Is it any wonder the city that boasts the country’s third largest Chinatown district is home to tons of great Asian American-owned businesses too? With so many great local shops out there to support, we thought now was a great time to highlight some of the area’s best Asian American-owned businesses that keep parents and families in mind. From a local publisher to a sweet boba tea shop to an arts center, you’ll find what you need here.
This award-winning local publishing house is focused on telling the stories of the South Asian experience. It was started by mom, Sailaja Joshi, when she was pregnant with her first child. On a mission to find inspiring children’s books about her own Indian culture, she found few. So she published Hanuman and the Orange Sun. Now parents can find everything from board books and chapter books to art series thanks to Mango & Marigold Press.
You’ll find all your Hawaiian favorites at this poke shop in Somerville including Spam musubi, lumpia, suafa’I and of course poke. Our suggestion? Plan a head to enjoy this treat. They’re currently taking orders Thursday through Saturday for dinner (5-8 p.m.) and lunch on Saturday afternoons.
Art, education and creative programming is at the heart of Pao Arts Center in Boston’s Chinatown. Established in 2017, Pao Arts Center just celebrated its fifth anniversary this past weekend, and will open its new exhibit to the public on May 27. Be sure to put the outdoor summer performances celebrating the Year of the Tiger, hosted by Pao Arts Center and the Greenway Conservancy, on your summer calendar. The next one, The Ghost of Keelung, a radio play presentation, is scheduled for June 25.
Every parent knows the value of a great café. One where you can stop in with the kids, grab a bite to eat and a get a great pour over. You’ll find that and more at this Asian American-owned coffee shop that’s just a hop skip and a jump from the Greenway carousel. Don’t forget to swing by the Boston Children’s Museum when you’re in the area.
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If your kids are as obsessed as ours with Asian street food (thanks, TikTok), blow their minds with Dakzen’s authentic Thai street noodles. Khao Soi, Boat Noodles and Tiew Pak top our list, but it’s hard to go wrong with their Pad Thai and Pad Kee Mow if familiar feels better to your crew.
Head to this beauty bar in Chinatown for a little “me time.” Offering an array of facials (bubble cleansing, anyone?), hair treatment and color options, picking out a rejuvenating new look is easy. The hard part? Finding the time with your busy schedule.
Because there’s always a birthday around the corner, families can order a custom cake from Bao Bao Bakery in Chinatown. But if you walk in off the street, expect typical Chinese bakery goods like crepe cake, egg tarts, buns and ube-flavored sweets. Our suggestion? Go early to get the good stuff.
Because there’s always time for boba, head to this shop in Quincy where you’ll find refreshing milk tea enhanced with house-made boba. These colorful teas will delight your kids, and maybe even earn you a chance to sit and relax while you sip on yours too.
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