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Asian American & Pacific Islander-Owned Businesses to Support Around Ann Arbor, Michigan

May was Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month and throughout the last few weeks, we got to see an outpouring of love and support for our local Asian and Pacific Islander community. But now that AAPI Heritage Month has come and gone, that doesn’t mean we should stop supporting our local AAPI community, whether that means donating to StopAAPIHate.org or patronizing a local AAPI-owned business.  

To help you find businesses you can support, we created the guide below. We know that this is in no way a definitive list, so if we missed your favorite AAPI-owned business or organization in our community, please let us know in the comments below. While this is a start, we encourage you to continue to show your support for these local business owners and other Asian and Pacific Islander individuals in our community all year long.

For more resources, check out Metro Parent for Southeast Michigan’s list of AAPI-Owned Businesses in Ann Arbor and Metro Detroitthis roundup of local POC-owned businesses on Reddit, this roundup of AAPI-owned businesses on Imgur, the Asian Community section of Southeast Michigan Startupand this amazing list of resources to help stop AAPI hate from the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor.  

Jump Ahead: 

 

Food + Drink 

Airang — Ann Arbor destination for Korean comfort food like Dolsot Bibimbap and Korean BBQ. 

Asian Legend — Modern Taiwanese and Sichuan Chinese spot on Williams Street. 

Bao Boys — Stationary food truck at York crafting “the dankest bao in Michigan.”  

Bao Boys

Photo courtesy of Bao Boys

Basil Babe — Dumpling pop-up brought to you by a local mother-daughter duo. 

Bewon — Beautiful Ann Arbor spot offering traditional Korean cuisine.  

Bells Diner — Classic diner serving both American and Korean dishes, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. every day. 

Belly Deli — Honest food with Asian flair like sandwiches, salads, bao and more using local ingredients. 

Bopjib — Delicious Korean food using simple, local ingredients on Church Street.  

Cardamom — Homey restaurant offering classic Indian food as well as Western-influenced dishes. 

Chan’s Garden — Nondescript eatery with an extensive menu of Chinese classics. 

Chatime — Locally owned franchise of a bubble tea chain celebrating two years in 2021. 

Chia Shang — Unpretentious restaurant featuring a long menu of Northern Chinese and Sichuan dishes.  

Coco Bubble Tea  Bubble tea chain serving authentic bubble tea straight from Taiwan. 

Curry On — Fast-casual restaurant offering a unique Indian food experience. 

DJ’s Bakery — Classic bakery offering traditional pastries as well as Vietnamese coffee and Thai teas.  

Dalat Restaurant — Ypsilanti favorite for Vietnamese fare that just relocated to Ann Arbor. 

Ding Tea — Brand new bubble tea spot offering delicious boba, coffee, teas and more.  

Dom Bakeries — Ypsilanti bakery with a drive-thru open 24/7 offering coffee, pastries and classic donuts. 


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Everest Sherpa — Small, colorful bistro offering dishes from Nepal, Tibet and India.  

Godaiko —Roomy locale for sushi, hibachi-grill specialties and Japanese American fusion dishes. 

HANA Korean Restaurant — Simple establishment serving homestyle Korean dishes.  

Happy Wok — Counter-service Chinese eatery offering traditional noodles and some Pan-Asian fare. 

Hola Seoul — Fusion restaurant bringing you the best of both worlds of Korean and Mexican cuisine. 

Hot Pot Chen — Chinese restaurant offering hot pot and other classic dishes for dine-in and takeout. 

Ichiban — Sushi and Hibachi restaurant with three locations in the Ann Arbor area. 

India Café — Unique café offering the best of traditional Indian and Pakistani dining. 

Kang’s — Longtime A2 eatery serving a classic menu of homestyle Korean fare like kimchi stew and hot-stone bibimbap 

King Shing Chinese — Chinese restaurant serving authentic, delicious and affordable cuisine.  

Kosmo’s Bop Shop — Kerrytown Market eatery known for dishes like BibimbapTwigim and Seoul Dog. 

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Photo courtesy of Kosmo’s Bop Shop

Lan City — Ypsilanti spot serving delicious handpulled noodle bowls. 

Lucky Garden — Chinese classics offered in a cheery space with carry-out and delivery options. 

Macheko Grill — Chill bar and eatery serving BBQ and other Korean staples as well as Japanese ramen bowls. 

Madra’s Masala — Quiet restaurant offering a mixture of South Indian and Indo-Chinese flavors with several vegetarian options. 

Mama Satto Sushi & Noddle — Casual outpost serving ramen and udon soups, sushi rolls and more. 

Miki — Ann Arbor’s oldest Japanese restaurant known for highquality sushi and sashimi.  

Milk & Honey — A2 bakery crafting custom cakes as well as sweet and savory baked goods from scratch. 15% of their profit is donated to local nonprofits. 

Miss Kim — Trendy spot for traditional Korean food and drinks with a modern, seasonal twist.

Momo Sushi — Sushi bar offering fusion preparations including burritos, poke bowls and Bibimbap. 

Moon Café — Quick-serve diner offering Korean-style bowls and fried chicken alongside frozen yogurt. 

Nagomi Sushi — Mellow sushi restaurant serving creative rolls and other Japanese fare. 

Namaste Flavours — Indian restaurant with porch seating featuring an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet. 

No Thai! — Local chain doling out a simple menu of Thai staples with a variety of spice levels. 

Of Rice & Men — Asian bistro serving Chinese, Korean and Japanese staples with a twist.  

Once Upon a Grill — Pakistani and Indian restaurant specializing in Biryani, Kati Rolls and Nihari. 

