May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history and culture of the U.S. The umbrella term includes ethnic groups from Eastern Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and the Pacific Islands, but can also include people from West and Southwest Asia, otherwise known as the Middle East, as well.

In metro Detroit, contributions from these cultures are especially felt in the dining scene. From the “Little Tokyo” of Novi, to the strip-mall hidden gems of Madison Heights, and of course metro Dearborn’s cherished Middle Eastern spots, here are some essential Asian-owned restaurants you should try.

New Seoul Plaza 27566 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield; 248-996-8922; newseoulplaza.com The Korean-themed New Seoul Plaza opened its doors in late 2018. Offerings include Korean barbecue at Daebak, treats like bingsu and bubble tea from Myomee Cafe, and the Myomee Shop, which claims to be the only store dedicated to K-pop music in Michigan. Credit: Dontae Rockymore
Isla 2496 Metro Pkwy., Sterling Heights; isladetroit.com After starting off as a food hall vendor, owners J.P. Garcia and Jacqueline Diño-Garcia moved their Filipino concept into a brick and mortar in 2021. The fast-casual restaurant features dishes like the batchoy (noodles with beef, pork, and bone broth) and lechon kawali (crispy pork belly with Dinuguan sauce). Credit: Tom Perkins
Bangkok 96 2450 S. Telegraph Rd., Dearborn; 313-730-8161; bangkok96.com This long-standing local Thai food favorite was established in 1996 by Genevieve Vang, a Hmong immigrant from Laos who refined her culinary skills in Thailand, France, and eventually metro Detroit. Vang also runs the spin-off Bangkok 96 Street Food stall in the Detroit Shipping Co. food hall. Credit: Courtesy of David Rudolph
Hong Hua Fine Chinese Dining 27925 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-489-2280; honghuafinedining.com This upscale restaurant opened in 2000 by friends and partners Danny Yu, Peter Chan, Gary Yau, and Shetwai Seto, who serve up authentic Cantonese dishes like its signature Peking duck. Fans consider Hong Hua to be the best Chinese fine dining in the Detroit area. Credit: Lawrence Ko/Google Maps
Edo Ramen House & Sushi Lounge 4313 W. 13 Mile Rd., Royal Oak; 248-556-5775; edo-lounge.com Filipino chef Eddie Bautista has lived in the Philippines, Hawaii, and Japan, drawing inspiration from his travels. Edo’s menu includes items from across Asia, including ramen, sushi, and poke bowls. Beyond Asian cuisine, Edo also features art exhibitions and musical performances. Credit: Tom Perkins
Noble Fish 45 E. 14 Mile Rd., Clawson; 248-585-2314; noblefish.com First opened as an Asian market in 1984 called Rainbow Fish House, in 1991 what we now know as Noble Fish added a small kitchen in the back of the store and soon became a local sushi fave. The market and sushi restaurant reopened with renovations including more seats in 2020. Credit: Noble Fish / Facebook
Ajishin 42270 Grand River Ave., Novi; 248-380-9850 Novi has become known as metro Detroit’s “Little Tokyo” over the years, with this no-frills shop serving sushi since 1996. Fans say it has the best Japanese in metro Detroit, especially its udon dishes. Credit: Tony Lowe
Shangri-La 6407 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Twp., 248-626-8585; dineshangrila.com Owner Cholada Chan, an immigrant from Thailand, says she created Shangri-La in the mid-1990s because she was tired of having to cross the border to Windsor to get good dim sum. Aside from authentic Cantonese cuisine, due to Chan’s Thai heritage, there are also curry dishes on the menu. Credit: Tom Perkins
168 Asian Mart 32393 John R Rd., Madison Heights; 248-616-1689; 168asianmarket.com Plenty of top-notch strip-mall Asian restaurants abound in the Madison Heights area, but this sprawling Asian market, which claims to be the largest in Michigan, is a sight to behold. Opened in 2015 in a former Mervyn’s department store, 168 Asian Mart includes a food court that serves a variety of Asian cuisines. You can even bring meat purchased from the market here to be cooked. Credit: Tom Perkins
Trizest Restaurant 33170 Dequindre Rd., Sterling Heights; 586-268-1450; trizest.com While an Americanized take on cuisine from China’s Sichuan province (“Szechuan”) is common in the U.S., Trizest boasts the real deal. The restaurant opened in 2010 and is a favorite among metro Detroit’s Chinese community. Credit: Rudolph Pokorny
