chicken wontons
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Orange chicken
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Spicy chicken fried rice
Aria Afghan
Cuisine – Afghan
Location – North Highlands, CA
Things to try –
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Qabili palaw
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Mantu
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Awshak
Zareen’s
Cuisine – Pakistani
Locations – Redwood City/Palo Alto/Mountain View, CA
Things to try –
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Memoni chicken samosas
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Biryani
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Halwa puri breakfast