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May 15, 2025

AAPI Heritage Month Gift Guide

Written by: [me] marketeam

This Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month we're supporting AAPI-owned and operated restaurants in our community with a handy-dandy gift guide!

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is here, and it’s the perfect excuse to celebrate the incredible impact AAPI folks have had—and are still having—on every industry, especially food and hospitality. Let’s talk about the magic behind AAPI-owned restaurants: innovative entrepreneurs pouring their heart, creativity, and grit into every single dish. Seriously, what better way to honor this month than by grabbing some swag or bite from one of these amazing spots?

Eating at AAPI-owned restaurants isn’t just about treating your taste buds (though, let’s be honest, they’ll thank you). It’s about showing love to hardworking business owners, supporting their dreams, and helping shape a brighter future for AAPIs in the industry. Whether you’re planning a night out or looking for a thoughtful gift, we’ve got you covered with ideas to help you spotlight and support these culinary rockstars. Dive in and let’s make this month deliciously meaningful!

AAPI Heritage Month Gift Guide

Food & ready to eat
Gift cards
Merch
James Beard Dining

Food & ready to eat

	Bessou \| Ultimate Popcorn Gift Box With flavors like Nori Crunch, Shiso Sour Cream, Soy Butter and Miso Caramel Corn, how could you possibly resist!?	$27
	Philippe Chow \| Dumplings-24 Pack Take your pick from Philippe Chow’s signature Chicken, Shrimp, Duck, Pork, Beef, or Vegetable Dumplings, ready to be steamed or pan-fried!	$89.95
	Hola Arepa \| Set of Condiments You cannot miss out on trying the Coconut Chili Crisp! Enjoy these condiments on everything, including roasted veggies, eggs, meats, creamy dips, tacos, pizza and more!	$19.50
	Bessou \| Pantry Essentials Life lacking seasoning? Not anymore! Grab this pantry essentials pack complete with Rayu Chili Oil, Miso Marinade and Furikake seasonings.	$50
	Philippe Chow \| Spicy Prawn Kit for 2 Philippe Chow’s signature Spicy Prawns are made by deep-frying prawns and tossing them with a super-flavorful sweet & spicy sauce and dried red pepper!	$99.95

Gift cards

	Gage & Tollner \| Brooklyn, NY This legendary Brooklyn spot is getting a serious glow-up thanks to Sohui Kim, Ben Schneider, and St. John Frizell. This place isn’t just about the landmark dining room or its rich history (though, let’s be honest, that’s pretty awesome); it’s about bringing the magic back for a new generation.	Up to $500
	Pizzeria Lola \| Minneapolis, MN Led by Chef and Owner Ann Kim, this Minneapolis staple cranks out delicious pies on the daily, including ones topped with one of the greatest culinary inventions of all time: kimchi.	Up to $500
	Philippe Chow \| Multiple Locations Since his humble beginnings as a teenage chef in Hong Kong restaurants, Executive Chef Philippe Chow has wowed thousands of diners and cooked in many of the world’s most high-profile kitchens. Enjoy gifting the Philippe Chow experience to friends, family, or business associates for any occasion by purchasing an digital gift card that can be used at any Philippe Chow location in the United States.	Up to $500
	Purple Patch \| Washington, DC Led by Chef and Owner Patrice Cleary, Purple Patch opened in 2015, one of the first Filipino Restaurants in Washington, D.C., and has since become a destination for travelers near and far.	Up to $200
	Hola Arepa \| Minneapolis, MN Chef Christina Nguyen & her partner Birk Grudem started Hola Arepa as a food truck in 2011. Though the truck has been mostly in hibernation since they opened their brick & mortar restaurant in 2014, you can always enjoy their arepas, other dishes & cocktails in a space inspired by their travels to beach towns and charming old cafes in South America, Central America and Mexico.	Up to $250
	Osha Thai Kitchen \| Houston, TX Started in 2024, Osha Thai Kitchen is the culmination of years of dedication and hard work. From culinary school in Thailand to honing their craft at various restaurants in the Houston area, Osha is proud to serve its community. They make the vibrant flavors of Thailand come alive in every dish.	Up to $500

Merch

	Gage & Tollner \| Tote Bag Even if you haven't been to the very famous restaurant in Brooklyn, you can impress your friends with this adorable tote - and wear it on your way to dinner!	$25
	Hola Arepa \| Hola Beanies EDIT There’s no easier way to show your support for Emma’s Torch than with this ever-so-warm, ever-so-soft sweatshirt. A pre-shrunk, classic fit sweater that’s made with air-jet spun yarn for a soft feel.	$20
	Pizzeria Lola \| FU Fear T-shirt Featuring Chef/Owner Ann Kim's mantra, this t-shirt not only looks good, but does good in the community too! With every shirt sold, Pizzeria Lola will donate $20 to Second Harvest Heartland, a leading hunger-relief organization.	$20
	Bessou \| Indigo Blue Hat Bessou offers a timeless blend of heritage and style, the Blue Indigo Hat is crafted from premium cotton and hand-dyed using traditional Japanese indigo techniques. With its relaxed silhouette, subtle stitching, and minimalist design, this hat is a versatile statement piece—equally suited for everyday wear or adding a touch of character to any look.	$30
	Pizzeria Lola \| Kimchi Tote Bag Kimchi on pizza? Yes. Kimchi on a beautiful rainbow tote bag? Even more, yes! Snag this stunner from Minneapolis' own Pizzeria Lola, led and fed by James Beard award-winning chef Ann Kim.	$25

James Beard Dining Experiences

	CHIKO \| Gift Cards In 2025, chef-partners Danny Lee and Scott Drewno were James Beard Award nominees for Outstanding Restaurateur. CHIKO, a fine-dining concept under the umbrella of The Fried Rice Collective, serves innovative dishes, such as their signature shrimp and grits with garlic XO sauce.	Up to $500
	Pizzeria Lola \| Gift Cards Chef and owner Ann Kim won the 2019 James Beard Award for "Best Chef Midwest." A Korean immigrant, Kim credits her culinary palate and love of cooking to helping her mother and grandmother, leading to the opening of Pizzeria Lola in 2010. A beloved Minneapolis spot that has earned both local and national acclaim, Pizzeria Lola has been featured in the New York Times, Vogue, Forbes, Wall Street Journal and on Netflix's Chef's Table.”	Values Vary
	Kabooki Sushi \| Gift Cards Chef Henry Moso, the talented chef of Kabooki Sushi in Orlando, Florida, has been a repeating James Beard Award "Best Chef South" semifinalist. Kabooki Sushi is a contemporary Japanese dining experience that blends traditional sushi craftsmanship with bold, globally inspired flavors.	Values Vary
	Hai Hai \| Minneapolis, MN Chef Christina Nguyen & her amazing team took home a James Beard medal for Best Chef Midwest in June 2024. Inspired by dishes that Chef Christina Nguyen grew up eating at home, at family celebrations, in Vietnamese Sunday school basements & during several trips to Southeast Asia, you can expect to find more than just the standards like pho & pad thai.	Up to $250

Tag(s): Industry Trends , Multi-unit , Franchises , Breweries , Single-unit

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