Detroit-area AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander)-owned restaurants should have tried by now [PHOTOS]

By Metro Times editorial staff on Fri, May 5, 2023 at 1:29 pm

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.

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Dontae Rockymore

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.

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Tom Perkins

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).

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Courtesy of David Rudolph

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.

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Lawrence Ko/Google Maps

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.

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Tom Perkins

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.

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Noble Fish / Facebook

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.

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Tony Lowe

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.

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Tom Perkins

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.

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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.

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Rudolph Pokorny

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.

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Photo with permission from @boostan_cafe_

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.

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Sahara Restaurant / Facebook

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.

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Cybelle Codish

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.

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Tom Perkins

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.

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Photo via Wing Hong/Facebook

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.

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Tom Perkins

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Courtesy Photo

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.

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Detroit-area AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander)-owned restaurants should have tried by now [PHOTOS]

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