One Bowl — Pan-Asian café offering noodle soups like pho and ramen, curries and Korean grub.  

Pacific Rim — Romantic backdrop for American and French-inspired Pan-Asian fare with a curated wine list.

Pacific-Rim

Photo courtesy of Amy Kimball Photography via Pacific Rim 

Panda House — Authentic Chinese restaurant known for a variety in taste and high-quality ingredients.  

Pee Pod Inn — Ypsilanti Chinese restaurant offering delicious, steamed buns and other favorites. 

Pho House — Cozy destination for Vietnamese soup, noodles and fried-rice dishes plus bubble teas and smoothies. 

Poke Fish — Strip-mall Japanese café serving popular dishes including custom poke-style sushi bowls.  

Quickly — Bubble tea café serving authentic teas, boba and other delicious snacks.  

Rich J.C. Korean — Tiny Korean café with bar seating and a menu of noodles, soup and meat dishes. 

Sadako — Sushi, sashimi and bento box lunch specials served in a bustling space with a relaxed vibe. 

Seoul Garden — Traditional Korean BBQ, hot pot and Japanese food.  

Seoul Street — Chill, modern nook known for fried chicken and classic Korean eats. 

Shalimar — Main Street storefront offering Northern Indian and Mughlai-style fare plus beer and spirits. 

Sharetea — Taiwanese bubble tea chain serving classic tea, coffee, boba, blended drinks and more.  

Slurping Turtle — Industrial-chic noodle bar with long communal tables and a vast menu.  

Songbird Café — Creative American eatery serving espresso drinks, soups, sandwiches and baked goods. 

Sushi Town — Snug sushi house offering a varied roll selection and Japanese fare. 

Sweeting — Ann Arbor staple known for delicious rice balls, rolled ice cream, mochi, jelly desserts, taro balls, “frosteas,” milk tea and more.  

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea — Classic coffee and tea chain selling tasty drinks, pastries, desserts and more.

 Sweetwaters

Photo courtesy of James Bee via Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea

TK WU — One of Ann Arbor’s most acclaimed Chinese restaurants serving classic dishes in modest surroundings.  

Taste of India — Casual, compact place for Indian and Indo-Chinese fare with a midday buffet.  

Teriyaki Time — Snug self-serve operation specializing in Japanese and Korean grilled meats. 

Thai Spoon — Affordable and delicious Thai spot on Stone School Road. 

The Old Siam by Siam Kitchen — Eatery offering Thai favorites at different spice levels. 

Tianchu — Eclectic Asian eatery serving everything from dim sum to Korean bibimbap. 

Tomukun Noodle Bar — Noodle bar and grill featuring table-top grills and classic Korean soul food. 

Totoro — Small noodle bar and Japanese restaurant offering everything from sushi to teriyaki. 

Tuptim Thai Cuisine — Family-owned Thai eatery serving up classic cuisine and weekday lunch dishes. 

Umi Sushi — College student-friendly sushi restaurant offering both Japanese and Korean cuisine.  

VKitchen — Authentic Vietnamese restaurant in Ann Arbor offering favorites like pho and Banh Mi. 

Yee Siang Dumplings — Chinese eatery serving dumplings and inventive fillings. 

Yoon’s Bakery — Korean bakery serving both Korean and French-style pastries and baked goods. 

Yotsuba Japanese Restaurant — Modern and minimalist space for sushi, teriyaki and more served in booths or traditional tatami rooms.

 

Grocery 

Bombay Grocers — Indian grocery store offering highquality spices, produce and personal service. 

Galleria Market — Nontraditional grocery store selling mostly Korean items as well as some Japanese and Chinese products. 

Hua Xing — Large Asian market selling fresh food, produce, seafood, snacks and more.  

Hyundai Asian Market — Neighborhood market offering both Japanese and Korean staples. 

Idriss Meat Market — Asian grocery store offering a wide selection of products as well as a bulk-scoop section with very reasonable prices. 

Om Market — Indian grocery store known for its great selection of spices, teas, coffees and more. 

Tsai Grocery — Local Asian grocery store offering a wide variety of Japanese, Korean, Chinese and Thai ingredients. 

Way 1 — Large Asian grocery store offering fresh meat, produce, dry goods and more at great prices. 

 

Health + Beauty 

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A2 Nail Spa — Specialty beauty salon that offers a variety of nail care services. 

Bebe Nails — Ann Arbor nail salon specializing in manicures, pedicures, waxing and massage. 

BeeQ Spa — Spa and nail salon offering services like facials, waxing, eyelash extensions, threading, permanent makeup and more. 

Chang Jung Mi Hair Collection — Local hair salon specializing in Asian hair and styles.  

Diva Nails — Tranquil spa known for high-quality nail services as well as waxing and skincare solutions. 

Piaoran Massage — Local massage therapist offering a variety of reflexology services.  

Sapphire Therapeutic Spa — Relaxing spa providing Ann Arbor locals with massage therapy, facial and nail care services. 

Signature Nails — One-stop nail spa specializing in manicures, pedicures and nail designs. 

 

Miscellaneous Services 

1473 — Experimental record label specializing in improvisation, electronics and collaboration. 

Michigan Cleaners — Washtenaw County favorite dry cleaner. 

Moo Duk Martial Arts Institute — Small, family-oriented non-profit martial arts club offering specialized programs for stretching, flexibility and self-defense. 

 

Drop your recommendations down below! 

We know we have just scratched the surface of amazing, AAPI-owned businesses around Ann Arbor. If we missed your favorite, please let us know in the comments below so we can add them!  

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