Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with These Top Asian-Inspired Recipes

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month—a time to honor the rich, diverse cultures and flavors of the AAPI community. And what better way to celebrate than through food?

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• Crossing Continents and Islands
• What is AAPI Heritage Month and Why It Matters
• How to Participate in AAPI Heritage Month (Locally & Online)
• More Asian Recipes
• Cooking Tips and More
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• Have a Comment or Question?

Crossing Continents and Islands

These bold, creative recipes blend tradition with a modern twist, inspired by dishes from China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Tibet, Thailand, India, and beyond. Whether you're craving potstickers, curry, stir-fry, or something sizzling from the grill, this list has something for every hungry home cook.

Here are my top Asian-inspired recipes to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month—flavor-packed, weeknight-friendly, and made to impress.

What is AAPI Heritage Month and Why It Matters

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is a national celebration held every May in the United States to honor the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of individuals with ancestry from Asia and the Pacific Islands.

That includes a wide and diverse group—from East Asia (like China, Japan, and Korea), Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines), South Asia (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka), and the Pacific Islands (Hawaii, Samoa, Guam, and more).

How It All Started

This celebration began as a week-long observance in 1978 thanks to U.S. Congress members Frank Horton and Norman Y. Mineta, who introduced the resolution after recognizing the lack of representation and acknowledgment of Asian Americans’ contributions in U.S. history. President Jimmy Carter signed it into law, and in 1990, it was expanded to the entire month of May. Why May? It marks two key moments: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the U.S. in May 1843 and the completion of the transcontinental railroad in May 1869—many of whom were Chinese laborers.

Why Everyone Should Celebrate—Not Just the AAPI Community

Whether or not you identify as Asian or Pacific Islander, AAPI Heritage Month is for all of us. It’s a chance to learn, support, and uplift a wide spectrum of voices that have helped shape the cultural, economic, culinary, and artistic identity of America.

Food, especially, is a powerful entry point. Sharing meals, learning new dishes, and exploring the stories behind them is one of the most meaningful ways to build cultural appreciation and connection.

How to Participate in AAPI Heritage Month (Locally & Online)

You don’t need to hop on a plane to Thailand or the Philippines to dive in. Here are a few ways to celebrate and show support:

In Your Community:

• Visit a local AAPI-owned restaurant or food truck and try something new.
• Attend cultural festivals, performances, or heritage exhibits at local libraries and community centers.
• Support AAPI-owned bookstores, markets, and small businesses.

Online & From Home:

• Follow AAPI creators, chefs, authors, and educators on social media.
• Watch documentaries or read books by AAPI voices (ex, Always Be My Maybe, Pachinko, or Minari).
• Try cooking recipes from different Asian and Pacific Island cultures—like the ones in this roundup!

1. Honey Sesame Chicken Stir-Fry

Sweet, sticky, and seared to perfection—this quick stir-fry is everything you love about your favorite takeout spot, but made at home in under 30 minutes.

2. Quick Spicy Potstickers (Chili Momo, Tibetan-Style)

Inspired by Himalayan chili momos, these crispy potstickers are tossed in a fiery garlic-chili sauce that takes your taste buds on a wild ride.

3. Lemongrass-Marinated Grilled Chicken Spring Rolls

Fresh herbs, juicy grilled lemongrass chicken, and rice paper wraps—this Vietnamese-inspired recipe is light, flavorful, and fun to make.

4. Easy Sheet Pan Spicy Miso Salmon Rice Bowl

No-fuss and full of umami, this spicy-sweet salmon bakes on a single sheet pan and lands perfectly on a bed of rice with fresh toppings.

5. Shrimp & Pork Belly Pad Thai (Spring Roll Style)

It’s Pad Thai—but portable. These spring rolls wrap sweet-savory noodles, shrimp, and pork belly in chewy rice paper for a flavor bomb in every bite.

6. Shrimp, Shishito & Japanese Eggplant Stir-Fry

A sizzling, savory stir-fry featuring juicy shrimp, smoky eggplant, and blistered shishito peppers—it’s a quick trip to flavor town.

7. Roasted Chicken & Chickpea Vegetable Curry

Hearty, cozy, and fragrant, this curry blends South Asian and Caribbean flavors with roasted chicken and tender chickpeas in a spiced coconut gravy.

8. Bang Tofu Fried Rice

Bold and saucy, this tofu fried rice is high-protein, plant-based, and packs a sweet-spicy punch that’ll keep you coming back for seconds.

9. Spicy Tuna Rice Bowl

Think sushi vibes—without the rolling. This bowl features spicy mayo tuna over rice with fresh toppings. Fast, satisfying, and totally craveable.

10. Potsticker Pinwheel with Chili Oil Sauce

Pan-fried to crispy golden perfection, this dramatic dumpling dish is a total showstopper—serve it with chili oil sauce and bask in the compliments.

11. Creamy Potato Coconut Curry Fish Soup

A comforting, Caribbean-meets-Southeast Asia twist—this fish soup is rich, creamy, and spiced with curry, coconut milk, and tender potatoes.

Recommended Reads

• Empowering Young Black Girls Through Food: The Miami Winter
• 15 Things to Know on How to Use a Wok
• Best Tofu Press Guide: How to Prep Perfect Tofu
• Japanese Mandoline
• How to Make Multigrain Rice | Purple Rice Recipe

More Asian Recipes

Looking for other Asian-Inspired recipes like this? Try these: 

Cooking Tips and More

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