American Asian Pacific Islander month aka AAPI is a celebration of heritage from Americans whose story began in the Asian continent and the great Pacific. What it means to me is an opportunity to celebrate the immense diversity of foods that come from the largest population by continent.
Grab a fork, chopsticks or your bare hands because we are diving into my fav Asian restaurants from across the country.
The Vitals:
the spot:Rowdy Rooster 49 1st Ave., New York, NY 10003
the eats: Fried Chicken Sandwich
the bucks: $15
the full nelson: the most exciting contemporary Indian food I’ve ever had
I first experienced Rowdy Rooster back in 2023. To this day it was the most intense fried chicken experience I have ever had. The heat was to the point of being on Man vs Food, at least to me, and I can handle some spice. But unlike some wing joint that dumps spice concentrate on the food, this had tremendous complex flavor.
Worth the sweat and PS – I only got the four, the Rooster goes up to 5. You might be playing with fire but I’d say AAPI month 2025 is the right time to find out.
The Vitals:
the spot: Kalaya 4 W Palmer St, Philadelphia, PA 19125
the eats: anything and everything
the bucks: $$$
the full nelson: Real Deal Thai flavors with elevated ingredients
I haven’t been to Thailand . . . yet but for now, the best Thai food I’ve ever had is at Kalaya in Philadelphia. Chef Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon won a James Beard for Best Chef in the Mid Atlantic region for her family recipes that utilize premium ingredients. This a practice long overlooked with many Thai restaurants that sought entry into the dining market by serving up affordable prices and varied menus.
You will most likely find yourself shelling out a lot more money for Thai food. But when you do, you will not only experience the full depth of Thai cuisine but even honor Thai Americans who have been in the know and so fitting that it happen on AAPI Month 2025.
The Vitals:
the spot: Lao’d Bar 9909 FM 969 building 4, Austin, TX 78724
the eats: Pork Rinds, Escolar Ceviche, Chicken Wings, Lahb
the bucks: $$
the full nelson: Laotian bar food that will question you ever thinking about going to Pluckers again
Lao’d bar is one of the most exciting additions to the Austin food scene and perfect opportunity to discover a lesser known Asian food culture: Laotian. Imagine the pungency of lime and fish sauce in the Thai dish Larb and you will zero in Laotian food. In fact some of my fav Thai dishes are in fact Laotian.
Chef Bob Somith, a James Beard semifinalist for best new restaurant, also has one foot planted in America. So don’t overlook his Pork Smashburgers or the wings, which are my fav in the city. AAPI month 2025 just might peak at this Laotian spot.
The Vitals:
the spot: Sea Harbour 3939 Rosemead Blvd, Rosemead, CA 91770
the eats: Siu Mai, Har Gow, all the classics
the bucks: $$
the full nelson: Legendary Dim Sum restaurant in Los Angeles
An institution for Cantonese Dim Sum for over two decades, it seems like Sea Harbour has been around for longer. Expect a massive dining room, like 8000 square feet of it but don’t expect carts. Do expect a chef, Tony He, to be constantly adding items to the menu like black truffle topped Siu Mai.
Kill two birds with one stone for AAPI month 2025: your dumpling fix and your black truffle fix.
The Vitals:
the spot: Burma Superstar multiple locations in the Bay Area
the eats: Biriyani, Mango Beef, Whole Catfish
the bucks: $$
the full nelson: Celebrated Burmese restaurant with multiple outposts in the SF Bay Area
It’s been ages since I’ve been to Burma Superstar but I remember it being a bright culinary star amongst many the San Francisco Bay Area. Burmese food sits like it does on the map: at an intersection between India, China and Southeast Asia. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. FYI- you won’t be alone dining here on AAPI Month 2025. SF’ers love them some Burma Superstar. And for good reason.
And that’s my round of up places to eat for AAPI month 2025. Love to know where you will go!
Leave a Reply