The month of May is a special time to amplify and celebrate the important role that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have played in our shared history.
In St. Louis, attending Chinese Culture Days at the Missouri Botanical Garden is one of the most enticing – and the most exciting – ways to honor Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. On May 2 and 3, 2026, the garden will come to life with Chinese pageantry, music, dance and art. At the event, you can also immerse yourself in the history and legends of China while savoring traditional cuisine.
To experience other flavors from local Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, snag a seat at one of these eateries.
Akar
Drawing on childhood memories, far-flung travels and home-cooking comforts, chef-owner Bernie Lee of Akar crafts refined, soulful dishes rooted in his Malaysian heritage. The menu unfolds with small plates that defy expectations, then deepens with bold, layered flavors, including short rib, pad kee mao and risotto studded with butternut squash, poached lobster or asparagus depending on the season.
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Aubergine Cafe
Curry puffs, kao soi and pad Thai – Aubergine Cafe has crowd-pleasers. Within walking distance of America’s Center, Busch Stadium and Gateway Arch National Park, it is a convenient place to tame your hunger as you explore downtown St. Louis.
The Bao
Grounded in foundational flavors of Asian cuisine, the team at The Bao in Clayton serves a simple, satisfying menu of steamed buns, rice bowls and hot udon. Pair your spread with cocktails.
Black Salt
Inspired by kala namak, a cherished spice in India, Black Salt puts a twist on classic Indian cuisine. Committed to ingredients, dynamic flavors and generous portions, the fine-dining experience includes samosa chaat, tandoori chicken salad and lamb seekh kebab, followed by mains such as korma chicken, butter paneer and ajwaini bhindi.
Cate Zone
Experience the culinary culture of China at Cate Zone in Chesterfield, Missouri. Using traditional cooking techniques and high-quality ingredients, the chefs prepare Chinese specialties such as hong shao pai gu (red braised pork ribs), Chengdu chicken, Sichuan boiled beef and kung pao shrimp. Vegetarian options include soybean paste eggplant, garlic bok choy and dried bean curd with jalapeños.
ChiliSpot
ChiliSpot offers spicy Sichuan cuisine including mapo tofu, pork knuckle, lamb spine and frog legs.
Fork & Stix
Fork & Stix, a casual Thai restaurant in the Delmar Loop, serves khao soi and dishes from the Northeast region of Thailand, including som tum and khao niao mamuang, a seasonal dessert prepared with steamed sticky rice, mango, sweetened coconut milk and palm sugar.
Indo
At Indo, chef Nick Bognar melds Thai flavors and Japanese techniques to honor his family’s heritage. Dishes include hamachi crudo, palm sugar ribs, shrimp toast, crab fried rice and lamb tartare.
“We want you to have a party on your table with all the things hitting – that gets you in the mood to keep ordering and having fun. It makes me happy to see everyone having fun.”
– Nick Bognar of Indo, Sado and Pavilion
Kim’s Bakery
For two decades, Kim’s Bakery has been baking by hand using all-natural ingredients. At the family-owned and -operated business, recommended items include chestnut milk bread, white bean paste pastries, black tea cookies and coconut chips.
Kimchi Guys
Using fresh ingredients to create Asian flavors, Kimchi Guys serves classic dishes including tteokbokki, bibimbap and Korean fried chicken.
Le Ono
Dinner, drinks and cheer come together at Le Ono, an upscale French Polynesian restaurant in O’Fallon, Illinois. The menu is approachable yet distinctive, with options such as a chicken katsu sando on housemade milk bread, spicy ora king salmon tako su, crispy sesame tofu with oyster mushroom sauce and pan-seared fish with carrot-ginger purée and a furikake rice cake.
Lona’s Lil Eats
Home of the oversized rice paper wrap, Lona’s Lil Eats reflects chef-owner Lona Luo Powers’ roots in China’s Xishuangbanna region. Fill your wrap with spicy tofu, sautéed shrimp or grilled steak, and add sides such as spicy cucumbers and bamboo stew.