Boostan Cafe 3470 Holbrook Ave., Hamtramck | 5101 E. McNichols Rd., Detroit | 313-456-8100; boostancafe.com Of Hamtramck’s many Mediterranean eateries, Boostan is beloved for its low prices and especially its tawook sandwiches. The spot, which has a second location on McNichols Road in Detroit, is owned by Yemeni brothers Farhan Al Najar and Syaih Najar. Credit: Photo with permission from @boostan_cafe_
Sahara Restaurant 22815 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-406-5959; ordersahara.com In business since 1968, this family-owned restaurant serves Lebanese cuisine that has earned legions of fans. Credit: Sahara Restaurant / Facebook
AlTayeb 15010 W. Warren Ave., Dearborn; 313-633-1752 | 873 Inkster Rd., Garden City; 734-237-4606 | altayebrestaurant.com Owned by a family that hails from Beirut, AlTayeb found a niche in a region with plenty of Lebanese restaurants by focusing on a breakfast-centric menu. See why it counts The New York Times among its fans. Credit: Cybelle Codish
Rangoli 3055 Walton Blvd., Auburn Hills; 248-377-3800; detroitrangoli.com Among metro Detroit’s Indian communities, Rangoli tops many lists of local favorites. The business has been around since about the turn of the century, serving authentic dishes like tandoori lamb chops and chicken 65. Credit: Tom Perkins
Wing Hong 18203 W. 10 Mile Rd., Southfield; 248-569-5527; winghongsouthfield.com This family-owned restaurant has been in business for more than 50 years, serving classic Cantonese dishes, dim sum, and Michigan’s contribution to Chinese-American cuisine, Almond boneless chicken. Credit: Photo via Wing Hong/Facebook
Al Ameer 12710 W. Warren Ave., Dearborn; 313-582-8185 | 27346 Ford Rd., Dearborn Heights; 313-565-9600 | alameerrestaurant.com Family-owned since 1989, Al Ameer is one of the local favorites for authentic Mediterranean cuisine. The business is operated by Lebanese immigrants Khalil Ammar and Zaki Hashem and their sons. Credit: Tom Perkins
Ishtar 3625 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights; 586-698-2585 With many Middle Eastern restaurants in metro Detroit focusing on Lebanese fare, Ishtar stands out with its Iraqi cuisine. Credit: Tom Perkins
Al Chabab 12930 W. Warren Ave., Dearborn; 313-582-2927; facebook.com/AlChababRestaurant This local restaurant stands out thanks to its Syrian cuisine like hummus halabi and kabobs. Credit: Tom Perkins
Sullaf 814 W. Seven Mile Rd., Detroit; 313-893-5657 One of the last businesses standing in a neighborhood in Detroit known as “Chaldean Town,” this Iraqi restaurant still draws plenty of diners. This spot is so low-frills that it doesn’t even have a menu; it serves about six or so dishes. If you know, you know. Credit: Tom Perkins
Mon Jin Lau 1515 E. Maple Rd., Troy; 248-689-2332; monjinlau.com Owned since 1969 by the Chin family, who have launched a number of businesses in the Detroit area including Detroit’s 8 Mile-famous former Chin Tiki and Chin’s Restaurant in Livonia, Mon Jin Lau evolved from a Chinese restaurant to incorporate flavors from across Asia, or what it dubs “Nu-Asian” cuisine. Credit: Courtesy Photo
Slurping Turtle 608 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor; 734-887-6868; slurpingturtle.com Opened by James Beard Award-winning chef Takahashi Yagihashi in 2014, who previously opened a version of Slurping Turtle in Chicago, this spot is known for putting a twist on Japanese dishes luke ramen and sushi. Credit: Photo by Rob Widdis
Yemen Cafe 8740 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck; 313-871-4349; yemencaferestaurant.com This low-frills restaurant is beloved for its Yemeni dishes. Even better, it’s open until 1 a.m., making it an ideal spot for late-night bites. Credit: @skp00101, Instagram
Shiro 43180 W. Nine Mile Rd., Novi; 248-348-1212; shiro-restaurant.com Opened in 2000 in an elegant mansion originally built in the 1920s, this fusion spot combines Japanese and French influences. At the time, ​​owners Howard Yang and J.W. Shin spent eight months and $500,000 renovating the old Charles Rogers mansion. Credit: Photo via Shiro/Facebook
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Filipinas Oriental Foods 3866 E. 13 Mile Rd., Warren; 586-558-8550; facebook.com/filipinasOriental This grocery store-restaurant combo serves Filipino faves “turo-turo”-style, or in a cafeteria-like manner. It was opened by Sonia Sutter, an immigrant from Manila, and her family in 2010. Customers travel from all over Michigan to get items like chicken adobo and longganisa sausages.

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