Lu Lu Seafood & Dim Sum
Dim sum is a social experience, best enjoyed with a group. Along Olive Boulevard, you will find dim sum spots including Lu Lu Seafood & Dim Sum, which consistently draws crowds.
Mai Lee
Launched in 1985 as the first Vietnamese restaurant in St. Louis, Mai Lee serves more than 200 dishes. This family restaurant led by Qui Tran was a James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurant in 2020.
Menya Rui
After spending three years in Japan honing his skills, Steven Pursley launched his own ramen shop in St. Louis. Menya Rui serves housemade noodles including ramen, tsukemen (dipping ramen) and mazemen (broth-less ramen), alongside appetizers such as cucumber salad and karaage (Japanese fried chicken). The space is snug, with seating for 25 to 30 people.
“I’m constantly inspired to experiment with what ramen can look like.”
– Steven Pursley of Menya Rui
Nudo House
Slurping is encouraged at Nudo House. Alongside spicy kimchi, pho and bánh mì, the restaurant serves ramen. One of the most popular noodle dishes is Shroomed Out, featuring mushroom broth, king oyster mushrooms, bok choy, menma (bamboo shoots), Ajitsuke Tamago (ramen egg) and black garlic.
PokeDoke
Poke bowls are the focus at PokeDoke. Build your own bowl with ingredients such as rice or noodles, spicy tuna or tofu, avocado, edamame, kimchi, mango and seaweed.
Sado
Another concept from Nick Bognar, Sado offers sushi, nigiri and sashimi on The Hill. Options include madai, masu and sake toro. Additional dishes include a miso-ginger salad, Japanese pumpkin in green curry sauce, black tiger prawn tempura and salmon yaki.
Sen Thai
A central mural, cultural masks and wooden crafts set the scene at Sen Thai in downtown St. Louis. The restaurant, menu and staff highlight Thailand’s spiritual devotion, people and spicy food. The extensive menu offers a range of options.
Seoul Garden
Banchan, or Korean side dishes, are central to the experience at Seoul Garden. They include housemade kimchi, spicy cucumber and fish cakes and are refillable. Enjoy them alongside tteokbokki, bibimbap, japchae or as part of an all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue spread.
Tai Ke Shabu Shabu
Tai Ke Shabu Shabu offers Taiwan-style hot pot. Seated around a bar lined with induction cooktops, diners choose a pot of broth filled with beef, lamb, seafood, mushroom or a combination, then order from add-ons. Once you are down to just broth, stir in a side of rice for a final porridge.
Tiger Soup Dumplings
Tiger Soup Dumplings serves steamed or fried soup dumplings filled with pork, chicken, beef or shrimp and cheese. Drinks include boba milk tea in original, peach or mango.
Turmeric
Influencing public perceptions of Indian food, Turmeric reflects India’s diverse cuisine. Located in the Delmar Loop, the restaurant serves in-house creations such as a rack of New Zealand spring lamb marinated in spices and herbs, baked in a tandoor with Dijon mustard and served with mint rogan sauce. Turmeric also has a location in the food hall at City Foundry STL, where you can build your own kathi rolls, dosa rolls and rice bowls with proteins such as paneer taka tak, Chettinad mushroom and Andhra chili chicken.
Other ways to celebrate in St. Louis
Other St. Louis residents, including Min Jung Kim of the Saint Louis Art Museum, Lars Nootbaar of the St. Louis Cardinals and Fionna Gemzon of None of the Above, are leaving their mark on St. Louis. Learning about their stories and enjoying their curated experiences is one way to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
If you find yourself in Forest Park, consider visiting the refreshed and revamped 1904 World’s Fair exhibit at the Missouri History Museum. To paint a complete picture of the historic event, the Missouri Historical Society has delved into the Filipino experience, among other aspects of the fair.
Throughout the month, the St. Louis Public Library will also host programs for all ages, including art events, film discussions and cooking demonstrations. Visitors can practice calligraphy, try bubble tea, watch The Joy Luck Club, learn traditional Japanese bookbinding, make Korean seaweed rice rolls and write a comic book.
